Rishikesh To Ghuttu
From Rishikesh, we start early in the morning and drive towards Ghuttu, which is at a distance of 200 km from Rishikesh and takes about 5-6 hrs to reach. Ghuttu is the basecamp for your Panwali Kantha Trek and it is a charming village in the kernels of the Gharwal Himalayas. The drive from Rishikesh to Ghuttu is a scenic one and en route, you will cross the Tehri Dam, which is the tallest dam in our country and the second-highest in Asia. The picturesque village sits by the Bhilganga River and is characterized by lush green mountains. Ghuttu has often been used as a basecamp for the Panwali Kantha trek as well as treks like Masar Tal and Khalting Glacier. You can expect to reach Guttu by 12 in the afternoon, just in time for lunch. Reaching Ghuttu,At your campsite. In the evening, you can roam around the village area, interact with the locals and get a glimpse into their rustic lives. You can also buy handicrafts items from the village market as souvenirs or as gift items for your dear ones. Rest well today as you will begin your trekking tomorrow in the morning.
Guttu To Pobhagi
Wake up early and energize yourself with a delicious breakfast and some gentle warm sessions. Today is our first day of trekking and we will head towards the Pobhagi campsite from Guttu. The trek from Guttu to Pobhagi is 11 km and it takes about 5 to 6 hrs to reach the Pobhagi campsite. The trail is easy and is characterized by simple and gradual ascents. En route, you will cross the summer villages of Panwali Kantha and you may spot some Chaniya huts as well. On a clear day, you may be able to see the Bhilganga Valley on your right-hand side. Pobhagi is a beautiful campsite from where you can see the Buransh Forest spread in a blazing burst of red. The onset of spring brings a wonderful cheer to the forests as the Rhododendrons are in full bloom during this time of the year. Sunset over this red forest is a pretty amazing sight to behold. During winters, the routes are covered in snow blankets, which increases the difficulty of the trek. Crampons and gaiters are a must if you want to do the trek in winter. Once you reach Pobhagi, find a nice spot to pitch your tent. At night you will retire to your camps post-dinner.
Pobhagi To Panwali Kantha via Dyuili Top
Today is the most exciting day as you will trek to the highest point on the trek. Wake up, have a hearty breakfast, stretch a bit and then let’s head towards Panwali Kantha. The distance between Pobhagi and Panwali Kantha is 8 km and it takes about 5 hrs to reach the top. In winters, the Panwali Kantha campsite sees an abundance of snow, and the view, too is awe-inspiring. If you are doing this trek in the summer months then you will be greeted with an abundance of greenery. The trek can become moderate to difficult if there is snow on the trail. We will reach the Panwali Kantha campsite crossing Dyuili Top and from here the path meanders towards Panwali. The Panwali Kantha top greets you with views of major Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi (7,816 m), Gangotri (6,856 m), Trishul (7,120 m), Kamet (7,756 m), Chaukhamba (7,138 m), Kedarnath (6,940 m) and Kedar Dome (6,940 m). We will reach the Panwali Kantha campsite by afternoon and enjoy a delectable lunch at the campsite. The evening is at your leisure, you can roam around the campsite, absorb the serenity of the environment and watch a breathtaking sunset over the towering Himalayan peaks. We will stay the night at Panwali Top, watching the spectacular starlit sky at night, and head down in the morning.
Panwali Kantha To Maggu Chatti
Today we will begin our descent from Panwali Kantha to Maggu Chatti. From Panwali Kantha to Maggu Chatti, the trail is full of ascents and descents, mostly being descent. The trek today is 13 km long and since we are going downhill it takes about 6 hrs to reach Maggu Chatti. Along your way, you will spot shepherd huts and cattle grazing in the grasslands with the beautiful mountain ranges in the backdrop. From Maggu Chatti to Trijuginarayan, you will also pass through alpine forests where you can spot many varieties of Himalayan flora and fauna as well as a couple of waterfalls, where you can fill your water bottles and relinquish your thirst. As you descend from Panwali Kantha towards Maggu Chatti, the mountain views slowly start receding. 2 km into the trek and you will come across some Gujjar shelters, and further on you can spot the Bhilganga valley in the north-east direction. Trudge along the meadows along the knife-edge of the ridge and after a couple of switchbacks, you will arrive at the Maggu Chatti campsite. This is the last night of your camping in the mountains, so enjoy the experience before you head down to Trijuginarayan tomorrow.
Maggu Chatti to Trijuginarayan And Drive To Rishikesh
Maggu Chatti to Trijuginarayan is a downhill climb. It takes about 4 hrs and the trek distance is 7 km approximately. It is a forested trail with clearings in between from Maggu Chatti all the way to Trijuginarayan. There are also some water sources along the way from where you can fill your water bottles. A little into the trek and you will come across a water source, keep walking and you will come across a bridge about 2 km into the trek, you can get a beautiful bird’s eye view of the valley below. Further, into the trail, you will come across a big waterfall, this is yet another water source to replenish your water bottles. Soon you will walk into a forested path and if it is spring or summer, the forested patch will be blazing with the crimson Rhododendron blooms. It is a gradual downwards climb through thick woods and soon you will come across a clearing in the forests, allowing you to enjoy the view of Trijuginarayan Village. There’s another stream running here in the clearing, your third water source for the day. Continue steadily on and you will come across a water tank, followed by a walled playground, you are now in Trijuginarayan village, continue on the trail and you will enter the temple premises. Located in the Rudraprayag district, Trijuginarayan is an ancient temple. Legends say that this is the temple where Lord Shiva and Parvati got married. Spend some time in the temple, pay your regards and we will head back to Rishikesh along a scenic route. You can expect to reach Rishikesh by evening.
