Khimloga Pass Trek

Day 1: Dehradun to Sankri (210 km) (7/8 hours) (1920 m)

Our vehicle picks you up from Dehradun railway station then leaves for Sankri (210 km), it takes 7-8 hours to reach there. The drive to Sankri is a picturesque one and you will come across plethora of sceneries on the way.

The scenic beauty of valley attract the visitor’s eye. You will see Yamuna River and Tons valley across the Yamuna Bridge, the crystal clear water gives a very refreshing feeling if you feel tired on the way. Drive is through some splendid places i.e. Mussoorie, Damta, Nowgao, Netwar and Purola.

These are the villages where you can see people working in fields and you can have a glimpse of their lifestyle. When you go through the forests, peep out of your window and look at the combination of dark and light greenery, it looks picture perfect.

We cross an entry gate of Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, Sankri lies there. When the Baraadsar mountain range and other snow-capped mountains are visible then you are about to reach Sankri, it will take 15-20 minutes more.

Sankri is a small village with less number of houses, there is a famous mini market of Sankri with few wooden huts serving traditional and delicious food. From here you can have a glance of some mountain ranges, it is surrounded by the mountains and the environment is pollution free, relish the beauty of Sankri. We own a hotel named “Swargarohini”, enjoy your dinner and relaxing stay there.

Day 2 : Sankri to Jakhol (19 km) (2200 m) Jakhol to Liwari via Baicha (8 km) (4/5 hours)

Jakhol is 19 km away from Sankri, it is the last village of Supin valley at an altitude of 2200 metres. You can reach there in two hours.

Trek starts from Jakhol on along the left bank of River Supin, after you cross a bridge you will reach Baicha. From this point Obra Gad is visible and one can also go Devkiyara through this Gad. Now the trek is again along the Supin River from here you can have sight of Fithari village, there are fields and wooden huts visible.

Now the difficult climb starts and you will reach fields that are present on left bank of Supin. Trek through potato fields and after last ridge reach Liwari village (2,750 m). There is a temple of “Someshwar Devta” worshipped by the villagers. Setup your camps here and retire for the night.

Day 3 : Liwari to Surmola Thach (10 km) (4/5 hours) (3460 m)

Wake up early and visit Someshwar Devta’s temple, bow down and ask everything to go well. When your trek starts the first section is through potato fields and Sural Dhar is visible from here.

The other section of the trek starts through forests, there are different variety of trees like Deodar, Walnut and Pine, trek for 1 km and reach a bridge over Supin. The area is landslide prone and the some paths have been damaged. Now to reach Surmola Thach trek is tough through ice bridges and boulder zone.

Surmola Thach have green pasturelands, it is at an altitude of 3460 metres. At ridge top is a Lake “Badasu” and as the belief of locals they say that this Lake is sacred and pure. Set your tents at this beautiful campsite and stay comfortably for the night in tents.

Day 4 : Surmola Thach to Vishkhopri (9 km) (4/5 hours) (3600 m)

Bid goodbye to the alluring fields of Surmola Thach and follow the right bank of Supin. Now, walk carefully through landslide prone region because the routes are washed away and some paths are damaged.

Climbing the ridge get because of the damage parts but when you reach the top there is a land which blooms, it becomes a relief to legs after ascending so hard. The scenic beauty is just heart-warming, there are colourful flowers and all green fields they together make a picturesque setting. Start descend towards Supin to reach your campsite Vishkhopri it is present at the confluence of Supin and Guggal Gad.

Vishkhopri is a wide place and you can see the colourful flowers blooming there. It is feast for the eyes and relief for legs because now you will be relaxing in the tents.

Day 5 : Vishkhopri to Lower Thangal Thach via Nishani Thach (8 km) (4/5 hours) (3960 m)

After having breakfast leave for Thangal Thach and when start trekking Guggal Gad is visible which comes down from Baslawatha. By following the stream one can reach Baspa valley and Devkiyara Ridge.
Ridge top offers unexpected magnificent 360 degree views of Khimloga Glacier, on the left views of other peaks are visible. This glacier is divided into two parts (Front is the main one) (part of North glacier on left). We will explore the Northern part.

Move along Basalwa Thach and reach Nishani Thach by moving along boulder area. From here you can also go to Baspa valley through Pataki Dhar. Reach your campsite Thangal Thach which is 1 km ahead and have comfortable stay in tents.

Day 6 : Lower Thangal Thach to Khimloga camp 1 (7 km) (4/5 hours) (4920 m)

Today you have to reach Khimloga camp 1, start trekking over snow through moraine area and ahead is a glacier with crevasses. Be very careful because they can turn very dangerous.

There is a wall of moraine approximately of 70 degree and it will lead you to sharp top of the ridge. Have the views of huge Khimloga Glacier the sights may scare you and make you happy at the same time. The rocks and snowballs falling from above can be frightening but use your skills to overcome these challenges.

The glacier on North is broken which will make the climb difficult. Cross the moraine ridge it is risky because one slip can turn very risky, be attentive and you will cross the part easily.
Now you will come to the sharpest ridge top, have a sight of Khimloga Pass (5,712 m). Reach Khimloga Camp 1, rest after setting your camps and our professional leaders will go and look for the route conditions for a safer trek. Have food and sleep early in the tents.

Day 7 :Khimloga camp 1 to Khimloga camp 2 (5 km) (5100 m)

You have to start your trek early because you have to reach snout of the glacier. After starting descend and cross the wall of moraine ridge through boulder zone and be careful of falling rocks.

Now, you can see a hanging glacier, a black snout which looks very scary. The trail isn’t difficult or very steep you have to only cross the ice ridges and you have to reach a last snow ridge top. Then the sudden sight of Khimloga Pass and semi-circular Khimloga glacier will surprise you.

Further is an ice field with crevasses, you keep walking on the right side of glacier until you reach a glacial pond. Have lunch in middle of the trek, packed lunch will be provided. Reach you campsite Khimloga camp 2.

Setup your tents and discuss about tomorrows trek because tomorrow is the summit day and it will be the toughest. Pray together to God to keep the weather conditions good and the trek safe. Have healthy food and retire for the night.

Day 8: Khimloga camp 2 to Janspad Gad via Khimloga Pass (5712 m)

Wake up early pack up things and leave on time. Start climbing along the left ridge through a snow field. Have clearer views of Khimloga Pass and see that the path is bifurcated by a rocky projection.

Take right because the other path is very risky, by trekking for some time you will reach Khimloga Pass it is 10 feet wide, the closer view of peaks will amaze you. When you will stand at the top the feeling would be of great achievement and happiness. You will feel great that you have conquered the Pass which looks uncrossable and frightening.

Do not spend extra time there because descending isn’t easy and it will take time. Take out your ropes to descend towards North east is Nardu Gad glacier. The route to get down is through Janspa Gad, slide down wherever required, come down along Nardu Gad glacier and reach the ice fields.

Your campsite is Janspa Gad today is the last day of camping and tomorrow is the last day of Expedition. Set your camps here, celebrate conquering the pass and retire for the night.

Day 9 : Janspad Gad to Chitkul village (6 km) (3450 m)

Capture pictures with every member with you to have memories captured and then leave the campsite. When you will cross the ice fields you will see flowers blooming they will make you feel good by just being there.

Ahead Chitkul will be visible, it is the last village of Baspa valley with beautiful wooden houses and cultivated green pasturelands. They together look beautiful the environment there is fresh and serene. Go further and reach a ridge with abundant Rhododendrons and then you will trek the forest of pine.

Reach bank of Baspa and with a rope of steel reach Chitkul, a beautiful Himalayan village. Frome there you can see Nardu Gad coming from the left ridge and head of it is Khimloga Pass. Celebrate the success of your expedition.