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Traill's Pass Expedition Itinerary — Day by Day Route & Camps
Connects the Pindari Valley to the Milam Valley over a highly volatile glaciated saddle.
Standard RouteThis is the baseline pacing strategy for this expedition. Expedition leaders frequently modify rotation schedules, add reserve weather days, or adjust high camps based on real-time mountain conditions. Consult the operator's expedition dossier for their precise approach.
Duration
15 Days
Total Distance
65 KM
Max Altitude
17,428 FT
Trek Type
linear
Permits Required Before You Go
Permit Cost
Foreigner Process
Expedition clearance from IMF Delhi required. Very complex.
Nearest Embassy Hub
New Delhi
One-Way Traverse Logistics
Day by Day Breakdown
Camp Alt
5,700 ft
Day Gain
+4,000 ft
Drive to Loharkhet
Long drive into the Kumaon Himalayas to the start of the Pindari glacier trail.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The motorable road navigates deeper into the Pindar river valley, where the landscape transitions from lower foothills into the steep, Kumaoni agricultural terraces.
Camp Alt
8,700 ft
Day Gain
+3,000 ft
Reach Dhakuri
Steep climb through oak forests to the Dhakuri pass.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The Loharkhet settlement emerges onto a steep forested ascent toward the Dhakuri ridge.
Camp Alt
7,200 ft
Day Gain
-1,500 ft
Reach Khati
Descent into the Pindar valley to reach Khati village.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The Dhakuri ridge descends down into the forested Pindar river gorge toward Khati.
Field Notes
KEY ACTIONRiver Crossings
Plan to cross early in the day before snowmelt swells the water levels. Unclip backpack waist belts before crossing.
Camp Alt
8,400 ft
Day Gain
+1,200 ft
Reach Dwali
Follow the Pindar river upstream.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
Vegetation gives way to barren glacial debris as the route enters the expansive moraine basin and ablation zone of the glaciated upper watershed.
Field Notes
KEY ACTIONRiver Crossings
Plan to cross early in the day before snowmelt swells the water levels. Unclip backpack waist belts before crossing.
Camp Alt
10,500 ft
Day Gain
+2,100 ft
Reach Phurkia
Short climb leaving the tree line behind.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The forested Dwali gorge narrows into the open alpine pastures toward Phurkia.
Camp Alt
12,000 ft
Day Gain
+1,500 ft
Reach Pindari Base Camp
Reach the snout of the Pindari glacier.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The Phurkia pastures transition into a rocky approach toward the Pindari glacier basin.
Field Notes
KEY ACTIONHelmet Mandatory
Helmet mandatory. Move quickly and quietly through the rockfall zone without stopping to rest.
Use Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are highly recommended to save your knees on the descent.
INFOSlower Progress
Progress will be significantly slower and more taxing on your ankles than trail distance suggests.
Camp Alt
12,000 ft
Day Gain
0 ft
Today's Objective
☕ Acclimatization & Recovery
Crucial day. Ferry loads up the glacier and return to sleep low.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The team holds position within the alpine meadow basin, monitoring weather patterns and adapting to the thinning atmosphere.
Camp Alt
13,500 ft
Day Gain
+1,500 ft
Shift to Advance Base Camp
Move camp onto the glacier.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
Vegetation gives way to barren glacial debris as the route enters the expansive moraine basin and ablation zone of the glaciated upper watershed.
Field Notes
KEY ACTIONRoped Travel
Requires roped glacier travel.
KEY ACTIONStart Early
Start before sunrise to ensure snow bridges remain solid.
KEY ACTIONIce Gear
Crampons and ice axe proficiency required to safely navigate steep, icy inclines.
KEY ACTIONHelmet Mandatory
Helmet mandatory. Move quickly and quietly through the rockfall zone without stopping to rest.
Use Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are highly recommended to save your knees on the descent.
Camp Alt
14,800 ft
Day Gain
+1,300 ft
Reach Traill's Pass Base Camp
Navigate the heavily crevassed icefall to the base of the pass.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
Crossing the high-altitude pass bridges two distinct watershed systems, shifting the expedition over the glaciated divide and down into a new river basin.
Field Notes
KEY ACTIONRoped Travel
Requires roped glacier travel.
KEY ACTIONStart Early
Start before sunrise to ensure snow bridges remain solid.
KEY ACTIONEarly Movement
Prioritize early morning movement and strictly avoid lingering beneath loaded snow slopes.
KEY ACTIONVertical Sections
Expect steep sections requiring jumars and rappelling on fixed lines.
KEY ACTIONHarness Gear
Harness-compatible gear is mandatory.
Camp Alt
14,800 ft
Day Gain
0 ft
Today's Objective
☕ Acclimatization & Recovery
Guides fix ropes on the steep approach.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The expedition remains stationed within the high-altitude ablation zone, adjusting to the stark environment where exposed scree and ice dominate the glaciated upper watershed.
Field Notes
KEY ACTIONEarly Movement
Prioritize early morning movement and strictly avoid lingering beneath loaded snow slopes.
KEY ACTIONVertical Sections
Expect steep sections requiring jumars and rappelling on fixed lines.
KEY ACTIONHarness Gear
Harness-compatible gear is mandatory.
Camp Alt
13,500 ft
Day Gain
-1,300 ft
Today's Objective
🏔 Cross Traill's Pass
The monstrous 70-degree ice wall descent requires careful footwork and fixed ropes.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
Crossing the high-altitude pass bridges two distinct watershed systems, shifting the expedition over the glaciated divide and down into a new river basin.
Field Notes
KEY ACTIONRoped Travel
Requires roped glacier travel.
KEY ACTIONStart Early
Start before sunrise to ensure snow bridges remain solid.
KEY ACTIONVertical Sections
Expect steep sections requiring jumars and rappelling on fixed lines.
KEY ACTIONHarness Gear
Harness-compatible gear is mandatory.
Camp Alt
13,500 ft
Day Gain
0 ft
Today's Objective
☕ Acclimatization & Recovery
Buffer day in case of whiteouts on the pass.
Staying At
The team holds position within the alpine meadow basin, monitoring weather patterns and adapting to the thinning atmosphere.
Camp Alt
11,200 ft
Day Gain
-2,300 ft
Reach Martoli
Descend the Lawan valley to the abandoned village.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The barren ice and moraine of the upper basin transition quickly back into alpine scrub and alpine meadow basin as the route loses elevation.
Field Notes
KEY ACTIONHelmet Mandatory
Helmet mandatory. Move quickly and quietly through the rockfall zone without stopping to rest.
Use Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are highly recommended to save your knees on the descent.
INFOSlower Progress
Progress will be significantly slower and more taxing on your ankles than trail distance suggests.
Camp Alt
8,200 ft
Day Gain
-3,000 ft
Reach Bugdiyar
Long descent retracing the route through the Gori Ganga gorge back to Bugdiyar.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The Martoli pastures transition into a steep descent through the Gori Ganga river gorge.
Camp Alt
7,200 ft
Day Gain
-1,000 ft
Reach Munsiyari
Final trek to the roadhead.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The forested Gori Ganga gorge trail descends down to the Munsiyari roadhead.
Field Notes
KEY ACTIONRiver Crossings
Plan to cross early in the day before snowmelt swells the water levels. Unclip backpack waist belts before crossing.
Expedition Extensions & Add-ons
Nanda Devi East Base Camp Detour
+2 DaysAfter descending into Lawan, push slightly up the adjacent valley to view the Nanda Devi East base camp before turning towards Milam.
Camp-by-Camp Details
KMVN Loharkhet
camp
Dhakuri Tents
camp
Khati Homestay
camp
Dwali KMVN
camp
Phurkia Tents
camp
Pindari BC Tents
camp
ABC Tents
camp
Traills BC Tents
camp
Lawan BC Tents
camp
Martoli Homestay
camp
Bugdiyar ITBP Camp
camp
Munsiyari Hotel
camp
Navigation & Route Data
Critical Navigation Notes
No trail over the pass. Complete mountaineering.
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Step 4: Safety & Framework
You understand the route.
Now understand the hazards, physiology, and Go/No-Go decision framework.
View Safety Framework