Trek to Pindari Glacier
Day One
We will take bus from Kathgodam for Bageshwar. We will get to see some small hill stations like Bhimtal, Bhowali, Kainchi Dham, Almora, etc. on our way. From Almora, there are two routes for Bageshwar; one via Kosi Kausani Baijnath and the other one through Kasar Devi Binsar Takula. Bageshwar, where sacred confluence of Saryu-Gomti and Tapasthali of Rishi Markandeya is there, an ancient temple of Lord Shankar popular with the name Bagnath temple is situated near the confluence.
Here, Lord Shankar and Goddess Parvati had disguised themselves as tiger and cow in order to wake up Rishi Markandeya from his meditation. Bageshwar is a historical, ancient city having Lord Shankar’s temple on a hill called Nileshwar and Goddess Chandika’s ancient temple on Bhileshwar hill, having river Saryu flowing in between both the temples. You get everything needed for trekking, eatables & clothes in Bageshwar and there are full arrangements for night stays.
Day Two
DAfter breakfast in morning, we will reach Bharadi via Shore of Saryu River by Jeep. It is the last big market on Pindari trekking route. We will go for the sight of Tapt Kund from Bharadi via Shore of Saryu River and reach Song-Loharkhet and from there we will tramp to Khalidhar. In Khalidhar we will reach Jhandidhar. In Jhandidhar there is a small and beautiful temple of Goddess Nandadevi and there is a small teashop also. In Jhandidhar, almost all the trampers take rest. From Jhandidhar we reach Talla Dhakuri where there are huts and houses for local people’s animals and from where you’ll get a very beautiful sight. We reach Goddess Chilta temple Dhakuri top from Talla Dhakuri. From here, Pindari valley looks beautiful and the villages of Pindari valley- Badiyakot, Soraag, Kilpara, Dhur, Dola, Teekh, Unniya, Vachham, Jaitoli and the last village of Pindari route- Khati is seen. One route from Dhakuri top goes to Chilta Mudir & Chilta Bugyal and the other one goes directly down to the Dhakuri field. Dhakuri is the point of most beautiful sights of Pindari, Kafni and Sundardhunga route. From Dhakuri you get to see Maiktoli peak, Mrigdhuni peak, Mrigdhuni range, Nandaghat, Nandakot, Nandadevi East, Creamroll, Dharkot, Bhanoti tent peak, Jhanguj, Lajpadhura, Lamchir, Balchuri, etc. mountain ranges. This place will please you and your heart. From Loharkhet to Dhakuri, a route of 9 km will take you around 6 hours. It’s a zigzag way of a slight ascent. You will get water at many places and the whole trekking route is full of forests of Baanj, Buransh, Kharsu, Timur, etc. which is immensely beautiful.
Day Three
After breakfast in morning, we will leave for village Khati.This whole way goes through forests of Kharsu and Buransh trees. Going 3 km downwards from Dhakuri is a place called Kharkiya where road is there that meets Loharkhet. After Kharkiya is situated a village called Umla that has a primary school for village kids. After Umla village is a place called Dau where 20 families reside and then comes Khati village which is the last village in Pindari trekking. The main source of earning of people of this village is through horses, mules, cows, goats and tourism and the major crops for farming are potato, millet, kidney beans, chawlai, etc. There is a huge temple of goddess Kali in the village and all the tourists move further after visiting the temple. From village Khati is a route for Village Jaitoli which is the last village for Sunderdhunga trekking route. Khati is an 8 km descent from Dhakuri and around a hundred families live there.
Day Four
DIn morning, after the breakfast, we will leave from village Khati towards Dhwali and this route from the Shore of Pindar River goes towards Dhwali. In the whole way are the dense forests of Buransh, Kharsu, Baanj and Ringal and there are many beautiful falls as well. This whole route has been damaged quite many times as a result of calamities. This trek of only 12 km is very beautiful and you get a lot of flora and fauna during it. Tourists rest in tent rest houses. From Dhwali, we get a sight of Nandadevi East Mountain.
Day Five
After breakfast in morning, we leave Dhwali for Phurkiya which is a 7 km way having many small rivers and streams. After walking for 4 km, we take a short rest in Jwar Pani before moving further. It takes almost 4 hours to reach here. This is also a zigzag way of a slight ascent having forests of Kharsu, Buransh, Deodar, etc. By the lunch time, we reach Furkia that has the last rest house for the Pindari trekking.
Day Six
After doing breakfast at 6 in the morning, we leave to see the 0 Point Pindari Glacier which is about 7 km from here. The route is normal and after walking for 3 hours we reach 0 Point. 5 km from Phurkiya is situated Babaji’s shack and Goddess Nandadevi’s extremely beautiful temple. After Phurkiya, the Pindari Valley starts appearing slowly and gradually. In Pindari valley, you can see the Baljuri, Jhanguj, Panwalidhar, Nandaghat and other peaks right in front and an alluring sight pleases the eyes and the mind. We find Buransh trees in a huge number on this way where sheep and goats come for fodder. From 0 Point, we see the Pindari glacier and head back to Phurkiya for lunch where we stay for the night.
Day Seven
In morning after the breakfast and taking along the packed lunch, we reach Khati from Phurkiya via Dhwali. It takes us around 7 hours to be there.
Day Eight
After breakfast in village Khati, we leave for Dhakuri. On way, there is station for vehicles in Kharkiya where you have to book it a day before if you wish to go to Bageshwar by vehicle as there are only 3-4 vehicles on this route. It takes about 5 hours to reach Dhakuri from Khati which is an 8 km trek.
Day Nine
After doing breakfast at Dhakuri, we take an 11 km ascent and 9 km descent trek of Song. Then we come to Bageshwar by a vehicle.