PANCHACHULI BASE CAMP
PANCHACHULI BASE CAMP
Panchachuli Base Camp Trek is one of the most beautiful trekking route in India. This is a relatively easy trek route. The beauty of this journey will fascinate you. This article contains complete information of Panchachuli Base Camp Trekking. Phone numbers of all places where there is a facility to stay on the trek route and share car booking phone number from Haldwani and Dharchula given here.
Panchachuli Base Camp Trek is just another hypnotizing journey for them who love to roam like a nomad in the mountains. The Panchachuli peaks are a group of five snow-capped Himalayan peaks lying at the end of the eastern Kumaon region, near Dharchula, in Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand state, India. The peaks have altitudes ranging from 6,334 m to 6,904 m. Panchachuli -II is the highest at an elevation of 6,904 meters followed by Panchachuli – V at 6,437 meters, Panchachuli – I at 6,355 meters, Panchachuli – IV at 6,334 meters and Panchachuli – III at 6,312 meters. Panchachuli – I was the first peak to be expedited by the Indo – Tibetan Border Police in 1972 followed by Panchachuli – II in 1973. Later an Indo – British team made the first ascent to Panchachuli – V in 1992 and in 1995 Panchchuli – IV was climbed by a New Zealand expedition team. Panchchuli – III was successfully climbed in the year 2001.
The silver horizon secludes the rich Gori and Darmaganga valleys (commonly known as Darma valley) and according to a legend, which is derived from the Hindu epic, Mahabharata, Panchachuli was the cooking hearth of the ‘Pandavas’ before they headed for their heavenly abode. The region is further endowed with the exuberance of several elements of nature spread across different altitudes. From shifting glaciers and jetting streams to alpine meadows dotted with a rich variety of flora and thick forest, which is a home of Himalayan wildlife, the trek in the Kumaun Himalayan region to Panchchuli Base Camp is a wooing scenic grandeur. rich Gori and Darmaganga valleys (commonly known as Darma valley) and according to a legend, which is derived from the Hindu epic, Mahabharata, Panchachuli was the cooking hearth of the ‘Pandavas’ before they headed for their heavenly abode. The region is further endowed with the exuberance of several elements of nature spread across different altitudes. From shifting glaciers and jetting streams to alpine meadows dotted with a rich variety of flora and thick forest, which is a home of Himalayan wildlife, the trek in the Kumaun Himalayan region to Panchchuli Base Camp is a wooing scenic grandeur.
The final journey to Panchachuli Base Camp starts from Dharchula, which is at an elevation of 915 meters and is approximately 290 kilometers away from Haldwani by road. The Dhugtu Village is nearest one to Panchachuli Glacier which recently got connected with Dharchula by road. So that this amazing place – Panchachuli Base Camp is easily accessible now than ever before. Panchachuli Base Camp is 3 Km away from this village and makes it perfect destination to visit massive peaks of India i.e. Panchachuli with minimal trekking or hurdle. Dhugtu Village remains empty due to massive snow fall in this region in the winters. Best time to visit this place is April-June & September-October. It is less crowded and less known place so far which makes it more special place than others.
You will reach Dhugtu from Dharchula post noon. Once you reach Dhugtu, you have two options. You can stay either in the village itself or start the trek immediately and reach Panchachuli Base Camp and stay in the forest department’s hut. In dhugtu village there aren’t any hotels or guest houses, but villagers let you stay with them in their homes. They take Rs.800-1000 per night per person with dinner and breakfast. You can also enjoy meals with them along with a storytelling session, they are always eager to tell you stories.
I recommend you after reaching Dhugtu village start the trek immediately and stay at the forest department camps. You get to watch amazing sunrise and sunset from there. The trek is 3 km from Dhugtu to Panchachuli Base Camp one way and till the Zero Point, which is another 4 km beyond Panchachuli Base Camp.
The trail begins from the village itself, the one going up. After 30 minutes the trail goes bifurcates into two. You have to take the one going straight, not the one going up. Soon you will enter dense forest, the trail is mostly lonely so it felt a bit scary to while crossing the jungle, which lasted for about 30 minutes. Once you are out of the Jungle trail, further 10 minutes ahead is the Panchachuli Base Camp and the spectacular view of the five snow-clad peaks standing tall in front of you.
If you are planning to stay forest department’s hut at Panchachuli Base Camp, you can talk to the caretakers and book here a bed for yourself. They charge Rs.1500 per bed with dinner and breakfast. The view is worth every penny from here. The tents are very neat and clean. There are six beds in each tent. Blankets and pillow are provided without extra cost. There are lockers in every room to keep personal belongings. Extremely delicious veg and non-veg food is served. I have never seen such a beautiful arrangement at any trekkers hut. Each and every staff members are polite and helpful. Particularly I would like to mention the name of Mr. Deshraj one of member who run the Trekkers hut. He is extremely benevolent and caring person.
Next morning you can further continue the trek till Zero Point, which is right the foot of the peaks. The trail is a bit uphill but pretty clear from here and the view keeps getting better and better. Once you reach there you will see prayer flags and there won’t be a clear trail beyond it.
On the same day it is very much possible to reach Dharchula if you start trekking early in the morning. In my opinion stay at least two nights at Panchachuli Base Camp, otherwise injustice will be done to this heavenly beautiful place.
ALL ABOUT THE PANCHACHULI BASE CAMP TREK:
The Panchachuli Base Camp trek is a part of Uttarakhand in the Kumaon Himalayas. The altitude of the trek is around 4,260 m or 13,975 ft. The Panchachuli Base trail offers an amazing backdrop. It has snow-covered mountain summits, vast meadows, and clear water streams. The Base Camp comes with views of wildflowers and wild strawberries on either side. The best time to do the Panchachuli Base Camp Trek is during April to Mid-October but avoid monsoon season.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE TREK:
- Min/ Max Temperature – The on-season (April) temperature during the day is between 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. At night, it ranges between 1 to 8 degrees Celsius. The best time to trek this place will be during April, May, June, and September. The trek is closed in winters.
- LAST ATM –It is advisable to carry enough cash for the trek. Do withdraw cash at Pithoragarh. There is two ATM at Dharchula (SBI & PNB) as well, but it is most likely to be out of cash. There is no provision of digital payments.
- NEAREST RAILWAY STATION –The Kathgodam Railway Station.
- NEAREST AIRPORT –Pantnagar Airport.
- BY ROAD
The starting-point, Kathgodam is well-connected with the major North-Indian cities by road.
From Kathgodam or Haldwani, the distance to Dharchula is around 290 km and takes around 9 to 10 hours so there are a few options for public transport in the early morning only. The road route to Dharchula takes you through a picturesque view of the hills, few major hill-stations in your way will be of Bhimtal, Almora, Pithoragarh and finally Dharchula.
While coming to Kathgodam from Delhi, 4 km before your destination, you will come across Haldwani. You can also choose to drop at Haldwani and start your ride to Dharchula.
If you don’t catch public transport in the morning, you will need to hire a cab for yourself. It’s a comfortable option but it’s a little costly. If you are a group, it’s a good option, as the charges get distributed.
- WATER AVAILABILITY –The trail has sufficient sources of drinking water.
- NETWORK AVAILABILITY –Most of the trek will come with a lack of mobile connectivity as Indian service providers’ work inconsistently here. The only network that works in certain zones is BSNL.
SOME ESSENTIAL INFORMATION AND CONTACT NUMBER THAT CAN HELP YOU:
- The only accommodation option at Panchachuli Base Camp is forest department’s hut. You may WhatsApp to Mr. Deshraj (+916396769022) for accommodation.
- Dharchula to Dhugtu village transportation – cab booking or sharing basis
- Kalam Singh (+917302937685)
- Rajesh Darial (+919410191801)
- Hotel at Dharchula – Hotel -U-Turn, located next to the taxi stand and local market.
- Shailendra Singh (+919456103362)
- Haldwani to Dharchula only one Force Traveller goes directly on sharing basis early morning at 5AM. Local peoples also use it as a means of transportation, so need to book it well before.
- Lalit Ratela (+919456703040, +918923210937)
Alternatively for car you may contact with
- Pankaj (+917721009955)
- Roushan (+918477099789)
- Hotel at Haldwani – Hotel Gagandeep, Thandi Sarak, infront of EYE-Q, Nainital Road. Walking distance from taxi stand. Local auto charge Rs. 25 per person on sharing basis from railway station. Contact number: +918954692772 / +918941032609.
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