Panchchulli Glacier & Darma Valley Treks

The Panch Chulli peaks lie in Eastern Kumaon Himalaya and form the watershed between the Gori Ganga and Darma Valleys. The eastern approaches are through Sona and Meola Glaciers. The Uttari and Dakshini Balati glaciers guard the western approaches. Nestling snugly in the lap of the snow capped peaks of Panch Chulli, the Darma Valley in remote Pithoragarh district, bordering Nepal and Tibet, is endowed with extraordinary scenic beauty. Between mid-May and end June and from mid-September to end-October the Wayfarer group regularly organizes trekking trips to Punch Chulli Glacier and Darma Valley. The starting point of this adventure is the Wayfarer Mountain Resort at Munsyari from where we drive by jeep for around 95 kms. to the Indo-Nepal boarder town of Dharchulla. From this town a further drive of 35 kms. along the banks of the Dhauli Ganga river takes us to the village of Sobla. Here onwards it's a 40 km. trail that passes through Dar, Bungling, Sela, Nagling, Baaling and Duktu / Dantu village in the Darma Valley before reaching Punch Chulli Glacier.

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi & transfer to Hotel. Overnight at Hotel

Day 02: Delhi - Almora
After breakfast drive to Almora. Upon arrival transfer to Hotel. Evening free.
Overnight at Hotel

Day 03: Almora - Munsyari
After breakfast drive to Munsyari(115 kms, 4 hrs) along a road that winds itself up to a height of 2748 mts before descending into the glorious Munsyari valley. Check in at Hotel.

Day 04: Drive from Munsyari to Sobla (130 kms./5 hrs.) :
The Jeep track from Munsyari, initially, descends to Madkot Village which is on the banks of the rapidly flowing Gori Ganga river. From this point, the two hour drive to Jauljibi is particularly scenic. On the way are small villages called Chori Bagar, and Banga Pani. At Jauljibi there is the confluence of river Gori with Kali that crosses into India from Nepal at Dharchula. The route now travels northwards past Dharchula and Tawa Ghat and divests westward into a gorge following the Dhauli Ganga river up to Sobla. Sobla (1670m) is the entry point to the Darma Valley and is the starting point of our trek. Our destination is Dar Village (2134m) which is 5 kms. from Sobla. We pitch up here for the night.

Day 05: Dar to Sela (2438 mts./12 kms.. 5 to 6 hrs.) :
Today's walk is long but easy. The mule track from Dar to Sela goes through hill sides of green pastoral land. The campsite is on the outskirts of Sela.

Day 06: Sela to Baaling (2743 mts./11 kms.. 5 to 6 hrs.) :
It is another relatively trouble free day. The trail to Baaling goes up and down hill sides but the altitude gained is moderate. The views of the distant glaciers is exciting and the temptation to push ahead is high. Nevertheless we camp here for the night, because we have a long march ahead of us the next day.

Day 07: Baaling to Duktu (3048 mts./6 kms.. 3 hrs.) :
Duktu and Dantu are two adjacent villages which are the last centres of human habitation in this part of Darma valley. The view of the Panch Chulli peaks from here is just magnificent. On the outskirts of Duktu is a huge meadow that provides a perfect setting for viewing the Panch Chulli glacier with the backdrop of the Panch Chulli peaks. This particular spot is almost picture perfect. We pitch up here for the night.

Day 08: Duktu to Panch Chulli (4 kms. each way; 5 hrs.) :
Today is a momentous day when we set out to explore the Panch Chulli glacier from our base camp at Duktu. The glacier projects outwards from the East face of Panch Chulli and a 4 kms. trek from the campsite along the Yuli river leads to the massive glacier itself. The place itself provides an incredible scenery of a sprawling meadow bordered by tall oak and birch trees with the Panch Chulli (6904 mts./22652 ft.) looming in the background.

Day 09: Duktu to Nagling (2743 mts./11 kms.) :
We start on return trek today. The trail from Duktu to Nagling is a gradual descent and the days' walk takes around 5 hours.

Day 10: Nagling to Bungling (12 kms.) :
This is the last day of our walking. We arrive at Bungling by noon. From here after a brief rest we get on to a waiting jeep that drives us back to Munsyari.

Day 11: Munsyari to Ranikhet (240 kms.) :
It is time to bid farewell to Munsyari and its mountains. Today we board a vehicle that drives us to Ranikhet through Vijaypur, Bageshwar and Kausani. We check in for the night at Wayfarer Solitaire.

Day 12: Ranikhet to Nanital
Drive to Nainital. A famous hill station in India. Evening free to visit local market. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 13: Nainital - Delhi
Morning free. Afternoon drive to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, transfer to hotel.
Overnight at Hotel.

Day 14: Departure Delhi
Transfer to International airport to catch the flight to home.