About Panpatia Col Trek
This is a historic trek route, where many of the trekkers lost their
way for ever. Panpatia Col is a snow lamented belt, beautiful for the
views all around. More than the beauty here, this route is a challenge
for all the trekkers. You will get a guide now, but ten years before
now, the route has been a total mystery. The route connects two of the
top Hindu pilgrimage points, Kedarnath and Badrinath. The route is one
of the highest pass in the Himalayas, where Panpatia glacier will have
to be crossed. Top peaks surround the cold belt will seem to be like
monsters. This place is called the labyrinth of Himalayas. There are
different mythological mysteries related to the place. Nilkantha,
Balakun and Kunaling are the top among all, although Januhat to Ransi
are all crowded at the corner. The route is so challenging that you will
feel nervous. If you gave taken a guide, then there is no reason to
feel shaky – just enjoy the beauty, nature has preserved there for you.
A historic route connecting two holy spots: The journey through this
trek seems to be like a path through a grapevine, with so many things to
do. Start the journey from Madhmaheshwar, the temple spotted to be
built by the Pandavas. It is better to trek the route in the summers,
since monsoon and winter turns out the area to be very much risky. It is
the glacier of Panpatia and is a wide area that becomes really rough in
the monsoons. Snow fall in winter is again treating for even the expert
trekkers too. In summer, you will find a day temperature here around 8
degrees centigrade and at night it goes down till -10 or -15. Maidagala
Tal at the end part of the trek is really aspiring one for you. Get
there and find the decent weather condition in summer and autumn.
The trek route here is tough and is not at all fit for novice
trekkers. However, you will like to get to the spot and find the natural
beauty. Although mountains and snows will seem here to be villain, but
Nature Goddess is ever ready to escort you to her home. The serene
beauty on all sides will make your mind filled with tranquillity, when
you get the spare time at the camp. The night sky with the shining peaks
especially when moon light sparkles on the top will take you to a
distant dreamy location. Enjoy the excellent beauty of nature here, but
do not forget to take a note of the old stories, preserved here.
Area : Garhwal Himalayas
Duration : 14 Days (4 Days travel/10 days trek)
Best Season : Mid May - Mid October
Grade :Tough
Altitude : 5260 mts/17255 ft
Total Trekking : 135 K.M
It is a valley which is noted to be covered by the priest of
Kedarnath and Badrinath in a day. However, it took him long time to
travel and with the blessings of Lord Shiva, a route was made for him
and the rest part was totally spoiled to form a labyrinth. Myths say
that they are created by lord alone, so that no one else can find the
path again.
Panpatia Col Trekking Tours Highlights
- Pay obeisance at the Badrinath Temple, a shrine of Chardham tour
- Experience the thrill of trekking through dangerous ice fields of Panpatiya and the most challenging trails of Garhwal
- See the Hathi Parvat & Dhauliganga peaks
- Witness high altitude streams
- A historic route!! An interesting mythological story has it that a sage used to perform his daily rituals of worship in Badrinath and Kedarnath on the same day.
Best Time to Visit
Best time to travel to Panpatia Col Trek is in summers (Mid May – June) and Post Monsoon (September – early October).
Summer: The weather of Panpatia Col Trek remains salubrious
and pleasing during summers. The Himalayas are distinctly visible and
the cool breeze adds charm to the vacation. Carry woolens with you.
Post Monsoon: Serenity and solitude are at its best during
post monsoon at Panpatia Col Trek. The region is blessed with snowfall
during winters and the accommodation options also remain few. But you
can see the best of Panpatia Col Trek during post monsoon as it looks
like Heaven on earth.
Where is the Panpatia Col Trek ?
Panpatia is a high mountain pass, connecting the two holy shrines-
Badrinath and Kedarnath. According to the mythological accounts, sages
used to perform sacred here. Many trekkers and mountaineers tried to
complete this trek, but due to some misadventure or other they were not
able to do so. However, in 2000, an English mountaineer Martin Moran
lead an expedition to Neelkanth, a nearby peak in Badrinath area to find
a route and then successfully negotiated the Panpatia ice falls to exit
through Kedarnath making it the first successful attempt completing
Shipton's route.
How to Reach?
Nearest Railhead: Haridwar (315 kms)
Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun (300 kms)
Badrinath is well connected by road by most part of the Garhwal
Himalaya like Joshimath, Rishikesh, Haridwar and Dehradun (NH 58)
Panpatia Col Trek (Detailed Itinerary)
Day 01: Delhi – Haridwar - Rishikesh
In the morning transfer to Delhi railway station and take an AC train
for Haridwar at 06:50 hrs. After arriving in Haridwar meet our guide
and transfer to Rishikesh, check into your hotel. Evening time is free
for leisure activities. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 02: Rishikesh - Joshimath (1875m)
In the morning after breakfast drive to Joshimath via Devprayag,
Rudraprayag and Chamoli. We will stop at a restaurant for lunch. On
arrival at Joshimath check in to hotel. Overnight stay in a hotel in
Joshimath.
Day 03: Joshimath - Badrinath (3,133m)
In the morning, after breakfast drive to Badrinath. On arrival check
in to hotel, later visit the famous Badrinath temple. Overnight stay at
arriving, we will trek 20mins to reach to our campsite. Overnight stay
in the camp.
Day 04: Badrinath - Shepherd camp
Today we shall be trekking to the Shepherd Camp. We shall climb up to
the tree line, which is marked by some flags on the boulders. Our
campsite is situated at a place from where the views of. Overnight stay
in the camp.
Day 05: Shepherd camp - Snout camp
Our day will be spent trekking on combination of terrains. We will be
taking gentle uphill walks to steep climbs in order to reach to snout
of the Panpatia glacier. Overnight stay in the camp.
Day 06: Snout camp - Moraine Camp (4300m)
Today we shall be trekking for a longer duration but the trek will
have gentle ascends. We will be crossing moraines and pass through the
patches of snow. Our rewards for today will be the magnificent views of
lofty Himalayan Mountains. Night stay in Moraine Camp.
Day 07: Rest & Acclimatize (4300m)
The day will be left for resting and acclimatization. Overnight stay in the camp.
Day 08: Moraine Camp - Base of Parvati Col
Today, our trek will be to the base of Parvati Col via the Panpatia
Snow Field. The trekking trail has steep inclines. We shall camp just
below the Parvati Col. Overnight in Camp.
Day 09: Base of Parvati Col - Panpatia Snowfield – Camp I
Post breakfast, we shall ascend to the edge of the terrace from where
the only way up is through a steep gully covered with snow and rock. We
will be able to witness Chaukhamba Peak, if lucky; we might also see
the mesmerizing Nanda Devi Peak. Overnight stay in Panpatia Snowfield.
Day 10: Camp I - Across Panpatia Col (5260m) - Camp at Sujal Sarovar (4750m)
Today we shall traverse through a snow plateau to reach Panpatia Col.
Ahead is a steep descent that leads to the Madhyamaheshwar watershed.
We will camp overnight near the small lake of Sujal Sarovar.
Day 11: Sujal Sarovar - Kachni
After the breakfast, we will trek to Kachni, which can be reached by
trekking through sloped and boulder zones via a small pass above the
Sujal Sarovar. Our campsite overlooks the Madhmaheshwar Ganga, and one
can see the temple below and the lights of Guptkashi. Overnight stay in
the camp.
Day 12: Kachni - Nanu chatti
We will trek to Madhmaheshwar temple, which will take about 3-4hrs to
reach. We will visit the temple and have t lunch at a nearby tea-shop.
Post lunch, we will walk through the forests to camp at Nanu chatty,
which is a small hamlet of summer homes for people from the villages of
Gaundhar. Overnight stay in the camp.
Day 13: Nanu Chatti - Ransi & drive to Rudraprayag
On this final day of trekking, we shall descend through the pine forests
to get to the bank of Madhmaheshwar Ganga. Our trek will end at Ransi,
from where we shall drive to the Rudraprayag. Overnight stay in the
hotel.
Day 14: Rudraprayag – Haridwar - Delhi
After breakfast drive to towards Haridwar via confluence Devprayag where
Alaknanda and Bhagirathi embrace each other. Upon arrival at Haridwar
transfer to train station and catch AC train for Delhi at 18:05 hrs.
Arrival at Delhi by 22:45 hrs.
Tour & Services End
Things to Carry for Panpatia Col Trek
- Windproof jacket
- Warm and thick Fleece / Full-sleeve
- Woolen sweater
- Thermal inner wear (upper & lower)
- Woolen cap, Woolen gloves
- Woolen socks and regular socks (3-4 pairs)
- Scarf/muffler (optional)
- Comfortable Trekking/Hiking shoes
- Lightweight floaters/sandals/slippers
- Raincoat / Poncho
- Small light weight towel
- Sturdy Water bottle
- Cap / Hat
- Sun glasses
- Walking stick / Trekking pole
- Sunscreen Lotion
- Lip Balm
- Torch / Flashlight (with extra batteries)
- Personal medications
- Personal toiletries
