Trails Pass Trek – Named after George William Traill, the 2nd British Commissioner of Kumaon (1816-1836), Traill’s Pass Trek (earlier called Pindari Kanda), is a mountain pass situated at the head of the Pindari glacier. The Trails pass bridges Pindari Valley with Lwan Valley and is said to be very difficult to cross. Despite the fact that the Pindari glacier attracts a large number of visitors each year, the summit of Trail’s Pass remains elusive.

The journey begins from with your arrival at Delhi. Take an early morning train from Delhi to Kathgodam. Upon your arrival, take a cab ride to Kausani enjoying the views of the lower Kumaon Himalayas. Once you have arrived at Kausani, check in to your hotel. Enjoy a delicious dinner meal and later retire for the day. Since the trekking part begins the next day.

Also See: Brahmatal Trek

Wake up early and drive to Kharkiya- the starting point of Traill’s Pass Trek. Head towards Khati and then to the Base Camp via Dwali. The trail will follow the river Pindar, watch the confluence of Pindar and Kafani River. And if it’s a clear day, you can have a great view of the summit point of Nanda Devi East.

The trail passes through the thick forest and river stream, finally reaching Thakta Kharak Camp (Advanced Base Camp). The Advanced Base Camp will be your resting point and acclimatizing as well. Witness the magical views of Pindari valley giants and huge pindari ice falls from the camp. Later pitch your tents and retire for the day.

What actually is the Pindari glacier?

Pindari Glacier is a massive icefall that passes across a steep slope and has yet to be traversed directly. Above this are the neighbouring heights’ ice fields, as well as the glacier’s 8-kilometer-long névé basin, which is divided from the ridge above by a textbook-style bergschrund. An enormous wall of jagged, fractured ice crisscrosses its left lateral moraine, crisscrossed with thousands of seracs and crevasses. The glacier’s top icefields are undetectable from this vantage point, and the near-level ice mass at the snout below fades into insignificance.

Starting the day ascending on the glacier and reach the base of the rock wall. Get the adventure of rock climbing with a mix of snow and ice as well. Witness Pindari Valley and Johar valley on the way to Traill’s Pass. Once you reach the Traill’s Pass, you can witness the panoramic sight of Nanda Lapak, Nanda Khat, Nanda Devi and Nanda Devi East, Changuch, Raj-Rambha.

Later, continue descending through Salang River and Martoli Village- the biggest abandoned village in the valley. Enjoy local sightseeing at Martoli and later head to Nahar Devi for souvenir shopping. Reach Dhaba, which is the endpoint of the trek. From there, take a short drive to Kathgodam (via Munsiyari and Dhaul Chinna).

Take a train from Kathgodam to Delhi, ending this adventurous trip.

How difficult is the Traill’s Pass Trek?

The Pindari glacier and Traill’s Pass, by Himalayan standards, fall short of the majority of the giants. Neither of the Pindari Glacier or the Traill’s Pass is Largest or the longest. But since the mid 19th century when it was first crossed in 1830, a bridle trail with dak huts at suitable intervals between Pindari and Almora was established. This led Pindari to be the most frequently visited Himalayan glacier. Even today, it is such a popular hiking destination that a tenfold increase in the number of available beds is insufficient to keep up with the demand.

Itinerary

Day 1: Delhi to Kathgodam, Drive to Kausani

Drive – 135 km (4-5 hours)

Meal – Breakfast + Breakfast

Stay – Stay in a hotel on a sharing basis

• Take the early morning train from Delhi to Kathgodam and from there drive to Kausani.
• Driving to Kausani is extremely beautiful as you reach the lower Kumaon Himalayas.
• Arrive at your hotel and with a hot meal, retire for the day.

Day 2: Kausani to Kharkiya, trek to Khati

Altitude – 7250 ft.

Drive – 80 km (4-5 hours)

Trek – 2 hours

Meal – Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner

Stay – Stay in tents on a sharing basis.

• Wake up early, have your breakfast and take a drive to Kharkiya which will take 4-5 hours to complete.
• Kharkiya is the starting point of the trek, from here a 2 hour trek to Khati in the Pindari Valley.
• Pitch your tents and have a hot meal and retire for the day.

Day 3: Khati to Dwali

Altitude – 9022 ft.

Trek – 5-6 hours

Meal – Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner

Stay – Stay in tents on a sharing basis.

• Wake up to a fresh morning, have your breakfast and start your trek to Dwali.
• The trail will follow the river Pindar, watch the confluence of Pindar and Kafani River.
• Have a great view of the summit point of Nanda devi east on a clear day.
• Pitch your tents are Dwali and retire for the day.

Day 4: Dwali to base Camp

Altitude – 11696 ft

Trek – 5-6 hours

Meal – Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner

Stay – Stay in tents on a sharing basis.

• Have your breakfast and trek towards base camp by following the river pindar to its source.
• The trail passes through the thick forest of Rhododendron, oak and walnuts.
• Cross the main stream and take the steep climb to base camps, pitch tents and retire for the day.

Day 5: Acclimatization Day

Altitude – 11696 ft

Trek – 5-6 hours

Meal – Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner

Stay – Stay in tents on a sharing basis.

• Wake up to a lazy morning, take a nature acclimatization walk around the campsite and load up the ferry to advance base camp.
• Overnight stay at the camps.

Day 6: Dwali to Thakta Kharak Camp/ABC

Altitude – 14681 ft

Trek – 5-6 hours

Meal – Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner

Stay – Stay in tents on a sharing basis

• Wake up in the morning, have your breakfast and load the ferry for the final loads.
• Start your trail to Thakta Kharak Camp (ABC), steep climb through a grassy slope and then descends to a local stream.
• The ABC offers magical views of Pindari valley giants and also huge pindari ice falls, pitch your tents and retire for the day.

Day 7 – 8: Acclimatization Day, Load Ferry To Camp 1

Altitude – 14681 ft

Meal – Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner

Stay – Stay in tents on a sharing basis

• Wake up to a lazy morning, have breakfast and take small acclimatization walks around the camps.
• Load up the ferry for camp 1, the climbing team will ascend furthermore from camp 1 to fix ropes on the rock wall.
• Overnight in camps with hot meals.

Day 9: ABC to Camp 1

Trek – 3-4 hours

Meal – Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner

Stay – Stay in tents on a sharing basis.

• Wake up to an exciting morning, have your breakfast and move towards camp 1 with final loads.
• The climb initially is gradual and then a steep climb on the rocky path, stop by a small plateau and set up camp 1

Day 10: Camp 1 to Camp 2

Trek – 3-4 hours

Meal – Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner

Stay – Stay in tents on a sharing basis.

• Wake up early and start your hike to Camp 2.
• Starting the day ascending on the glacier and reaching the base of the rock wall, it is challenging with a mix of snow, ice and rocks.
• Post a tiring climb to the top of the wall, you will be rewarded with the first view of Traill’s Pass along with the panoramic views of Pindari Valley and Johar valley.
• Pitch your tents on camp 2 and retire for the day.

Day 11: Camp 2 to Moraine Camp over Traill’s Pass

Altitude – 17427 ft

Trek – 6-8 hours

Meal – Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner

Stay – Stay in tents on a sharing basis

• Wake up to an exciting morning and start your day by crossing huge ice fields of Pindari and Nanda Khat Glacier to reach Traill’s pass.
• The Traill’s pass oppers magical panoramic views of Nanda Devi and Nanda Devi East, Nanda Lapak, Changuch, Nanda Khat, Raj-Rambha.
• Descend down to near vertical ice and snow walls towards the moraine of Nanda Ghunti Glacier, pitch tents and retire for the day.

Day 12: Moraine Camp to Nanda Devi East Base camp

Trek – 2-3 hours

Meal – Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner

Stay – Stay in tents on a sharing basis

• Wake up lazy, have your breakfast and kick start to your short trek day.
• The trail moves towards the fields of Bhadeli Gwar, base camp for Nanda Devi East and other peaks in the valley.
• Pitch your tents and observe the sudden change in Landscape, overnight in the tents.

Day 13: Nanda Devi East Base Camp to Rata Gangal

Trek – 3-4 hours

Meal – Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner

Stay – Stay in tents on a sharing basis

• Have your breakfast descend from Nanda Devi Base Camp, following the river Lawan.
• Reach a small shepherd camp along the river Lawan, pitch your tents and overnight stay in tents.

Day 14: Rata Gangal to Village Martoli

Altitude – 10826 ft

Trek – 3-4 hours

Meal – Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner

Stay – Stay in tents on a sharing basis

• Wake up to a fresh morning, have your breakfast and descend down to Lawan Village.
• Cross the Salang River and arrive at village Martoli and is the biggest abandoned village in the valley.
• Pitch your tents here and with hot meals retire for the day.

Day 15: Free Day

Altitude – 10826 ft

Meal – Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner

Stay – Stay in tents on a sharing basis

• Wake up to a cozy morning, have your breakfast and visit the local sightseeing of the village Martoli.
• Have your meals and retire for the day at camps.

Day 16: Martoli to Nahar Devi

Trek – 6-7 hours

Meal – Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner

Stay – Stay in tents on a sharing basis

• Wake up early, have breakfast and start your trek to Nahar Devi.
• Follow the river towards the camp, Nahar devi also has some local shops. In the evening visit the market and collect some souvenirs.
• Pitch your tents and have a hot meal for the day, retire for the day in camps.

Day 17: Nahar Devi to Rargari

Trek – 6-7 hours

Meal – Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner

Stay – Stay in tents on a sharing basis

• Have your breakfast and follow the river Gori Ganga and reach Rargari.
• Pitch tents and retire for the day.

Day 18: Rargari to Dhaba, drive to Munsiyari

Trek – 5-6 hours

Meal – Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Snacks + Dinner

Stay – Stay in a hotel on a sharing basis

• Wake up to a cool morning, have your breakfast and prepare for the day’s trek.
• The trail will take you to a small village of Lilam along the banks of river Gori Ganga.
• Reach Dhaba which is the end point of trek, from here take a short drive to Munsiyari
• Reach Munsiyari and rest for the day in a hotel room.

Day 19: Munsiyari to Dhaul Chinna

Drive – 170 km (5-6 hours)

Meal – Breakfast + Dinner

Stay – Stay in a hotel on a sharing basis

• Wake up to a cozy morning, have breakfast and start your drive to Dhaul Chinna.
• The drive will take 5-6 hours to complete, arrive at your hotel and retire for the day.

 
Day 20: Dhaul Chinna to Kathgodam and train to Delhi

Drive – 120 km (3 – 4 hours)

Meal – Breakfast

• Wake up to a last day of the trip, have breakfast and board the cab to Kathgodam and from there train to Delhi
• With good memories bring this adventurous trip to an end.

Things To Carry

1. Shirts / T-shirts –5/6, Trekking Pants -5-6

2. Windproof jacket of decent quality preferably with a hood

3. Warm and thick Fleece / Full-sleeve Woollen sweater

4. Thermal inner wear (upper & lower), Scarf/muffler

5. Woollen cap, Woollen gloves, Woollen socks & regular socks (5-6 pairs)

6. Comfortable Trekking (Waterproof shoes with a thick sole are recommended)

7. Lightweight floaters/sandals/slippers

8. Raincoat / Poncho, Small quick dry towel

9. Water bottle (sturdy ones)

10. Cap / Hat to keep the strong sun away from your face

11. Sun glasses (polarized/UV Protected), Walking stick / Trekking pole

12. Sunscreen Lotion, Lip Balm, Torch / Flashlight (with extra batteries)

13. Medicines, if requiring any specific medication

14. Personal toiletries

15. Day pack/small bag in case if you are planning to offload your regular backpack

16. Hand Sanitizer

17. Extra face masks

18. Valid government ID proof (Passport)