Main Info
Panchachuli Base Camp is one of the exciting base camps that set out its marquee in a 40-kilometer trek starting from Dar to Panchachuli Glacier. Nestling snugly in the lap of the snowcapped peaks of Panchachuli, the Darma valley in Pithoragarh district is endowed with abundant scenic grandeur, The route to the glacier is abound in a splendid combination of enthralling scenery, snowcapped mountains, gushing streams, Alpine meadows and a rich variety of flora & fauna. Situated in Eastern Kumaon Himalaya, the trekking route forms the watershed between the Gori Ganga and Darma Valleys. People come to view the ethereal beauty of the nature, reasons don’t hold much importance, as the Himalayas foothills are just the perfect alternative to experience adventure. Panchachuli Glacier lying on the laps of Kumaon Himalayan range in the Darma Valley, near the borders of Nepal and Tibet an area of outstanding beauty .The entire trek to the glacier is a walk along the river Dhauliganga.
The last road head Dar is 42 kms Dharchula (dist. Pithoragarh). Dar to Panchachuli Glacier is a pleasant walk .The trail goes through the tribal Villages of Bongling, Sela, Nagling, Baling and Duktu along the river Dhauliganga and thick Forests of deodar and Bhojpatra and conifer. The five peaks of Panchachuli create the unforgettable specter of Him Khand, Yuli River skirted by the forests of Devdaar and Bhoj Patra and conifer trees and vast meadows. Description of this trek on papers is complex and would be injustice to the scenery that unfolds in front of the eyes of the beholder, it can only be experienced.
Panchachuli Base Camp Travel Information
Region: – Uttarakhand
Duration: – 10 Days
Grade: – Easy To Moderate
Max Altitude: – 13,975 Ft.
Approx. Trekking Km: – 61 Kms.
Panchachuli Base Camp Trek Itinerary.
Day 1: Kathgodam to Dharchula 9hrs. (290km.)
It’s a whole day’s drive to Dharchula from Kathgodam. The picturesque ride through the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand passes through the towns of Bhimtal, Almora, Dhaulchina, Sera- gat, Chaukhori, Thal, and Ashkot. The lofty Himalayan ranges and the gorges below, native villages and the sheer beauty of the forests are you company all through the drive to Dharchula. Dharchula which is almost straddling India and Nepal across the river Kali is a picturesque isolated remote valley village amidst the snowcapped peaks. It served as an ancient trading route between India and Nepal. Overnight stay at a homestay in the Dharchula village.
Day 2: Dharchula – Dar – Urthing.
Dar is the last road head in Darma Valley for this trek. From Dharchula it is a 3 hour drive to Dar along a windy road through the small tribal settlements Tawaghat and New Sobla. From Dar it is a 3-4 hour walk to reach the campsite of Urthing thought Bongling forest. The trek to Urthing is along a narrow cliff edge with the Dhauliganga River gushing below on your right. The path winds itself on a rock cut stretch to reach the village of Bongling. It’s a level walk with short climbs in between to the reach the campsite. Overnight stay in camp.
Day 3: Urthing – Naagling.
It’s an easy walk with short descents and climbs. The mule track from Urthing to Naagling goes through hill sides of green pastoral land, with Dhauli Ganga flowing below cutting through the gorges. The trail passes through the green meadows of the inner Himalayan ranges and a suspension bridge across the river to cross over to Sela campsite. The campsite is on the outskirts of Naagling on the green carpet alongside the river. Overnight stay in Camp.
Day 4: Naagling – Son
The trail to Naagling goes along hill sides and is a rocky terrain for the first 3 kilometers. We then enter the coniferous forests of high oak and birch trees and further along we reach the table top meadow of Nagling. The view from this vantage point is a sight to behold. Surrounded by the mighty Himalayas, the views of the distant glaciers is exciting. From the meadow Baaling is another 3 kilometer walk through the vegetation lands of the tribals. Son is a picturesque mostly uninhabited settlement of the Darma Valley. Overnight stay in Camp.
Day 5: Son – Panchchuli Base camp (4260 Mts)
The walk to the Base camp is along a narrow trail through the vast expanse of the Dantu Bugyals. With the forest cover to reach the glacier, on one side and the Meola River bed on the other it’s as steep descend to PCBC. The trek to PCBC itself is very picturesque with the bugyals stretching far and wide on one side and the forests of birch and conifer on the other.
Wild flowers and wild strawberries grow on either side of the narrow path which has steep climbs and descends till we reach the PCBC. With the peaks towering above and endless stretches of glaciers, the place itself provides an incredible scenery of a sprawling meadow bordered by tall oak and birch trees with the Panch Chulli (6904 mts./22652 ft.) towering in the background. We retrace our path back to Nagling and camp for the night. Overnight stay in Camp.
Day 6: Panchachuli Base Camp- Naagling.
In the morning we will trek down to Bungling. The trek is easy to downwards. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 7: Naagling to Urthing 12km.
In the morning we will trek down to Bungling. The trek is easy to downwards. Dinner and overnight stay in tents. Back to the Naagling all the way to same back from PCBC.
Day 8: Urthing to Dar drive back to Dharchula.
This is our last day of trekking. We will trek down 5 kms to reach Sobla and from here drive to Dharchula. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel.
Day 9: Dharchula to Kathgodam via Almora (8hrs.) 290kms
We drive down to Kathgodam and reach by evening to take the overnight train/bus to New Delhi.
