Lamkhaga pass trek

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Lamkhaga pass trek

  • Region: Garhwal Himalayas
  • Duration: 07 Days
  • Altitude: 17335 Ft
  • Best Time: Mid May to June and Early Sep to Mid October
  • Grade: Moderate

Acting as a bridge between Harsil in Garhwal and Sangla in Himachal Pradesh, the Lamkhaga Pass at an elevation of 5,420 meters, is one of the high altitude mountain passes in the Garhwal Himalayan region. It is surrounded by several mountains those towering at an elevation above 5,000 to 6,000 meters. The trek to Sangla via Lamkhaga Pass is one of the toughest treks in the Indian Himalayan region that is located in the Garhwal Himalaya. It crosses through the dense forest of Deodar, Pine and Bhojpatra and then some downhill and uphill trail along the Jalindragad River to the meadows of Kyarkoti. The journey encounters through numerous alpine meadows, moraines and small gushing streams followed by several secluded hamlets. It also acquaint you with Baspa valley. Most of the trail being journeyed along the Indo – Tibetan border, one has to get an Inner Line Permit. The best time to hit the tracks is during the peak summer season and autumn.

The Lamkhaga Pass Trek starts from Harsil, which is approximately 265 kilometers up from Rishikesh. From Harsil the journey leads to Kyarkoti, which is a 14 kilometers trek and drops you at an elevation of 3,820 meters. Hence one could expect a steep climb right away from the first day of the trail. From Kyarkoti, the trek moves through a varied landscape and expunges to the glaciated tracks and lead to Lamkhaga Pass Base Camp at an altitude of 4,700 meters. Thereafter, the trail heads upwards to Lamkhaga Pass, which is quite tough trail, and thence moves down to Gundar at 4,400 meters. From Gundar the trail continues down to Dumti at 4,200 meters and later heads to Rani Kanda, which is a 9 kilometers trek from Dumti. The Lamkhaga Pass trekking tour leads off at Chitkul via Nagasthi and later wheels to Shimla via Sangla.

Day 1: Chitkul to Dumti

A vehicle can drop the group from Chitkul to ahead of Rani Kanda. The trek from there is of about 8 to 9 km. The trails pass through flower filled meadows with waterfalls. We may have to cross several brooks.

Day 2: Dumti to Gundar (4,400 m)

We follow the Baspa river on its true right bank. An early start is recommended to avoid turbulence in the stream. Gundar is a grazing meadow and we camp here.

Day 3: Gundar (4,400 m) to Lamkhaga Pass Base Camp in Kinnaur (4,800 m)

On this day, the trail becomes devoid of vegetation. We walk mostly over rocks, snow and ice to reach the basecamp. The camp is usualy over snow here.

Day 4: Lamkhaga Pass basecamp (Kinnaur) to Lamkhaga Pass basecamp (Gangotri Side) via Lamkhaga Pass (5,282 m)

Today could be a tough day depending on the ice conditions. The trail is marked by chortens (religious stone mounds), and crosses snow slopes between two ribs and possible crevasses. The climb is fairly steep and we may require a safety rope. The views from the pass are truly rewarding. The rivers flowing on either side of the pass flow into the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. The path on the other side is also steep and a rope may be needed again.

Day 5: Lamkhaga Pass Base Camp to Kyarkoti (3,820 m)

On this day, we cross the river to the true left of the valley. The landscape changes again and vegetation fills it up. The lovely meadow at Kiarkoti makes for a beautiful campsite.

Day 6: Kyarkoti to Harsil (2,400 m), drive to Gangnani

The trail continues along the river Jalandhari through dense forest, waterfalls and streams, which we need to cross. We either camp at Harsil or drive for about 30 min to Gangnani and stay in a guest house. Gangnani is known for its natural hot water spring baths.

Day 7: Harsil/Gangnani to Dehradun drive

This is the final day of the trip and we drive back to Dehradun.

Lamkhaga pass trek

  • Region: Garhwal Himalayas
  • Duration: 07 Days
  • Altitude: 17335 Ft
  • Best Time: Mid May to June and Early Sep to Mid October
  • Grade: Moderate

Acting as a bridge between Harsil in Garhwal and Sangla in Himachal Pradesh, the Lamkhaga Pass at an elevation of 5,420 meters, is one of the high altitude mountain passes in the Garhwal Himalayan region. It is surrounded by several mountains those towering at an elevation above 5,000 to 6,000 meters. The trek to Sangla via Lamkhaga Pass is one of the toughest treks in the Indian Himalayan region that is located in the Garhwal Himalaya. It crosses through the dense forest of Deodar, Pine and Bhojpatra and then some downhill and uphill trail along the Jalindragad River to the meadows of Kyarkoti. The journey encounters through numerous alpine meadows, moraines and small gushing streams followed by several secluded hamlets. It also acquaint you with Baspa valley. Most of the trail being journeyed along the Indo – Tibetan border, one has to get an Inner Line Permit. The best time to hit the tracks is during the peak summer season and autumn.

The Lamkhaga Pass Trek starts from Harsil, which is approximately 265 kilometers up from Rishikesh. From Harsil the journey leads to Kyarkoti, which is a 14 kilometers trek and drops you at an elevation of 3,820 meters. Hence one could expect a steep climb right away from the first day of the trail. From Kyarkoti, the trek moves through a varied landscape and expunges to the glaciated tracks and lead to Lamkhaga Pass Base Camp at an altitude of 4,700 meters. Thereafter, the trail heads upwards to Lamkhaga Pass, which is quite tough trail, and thence moves down to Gundar at 4,400 meters. From Gundar the trail continues down to Dumti at 4,200 meters and later heads to Rani Kanda, which is a 9 kilometers trek from Dumti. The Lamkhaga Pass trekking tour leads off at Chitkul via Nagasthi and later wheels to Shimla via Sangla.

Day 1: Chitkul to Dumti

A vehicle can drop the group from Chitkul to ahead of Rani Kanda. The trek from there is of about 8 to 9 km. The trails pass through flower filled meadows with waterfalls. We may have to cross several brooks.

Day 2: Dumti to Gundar (4,400 m)

We follow the Baspa river on its true right bank. An early start is recommended to avoid turbulence in the stream. Gundar is a grazing meadow and we camp here.

Day 3: Gundar (4,400 m) to Lamkhaga Pass Base Camp in Kinnaur (4,800 m)

On this day, the trail becomes devoid of vegetation. We walk mostly over rocks, snow and ice to reach the basecamp. The camp is usualy over snow here.

Day 4: Lamkhaga Pass basecamp (Kinnaur) to Lamkhaga Pass basecamp (Gangotri Side) via Lamkhaga Pass (5,282 m)

Today could be a tough day depending on the ice conditions. The trail is marked by chortens (religious stone mounds), and crosses snow slopes between two ribs and possible crevasses. The climb is fairly steep and we may require a safety rope. The views from the pass are truly rewarding. The rivers flowing on either side of the pass flow into the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. The path on the other side is also steep and a rope may be needed again.

Day 5: Lamkhaga Pass Base Camp to Kyarkoti (3,820 m)

On this day, we cross the river to the true left of the valley. The landscape changes again and vegetation fills it up. The lovely meadow at Kiarkoti makes for a beautiful campsite.

Day 6: Kyarkoti to Harsil (2,400 m), drive to Gangnani

The trail continues along the river Jalandhari through dense forest, waterfalls and streams, which we need to cross. We either camp at Harsil or drive for about 30 min to Gangnani and stay in a guest house. Gangnani is known for its natural hot water spring baths.

Day 7: Harsil/Gangnani to Dehradun drive

This is the final day of the trip and we drive back to Dehradun.