Panwali Kantha Trek
Region: Garhwal Himalayas
Duration: 10 Nights 11 Days
Destination covered: Rishikesh - Uttarkashi - Mala - Belak - Budakedar - Ghuttu - Panwali Kantha - Trijuginarayan - Kedarnath - Rudrapryag - Rishikesh
Altitude: 3965 m above sea level
Grade: Moderate Trek
Best Time: April to November
Panwali Kantha trek provides you with one of the rarest vision of the complete range of Yamnotri- Gangotri- Kedarnath- Badrinath mountain peaks. In the route you pass through the 7 Bugyals of Panwali Kantha, Where if you are fortunate, You might catch a quick look of blue mountain goat. This trek is part of the very old pilgrim trail from Gangotri to Kedarnath, in the tradition of Vamavrta Yatra that begin from Yamnotri and finished at Badrinath, after paying high opinion at the Gangotri and Kedarnath shrines.
Panwali Kantha is a 19 km trek; positioned at a height of 3,963 metres. Panwali is a attractive place with several hillocks with packed variety of flowers. The pathway from Trijuginarayan to Panwali through Maggu, Kaunkola Khola provides all the colours. The Oak-Rhododendron forests with a mixture of Maples, Syringa emodi, Sorbus ursina, Rhododendron barbatum, and Picea smithiana are common. The shrubby elements include species of Lonicera, Ribes, Viburnum-Rosa, Salix, Berberis, Cotoneaster, etc. The species of the genera Caltha, Anemone, Primula, Plantago, Corydalis etc represent the herbaceous elements. Towards Kaunkola Khola (3,658m), Bhojpatra is seen in connection with Rhododendron campanulatum, Syringa emodi and Oak. Bushy Rhododendron anthopogon with creamish flowers is common at the top of Kaunkola Khola. Species of Primula, Anemone, Potentilla, Fritillaria, Lagotis, Meconopsis, etc with their variously coloured flowers provide all the attraction of nature. The Ground Orchid Cypripedium cordigerum and C. himalaicum and yellow flowered Meconopsis robusta are of rare occasion. Medicinally important plants like Kutaki, Podophyllum hexandrum and Hatthajari or the Salam-Panja are also seen here.
Nature has most excellent endowed Garhwal with wonderful natural resources. Panwali Kantha, one of the high altitude meadows of Garhwal Himalayas, apart form its exciting landscape is specially known for the impressive display of the flowering herbs.
Panwali Kantha Trek Itinerary
Day 01: Rishikesh - Uttarkashi
Morning drive (182 kms- 6/7hrs) to Uttarkashi. On arrival check in Hotel or Tourist Bungalow. Overnight stay.
Day 02: Uttarkashi - Mala - Belak
After breakfast leave (22 km drive, 15 km of trek) for Mala by road. Arrive Mala and prepare to go for the trek. Start the ordeal with mountains and climb to Belak at 2420 mts. Overnight at Camp.
Day 03: Belak - Jhala
After breakfast start the day (09 km trek, 5 - 6 hrs) on a ridge and reach Jhala in the afternoon. Enjoy the beautiful views through the day and camp overnight stay.
Day 04: Jhala - Budakedar
After breakfast start trek (08 km, 4 -5 hrs) with descent from 2440 mts to 1525 mts. To Budakedar (one of the five Shiva temples). Overnight at camp.
Day 05: Budakedar - Ghuttu
After breakfast start (16 km trek, 7 - 8 hrs) an even trek through the valley to reach Ghuttu at 1525 mts. in the afternoon. Relax in the evening. Overnight at tourist rest house.
Day 06: Ghuttu - Panwali Kantha
After breakfast start (15 km trek, 8 - 9 hrs) a steep climb to reach the highest point during this trek at Panwalikantha (3965 mts) which is a very beautiful expanse of Meadows along with breathtaking views of high snow clad peaks in the north. Overnight at camp.
Day 07: Panwali Kantha - Kankhaliakhal
This day the trek (11 km trek, 6 - 7 hrs) is again an almost even trek on the ridge for around 06 hrs. Nice views and cool weather is the order of the day. Overnight at camp.
Day 8: Kankhaliakhal - Trijuginarayan - Gaurikund
Today come down to less than 2000 mts to Trijuginarayan for more moderate climate and relax a bit in nice surroundings and then transfer to Camp resort / Tourist rest house at Gaurikund. Overnight at hotel
Day 9: Gaurikund - Kedarnath
After breakfast leave for Kedarnath (14 km trek) to reach by afternoon on a nice cobbled path. Its a famous pilgrims trail. On arrival visit the Temple in the evening and then relax overnight at tourist rest house.
Day 10: Kedarnath - Guptakashi
Morning trek back to Gaurikund. On arrival drive to Guptakashi and check in to camp resort or tourist rest house. Overnight stay.
Day 11: Guptakashi - Rishikesh
After breakfast leave (171 kms drive) for Rishkesh. Trip End.
