[SUBRU]

Travelog/Treklog: Snow trek to Kuari pass (Dec 11-16, 2023)
Himalayas hold a special place in my heart and their grandeur has always been an inspiration to visit them again and again. There exists a unique charm with Himalayas regardless of the season. Watching various documentaries and adventures associated with the summit treks created an uncontrolled adrenaline rush to venture myself for some adventure which culminated into this one.

Trek Organizer : Indiahikes

Day 1: Dec 11, 2023 (Rishikesh to Karchi)
Day started off pre sunrise from Rishikesh. Entire gang started off in two tempo traveller to the base camp Karchi (7,785 ft). Karchi is a quaint little village located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand near Joshimath. Journey was along the banks of Ganga and its various tributaries. Experienced one of the best sunrise as we chugged along the banks of Ganga. As we progressed, it was interesting to see the stark contrast in the color of water of certain tributaries of Ganga. We passed through Deva Prayag confluence of Bhagirathi & Alakananda. Rudraprayag greeted us next with the confluence of Mandakini & Alakananda. Passed through Karnaprayag (Alakananda & Pindar) and Nandaprayag (Alakananda & Nandakini). Scenery kept changing along the route as we gained elevation slowly and steadily passing through various towns of Garhwal. Journey culminated at the village of Karchi with snow clad Mt. Drongiri in its full majesty. It was a sight to behold to see the last rays of sun bidding adieu on the snow clad mountain from the camp site. An official briefing and introduction of the team followed by health check and other formalities wrapped up the day. We called it a day preparing after a sumptuous dinner.

Sunrise from the Tempo traveller


Devaprayag


Waterfalls near Indihikes base camp at Karchi


Sunset on Mt. Dronagiri from Base camp

Day 2: Dec 12, 2023 (Karchi [7785 ft] to AkhrotGhetta [9265 ft])
We started off the day with some initial fun games and activities to warm ourselves for the 3km climb. We left the village behind and started the steep climb. This would be the last time we would see civilization other than our gang until Day 5 evening. There were intermittent rest breaks with story session by our trek guides who were locals from the region. We passed through a forest filled with Pine, Oak, Maple trees etc. Guides were quite knowledgeable and provided us with mythological stories about the region as well as of the flora and fauna. After trekking for a couple of hours we saw the first glimpse of our campsite with a single walnut tree (Akhrotghetta Campsite). As soon as we reached, we were served a welcome drink. We settled into our respective tents. Later on, we were served a nice hot warm lunch. It was time to enjoy some frisbee and other outdoor games. It was a thrilling experience to enjoy continuous bout of snowfall. We were lucky enough to witness an entire white carpet within no time. Team moved onto indoor activities and everyone signed off for the day with a delicious meal including a dessert which was a luxury.


View from the trek path


Akhrotghetta Campsite


Akhrotghetta Campsite

Day 3: Dec 13, 2023 (AkhrotGhetta [9265 ft] to Khullara [11,014 ft])


How it has changed overnight


Tent under snow

Sunrise on the snowcapped mountain

We woke up to a fully white blanket after the intense snowfall from the previous night. Eyes could not stop gazing at the first rays of sun hitting the majestic peaks which had a fresh coat of snow. Team was scheduled to start the trek at 9 AM post a healthy and delicious breakfast, a training session on how to wear gaiters and micro spikes which was a new experience for most of the members. It was a short trek of only about 2.5 km though it was only ascent all the way. The trees looked beautiful with all the branches covered in a white layer. Like the previous day we continued on our journey with breaks and story sessions. Majestic and mighty Himalayan peaks started getting closer and closer to us and it was a hide and seek experience to view the mountains between the forest sections. Khullara campsite is an empty piece of land and we could see numerous peaks from the clearing. Reached the campsite and settled into the tent and added additional warm layers to the body as the temperature was freezing cold even during the day. Later in the night we realized that it would turn out to be the coldest night of the trek with temperature probably having gone down to as low as -13C or so. Due to the intense cold weather, it was time to just stay inside the tent post lunch. Later in the evening there was some indoor team activities inside the dining tent and people called it a day early.


Pictures from the trek

Team pushing themselves up




Reached the next campsite


Sunset from Khullara

Day 4: Dec 14, 2023 (Khullara [11,014 ft] to Tali [10890 ft] via Kuari Top) Summit day
This was the D-day and the longest day of the trek as well. We were scheduled to start at sharp 8AM and the turnaround time at the summit was 11 AM. Team was given strict instructions as to whoever misses the turnaround time would miss the summit. Despite the intense cold, the morale was quite high and we started post breakfast almost by 8. It was supposed to be a very long day. We were provided with packed lunch and everyone had multiple layers of inner and outer thermal wear as it was going to be cold and windy for a significant part of the day. Sky was absolutely clear and sunny which boosted the probability of reaching the summit. It is a significantly steep climb to Jhandi top. Kept walking continuously at a moderate pace enjoying the huge pile of snow on the path. Finally reached Jhandi top where we left our luggage to be picked while returning from Kuari top summit. It was a relatively easier climb from Jhandi top to Kuari though there were a few slippery sections due to frozen water streams. Final climb to the summit was also quite slippery and narrow but it was a dream accomplished to stand at Kuari top and enjoy the panoramic view of the snow-clad peaks all around. On the way back, the trek guides cut open the frozen water stream and it was time to relish the natural springs of the mountain, also there was hardly anymore water source till we reach the next campsite around 5PM. Reached back Jhandi top and had our packed lunch enjoying the 360 degree panoramic view of almost all the mountains of Garhwal such as Chaukhamba, Neelkanth, Dronagiri, Nilgiri, Hathi Ghoda, Trishul etc. Post lunch, it was time to start the descent along the narrow ridges and valleys. It was quite slippery at some points as the snow had become frozen ice. Trail had a few ups and downs but was relatively easy except for the slippery sections. Last 45 minutes or so of the walk was through deep forest and we finally reached the camp site which was perched in the middle of big trees. There was immense satisfaction, tiredness, happiness as well as sense of accomplishment. As usual there was a lot of fun and team engagement activities which went quite late into the night and finally called it a night.

Early morning at Khullara

On the way to Kuari top

Finally at Kuari top

Panoramaic view of the mountains from Jhandi top

Day 5: Dec 15, 2023 (Tali [10890 ft] to Dhak [9390 ft])
Day started post breakfast with some packed lunch to be had on the way. Due to the intense snow, the route for the day was slightly different as we were going to Tugasi village from Tali lake and would be skipping the Gorson Bugyal. Started the ascent to reach Tali lake which was in a fully frozen state. Got a glimpse of Mt. Nanda Devi from the lake. There was some interesting story sessions about Nanda devi and about some religious practices from the region by our trek guides. Journey further on was through forests with the team putting their thoughts in identifying the various foot marks. It was a continuous descent all the way till we reached a rest point where we also had our lunch break. Started having mixed emotions as the trek was almost coming to an end while was also happy to see villages and roads at a distance after a while. Finally reached a tea/Maggi point where I had some Rhododendron juice. It was another km of descent through a rocky trail through a village to reach the road head. Cab had already arrived to pick us up and dropped us at a guest house in Dhak village. It was time to finish all the formalities, debriefing and other official activities with the organizers. Got a fantastic orange glow of the setting sun on the Nar Parvat from the balcony of the guest house. Had our dinner and slept off.

Tali Lake

Nanda Devi from Tali Lake

Lunch break on the last day of trek

Sunset on Nar Parvat froom Dhak village

Last rays of the day (Dhak)


Day 6: Dec 16, 2023 (Dhak to Rishikesh)
Finally, with a heavy heart, we bid adieu to the mountains temporarily and started off the journey to Rishikesh. Retraced the route back from the first day along the banks of the Ganga with just a short break for breakfast. We reached Rishikesh by around 3.30 PM. Went to my accommodation and had a hot shower. Felt refreshed and went around a bit of the town.

Further trip details: Bangalore to Delhi by an early morning flight. Took a bus and reached Rishikesh on Dec 9th night. Spent some time roaming around and visiting some of the religious places, Ganga Arti, etc. on Dec 10th.
Dec 17th Departed from Dehradun to Bangalore and reached Bangalore 17th night by around 10.30 PM

[ron82x3]

Loved reading this thread. Glad you could complete the trek despite such heavy snowfall. The transition of Akhrotghetta Campsite was stunning and shocking at the same time.

[sizz28]

Great write up @SUBRU. Love the pics, specially the overnight transformation of the first campsite.
I had booked the same trek for February last year but couldn't go in the end due to some personal commitments. You have sparked the flame in me again.
How was your experience in terms of Indiahikes services & facilities?

[SUBRU]

Originally Posted by sizz28

Great write up @SUBRU. Love the pics, specially the overnight transformation of the first campsite.
I had booked the same trek for February last year but couldn't go in the end due to some personal commitments. You have sparked the flame in me again.
How was your experience in terms of Indiahikes services & facilities?

I think you should definitely do it. It was a wonderful experience. Even with all the snow it was not very difficult. Experience with Indiahikes was quite good. Trek guides and lead was good. Food and other facilities was quite impressive considering the camp locations.

[gauravdgr8]

Excellent hike

I too have done the Gorson Bugyal Trek with Indihikes pre COVID. Really loved the experience.