If you are looking for a power-packed and thrilling summit climb, the Pangarchulla Peak trek offers just that. The summit point of the Pangarchulla Peak trek is situated at a challenging altitude of 15,069 ft.
To begin with, Pangarchulla is a 5-day trek (7 days when you include the travel days from Rishikesh). The trek starts from Auli near Joshimath in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is situated in the Nanda Devi National Park.
DAY 1 Drive from Rishikesh to Joshimath
DAY 2 Drive from Joshimath to Tugasi. Trek from Tugasi to Gulling/Akhrotghetta
DAY 3 Trek from Gulling/Akhrotghetta to Khullara
DAY 4 Acclimatization Day at Khullara. Trek to Kuari Top and back to Khullara
DAY 5 Trek from Khullara to Pangarchulla Summit, and back to Khullara
DAY 6 Trek from Khullara to Karchi, and drive to Tapoban
DAY 7 Drive back from Tapoban to Rishikesh
DAY 1
Drive from Rishikesh to Joshimath
Drive Distance: 254 km | Drive Duration: 10-11 hours | Pick up point – Rishikesh
DAY 2
Drive from Joshimath to Tugasi. Trek from Tugasi to Gulling/Akhrotghetta
Trek Distance: 12 km | Trek Duration: 6-7 hours | Altitude Gain: 8,790 ft to 10,908 ft
Moderate. Continuous ascent which is steep for the first 20 minutes followed by 45 minutes of gradual ascent. Steep again for about an hour, followed by a mix of gradual and steep ascents for 1.5 – 2 hours. Carry 2 litres of water.
DAY 3
Trek from Gulling/Akhrotghetta to Khullara
Trek Distance: 6 km | Trek Duration: 3-4 hours | Altitude Gain: 10,908 ft to 11,010 ft
Moderate. Gradually ascending trail. There are no water sources. Carry 2 litres of water.
DAY 4
Acclimatization Day at Khullara. Trek to Kuari Top and back to Khullara
Trek Distance: 7 km | Trek Duration: 4-5 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 11,010 ft to 12,600 ft, and back to 11,010 ft
Easy. Gradual ascent to Kuari Top. Carry sufficient water as there are no water sources on the trail.
DAY 5
Trek from Khullara to Pangarchulla Summit, and back to Khullara
Trek Distance: 12 km | Trek Duration: 10-12 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 11,010 ft to 15,069 ft, and back to 11,010 ft
Difficult. Initial gradual ascent followed by steep ascent over snow/boulders. Only one water source around 3-4 hours into the trek. Carry 2 litres of water and refill your bottles completely at the source.
DAY 6
Trek from Khullara to Karchi, and drive to Tapoban
Trek Distance: 5.25 km | Trek Duration: 3-4 hours | Altitude Loss: 11,010 ft to 7,315 ft
Easy-Moderate. Moderate to steep descent all the way to Karchi. Carry sufficient water.
DAY 7
Drive back from Tapoban to Rishikesh
Drive Distance: 260 km | Trek Duration: 10-11 hours | Drop off point – Rishikesh
The transport cost has to be borne by trekkers. It costs Rs.6,000 per Bolero (5-6 seater), and Rs.9,000 per Tempo Traveller (10-12 seater) for the transport, one way.
DAY 1 Drive from Rishikesh to Joshimath
DAY 2 Drive from Joshimath to Tugasi. Trek from Tugasi to Gulling/Akhrotghetta
DAY 3 Trek from Gulling/Akhrotghetta to Khullara
DAY 4 Acclimatization Day at Khullara. Trek to Kuari Top and back to Khullara
DAY 5 Trek from Khullara to Pangarchulla Summit, and back to Khullara
DAY 6 Trek from Khullara to Karchi, and drive to Tapoban
DAY 7 Drive back from Tapoban to Rishikesh
DAY 1
Drive from Rishikesh to Joshimath
Drive Distance: 254 km | Drive Duration: 10-11 hours | Pick up point – Rishikesh
DAY 2
Drive from Joshimath to Tugasi. Trek from Tugasi to Gulling/Akhrotghetta
Trek Distance: 12 km | Trek Duration: 6-7 hours | Altitude Gain: 8,790 ft to 10,908 ft
Moderate. Continuous ascent which is steep for the first 20 minutes followed by 45 minutes of gradual ascent. Steep again for about an hour, followed by a mix of gradual and steep ascents for 1.5 – 2 hours. Carry 2 litres of water.
DAY 3
Trek from Gulling/Akhrotghetta to Khullara
Trek Distance: 6 km | Trek Duration: 3-4 hours | Altitude Gain: 10,908 ft to 11,010 ft
Moderate. Gradually ascending trail. There are no water sources. Carry 2 litres of water.
DAY 4
Acclimatization Day at Khullara. Trek to Kuari Top and back to Khullara
Trek Distance: 7 km | Trek Duration: 4-5 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 11,010 ft to 12,600 ft, and back to 11,010 ft
Easy. Gradual ascent to Kuari Top. Carry sufficient water as there are no water sources on the trail.
DAY 5
Trek from Khullara to Pangarchulla Summit, and back to Khullara
Trek Distance: 12 km | Trek Duration: 10-12 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 11,010 ft to 15,069 ft, and back to 11,010 ft
Difficult. Initial gradual ascent followed by steep ascent over snow/boulders. Only one water source around 3-4 hours into the trek. Carry 2 litres of water and refill your bottles completely at the source.
DAY 6
Trek from Khullara to Karchi, and drive to Tapoban
Trek Distance: 5.25 km | Trek Duration: 3-4 hours | Altitude Loss: 11,010 ft to 7,315 ft
Easy-Moderate. Moderate to steep descent all the way to Karchi. Carry sufficient water.
DAY 7
Drive back from Tapoban to Rishikesh
Drive Distance: 260 km | Trek Duration: 10-11 hours | Drop off point – Rishikesh
The transport cost has to be borne by trekkers. It costs Rs.6,000 per Bolero (5-6 seater), and Rs.9,000 per Tempo Traveller (10-12 seater) for the transport, one way.