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Short Itinerary
Day 1: Dehradun to Govindghat - 9-10 h drive
Day 2: Govindghat to Ghangaria (2,950 m) - 4-5 h trek
Day 3: Ghangaria to Tipra Kharak Camping grounds (3,700 m) via Valley of flowers - 7-8 h trek
Day 4: Tipra Kharak (3,700 m) to Bhyundar Icefall Camp (4,300 m) - 6-7 h trek
Day 5: Bhyundar Icefall Camp (4,300 m) to Bhyundar Khal Base (4,600 m)- 6-7 h trek
Day 6: Bhyundar Base (4,600 m) to Bhyundar Khal (5,100 m) to Rataban Glacier (E) (4,500 m) - 7-8 h trek
Day 7: Rataban Glacier (E) (4,500 m) to Edi Udiyar (3,900 m) - 4-5 h trek
Day 8: Edi Udiyar (3,900 m) to Ghamsali (3,000 m); drive to Joshimath - 7-8 h trek
Day 9: Joshimath to Dehradun - 9 h drive
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01 : Dehradun to Govindghat (1,920 m) drive, 9 hours' drive 320 km
Leave early at 6 am and drive to Govindghat via Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandaprayag and Joshimath/Auli. Overnight at rest-house in Joshimath/Auli.
Day 02 : Govindghat to Ghangaria (2,950 m), 4-5 hours' trek: 11 km
Early morning we drive to Govindghat and start the trek by crossing the river Alaknanda over a bridge at Govindghat and from there walk towards the Bhyundar valley through forest area and a few villages. There are numerous waterfalls and lush green landscape all around. The gradient of the trail is moderate. The 11 kms trek to reach Ghangharia takes about 4-5 hrs, one can also hire a mule to reach Ghangharia. Overnight in rest houses at Ghangharia.
Day 03 : Ghangaria to Tipra Kharak Camping grounds (3,700 m) via Valley of flowers, 7-8 hours trek: 10 km
We start the day's trek with a short ascent to the valley. Gradient is moderate and the landscape soothing to the eye. It will take about a couple of hours to reach the valley. There are unending meadows laden with varieties of alpine flowers, network of streams and big mountains all around. The prominent species are Brahma Kamal, Anemone, Geranium, Marsh Marigold, Primula, Lilium, Potentilla, Ranunculus, Inula, Corydalis, Pedicularis, Arisaema, Ligularia, Morina, Impatiens, Saxifrages Bistorta, Anaphalis, Sibbaldia. One can spend 3-4 hours exploring different corners & vantage points of the valley. We continue our trek to Tipra Kharak and reach by late afternoon.
Day 04 : Tipra Kharak (3,700 m) to Bhyundar Icefall Camp (4,300 m), 6-7 hours trek: 6 km
The day's trek involves negotiating moraine and technical surfaces. The ascending path is gradual throughout, but challenging at times.
Day 05 : 6-7 hours trek: 5 km
The trek on the glacier continues for about 5 km. The walk is technical and requires use of technical gear. After the glacial stretch, the path goes to the moraine continuously descending to the campsite.
Day 06 : Bhyundar Base (4,600 m) to Bhyundar Khal (5,100 m) to Rataban Glacier (E) (4,500 m), 7-8 hours trek: 10 km
On this day we start before sunrise. The walk again involves technical aspects on the glacier, which continues to the pass. It is a trek of about 8 km to the pass, which takes about 5-6 hours, with a stunning view of the greater Himalayas all around. Dinner and overnight stay in tent.
Day 07 : Rataban Glacier (E) (4,500 m) to Edi Udiyar (3,900 m), 7-8 hours trek: 6 km
After a trek of 6 km along the valley, one reaches Edi Udiyar, with a grassy and comfortable place to set campsite.
Day 08 : Edi Udiyar (3,900 m) to Ghamsali (3,000 m); drive to Joshimath, 7-8 hours trek: 10 km
Today we will descend to the village of Ghamsali. The frontier villages have mostly been abandoned as villagers have been migrating to towns and cities in the foothills and the plains after the 1962 war with China brought their centuries-old border trade to a halt. These villages come up with great culture and old oral tradition. We further drive to Joshimath. Overnight in a guest house.
Day 09 : Joshimath to Dehradun, 9 hours' drive 294 km
We leave from Joshimath and reach Dehradun by early evening.
