Panchachuli glacier and Darma valley trek
The Panchachuli peaks lie in the eastern part of the Kumaon Himalayas and form the water shed between the Gori ganga and the Darma valley. Nestled snugly in the lap of the snow-capped peaks of Panchachuli, the Darma Valley in remote Pithoragarh district, bordering Nepal and Tibet, is endowed with extraordinary scenic beauty. Sobla (1670m) is the entry point to the Darma Valley and is the starting point of our trek. This village can be reached from Vijaypur via Thal to Dharchulla – the Indo-Nepal border town. A drive further of 35 kms, along the banks of the Dhauli Ganga River takes you to the village of Sobla. Here onwards it’s a 40 km. trail that passes through Dar, Bungling, Sela, Nagling, Baaling and Duktu / Dantu village in the darma Valley before reaching Panchachuli Glacier.
Myth and legend: Story has it that the Pandavas had their last meal here before ascending to heaven, hence the name Panchachuli literally meaning five cooking stoves.
How to get there Delhi- kathgodam-Vijaypur Sobla from where you start the walk. One can take the overnight train to Kathgodam and then drive up to Vijaypur in the morning.
Day one: Sobla to Urthing although a long walk of 12 km the gradient is easy along a well defined trail. The mule track passes through hill sides of pastoral lands.
Day two: Urthing to Baaling This 13 km walk affords beautiful views of the distant glaciers, the beauty of the river flowing below against a back drop of green forests is jaw dropping.
Day three: Baaling to Panchachuli via Dhuktu . Dhuktu and Danti are two adjacent villages that are the last of the habitation in this valley. Dhuktu meadow provides mesmerizing views of the Panchachuli glacier.
Day four: Panchachuli base camp. A 4 km trek from the camp site along the Yuli River leads to the massive glacier itself. The place is incredibly beautiful with sprawling meadows bordered by tall Birch trees with the Panchachuli in the back ground.
Day five: Panchachuli to Nagling you start the return from the trek through a gradual descent for 15 km.
Day six: Nagling-Bungling-Dhar-Sobla This is the last day of the trek that takes you to Sobla where you camp for the night, in all a distance of twelve kilometers.
What to pack
- A duffle bag or a back pack for your clothes etc.
- A day pack that you will carry while walking with your water bottle.
- Trekking shoes- ensure that they are broken in before the trek.
- Three pairs of track pants with at least one that is synthetic and quick drying, or three pairs of cargo pants.
- Three to four cotton T shirts a full sleeve sweater or a fleece jacket.
- Full sleeve down jacket.
- A pair of thermal inners.
- Four to five pairs of regular sports sock and one pair of wollen socks.
- Woolen cap and muffler
- Proper rain gear with a jacket and a lower.
- Water proof gloves.
- First aid kit.
- A thin towel that dries fast.
- Sun block and lip balm.
- One water bottle and a flash light with an extra set of batteries.
- Sandals or a pair of comfortable shoes to wear around camp.