Pindari and Kafni Glacier Trek is the complete journey that an adventurous group of people should look for. Pindari glacier trek with Kafni glacier trek is a perfect combination of two of the most popular and scenic treks in the Kumaon region. This trek offers great views of the famous peaks and sometimes a small walk to the glaciers. In this trek, you hike with the beautiful views all around and the final destinations are the glaciers, You get enough time to traverse through the glaciers.

Day by day you go closer to the Pindari & Kafni Glaciers with slowly ascending and covering the hospitality of the local village, some of them are big such as the Khati village where you can pay and enjoy the electricity through generators. This trek will pass you through the dense forest of Rhododendron and Oak, you will be crossing the wooden bridges, you walk with the stream, and at some part of the trek, you cross the frozen stream.

Also See: Kedarkantha Trek

The route also holds an ancient history, as the route was used as a trade route between India and Tibet for centuries. The First Deputy Commissioner of Kumaon, GW Traill, studied a shorter path from Pindari Glacier to Martoli in Milam Valley in 1830.

The Pindari Glacier Trek route takes you through the Pindari icefall and over Traill’s Pass (17,700 feet). The explorations of Schlagintweits (1850), Ruttledge (1926), the Japanese Mt. Nanda Kot Expedition team (1936), Osmaston and the surveyors (1938), Arnold Heim (1937), and S.S Khera followed (1941).

Also See: Popular Treks in Uttarakhand

This trek is best suited for a group of friends and also good for the families and you can bring your children to this trek as the trek will never ask for a very perfect fitness standard.

Best time for Pindari & Kafni Glacier Trekking

Mid-March to mid-June is the greatest time to explore the Pindari glacier because it is summer and the Pindari Glacier weather stays pleasant for hikers. This trek can also be enjoyed from September to late October, as it is the spring season.

Trekkers should avoid the months of June to September because of severe rain, road closures, and, in the worst-case scenario, landslides. Because it will be unpleasant and dangerous during the rainy season, the trek will be closed.

What’s the temperature at Pindari & Kafni Glacier Trek?

During the months of April and May, the temperature at your campsites will range from 15°C to 20°C during the day and 7° to 2°C at night.

During the months from September to November, the pindari glacier temperature ranges around 15°C to 10°C during the day and 5°C to -5°C at the night.

Pindari & Kafni Glacier Trek difficulty level

The Pindari Glacier Trek is an easy hike in Uttarakhand’s Kumaon area. The journey has well-defined paths with only one minor pass crossing and has everything an avid hiker expects in a trek. For starters, there are flat hikes through tranquil rhododendron forests, which are home to a variety of rare birds. Then there are the many mountain ridges, spider walls, and stream crossings to contend with.

Besides, the Kumaon Himalayas is home to a landscape that has inspired numerous artists, and is undoubtedly a pleasure for all trekkers and mountaineers. The Pindari Glacier walk is one of those hikes that will leave you speechless as you take in the scenery. You can also go on a tour of the local villages to learn more about their culture and traditions. Stunning water bodies and attractive wooden bridges add to the allure of the walk, making it even more enjoyable.

Itinerary

Pindari Kafni Glacier Trek – 9D / 8N

Day 1: Kathgodam to Loharkhet:

Drive: 180 km (6-7 hours)

Altitude: 5,777 ft

Stay Type: Stay in a guest house on a sharing basis.

Meal Included: Dinner

• Take a shared cab from Kathgodam to Loharkhet, it will take around 6-7 hours to complete this journey.
• During the drive, you will pass through the Almora and the Bhageshwar town. You can also stop for a quick visit to the Bhagnath Temple.
• Post reaching Loharkhet, head to the allocated guest house, and rest for the day.

Day 2: Loharkhet to Dhakuri

Trek: 10 km (4-5 hours)

Altitude: 8,792 ft

Stay Type: Stay in tents on a sharing basis

Meal Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner

• Wake up to the fresh morning, have your breakfast, and get ready for a trek to Dhakuri.
• The trail to Dhakuri is quite steep through the dense forest. It is an easy hike.
• Pay heed to the trek guide and reach the Dhakuri Khal from there a few km to Dhakuri campsite.
• The view of the snowcapped peaks of the southern wall of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary is visible from the campsite.
• Have your meals at the campsite and retire for the day.

Day 3: Dhakuri to Khati

Trek: 9 km (4-5 hours)

Altitude: 7,250 ft

Stay Type: Stay in tents on a sharing basis

Meal Included: reakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner

• Wake up to a southern wall of Nanda Devi Peak, have your breakfast, and get ready for the trek.
• The trail will pass through the thick forest of Rhodederon, towards the last big village on the route to Kafni and Pindari glacier.
• You can charge your power banks here after an extra amount to run the generators.
• The Khati is situated on the banks of the Pindar river, situated at an elevation of 7,2500 ft.
• Post reaching the campsite, enjoy your hot meals, and retire for the day.

Day 4: Khati to Phurkia

Trek: 16 km (7-8 hours)

Altitude: 10,662 ft

Stay Type: Stay in tents on a sharing basis

Meal Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner

• Wake up early, have your breakfast, and start your trek to Phurkia.
• The trail goes along the Pindari river, you cross two wooden bridges. Also, you can go for some munchings on the way as you will find some Dhabas on the way.
• You reach Dwali, rest for a while, and have your lunch there. Dwali is situated at an altitude of 8,448 ft.
• The 5 km trail to Phurkia will be a steep ascend, you cross the frozen stream with diminishing forests.
• A few km before Phurkia, you will be welcomed by a beautiful waterfall, rest here for a while and start again.
• Reach Phurkia, situated at an altitude of 10,662 ft, and offering great views of the snow-capped mountains. Head to the campsite and with hot meals retire for the day.

Day 5: Phurkia to Zero Point to Dwali

Trek:  15 km(7-8 Hours)

Altitude: 12,000 ft and and to 8,448 ft

Stay Type: Stay in tents on a sharing basis

Meal Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner

• Wake up early to a chilly morning, have your breakfast, and get ready for a trek to the Zero Point of Pindari Glacier.
• Today you walk over the rocky patch with small boulders hopping, you must start early to spend more time at the Zero Point.
• 1 km before the Zero Point, spot the famous Babaji’s house who serves food to the trekkers who made it till the point.
• Capture memories at the Zero Point, and give your try to walk over the Pindari Glacier. After spending enough time start again and head back to Dwali campsite.
• The route back is mostly descending and well known to you, reach the Dwali campsite, and with hot meals retire for the day.

Day 6: Dwali to Kafni Glacier

Trek: 12 km(6-7 hours)

Altitude: 12,664 ft

Stay Type: Stay in tents on a sharing basis

Meal Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner

• Wake up to a great morning, have your breakfast and get ready for a trek to Kafni Glacier.
• The trail today will be mostly ascending, you cross the forest section and walk over the rocky patch.
• The Kafni glacier is situated on the left of Pindar Valley, the major Himalayan peaks available from the glaciers are Nanda Kot and Nanda Bhanar.
• The wide view of the Kafni glacier will be willing you to spend some time there, find a flat surface, and pitch your tents there.
• With hot meals enjoy the views of the Kafni glacier and overnight at the camps.

Day 7: Kafni Glacier to Dwali

Trek: 12km (6-7 hours)

Altitude: 8,448 ft

Stay Type: Stay in tents on a sharing basis

Meal Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner

• Wake up to a chilly morning at the Kafni Glacier, have your breakfast, and get ready to trek back to Dwali.
• Enjoy the one last time at the Kafni Glacier, capture the Majestic views and, descend back.
• The return journey is the same as of Day 6, so you get extra time to visit the locations which you might have missed.
• Reach the Dwali campsite and with hot meals end the day in the tents.

Day 8: Dwali to Khati to Dhakuri

Trek: 20 km(7-8 Hours)

Altitude: 8,792 ft

Stay Type: Stay in tents on a sharing basis

Meal Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner

• Wake to an early breakfast, and start the trek back to Dhakuri village.
• The trail through climbs and descents will take you to Dhakuri, today you will be covering 20 km, so keep a lookout for the pace.
• The trail is well known to you, you cross various dense forest and the small streams, also the local livelihood around. Have your meals at the respective rest points.
• Reach the Dhakuri campsite and after a tiring day enjoying the warm hospitality of the village, rest for the day at the campsite.

Day 9: Dhakuri to Loharkhet and Drive to Kathgodam

Trek: 10 km (4-5 Hours)

Altitude: 5,777 ft

Drive: 180 km

Meal Included: Breakfast

• Wake up to a great and the last trek morning of the Pindari and Kafni Glacier trek. Have your breakfast and head back to Lohakhet.
• The trail today is mostly descending and easy and will take around 4 hours to complete.
• Post reaching the Loharkhet campsite, head to the shared cab and start your drive back to Kathgodam.