Category: Moderate Adventure.
Pangarchulla (or Pangarchuli) is a trekking peak on the top of the north face - Kuari Pass which is a short trek and starts from Joshimath and complete in 6 days at Joshimath. The peak is of 5000 m and offers great views of Nanda Devi (India's highest mountain) and many others. This is a very spectacular part of the Indian Himalayan and one that we never grow tired of looking at. After this trek, on the way back we get on the rafts for grade IV river expedition which finishes in Rudraprayag. This is a classic river run negotiating over 85 grade III and IV rapids and covering the full distance between Chamoli to Rudraprayag rafting downstream at the Upper Alaknanda river in Uttarakhand. This self contained multi day river adventure especially crafted for those who are looking for an absolute adrenaline rush.
Note:
- 50% advance payment confirms your booking
- We will transport all your belongings for you so that you only have to carry your day pack with camera, water bottle and jacket
- We serve three meals a day including snacks and drinks. We provide a variety of tasty healthy food including Indian, Chinese and Western meals with lots of vegetables and fruit
What is included in the tour
- Road transportation from Rishikesh to Rishikesh by car
- Accommodation in tents on twin share basis during trekking
- All meals (Day 01 Lunch to Day 09 Lunch)
- All camping gear including tents and sleeping mattress. Kitchen, dining and toilet tent
- Permits and entrance fees
- Good English speaking guide, cooks and porters, mules.
- Rafting equipment and rafting guides including safety kayaker
What is NOT included in the tour
- Accommodation in Rishikesh
- Personal insurance
- All alcoholic beverages and personal expenses.
- Good down sleeping bags can be provided at an additional cost of Rs.100 per day.
- Auli - a winter ski meadow
- View of Nanda Devi - 7850 m
- 3 days rafting expedition with camping on river side beaches
- Devprayag - confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river
- Highest point 4800 m
Day 01 :
RISHIKESH – PIPLKOTI (8HRS):
Morning Drive from Rishikesh to Piplkoti, We only drive during daylight hours as the mountain roads can be tricky in places. On arrival at pipalkoti ,check into the Hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel le Meadow.
Day 02 :
PIPALKOTI – AULI & TREK TO TALI (2HRS):
Morning after breakfast we will start driving up to Auli from Pipal Koti. This will take about two hours. Drive via Joshimath to Auli is 2500 meters. From here you will have between 3-4 hours walking and depending on which camp site we think is best for that day, it will be between 700 &1200 meters ascent. On arrival at the camp site at Tali dinner will be served with overnight stay in tent.
Day 03 :
TREK TO KAURI PASS (3860M):
Morning after breakfast, we walk up to kauri pass through the forest and then a ridge takes us to wide open meadow with a final climb to the Kauri pass. After enjoying kauri pass we start heading down to our camp at Khulara. Khulara camp is one the best camping ground as it offers great views of Himalaya. Meals and overnight stay in camp.
Day 04 :
TREK TO PANGARCHULI (2700M/5 HRS):
After breakfast we start hike to Pangarchuli (or Pangarchulla) peak which take 4-5 hours to reach on top, from here you can see the bigger view. Frank Smyth, who came this way in 1931 en route to Kamet (25,443ft/7,757m), the second highest mountain in this region, summed it up beautifully. "We breasted the slope and halted, silent on the path. No words would express our delight. The Himalaya was arrayed before us in a stupendous arc". Some of the mountains seen are Kamet, Nilkanth (7,141m/23,425ft), Dunagiri (7,067m/23,182ft) and Changabang (6,864m/22,516ft), with even Nanda Devi herself visible if you walk along the ridge for a while. The blinding vision of snow peaks make all the effort worthwhile. It is often said that this is one of the greatest mountain views in the world. Meals and overnight stay in camp at Pangarchuli.
Day 05 :
TREK TO TAPOVAN & DRIVE TO PIPALKOTI (4-5 HRS):
Morning after breakfast we trek around 4 to 5 hours walking with a great deal of downhill as you approach Tapovan. Tapovan is about 2000 m as it's on the way to Nanda Devi base camp west. In Tapovan our vehicle will be waiting to drive you back to Pipal Koti where you will check in to a hotel. Meals and overnight stay at hotel Le Meadow.
Day 06 :
DRIVE FROM JOSHIMATH – KALDU BAGAR:
In the morning after breakfast we drive 4-5 hrs to Kaldu Bagar, After arrival we check in to hotel. Later after lunch, there is a briefing on the river trip and the upcoming days. We pack stuff in dry bags and get ready for the next day.
Day 07 :
RAFT FROM KALDU BAGAR – CHAMOLI (RIVER) – KALDU BAGAR:
An early start takes us to Chamoli. This is the most challenging stretch of the trip. At the Putin we help in getting the rafts readied. A detailed safety briefing follows with instructions on paddling, rapids to be encountered etc. The expedition begins with a lot of grade 4/4+ rapids. Depending on the volume of water, we negotiate or walk around the ‘Hillary Fall’ rapid at Nandaprayag. We call it a day at Kaldu Bagar after a long exhilarating day on the river.
Day 08 :
RAFT FROM KALDU BAGAR – GAUCHER (RIVER):
Today we raft till Gauchar. Get ready for another exciting day on the river with plenty of grade 3/4 rapids. We raft pass the confluence of Pindar at Karnaprayag. The Pindar River brings in more volume, adding punch to rapids to follow. We camp on a big sandy beach, settle in to star gaze around the bonfire and get a good night’s sleep.
Day 09 :
RAFT FROM GAUCHER TO RUDRAPRAYAG AND DRIVE TO RISHIKESH :
After breakfast we get on the river and raft till Rudraprayag. Today the section is more “pool & drop” as compared to the start with plenty of grade 3/4 rapids. We reach the ‘Kakar Fall’ grade 5 rapid. After a thorough inspection of the rapid we negotiate or line up the rafts to enter the spectacular narrow box canyon. The canyon is narrow enough, about 15 meters, for a Kakar (deer) to leap across – that’s where the rapid gets its name. Finish the trip after running the ‘Holy Hole’ grade 4 rapid. Drive back to Rishikesh. Trip ends.
