The Pangarchulla Peak Trek also includes an alternate path that trekkers can use. This route is fairly difficult, which makes it less accessible to all trekkers. It is a considerably more difficult version of the journey because the peak day is on the second day and you gain significant altitude on each day. The first day’s altitude rise is 2000 feet, while the second day’s gain is 5000 feet, which is fairly impressive for a first day. To prevent the danger of acquiring AMS, it is generally not recommended to gain more than 2000 feet per day.
For those looking for adventure, here is a detailed description of an alternate route to the Pangarchulla walk, which begins in Dhak.
Pangarchulla trek Itinerary-Start your trek from Dhak finish it in Auli.
Short Itinerary:
Day 1: Joshimath – Dhak – Akhrotgetta; 12km trip by cab from Joshimath to Dhak. Trek for 3-4 hours from Dhak to Akhrotgetta. Sleep early because you’ll need to get up around 3 a.m. to begin your summit journey.
Day 02: Akrotgetta – Pangarchulla mountain – Akrotgetta It’s going to be a long day, with a 13-hour hike that includes a ridge walk and an incredible summit vista. To be honest, it’s not pleasant.
Day 03: Akhrotgetta – Gulling; A relaxing day with only 3-4 hours of easy walking and a beautiful sunset.
Day 04: Gulling – Auli; The most relaxed day, with a beautiful photogenic Tali lake to end your journey.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Dhak-Akhrotgetta
As previously stated, the trip begins in Dhak, a little picturesque town about 12 kilometres from Joshimath on the Malari route. If you’re lucky, you’ll come across a local dog that will accompany you on your journey. Many children will be happy and waiting for you to take a picture of them before asking for chocolates or toffee, so if you want a good picture with smiling children, bring some extra chocolates with you.
After about 2-3 hours of hiking, trekkers will arrive to Akhrotgetta, the first campground. This campsite is distinguished by a lone tree in the centre of the site. You can hear the stream nearby, it’s an open campground, and you catch your first glimpse of the spectacular Dunagiri peak, which will stay with you throughout the walk. Believe us when we claim that after a hard journey, you will find tranquilly here. This campsite is enhanced by the presence of rhododendron, which is in full bloom in the spring. Due to the high court’s restriction on camping in Uttarakhand’s meadows, Akhrotgetta is the final campground to reach Pangarchulla Peak.
Day 02: Akhrotgetta – Pangarchulla peak – Akhrotgetta
On summit day, you must get up early to ascend the top, enjoy the sunrise, and return to the Akhrotgetta camp before dark. Be prepared for a tough day of ascents and descents with 13 hours of trekking! As a result, a certain amount of endurance is required to complete this version of the Pangarchulla Trek. You will get the opportunity to hike in the dark while wearing headlamps, through dense oak and rhododendron forest, and over thick snow.
Khullara is the next campground to reach after a 1-hour journey from Akhrotgetta. A nice brook runs through here, where you can refill your water bottles. Khullara meadows used to be one of the largest open campsites in the hills, but due to the meadows camping prohibition, you can no longer stay there. After Khullara, the snow begins, so prepare by putting on your crampons and gaiters
The true climb begins at the base of the Pangarchulla, which you reach after a 4-5 hour trip that is about to get more difficult. The ascent is difficult until you reach the peak’s shoulder, and the three humps before the summit are exciting and perilous. The thrill of ridge trek will excite you, but it will also fatigue you. In the winter, be cautious of the ridge part since you don’t want to slip from the slope and fall into the deep valley. The open 360° vistas from the summit are well worth the effort; you get some stunning views of the massive Himalayan peaks.
Walking along the Summit Ridge will give you confidence and teach you that if you have the will and put in the work, you can and will do anything. Gotcha?
Day 03: Akrotgetta – Gulling
The next stop is Gulling. The Akhrotgetta route is lovely, winding among oak, rhododendron, and birch woods. It’s a short hike across many little streams before arriving at the Gulling campground at lunchtime. After lunch, you’ll have plenty of time to rest, explore the campsite, read a novel, write something, play a game of cricket with the locals, or even go to a nearby brook and dip your legs for a while to relax. This is a good opportunity to socialise with other trekkers. The last rays of the sun fading from the Dunagiri summit are worth watching from this campsite.
Day 04: Gulling Campsite – Auli
The following morning, you will trek to Tali Lake. It’s a little lake with some breathtaking views. You can relax here and soak in the beauty of nature. Now proceed to the Gorson Bugyal. Gorson Bugyal is a 1-2 kilometre journey from Auli, India’s most recognised ski location. To go to Padiyar temple, which is located between Gorson Bugyal and Auli, you must cross the entire Gorson Bugyal.
You will arrive in Auli about 3-4 PM and then either stay in Auli or take a shared cab to Joshimath. From where buses and shared cabs leave for Rishikesh and Haridwar in the morning.
Also Have a Look on- Kuari Pass
