Audens Col Expedition

 

• After breakfast visit Pandav gufa, Gauri and Surya kund.
• Post lunch can visit Gangotri temple or go for shopping.
• Lunch at guest house.
• Stay in Guest House.

Wake up in the religious land. Today try to utilize the day to know about Gangotri. You can visit temples, caves, walk in the woods, meet Sadhus, etc. Together with the group, you can visit Surya Kund, PandavGufa and GauriKund also. Try not to miss the  Aarti. Today is acclimatization day so stay outdoors and get used to the height.

• Altitude: 3,750m/12,300ft (Nala Camp).
• Altitude gain: 650m/2,100ft.
• Trek: 8km, 6-7 hours.
• Moderate walk with steep ascent.
• Walk along with the river.
• Initial trail is with Bhagirathi River and with Rudugaira River.
• After 2hours of trek cross the river over a log bridge.
• Walk in the forest of Pine, Cedar, Rhododendrons and Birch trees.
• Cross Bhoj Kharak camp (camp for Rudugaira peak).
• Can see Gangotri III and Jogin II just before the campsite.
• Packed lunch on the way.
• Stay in tent (Twin sharing)

After good acclimatization stay in Gangotri get walking towards Nala Camp. The trek will of 8-9 hours through the moderate and steep trail. You begin by going down the main valley. You will be walking along the Bhagirathi river. After 2 km cross the log bridge on the river then take a right to enter towards Rudragaira valley. You will be walking through dense Pine, Cedar, Rhododendrons and Birch trees. 

The trail then suddenly climbs up. You may also have to pass through the rockfall zone, so be careful. You will cross BhojKharak campsite. As you gain height you can see the forests becoming less visible. Later you can find grasslands bloomed with flowers then come into eyesight. You can also see a glimpse of Gangotri III and Jogin II. The camping is on the wonderful meadows beside Rudragairariver. So, enjoy it while your night stays in tents.

• Altitude: 4,350m/14,300ft (Rudugaira Camp)
• Altitude gain: 600m/2,000ft.
• Trek: 7km, 7-8 hours.
• Steep and strenuous climb all the way.
• Views of Rudragaira peak, Jogin peak and Auden Col pass.
• Cross a stream and landslide area.
• Less water sources on the way.
• Packed lunch for the day.
• Stay in tent.

Today will be a short yet difficult day. The entire trail is a steep and strainful climb. There will be no water sources on the way. Make sure you carry enough water. Moving through Nala the trail will go up towards high meadows. 

There will be many stream crossing and landslide crossing. Take your steps carefully. Ahead you may find some snow patches and the trail getting even steeper. In spite of all the difficulty, your day will be cheerful with the stunning sights of  Rudragaira peak, Jogin peak and Auden Col pass. After a strenuous day rest in your tents at Rudragaira camp. 

• An acclimatization day at this height is mandatory.
• Explore and enjoy campsite surrounded by peaks.
• Can climbed a ridge towards Rudragaira peak.
• Hot lunch at campsite.
• Stay in tent

Since you are at 14800 feet it is necessary to give your body the time for acclimatization. Explore around the campsite. Make the most of this stunning campsite that is between huge peaks on meadows beside a gushing river. If you wish to you can go for a small hike on a ridge near the campsite. Try to stay out of the tents to boost the process of acclimatization. 

• Altitude: 4,750m/15,600ft (Auden’s Col BC.)
• Altitude gain: 400m/1,300ft.
• Trek: 8km, 6-7 hours.
• Gradual and tricky ascent on moraine.
• Carry enough water from the campsite.
• Beautiful views of Gangotri peaks.
• Pass Sukha Tal on the way.
• Can see the gully leading to Auden's Col.
• Packed lunch on the way.
• Stay in tent.

Today will be an exciting day with a lot of surprises. First, start by walking on moraines. Once you cross a landslide area you will reach the top of the ridge. Keep walking on the ridge and climb down till Bakriwala camp. After crossing a stream another ridge will come ahead. This ridge is a flat like a walk for more than an hour. The walk is tricky owing to loose scree, hence, be careful. Once you finish the ridge you will have a descend ahead.

Now climb down to Gangotri Base camp. After a climb, you will be welcomed by SukhaTaal. It is a surprise element of the trek. Base Camp is on flat moraine surface. From the camp, you can see the gully leading to Auden's Col.

• Altitude: 5,500m/18,000ft (Auden’s Col), 5000m/16,400ft (Khatling Glacier).
• Altitude gain: 750m/2,400ft
• Trek: 12km, 10-12 hours.
• Camp to Auden’s Col 5km, 5-6 hours.
• Auden’s Col to Khatling Glacier 7km, 5-6 hours.
• Start early in the morning.
• Difficult walk, steep ascent till the Col after that steep descent.
• Descent is more tricky and difficult the ascent.
• Toughest climb of the trek.
• Khatling Glacier is famous for deep crevasses.
• Always roped up and walk with trek leader/guide to avoid slip and fall.
• Carry sufficient water from campsite.
• Packed lunch for the day.
• Stay in tent.

Today will be the longest, toughest and exquisite. Since days you were hoping of crossing Auden's col and today it will be done. Start by walking on the moraine, you can see Rudgragaira glacier on the right. There is a couple of snow-laden ridges following. Based on the snow level you might be instructed to wear crampons. After crossing the last ridge you will climb up a little to enter the gully.

The flat ground that comes next is used as Advanced camping site. The climb up henceforth requires roping up. When you are the Auden's pass you can see many crevasses, you might have to cross over a one or two. Therefore, follow your guide's footsteps. The snow level also may increase to knee-deep. At this height, it becomes difficult to walk. With Jogin and Gangotri peaks towering on the sides the Auden's col looks exceptional. 

The views on the other side are even more stunning. You can see Khatling Glacier and its crevasses giving an instant wave of fear. The climb down is extremely steep with 70 degrees slope. The descend is scary after comes a flat glacier ground. You will be camping on this moraine land of Khatling glacier.  

• Altitude: 3,900m/12,800ft (Zero Point).
• Altitude loss: 1,100m/ 3,600ft.
• Trek: 11km, 9-10 hours.
• 8 km trek is on glacier.
• First half of trail is mixed of loose grave, scree, black ice.
• Rest of the trail is of moraine.
• Camp by the Bhilangna river.
• Bhilangna river ends at Tehri dam.
• Packed lunch for the day.
• Stay in tent.

Another longest and tough day. Today we will continue on the rest of the Khatling glacier to arrive at Zero Point camp. The initial 50 m is steep descend. Watch your steps. The trail will be covered with snow. Climb down the glacier for another 2 km to reach moraines. 

The trail is filled with loose rocks and scree. The route is also exposed and you can see black ice, icefall and big ice formations. You will also have to find way through crevasses. From the end of Khatling glacier from the snout, Bhilangnariver originates. Cross the last section of the rockfall and boulder section to reach the campsite. 

• Mandatory Rest day.
• Rejuvenate yourself.
• This day also can be used as a buffer day.

This is a purposefully added day for resting. After all the strainful and amazing trek experiences, take rest for this day. This day can be also used as a buffer day in case of unfavourable situations. 

• Altitude: 3,500m/11,500ft (Chowki)
• Altitude Loss: 400m/1,300ft.
• Trek: 8km, 5-6 hours
• Comparatively easy day.
• Will see greenery again.
• Most of the trek is on Meadow.
• Fallow Bhilangna river for first 3km.
• Campsite is on grass land.
• One of the best campsite of the trek.
• Packed/hot lunch, depends on the pace of the group.
• Stay in tent.

After the rest day, you will be full-energized to start a wonderful day. Today will be a nice and pleasant walk through meadows. Continue walking along the valley for 3 km. You will be crossing a wooden bridge on the fiercely flowing Bhilangariver. After that, the lush meadow will welcome you. You can take a break here to relax on the beautiful meadows.

Keep walking for another 4km to the next campsite. The Chowki campsite is a beautiful setup on the huge grasslands between big mountains. 

• Altitude: 3,750m/12,300ft (Masar Tal)
• Altitude gain: 250m/800ft.
• Trek: 8km, 5-6 hours.
• Easy day.
• Initially steep ascent then gradual walk.
• Trail is well defined.
• Can see the beautiful views of Thalay Sagar peak.
• Camping near by the Masar Tal (lake).
• Stay in tent.

Today you will gain a little height to reach the crystal, Masar Tal. The day will be rejuvenated by clear views of Thalaysagar peak. The trail begins with a small ascend showing sights of Thalaysagar. You cross another few ridges. You will also cross a stream until you reach the beautiful Masar Tal. The lake reflects the scenery around it thousand times. You will be lucky to camp beside this lake. 

• Altitude: 5,000m/16,400ft (Mayali Pass)
• Altitude: 4,200m/13,800ft (Vasuki Tal)
• Altitude gain: 1,250m/4,100ft.
• Trek: 12km, 7-9 hours.
• Masar Tal to Mayali Pass 6km, 5-6 hours.
• Mayali Pass to Vasuki Tal 6km, 2-4 hours.
• Steep ascent till Mayali Pass.
• Steep and technical descent after Mayali Pass.
• Trail is of boulders and snow.
• No water source on the way
• Camping near by the Vasuki tal (Lake).
• Packed lunch on the way.
• Stay in tent.

 

Be excited because today you will visit another and the last pass of the trek, Mayali pass. The trail starts with a climb up over boulders to the Masar top. A climb up for another 45 minutes is needed to reach the base of the pass. This point is outstanding in terms of beauty. There is a lake which is at times semi-frozen with ice bergs floating on its surface.

After this a long walk is followed. The trail is somewhat flat and gradual. You will also be crossing crevasses just like at Khatling but a lot easier. The top of the pass gives a feeling victory. Enjoy for a moment then start to descend. The climbing down trail is filled with boulders and is steep. Before this you may spot the Peenya Tal twin lakes. Keep walking ahead to reach the Vasuki Tal.  

• Altitude: 3,500m/11,600ft (Kedarnath)
• Altitude loss: 700m/2,200ft.
• Trek: 7km, 3-5 hours.
• All descent till Kedarnath Temple.
• Easy and marked trail.
• Kedarnath temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• Visit Kedarnath temple in the evening.
• Hot lunch at guest house.
• Stay in guest house.

Finally the day has arrived that will end at the mighty Kedarnath. It is one of the Char Dhaams and one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. It has a lot of prime importance in Indian religion. First, start with a ascend to Vasuki Tal top. The trail is boulder filled ridge walk. 

After this point there is a steep descend continuously. You will be excited to finally see the greenland. The Kedarnath village beside Mandakiniriver looks serene.  Enjoy your evening with the blessing of Lord Shiva. 

• Altitude: 1,950m/6400ft (Gaurikund)
• Altitude loss: 1,550m/5,200ft.
• Trek: 14km, 6-7 hours.
• All descent till Gaurikund.
• Easy and marked trail.
• Many shops and water point on the way.
• Can go by helicopter (not included in cost).
• Hot lunch at guest house.
• Stay in guest house.

This is the final stroll of the thrilling day. It is a complete long climb down of 14kms. The trail is an easy and well-marked. Try to engulf the most from the last day in the mountains. 

• 250km, 8-10hours drive.
• You will be dropped at Dehradun station in a Tata Sumo or a similar vehicle.
• Drop to Dehradun is included in the cost.
• Breakfast and lunch on the way (not included in the cost).
• Driving time to Dehradun may increase due to of heavy traffic. Make your further travel plane from Dehradun after 8:00 pm.

 

Note:-

• Distance, Altitude and Trekking hours are approximate and round off.
• Keep original and copy of ID proof handy.

The last day of the trek has arrived. You will be boarding your vehicle taking you back to Dehradun. Collect a lot of memories and promise to come back again.