Bagini Glacier and Changbang Base Camp

• Pipalkoti to Jumma drive: 90km, 2- 3hr
• Trek: 3km, 2 hours.
• Altitude Jumma 2,700m/ 8,850ft
• Altitude Ruing village 2,800m/ 9,200ft
• Altitude gain: 100m/350ft.
• Carry enough water.
• The trail to Ruing is slightly steep through forest cover

The Bagini Glacier trek starts from Jumma Village in the Chamoli District of Uttarakhand and it is about a 2 to 3 hour ride from Pipalkoti. The ride is smooth in some parts and a little bumpy in others and on the way to Jumma, you will cross other remote villages like Reni, Phagti, Tapovan, Lata, and Suraithota.

After breakfast at Pipalkoti, we will start from Jumma, and from here, we will begin trekking towards the Ruing Village. In between Suraithota and Jumma Village, the Dhauliganga Rivers appears and it is on a level with the road. Also, if you want to stock up on kerosene then Suraihota is a good place. Dress appropriately as Jumma Village is situated near the Tibetan border s you will be constantly showered with a cool breeze in the afternoons.

The trek from Jumma starts by crossing an iron suspension bridge over the Dhauliganga River following which you will climb uphill to Ruing village. The trail becomes slightly steep as you enter a forest cover. It takes about 2-3 km of an uphill trek to reach Ruing.

Ruing is a beautiful mountain settlement, situated amidst coniferous forest covers of Oaks, Firs, and Deodars. Staying the night at Ruing is a little tricky. We can either lodge at the panchayat ghar at night or set up tents if the village people allow. If not, then you need to trek 2-3 km further, up to a meadow right before the ascent to Dronagiri and next to a stream. After setting up the tents, we will stay the night at Ruing.

• Altitude Dronagiri village 3,450m/11,400ft
• Altitude gain: 650m/2,200ft.
• Trek 8km, 8-9hr
• Sharply inclined trek through a landslide zone. Follow extreme caution while walking.
• Peaks spotted: Hathi Parvat & Ghori Parvat
• Attractions: Bhumial Temple
• Stay: In tents

 

On our third day, we will trek from Ruing to Dronagiri, another hamlet in the mountains. The trail will pass through the forest following many ascents and descents. You will walk one a single path and there are no diversions. Also, this is a landslide zone, so you need to be extra careful. The trail soon changes from forests to a rocky and dusty path and you come across some streams along the way.

The trek to Dronagiri is about 8 km and it will take approximately 5-6 hrs to reach the village. The landslide zone begins approximately 4 km from the campsite after you cross the forest cover. After you cross the forest cover, there are two paths, one follows up and is the remnant of a path that is destroyed by glacial activity. We will take the narrower path that moves downwards, the path is a sharply inclined one. The entire valley is also covered with exotic mountain blooms, enhancing the natural beauty.

Once near Dronagiri, a cemented road will lead you to the village and you will catch exquisite glimpses of the majestic Hathi Parvat along with other snow-clad beauties of the Himalayas. The Dronagiri village lies on an alpine meadow and from here you can catch sight of many prominent peaks of the Garhwal Himalayas. The Dronagiri Village also has some legend related to it, which dates back to the times of the Ramayana. It is believed that Lord Hanuman lifted the hillock on which the Dronagiri village lies, to collect ‘Sanjeevani Booti’ in order to resurrect Laxman. We will set our camps at Dronagiri for the night.

• Altitude Longatulli 3,900m/12,900ft
• Altitude gain: 450m/1,500ft.
• Trek 6km, 7-8hr
• A rocky path filled with rocks and boulders
• Fill water at the glacier
• Peaks spotted: Rishi peak
• Stay: In camps

Day 4 starts with a meandering trail, crossing a concrete bridge over Bagini Nala and following a rock and boulder-covered path and into a green patch beside a stream and soon into our next camping ground, Longatulli.

Longatulli camping ground is at an elevation of 14,711 ft and about a 3 hrs hike away from the Bagini Glacier campsite. The trek from Dronagiri to Longatulli is not very long, it is 3 km and takes about 3 hr. Today’s section of the trek lacks greenery until you reach the green patch before Longatulli. You can easily refill your water bottles from the Bagini Glacier.

After exiting from Dronagiri, we will follow the trail that takes us to a high ridge from where you will catch captivating sights of the Rishi peak and the first glimpse of the Bagini Nala. After thirty minutes of hiking, you will arrive at the crossing of Bagini Nala. You will cross the bridge over the Bagini Nala where the trail ascends. There’s another route that goes left from the bridge, do not take that, it will lead you to Kanari Khal and Garpak Village. Follow the uphill path from the bridge.

The path here is filled with rocks and boulders and you will spot no greenery or vegetation here, only brown barren lands. After another one and a half-hour of the trek, you will arrive at a green patch of land on the banks of a sparkling stream. This is a good spot for camping. A further trek of one hour will take you to Longatulli, where you will camp at night. Camping at Longatulli will also help you acclimatize.

• Altitude Base Camp 4,600m/15,100ft
• Altitude gain: 700m/2,200ft.
• Trek 5km, 6-7hr
• Peaks spotted: Rishi Pahar, Satminal & Hardeul
• Stay: In tents

 

Starting our day early today, after breakfast we will set out for the Bagini Glacier Base Camp. It is a 3-hour trek from Longatulli to Bagini Glacier through rocky terrain. The campsite is located on plain grounds on a plateau. From the Bagini campsite, you can observe spectacular views of Rishi Pahar, a peak in the Pithoragarh region of Uttarakhand along with Hardeul and Satminal.  The base camp offers some great views and is also an ideal location for camping.

You can also opt for camping in the Advanced base camp, which is further up the mountain and will require about 45 minutes more of trekking. This is a better site for camping. Also, the path to the advanced base camp is not properly marked, so you need to carefully observe and locate the trail. Some stone makeshift signs are arranged here and there by fellow trekkers for the convenience of others and to help them navigate the trail. Pack some snacks to energize yourself on the way, there are no shops on the way. Enjoy the views of the peak in the golden hour and retire early in the camps at night.

• Altitude Bagini Glacier 4,500m/14,800ft
• Trek 3+3km | 5hr both way
• Peaks visible Hathi(6727m), Gauri(6708m), Satminal(6911m), Dunagiri east(7066m), Garur peak, Trishuli(7074m), hardeol(7151m), Rishi(6992m), Kalanka(6931m), Changabang(6864m)
• The trail is filled with glacial deposits, tread carefully.

Today we start early, as we have to trek about 10 km and also you need to start early if you wish to catch the sunrise from the Changabang base, which is about 3 to 4 km from the Bagini Advanced base camp. You can leave your rucksack in the camp and take only what you need. The trail today gets progressively difficult as you ascend towards the glacier.

Leaving at dawn, we will arrive at the Changabang base camp by sunrise. Get ready to behold one of the most spectacular sights as the first sun rays hit the peaks of Hathi, Ghodi, Changabang, Dunagiri, Kalanka, Trishuli, and Rishi. The blue snow-clad mountains appear to be of molten gold as the sun rays strike the peak. Observe the peaks changing color in the sun, a soul-stirring sight that will forever be imprinted in your memory.

The route to the glacier is full of glacial deposits and many crevasses so you need to be mindful. Once you make it to the top, you will be left mesmerized by the breathtaking views of the mountain all around. After enjoying the thrill and serenity of the mountains for a while, we will trek back to the Bagini basecamp, following the same route, and retire for the night. 

• Altitude Dronagiri village 3,450m/11,400ft
• Altitude loss: 1,150m/3,700ft.
• Trek 11km, 8-9hr

Today, we will begin our descent from the Bagini Base Camp down to Dronagiri Village. We will retrace our path back to the Dronagiri Village, passing Longatulli on the way once again. We will camp at Dronagiri for the night

It is a 9 km trek back to Dronagiri Village and it is a downhill trek. We will camp at our old campsite in Dronagiri and stay the night here. Rest well for the next day, the last leg of your trek.

• Altitude Jumma Village 2,700m/8,850ft
• Trek to Jumma via Ruing village 11km | 7hr
• Jumma to Pipalkoti drive 9-km, 2-3hr

After breakfast in Dronagiri, we will make our descent towards Ruing Village and then to Jumma, and drive back to Pipalkoti. The trek to Jumma road head is about 11 kms followed by a 2-3 km drive to Pipalkoti. We will stay overnight in the guest house at Pipalkoti.

This is a lighter day of trekking as it is a descending trek. Even though it is a descending trek, it may still take some time to make it down to the road head. We have vehicles arranged at Jumma to take you back to Pipalkoti. We will drive through the same path and check-in at a guest house in Pipalkoti. It is time to relax after your long trekking adventure. Rest well in your beds.

• After Morning Tea/Coffee, Depart to home.
• you’ll reach Rishikesh between 5 -6:00 pm. You can book further travel any time after 7:00 pm

 

Note:-

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

On the final day of our journey, we will drive back to Rishikesh today ending our 9-day long adventure, and return home with loads of memories. The distance between Pipalkoti and Rishikesh is 200 km and takes about 8 to 9 hours. On reaching Rishikesh, you can book for your further journey.