Mayali Pass trek
- Duration: 11 Days
- Highest Points: (5,300 m)
- Best Time: May, June, September and October
Mayali Pass lies in the remote region of Indian Himalayas at an altitude of 5,300 m. This pass is behind Kedarnath and amidst two holy Lakes; Masar Tal and Vasuki Tal. Witnessing these holy Lakes is a great delight for the people in search of tranquillity. It is one of those treks which is not known by the people because it lies in that region Himalayas which is isolated.
Mayali Pass offers a bunch of exceptional experiences, it takes you through most remotes villages of Himalayas. Gangi is the last place where you will find civilization, the lifestyle of people living there is very different from ours, they wear pretty traditional dresses and big ornaments, the houses are made of wood with small entry gates. These remote villages are very rich in culture and their traditions, get the glimpse of Garhwali culture in Gangi village.
The forests are dense and home of Bears and then there is Bhilgana River catchment, this river is the major tributary of the “Bhagirathi River” and water is collected in this catchment area. Some highlights of this trek which will leave you speechless are; the gigantic Thalay Sagar peak and the sight of Khatling glacier. Not many have traversed this place and it consist of calmness in its environment, the people who want to traverse places which are untouched and possesses peace, then Mayali Pass is a great trek for you and should be added in the list of “Must Explore Treks”.
Day 1: Dehradun to Ghuttu (226 km) (8/9 hours) (1578 m)
Meet us at Dehradun Railway station vehicle will be arranged for you till Ghuttu, it is a mini village on the bank of Bhilangana River which is the major tributary of the Bhagirathi River and the stream source of River Ganga. This beautiful village is at an elevation of 1578 m. Reaching Ghuttu will take maximum 8 to 9 hours and we will arrange your stay in tents.
Day 2: Ghuttu to Reeh (10 km) (4/5 hours) (2500 m)
The climb to Reeh is not steep but your body will take some time to be accustomed to trekking. The first two hours trek is on the well maintained road, which is maintained by the villagers. When this road ends enter into a dense forests and trek through it till you reach Reeh.
The trail in starting is along the River then the trail passes through dense forest of pine, feel the warmth of walking under the shade of trees, the beautiful thing about today’s trek is, variety of plantation you will find on the way; the tall Bamboos and dwarf Rhododendrons.
Reach your campsite Reeh which is a small village with few population in the middle of beautiful surroundings, pitch your tents here, have salubrious food and retire for the night.
Day 3: Reeh to Gangi (12 km) (4/5 hours) (3100 m)
Today your destination is Gangi which is the last village on this trail, the distance is 12 km. Start heading towards this prestigious village, and the climb is steep you will come across shepherd huts on the way and there is a beautiful temple of Bhawani Mata which is worshiped by the villagers.
It is the last place where you will find civilization, the lifestyle of people living there is very different from ours, they wear pretty traditional dresses and big ornaments, the houses are made of wood with small entry gates. These remote villages are very rich in culture and their traditions, get the glimpse of Garhwali culture in Gangi village. Setup your tents here and retire for the night.
In middle of the journey have your food, packed lunch will be provided. Trek through vast meadows which are present on valley top and from there magnificent views of Panwali Kantha and South Ghuttu are visible. Continue trekking cross the ridge top and reach Gangi in next two hours.
Day 4: Gangi to Kharsoli via Kalayani (15 km) (6/7 hours) (3645 m)
Have your breakfast and bid goodbye to this last village and head towards Kharsoli, the trek is through some landslide prone areas but you will visit this place in post monsoon so there is no risk of any landslide. Further is a ground named “Kalyani” to reach there you need to complete a short ascend.
This plane ground is between the mountains with boulders around and there is embankment on the other side. You can also visit the lakes on the way i.e. Bhimtal and Sahasratal. Kalyani can be a great camping spot but move further to Kharsoli according to the itinerary, it is 10 km away from this picturesque ground.
Kharsoli is at the confluence of Bhilan Ganga, setup your camps at the beautiful meadow, have your delicious healthy food then enjoy comfortable stay in tents.
Day 5: Kharsoli to Chowki via Tambakund (10 km) (4/5 hours) (3978 m)
Leave the meadows of Kharsoli and start your trek, the other part or after the halfway trek the tree line declines and you enter into the blooming meadows. A river is followed by the trail ahead is a waterfall which is on the other side of this beguiling valley which is close to Tambakund. This kund is near to Khatling glacier and Chowki.
Start the climb on other side of valley (Chowki) as you ascend the views get clearer and beautiful Mt. Thalay Sagar can be seen from a distance now, the climb is short and from Tambakund you can reach Chowki in 1 hour. Cross the River Bhilan Ganga with help of your guide and reach your campsite.
Set your camps here and witness the sunset Mt. Thalay Sagar it looks beautiful at the time of dusk, spend your night here relax in tents.
Day 6: Chowki to Masar Tal (8 km) (3/4 hours) (4139 m)
Explore the valley today and start ascending, the trail is exhilarating till the Khatling glacier which is 7 km away. Then the trail is along the bank of river. You can see many glacier hanging with the Khatling glaciers (Ratangian, Jogin and Phating). Today you are going to gain altitude and as you go higher the lush green Chowki grasslands are visible.
There are numerous trails made by shepherds which leads to Masar Tal, there are boulders all around. The sights while trekking are a pleasure, cross the higher areas of this glacier and ahead is a pass named Auden Col which is at an elevation of 5,400 m.
Trek ahead and reach this unique isolated Lake Masar Tal (4950 m) this lake remains glaciated till middle of the June. The temperature of this place is low and gets cold during the time of day and night, be ready for the chilly weather of this place. The fetching beauty of this place differentiates it from others.
Day 7: Acclimatization Day
Today is the Acclimatization Day, rest for today and let your body adapt changes according to the environment.
Day 8: Masar Tal to Vasuki Tal (via Mayali pass 5300 m) (12 km) (5/6 hours)
Leave early today, it is the main and toughest day of your trek. The trails are thrilling and full of adventures, be ready for overcoming all the challenges. From Masar Tal head towards Masar Top and you can reach there in approximately 1 hour. Ascend is steep and tough over the boulders, they can be slippery because of the icy surface so you have to be very careful.
When you reach Masar Top the sight of valley from there is spellbinding and below the Masar Tal and grasslands of Chowki are visible. Witness the snow-covered mountains and the view of Kedar Dome and a glacier but it cannot be spotted easily.
Trek through landslide prone areas, traverse the hill and it is very difficult to find the way here so you need an experienced trekking guide and proper trekking gears. Further you will come across glaciers with snow all over, have fun while crossing the snow meadow, it can take one hour to cross this section. Now, the steep erect climb starts to Mayali Pass, you may need ropes to traverse this area.
Day 9: Vasuki Tal to Kedarnath (6 km) (3/4 hours)
Day 8th was tiring so today’s trek will start late in comparison to other days. Start your trek and start climbing, it is not an easy one and is the only ascend of today’s trek after that descend all the way. Kedarnath is visible after the climb and Mandakini River which is present at Kedarnath now you are at the side of this River.
Continue descending and below Kedarnath will be visible which you can reach in another 75 minutes. Reach this beautiful place, shrine of Lord Shiva. Hotel and food will be arranged for you at Kedarnath.
Day 10: Kedarnath to Gauri kund (14 km) (4/5 hours)
Today is the last day of trekking, start your trek early. The path is wide and distance of Gauri Kund is 14 km which you have to cover. There is a Rambara village, pass through this area and further is Gaurikund.
Gauri Kund is a hot water spring and it is believed that Goddess Gauri wife of Lord Shiva, she lived here to get the love of Lord Shiva and he finally admitted his love here. So this Kund is considered pure and devotees bath in the holy water of this Kund. Overnight stay in a hotel near Gauri Kund.
Day 11: Gauri kund to Rishikesh /Dehradun/Haridwar (8/9 hours)
Enjoy waking up in the holy places with serene environment and get ready for Departure.
Type: Depending on terrain & the difficulty of the Mayali Pass Trek, you will need to choose the right kind of grip and sole for the shoe. We recommend that you check for water-resistance and a deep yet flexible sole for the all factors that you will face.
Importance: Your legs need to be well taken care of by the shoes over the course of the Mayali Pass Trek. Different terrains pose different threats and the right kind of shoe will make all the difference in the world.
Backpack for the Mayali Pass Trek
Type: This purely depends on the kind of trek you are undertaking
- For Short Trek of 1 to 3 Days duration you need 15 litres to 20 litres of backpack
- For Long Trek of 3 to 10 Days duration you need 40 litres to 60 litres of backpack
Importance: Your backpack is as important as your shoe. Your entire journey will be with the Backpack with all the essentials you need. We recommend that you test the backpack and choose it according to the trek, your height & the comfort it provides.
Daypack
Type: This is 10 litres to 15 litres Daypack Backpack is what you need to have with you for the Summit day.
Importance: Your Daypack will be for those Summit days and shorter days when you just need your basic essentials with you.
Clothing
Padded Jacket – You will need 1 pair of the Jacket for Summer & Winter. Ensure that the jacket is wind-resistant & capable of keeping your warm up to -10 degrees.
Fleece Jacket – You will need 2 pairs of the Fleece Jacket. Make sure it’s Cotton or contains more Cotton.
Thermals – For the Black Peak Winter trek, you will require 1 pair of thermals because of the cold winter. During the summer, this is optional. Thermals should also be made primarily of Cotton. This will keep you warm during the nights when the temperature usually tends to drop.
Trek Pants – Exclusively meant for Trekking, you will need a minimum of 2 pairs of Trekking Pants. Ensure it is made of Cotton & provides maximum comfort and is durable for the Rupin Trek.
Collared T-shirts – Carry 2 – 3 sets of these for the trek. The collar will help keeping the neck from being exposed to the sun and getting sun burnt during the Black Peak in summer, when it is normally sunny.
Sun Caps – At high altitudes, the Sun might be harsh and direct exposure of your head to the sun is not something we would recommend. Carry Sun Caps in case these situations arise to keep your head cool on the Mayali Pass trek, when it is normally sunny.
Woolen Caps – The Mayali Pass trek in December and other winter months will have very cold nights in the mountains and you must protect your ears and head from the cold winds. Woolen caps are essentials during the nights to keep your ears and head warm.
Waterproof Gloves:You will need waterproof gloves as you move towards colder and wet parts of the Mayali Pass trek to keep your hands clean & warm without getting them wet and most importantly, to give you the grip and firmness you need for the climb.
Trek Accessories
Trekking Pole: The Mayali Pass trek difficulty can be eased out by carrying one of our Trekking/Hiking Poles as it saves almost 60% of your energy when you are climbing a steep slope at high altitude regions. We make it a mandate to carry a Trekking Pole with you for our treks.
Head-lamp or Torch: : A Head-Lamp is something we make a mandate too, for our Treks. Carrying this will help you see better in dark places on the Mayali Pass Trek. In case you are unable to procure a Head-lamp, then we suggest carrying a Torch.
Daily essentials
Toiletries: We recommend that you carry all your toiletries and all other cosmetic essentials by yourself to avoid borrowing (Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Lip-balm, Moisturizer, Face-wash, Other creams & essentials, Toilet roll, Sanitary Pads, etc.). Do not leave used napkins in the mountains these are against Himalayan laws.
Bottles & Boxes: Carry your Water Bottles we suggest you have two 1 litre bottles. We suggest you carry your own tiffin boxes to eat the food we provide for both convenience, and hygienic purposes.
Risks and challenges are part of everyone’s lives; without taking risks and facing challenges one cannot aim to achieve what he wants to be. These challenges help inculcate in us life skills needed to survive through tough situations. We consider this the motto of our company- to prepare an individual to face the risks of life, the challenges that come their way, and to equip them with the knowledge to overcome them.
Trekking, directly or indirectly, helps develop these qualities and also garners quick decision making techniques as per the circumstances. It allows you to learn how nature works and the strong impact of the environment on one’s life.
The company has made all possible arrangements and taken all the necessary precautions to avoid any mishaps. However, it is still essential to enlighten our trekkers about the possible risks and challenges that they may meet with on the trekking route and how these can be avoided or overcome. Remember to be proactive at all times and with this is mind, let’s discuss some common risks and challenges along the Black Peak trek map and ways to avoid them.
Mayali Pass trek
- Duration: 11 Days
- Highest Points: (5,300 m)
- Best Time: May, June, September and October
Mayali Pass lies in the remote region of Indian Himalayas at an altitude of 5,300 m. This pass is behind Kedarnath and amidst two holy Lakes; Masar Tal and Vasuki Tal. Witnessing these holy Lakes is a great delight for the people in search of tranquillity. It is one of those treks which is not known by the people because it lies in that region Himalayas which is isolated.
Mayali Pass offers a bunch of exceptional experiences, it takes you through most remotes villages of Himalayas. Gangi is the last place where you will find civilization, the lifestyle of people living there is very different from ours, they wear pretty traditional dresses and big ornaments, the houses are made of wood with small entry gates. These remote villages are very rich in culture and their traditions, get the glimpse of Garhwali culture in Gangi village.
The forests are dense and home of Bears and then there is Bhilgana River catchment, this river is the major tributary of the “Bhagirathi River” and water is collected in this catchment area. Some highlights of this trek which will leave you speechless are; the gigantic Thalay Sagar peak and the sight of Khatling glacier. Not many have traversed this place and it consist of calmness in its environment, the people who want to traverse places which are untouched and possesses peace, then Mayali Pass is a great trek for you and should be added in the list of “Must Explore Treks”.
Day 1: Dehradun to Ghuttu (226 km) (8/9 hours) (1578 m)
Meet us at Dehradun Railway station vehicle will be arranged for you till Ghuttu, it is a mini village on the bank of Bhilangana River which is the major tributary of the Bhagirathi River and the stream source of River Ganga. This beautiful village is at an elevation of 1578 m. Reaching Ghuttu will take maximum 8 to 9 hours and we will arrange your stay in tents.
Day 2: Ghuttu to Reeh (10 km) (4/5 hours) (2500 m)
The climb to Reeh is not steep but your body will take some time to be accustomed to trekking. The first two hours trek is on the well maintained road, which is maintained by the villagers. When this road ends enter into a dense forests and trek through it till you reach Reeh.
The trail in starting is along the River then the trail passes through dense forest of pine, feel the warmth of walking under the shade of trees, the beautiful thing about today’s trek is, variety of plantation you will find on the way; the tall Bamboos and dwarf Rhododendrons.
Reach your campsite Reeh which is a small village with few population in the middle of beautiful surroundings, pitch your tents here, have salubrious food and retire for the night.
Day 3: Reeh to Gangi (12 km) (4/5 hours) (3100 m)
Today your destination is Gangi which is the last village on this trail, the distance is 12 km. Start heading towards this prestigious village, and the climb is steep you will come across shepherd huts on the way and there is a beautiful temple of Bhawani Mata which is worshiped by the villagers.
It is the last place where you will find civilization, the lifestyle of people living there is very different from ours, they wear pretty traditional dresses and big ornaments, the houses are made of wood with small entry gates. These remote villages are very rich in culture and their traditions, get the glimpse of Garhwali culture in Gangi village. Setup your tents here and retire for the night.
In middle of the journey have your food, packed lunch will be provided. Trek through vast meadows which are present on valley top and from there magnificent views of Panwali Kantha and South Ghuttu are visible. Continue trekking cross the ridge top and reach Gangi in next two hours.
Day 4: Gangi to Kharsoli via Kalayani (15 km) (6/7 hours) (3645 m)
Have your breakfast and bid goodbye to this last village and head towards Kharsoli, the trek is through some landslide prone areas but you will visit this place in post monsoon so there is no risk of any landslide. Further is a ground named “Kalyani” to reach there you need to complete a short ascend.
This plane ground is between the mountains with boulders around and there is embankment on the other side. You can also visit the lakes on the way i.e. Bhimtal and Sahasratal. Kalyani can be a great camping spot but move further to Kharsoli according to the itinerary, it is 10 km away from this picturesque ground.
Kharsoli is at the confluence of Bhilan Ganga, setup your camps at the beautiful meadow, have your delicious healthy food then enjoy comfortable stay in tents.
Day 5: Kharsoli to Chowki via Tambakund (10 km) (4/5 hours) (3978 m)
Leave the meadows of Kharsoli and start your trek, the other part or after the halfway trek the tree line declines and you enter into the blooming meadows. A river is followed by the trail ahead is a waterfall which is on the other side of this beguiling valley which is close to Tambakund. This kund is near to Khatling glacier and Chowki.
Start the climb on other side of valley (Chowki) as you ascend the views get clearer and beautiful Mt. Thalay Sagar can be seen from a distance now, the climb is short and from Tambakund you can reach Chowki in 1 hour. Cross the River Bhilan Ganga with help of your guide and reach your campsite.
Set your camps here and witness the sunset Mt. Thalay Sagar it looks beautiful at the time of dusk, spend your night here relax in tents.
Day 6: Chowki to Masar Tal (8 km) (3/4 hours) (4139 m)
Explore the valley today and start ascending, the trail is exhilarating till the Khatling glacier which is 7 km away. Then the trail is along the bank of river. You can see many glacier hanging with the Khatling glaciers (Ratangian, Jogin and Phating). Today you are going to gain altitude and as you go higher the lush green Chowki grasslands are visible.
There are numerous trails made by shepherds which leads to Masar Tal, there are boulders all around. The sights while trekking are a pleasure, cross the higher areas of this glacier and ahead is a pass named Auden Col which is at an elevation of 5,400 m.
Trek ahead and reach this unique isolated Lake Masar Tal (4950 m) this lake remains glaciated till middle of the June. The temperature of this place is low and gets cold during the time of day and night, be ready for the chilly weather of this place. The fetching beauty of this place differentiates it from others.
Day 7: Acclimatization Day
Today is the Acclimatization Day, rest for today and let your body adapt changes according to the environment.
Day 8: Masar Tal to Vasuki Tal (via Mayali pass 5300 m) (12 km) (5/6 hours)
Leave early today, it is the main and toughest day of your trek. The trails are thrilling and full of adventures, be ready for overcoming all the challenges. From Masar Tal head towards Masar Top and you can reach there in approximately 1 hour. Ascend is steep and tough over the boulders, they can be slippery because of the icy surface so you have to be very careful.
When you reach Masar Top the sight of valley from there is spellbinding and below the Masar Tal and grasslands of Chowki are visible. Witness the snow-covered mountains and the view of Kedar Dome and a glacier but it cannot be spotted easily.
Trek through landslide prone areas, traverse the hill and it is very difficult to find the way here so you need an experienced trekking guide and proper trekking gears. Further you will come across glaciers with snow all over, have fun while crossing the snow meadow, it can take one hour to cross this section. Now, the steep erect climb starts to Mayali Pass, you may need ropes to traverse this area.
Day 9: Vasuki Tal to Kedarnath (6 km) (3/4 hours)
Day 8th was tiring so today’s trek will start late in comparison to other days. Start your trek and start climbing, it is not an easy one and is the only ascend of today’s trek after that descend all the way. Kedarnath is visible after the climb and Mandakini River which is present at Kedarnath now you are at the side of this River.
Continue descending and below Kedarnath will be visible which you can reach in another 75 minutes. Reach this beautiful place, shrine of Lord Shiva. Hotel and food will be arranged for you at Kedarnath.
Day 10: Kedarnath to Gauri kund (14 km) (4/5 hours)
Today is the last day of trekking, start your trek early. The path is wide and distance of Gauri Kund is 14 km which you have to cover. There is a Rambara village, pass through this area and further is Gaurikund.
Gauri Kund is a hot water spring and it is believed that Goddess Gauri wife of Lord Shiva, she lived here to get the love of Lord Shiva and he finally admitted his love here. So this Kund is considered pure and devotees bath in the holy water of this Kund. Overnight stay in a hotel near Gauri Kund.
Day 11: Gauri kund to Rishikesh /Dehradun/Haridwar (8/9 hours)
Enjoy waking up in the holy places with serene environment and get ready for Departure.
Type: Depending on terrain & the difficulty of the Mayali Pass Trek, you will need to choose the right kind of grip and sole for the shoe. We recommend that you check for water-resistance and a deep yet flexible sole for the all factors that you will face.
Importance: Your legs need to be well taken care of by the shoes over the course of the Mayali Pass Trek. Different terrains pose different threats and the right kind of shoe will make all the difference in the world.
Backpack for the Mayali Pass Trek
Type: This purely depends on the kind of trek you are undertaking
- For Short Trek of 1 to 3 Days duration you need 15 litres to 20 litres of backpack
- For Long Trek of 3 to 10 Days duration you need 40 litres to 60 litres of backpack
Importance: Your backpack is as important as your shoe. Your entire journey will be with the Backpack with all the essentials you need. We recommend that you test the backpack and choose it according to the trek, your height & the comfort it provides.
Daypack
Type: This is 10 litres to 15 litres Daypack Backpack is what you need to have with you for the Summit day.
Importance: Your Daypack will be for those Summit days and shorter days when you just need your basic essentials with you.
Clothing
Padded Jacket – You will need 1 pair of the Jacket for Summer & Winter. Ensure that the jacket is wind-resistant & capable of keeping your warm up to -10 degrees.
Fleece Jacket – You will need 2 pairs of the Fleece Jacket. Make sure it’s Cotton or contains more Cotton.
Thermals – For the Black Peak Winter trek, you will require 1 pair of thermals because of the cold winter. During the summer, this is optional. Thermals should also be made primarily of Cotton. This will keep you warm during the nights when the temperature usually tends to drop.
Trek Pants – Exclusively meant for Trekking, you will need a minimum of 2 pairs of Trekking Pants. Ensure it is made of Cotton & provides maximum comfort and is durable for the Rupin Trek.
Collared T-shirts – Carry 2 – 3 sets of these for the trek. The collar will help keeping the neck from being exposed to the sun and getting sun burnt during the Black Peak in summer, when it is normally sunny.
Sun Caps – At high altitudes, the Sun might be harsh and direct exposure of your head to the sun is not something we would recommend. Carry Sun Caps in case these situations arise to keep your head cool on the Mayali Pass trek, when it is normally sunny.
Woolen Caps – The Mayali Pass trek in December and other winter months will have very cold nights in the mountains and you must protect your ears and head from the cold winds. Woolen caps are essentials during the nights to keep your ears and head warm.
Waterproof Gloves:You will need waterproof gloves as you move towards colder and wet parts of the Mayali Pass trek to keep your hands clean & warm without getting them wet and most importantly, to give you the grip and firmness you need for the climb.
Trek Accessories
Trekking Pole: The Mayali Pass trek difficulty can be eased out by carrying one of our Trekking/Hiking Poles as it saves almost 60% of your energy when you are climbing a steep slope at high altitude regions. We make it a mandate to carry a Trekking Pole with you for our treks.
Head-lamp or Torch: : A Head-Lamp is something we make a mandate too, for our Treks. Carrying this will help you see better in dark places on the Mayali Pass Trek. In case you are unable to procure a Head-lamp, then we suggest carrying a Torch.
Daily essentials
Toiletries: We recommend that you carry all your toiletries and all other cosmetic essentials by yourself to avoid borrowing (Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Lip-balm, Moisturizer, Face-wash, Other creams & essentials, Toilet roll, Sanitary Pads, etc.). Do not leave used napkins in the mountains these are against Himalayan laws.
Bottles & Boxes: Carry your Water Bottles we suggest you have two 1 litre bottles. We suggest you carry your own tiffin boxes to eat the food we provide for both convenience, and hygienic purposes.
Risks and challenges are part of everyone’s lives; without taking risks and facing challenges one cannot aim to achieve what he wants to be. These challenges help inculcate in us life skills needed to survive through tough situations. We consider this the motto of our company- to prepare an individual to face the risks of life, the challenges that come their way, and to equip them with the knowledge to overcome them.
Trekking, directly or indirectly, helps develop these qualities and also garners quick decision making techniques as per the circumstances. It allows you to learn how nature works and the strong impact of the environment on one’s life.
The company has made all possible arrangements and taken all the necessary precautions to avoid any mishaps. However, it is still essential to enlighten our trekkers about the possible risks and challenges that they may meet with on the trekking route and how these can be avoided or overcome. Remember to be proactive at all times and with this is mind, let’s discuss some common risks and challenges along the Black Peak trek map and ways to avoid them.