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Title:
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TreknRaft: Roopkund Trek & Kali
River Expedition
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Duration:
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15 days
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Location:
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Uttarakhand |
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Season:
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11th - 25th October
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Grade:
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Moderate Trek - Class III(IV)
River
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This trip combines a mountain trek with a river expedition and offers the best of both worlds.
Roopkund Lake (5029 m) was made famous by the
skeletal remains discovered there in 1942 by a
forest ranger. For 60 years the skeletons
numbering between 300 and 600 puzzled
historians, scientists and archaeologists. Many
theories were formed about who they were and how
they died such as, Tibetan traders, royal
pilgrims, or soldiers killed in battle. Finally
in 2004 a team of scientists using carbon dating
and DNA samples matched them with a community of
high-caste Brahmins in central India. They also
discovered that most of the pilgrims suffered an
identical cause of death, large skull fractures
caused by one of the most deadly hail storms in
history.
This is a beautiful trek in the shadow of the
giant Nanda Ghungti (6310 m), Changabang (6864
m) & Trishul (7120 m) peaks. The route takes us
through remote villages, forests and flower clad
meadows.
The Kali river is a great introduction to
white-water in India. It is a classic pool drop
river, with relaxing calm scenic sections
followed by big fun rapids with long wave
trains. The river flows past terraced farms,
mountain streams, white sandy beaches and thick
tropical jungles. Forming the border between
India and Nepal it gives a great insight into
the people living in both countries. The river
is teeming with fish and the area is rich in
wildlife. The region is home to bear, leopard,
elephant, monkey and over 500 species of bird.
Day 1: Delhi to Rishikesh (330 m): 5/6 hrs.
Board the morning train departing New Delhi at
7:00 a.m reaching Haridwar at 11:30. Transfer to
our river camp on the banks of the Ganges near
Rishikesh, a bustling pilgrim township, popular
meditation centre and the yoga capital of the
world. After lunch, go rafting on the Holy
Ganges or explore Rishikesh and attend the aarti
(evening prayers) by the banks of the river
Ganges. Overnight at beach camp.
Day 2: Drive Rishikesh to Wan (1330 m): 7/8 hrs.
The drive takes one into the rugged country of
the Garhwal Himalaya along river valleys and
through towns. We stop for plenty chai (Indian
tea) and photo breaks along the way, reaching
Wan in the late afternoon. Overnight camp.
Day 3: Trek Wan to Bedni Bugyal (3350 m) 5/6 hrs.
First day of trekking. The walk takes us up hill
through the dense Himalayan forests for most of
the day. As we come out above the tree line, the
views of the wide green meadows of Bedni are
amazing. Overnight camp in one of the most
beautiful campsites in the Indian Himalaya.
Overnight camp.
Day 4: Bedni Bugyal to Bhagubasa (4100 m) 4/5 hrs.
After a hearty breakfast we follow the trail up
to the Pathar Nachaumi ridge. From here we get
closer views of Trisul, Nanda Ghunti, and
Changabang. A steep zigzag path brings us to the
caves of Bhagubasa where the one can find some
rock shelters which are used by pilgrims.
Overnight camp.
Day 5: Bhagubasa to Roopkund Lake (5029 m) to Bhagubasa 6/7 hrs.
After an early morning breakfast we climb the
steep, narrow trail leading to the ‘mystery
lake’ of Roopkund. If the snow cover is not too
thick one will find the skeletal remains at the
lakes edge. An optional short steep walk up from
here to the ridge gives a close up views of
Trisul and Nanda Ghunti peaks. Descend back to
the Bhagubasa campsite.
Day 6: Bhagubasa to Ali Bugyal (3330 m) 5/6 hrs.
Walk back for about 3 hours to reach Bedni
Bugyal and then descend steeply through the
forests of fir, rhododendron and pine to reach
the valley floor. We cross a small river and
then climb to the village of Ali Bugyal.
Overnight camp.
Day 7: Ali Bugyal to Lohajung (2590m) 5/6 hrs; Drive to Gwaldam 2 hrs.
We descend further down through more forest to
reach Lohajung. We then take a short drive to
reach the hotel in Gwalden. Overnight hotel.
Day 8: Gwaldam to Pithoragarh: 8 hrs.
Enjoy the beautiful views of the Panchuli region
as we drive eight hours to Pithoragarh. We pass
through many villages, towns and forests rich in
flora and fauna, stopping along the way for
photo opportunities. Overnight hotel in
Pithoragarh.
Day 9 : Pithoragarh to below Jhulaghat: 5/6 hrs.
We drive for two hours to Jhulaghat, the
starting point of our river expedition. We begin
the trip with a detailed safety talk followed by
a short initiation stretch through Class II
rapids. We pass many stalactite and stalagmite
formations on the river bank. We reach camp by
late afternoon and hike to visit a nearby
village. Dinner by campfire and overnight camp.
Day 10: Jhulaghat to Pancheshwar 4/5 hrs.
We run more class II and III rapids until we
reach the confluence of the Kali and Saryu
rivers at Pancheshwar. Local fisherman fish
along this stretch using hollowed out logs as
river craft. We set up camp below the confluence
and have a relaxed afternoon. Overnight camp.
Day 11: Pancheshwar to Giant Beach 4/5 hrs.
The rapids get bigger and more frequent as the
river increases in gradient. We run a series of
Class III rapids with some large waves and
holes. The day is marked by thick jungle and
uninhabited sections. Overnight camp.
Day 12: Rest day.
Rest day to explore the surroundings. Take a
hike in the Jungle or to a nearby village. Relax
on the beach, swim or kayak in the river.
Overnight camp.
Day 13: Raft to Chooka 4 hrs.
Today we paddle about 20 km, finishing with a
class IV rapid called Chooka. Chooka is the
biggest rapid on the river with numerous large
holes and big waves. We camp below the rapid,
and discuss the days adventures over dinner and
a warm fire. Overnight camp.
Day 14: Chooka to Boom to Kathogam.
Last day of the expedition. We pass through more
jungle with great white-water and a chance to
see wild elephants swimming by the river. We
reach Boom and then drive to Kathgodam to catch
the overnight train to Delhi.
Day 15: Arrive Delhi.
Arrive in Delhi in the early morning. Trip ends.
Note: Please contact us for sightseeing in Delhi, or a trip to the Taj Mahal at the start or end of this trip. We can also tailor this trip with a wildlife safari.
All itineraries exclude international flight days. The duration of this trip is calculated from Delhi back to Delhi again.
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