Main Info
Pindari Valley is a jewel of the Kumaon, surrounded with an impressive series of snow capped peaks that form the southern rim of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary. During the trekking season you can savor the unimaginable raw beauty as the valley springs to life with a vibrant display of greenery and wildlife. As you reach Loharkhet you are welcomed with a grand view of Nanda Devi, Trishul and Nanda Kot peaks.
The trail keeps throwing up surprising twists consistently from beautiful river crossings and waterfalls on the way from Dhakri to Dwali, to getting lost in the forests enroute to Phurkiya only to be stumped when you finally come out of the forest to the jaw dropping view of Nanda Khat peak towering above.
The traditional remote village life is an enriching experience for trekkers and so are the local ghost stories some of which have been candidly mentioned in Ruskin Bond’s children books. The sight of huge ice formations of Pindari and Kafni is stunning and encapsulates the scenic beauty of the magnificent Himalayas.
Being a fairly easy and most popular trek among school groups and trekkers in Kumaon ,it is fair to visit this trail and add value by exploring two of the most beautiful glaciers of this Kumaon valley.
The Kafni Glacier Trek, which is an easy to moderate trek in the Kumaon Himalayan region is located close to the Pindar Valley and it takes approximately 9-10 days to cover the entire trek. It is a wise pick for the trio walkers to experience a trekking holiday in the Indian Himalayan region.
Pindari and Kafni Glacier Trek Itinerary
Day 01: Kathgodam – Bageshwar. (160 Kms/5-6 Hrs)
Arrival at Kathgodam by early in the morning and then drive to Bageshwar. Bageshwar is situated at the confluence of river Saryu, Gomati and the latent Bhagirathi. On arrival check in to hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 02: Bageshwar – Song. (40 Kms/1 Hrs) – Loharkhet (13 Kms/4-5 Hrs)
In the morning after breakfast drive to Song and from here trek to Loharkhet. Loharkhet, a small hamlet on the banks of river Saryu. On arrival set out camp for overnight stay.
Day 03: Loharkhet – Khati. (2210 Mts/7248 Ft)
In the morning we will trek to Khati. Khati is the biggest village enroute Pindari. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 04: Khati – Phurkia. (3260 Mts/10693 Ft) 9 Kms/ 4-5 Hrs
In the morning trek to Phurkia. Phurkia, where the trees give way to alpine pastures and shepherds can be seen guiding their large flock across grazy uplands. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.
Day 05: Phurkia – Zero Point – Dwali. (2575 Mts/8446 Ft) 18 Kms/6-7 Hrs
In the morning we will trek up to Zero point. From Zero point, we can see the view of Pindari Glacier. After exploring zero point trek to Dwali. Dinner and overnight stay in tents
Day 06: Dwali – Kafni–Dwali. (24 Kms/7-8 Hrs)
After early breakfast trek to Kafni glacier left of the Pinder valley and the Nandakot. From Kafni glacier we can see the main Himalayan ranges. After exploring Kafni glacier trek back to Dwali for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 07: Dwali – Dhakuri (2690 Mts/8824 Ft) 19 Kms/6 Hrs
In the morning we will trek to Dhakuri. Dhakuri – Binjak ridge offers a view of the snow-clad Nandakot summit to the east of Maktoli to the west. Dinner and overnight stay in Dhakuri.
Day 08: Dhakuri – Song (16 Kms/5 Hrs) – Bageshwar 40 Kms/1 Hrs)
In the morning we will trek up to Song and then further drive to Bageshwar. Dinner and 0vernight stay in Bageshwar.
Day 09: Bageshwar –Kathgodam.
In the morning drive to Kathgodam and from here take a night train for Delhi. Overnight journey.