Even the thought of trekking in the Himalayas is sure to send excitement down your veins! The resplendent beauty of the woods, exotic species of birds, animals, plants, and flowers, snow-capped mountains, and the authentic cultural cuisines and dishes, what else does anyone need? If you want a taste of heaven, you must trek in the Himalayas at least once in your life.

About Pangarchulla

Uttarakhand offers a variety of trekking options to choose from but today, we will discuss one such location which is not only packed with adventure but also offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan summits. In the Garhwal region, it is believed that Pangarchulla Trek is the most exhilarating among other popular treks like Dayara Bugyal, Pindari Glacier, Nag Tibba, Kedarkantha, Kuari Pass or Har Ki Dun. Its fame lies in the splendid views which are a part of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary.

The Pangarchulla Peak trek leads you from the lush green meadows better known as the Bugyals through dense forest cover and stunning snow-covered peaks. If you are looking for a short exciting vacation then Pangarchulla will definitely not let you down.

Places like these are too precious, they are to be left untouched and unexploited by mankind. The fresh air of nature will dissolve all your dilemmas away. Pangarchulla will definitely fulfill all your trekking dreams if you are an adventure enthusiast. Climbing is the closest thing you can come to flying. This is a sport which is absolutely worth the time and money. India is certainly glorified by the resplendent mountain trails which metamorphose into sheer beauty in the colder months, coursing through snow-covered lanes and frozen trees and streams. During these months you can absolutely forget your trips abroad and hop on the car to explore the incredible India.

About Pangarchulla Peak Trek

Pangarchulla Trek Height

Pangarchulla may also be commonly known as the ‘chimney peak’ of India. It stands tall at the high altitude of 15,069 ft (4575m) above sea level. You could catch a glimpse of the neighbouring peaks like Mount Dronagiri ( 7066 m ), Nanda Devi ( India's second-highest peak - 7816 m ), Hathi-Ghori Parbat ( 6,727 m and 6,708 m respectively ), Chaukhamba ( 7138 m ), Neelkanth ( 6,597 ), you also get a sight of Kamet, Mana, Mandir, Barmatia, Lampak I and II.

Also, you get to see the aura of Mt. Trishul (7,120 m) and Nandaghunti (6,309 m). Imagine being surrounded by all this heavenly sights. The journey to this beautiful abode begins from the holy place of Haridwar and goes all the way to Joshimath, Dhak, Gullingtop, Khullara and finally the Pangarchulla Peak. These are all our checkpoints.

Pangarchulla Trek Difficulty

It must be mentioned that if you are a beginner and are new to the trekking world, you shouldn’t take the risk of attempting this trek. This particular trek requires more endurance and physical and mental strength. It is usually classified as a moderate to difficult trek considering the different terrains you have got to grips with.

The path is rocky and steep, often covered with thick snow and accompanied by rain even, depending on the weather conditions. Fitness must be a top priority and a stout heart is a prerequisite. Few other winter treks in India might be accessible for a shorter period but it would not be wise to consider them as easy in those extreme climatic conditions.

The technical difficulty of this trek and the gradients make it a perfect training ground for novices. If you have attempted a few treks before, this shouldn't be much of an inconvenience. You will begin at an altitude of 7000 ft approx and trek until you reach the highest point i.e 14,700 ft.

Pangarchulla Trek Distance

The Pangarchulla trekking distance can be between 30 to 35 km. Put on your snow boots, fuzzy jackets, gloves, hats, and scarves, and get ready to take a long romantic walk to the mountains and embrace the winter wonderland. If you are lucky, you might get to spot the footprints of either the Himalayan Bear or Leopard.

Quick facts about the amazing Pangarchulla Trek

• Region - Chamoli, Uttarakhand.
• Base Camp - Joshimath/Loer Auli
• Duration - 7 days
• Minimum and Maximum temperature - Day (14°C to 18°C) Night (-2°C to -5°C)
• Altitude - 15,069ft (4575 m)
• Distance - 40 kms
• Difficulty - Moderate to Difficult
• Starting point - Haridwar/Rishikesh
• Ending Point - Haridwar/Rishikesh
• Last ATM point - Joshimath/Auli

Trek Details

• Pickup Point on Day 1- Natraj Chowk or Tapovan, Rishikesh
• Departure time on Day 1- 6am
• Drop Point on Day 7- Natraj Chowk or Tapovan, Rishikesh
• Arrival time on Day 7- 6pm
• Base Camp- Joshimath/Lower Auli
• Distance from Rishikesh to Basecamp, Joshimath- 260 km
• Cloak room: There is no separate cloak room available. You can handover your luggage to our team and collect while returning. We will be keeping it safely at Joshimath/Lower Auli in the same Homestay.
• The shared vehicle will be Tata Sumo, Bolero, or similar and may be shared with a few other local passengers. The cab will be arranged from Rishikesh to Joshimath/Lower Auli and back.
• We charge Rs.1200/- per person each side per person.
• The cab is a 7-seater.
• The whole cab costs 7500/- from Rishikesh.
• Trekkers may choose to travel by bus or local cab to reach Joshimath.
• The forest permits for international clients will be as actual and is to be paid by the trekker at the basecamp only.

In the spring and summer, the temperature ranges from 6 degrees to 15 degrees during the day and 2 degrees to 9 degrees during the night.

In the winters, the temperature could be anywhere between 0 degrees to -2 degrees during the daytime and -4 to -6 degrees in the night respectively.

Best time to visit Pangarchulla.

Is there a perfect time to do a particular trek? You ask. Well. You need not spoil your precious time thinking about it, for we are always there to help you make the perfect choice in matters of trek-timing.

To begin with, it is always winter in Pangarchulla all through the year. If you live in the extremely hot and humid part of the country, this trek will turn out to be a cool balm to your mind and soul.

Pangarchulla Trek In April

This trek is accessible for a very limited amount of time. April and May are considered to be the most ideal time. Without snow, the trek is not very interesting; snow eases the rough paths and provides a smooth surface to hike on. April and May are the time when winter retreats and therefore it will not freeze you to death. The weather remains pleasant during the daytime. During this period, you will also get to experience crystal clear lively views of the peaks and landscapes, not to forget the beautiful starlit sky.

Pangarchulla Trek In December

As December progresses, the snowfall becomes more abundant, and the encrusted snow will make navigation difficult. Further to that, the Pangarchulla peak summit is positioned at 4,550 m/14,925 ft., which is quite a high altitude. In the winter, expect knee-deep snow towards the summit. This part will undoubtedly be gruelling.

Pangarchulla Trek In October

If you are daring enough, you could try the trek in October, after the monsoons have retreated. But there may not be much snow. It is better to think twice before taking up this trek during this time

How to reach Pangarchulla?

As mentioned earlier, we will leave from Haridwar, so it's important to gather at Haridwar. The journey can also commence from Rishikesh. Haridwar being the most popular religious place in India is easily accessible from all parts of the country. Let’s see how you can get there :

By Air -

The city of Haridwar does not have its own airport. The nearest domestic airport is Jolly Grant Airport, in Dehradun, which is only 35 km from Haridwar. The nearest international airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport, in Delhi.

By Rail -

The Haridwar Railway Station has direct connectivity with all the major cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Indore. However, it lacks a direct link with the minor cities in India.

By Bus -

Haridwar is well-connected through many Highways. National Highway 58, passes through Haridwar and connects it to Delhi, Muzaffarnagar, Roorkee, Ghaziabad, Meerut, and Badrinath. National Highway 74 originates from Haridwar connects it to Kashipur, Pilibhit, Kichha, Nagina, and Bareilly. Various public and private buses ply through these routes. You can choose AC, non-AC, deluxe, ordinary, semi-deluxe and there are some other options.

By Road -

The national highway no 45 connects Haridwar to the state as well as other cities. The national highway 58 passes through Haridwar and connects with Ghaziabad, Meerut, Roorkee, Muzaffarnagar, Badrinath. National highway 74 originates from Haridwar and connects with Kashipur, Kiccha, Nagina, Pillbhit, and Bareilly.

Is Pangarchulla Trek safe?

The Pangarchulla Peak Trek's difficulty stems primarily from its terrains and routes. Until Khullara campsite, the trek follows the Kuari Pass route, which is relatively safe. The protruding stretch from Tali to Gorson Bugyal is considered as one of the more difficult sections. This trek's summit climb is extremely difficult and this makes the journey thrilling. The victory of your strenuous summit climb will be determined by your ability to handle these tricky sections with physical and metal prowess, and how well you put to use the advice and equipment offered by Moxtain.

Weather And Temperature on Pangarchulla Trek

During April, the weather on the Pangarchulla Peak Trek is comparable to that on most of the Uttarakhand treks. In the spring season, the Pangarchulla Peak Trek is characterised by sunny days and somewhat chilly evenings. Temperatures will be around 15 °C during the day. Temperatures will dip to -5 °C after sundown. However, as you trek higher, the wind tends to become very chilly and therefore the temperature gets colder on the summit day. As a result, extra outfit planning for the summit ascent is strongly advised.