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Patangini Dhar Pass Trek Itinerary — Day by Day Route & Camps
An epic 7-day traverse. Ascend through the Kedar Ganga gorge, acclimatize at the stunning Kedartal lake, cross the massive Patangini Dhar pass, and descend into the wild Rudugaira valley.
Standard RouteThis is the standard mountain pacing for this trek. Specific operators may add an acclimatization day or alter the starting point. Check individual operator schedules for their exact logistics.
Duration
7 Days
Total Distance
45.0 KM
Max Altitude
16,125 FT
Trek Type
circuit
Permits Required Before You Go
Permit Cost
Where to Get
DFO Office, Uttarkashi / Forest Checkpost, Gangotri
Documents
Original Aadhar Card / Passport, Medical Fitness Certificate
Foreign Nationals
Foreigners pay a higher National Park entry fee (approx. 600-800 INR).
Foreigner Process
Standard National Park registration, but foreigners pay a higher entry fee.
Nearest Embassy Hub
New Delhi
Day by Day Breakdown
Camp Alt
10,000 ft
Day Gain
+7,900 ft
Drive to Gangotri
A grueling, 10-hour drive winding through the Garhwal mountains. You will follow the Bhagirathi river, passing through Uttarkashi (where permits are finalized) before arriving at the holy pilgrim town of Gangotri.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The route follows the river valley. The path breaches the mountain barrier crossing the watershed.
Camp Alt
12,890 ft
Day Gain
+2,890 ft
Reach Bhoj Kharak
The trek begins immediately with a steep ascent into the Kedar Ganga gorge. The trail is narrow and carved into the cliff face. You will navigate the infamous 'Spider Wall'—a near-vertical rock face where you must carefully edge your boots along a tiny ledge. The camp at Bhoj Kharak sits in a dense birch forest.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
Tree line disappears as the valley broadens into a spectacular high-altitude alpine meadow basin, replacing the dense forests with expansive grazing pastures.
Field Notes
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
14,460 ft
Day Gain
+1,570 ft
Reach Kedar Kharak
You leave the tree line behind today. The trail traverses a rugged landscape of boulders and loose moraine. You must cross the Kedar Ganga river (often freezing). The campsite at Kedar Kharak is a beautiful alpine meadow surrounded by towering rocky peaks.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The environment transitions into open alpine meadows. The route follows the river valley.
Field Notes
KEY ACTIONRiver Crossings
Plan to cross early in the day before snowmelt swells the water levels. Unclip backpack waist belts before crossing.
Stow Poles
Requires hands-on rock scrambling. Stow trekking poles to free up your hands.
INFOSlower Progress
Progress will be significantly slower and more taxing on your ankles than trail distance suggests.
Camp Alt
14,460 ft
Day Gain
0 ft
Visit Kedartal & Return
To prepare your body for the pass, you will do an acclimatization hike to the stunning Kedartal lake (15,400 ft). The hike is entirely over massive boulders and loose moraine. The view of Thalaysagar reflecting in the lake is legendary. After resting at the lake, return to Kedar Kharak to sleep low.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The rugged alpine terrain opens up to reveal a spectacular high-altitude glacial tarn, serving as a critical hydrological node in the upper watershed.
Field Notes
Stow Poles
Requires hands-on rock scrambling. Stow trekking poles to free up your hands.
INFOSlower Progress
Progress will be significantly slower and more taxing on your ankles than trail distance suggests.
Camp Alt
15,000 ft
Day Gain
+540 ft
Reach Patangini Dhar Base Camp
You deviate from the standard Kedartal route, turning towards the towering rock walls of Patangini Dhar. The trail disappears entirely, replaced by raw glacial debris. Base camp is a rocky, exposed, and freezing location positioned just beneath the pass.
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
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
12,300 ft
Day Gain
-2,700 ft
Today's Objective
🏔 Cross Cross Patangini Dhar Pass To Nala Camp Nala
The climax of the expedition. You start before dawn, climbing a near-vertical wall of loose scree and snow. Standing on the 16,125 ft pass, you have crossed from the Kedar Ganga valley into the Rudugaira valley. The descent on the other side is brutal—a massive, steep drop over loose gravel and boulders until you finally reach the tree line at Nala Camp.
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
Stow Poles
Requires hands-on rock scrambling. Stow trekking poles to free up your hands.
INFOSlower Progress
Progress will be significantly slower and more taxing on your ankles than trail distance suggests.
Camp Alt
2,100 ft
Day Gain
-10,200 ft
Trek to Gangotri & Drive to Dehradun
A fast descent through dense pine forests along the Rudugaira river brings you back to the pilgrim town of Gangotri. After a brief rest, you board your vehicles for the 10-hour drive back to Dehradun.
Key Landmarks
The route moves through forested zones. The route follows the river valley.
Field Notes
KEY ACTIONRiver Crossings
Plan to cross early in the day before snowmelt swells the water levels. Unclip backpack waist belts before crossing.
Trek Extensions & Add-ons
Auden's Col Advance
+4 DaysElite mountaineers often use this trek to enter the Rudugaira valley, skipping the descent to Gangotri, to push forward towards the legendary Auden's Col expedition.
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