About Khatling Glacier Trek
Along with the captivating Bhilangana Valley, the high-altitude Khatling Glacier trek offers one of the most distinct scenes throughout its trails. Its routes pass through scenic villages, grassy meadows, crystal clear lakes, glacier moraines, ice sheets, snow-capped mountains, and captivating flora and fauna.
It is the perfect trek for adventure lovers looking for thrill and peace in nature. The initial track is easy but once you start gaining significant altitude, it gets difficult. Hence, the trek is recommended for those who have experience in high-altitude trekking.
How to Reach Khatling Glacier
The travellers need to reach Ghuttu from where the trek to Khatling glaciers starts. One can easily reach Ghuttu by a motorable journey from Dehradun, Tehri, Mussoorie and Rishikesh. On reaching Ghuttu, one has to trek about 45 km and pass through tiny hamlets surrounded by thick Kharsao forests and lush green meadows. The Bhilangana Valley offers pristine spots for camping.
Best Time to Visit Khatling Glacier
The best time to visit Khatling Glacier is during the summer months of May and June and post-monsoon months of September and October.
Summers: Summer months of May and June offers pleasant climate and clear trails for trekking. However, you will still have to carry woollens with you.
Post-monsoon: The post-monsoon months from September to mid-October is fresh and offers a heavenly experience.
Activities in Khatling Glacier Trek
Trekking: The trek route leading to Khatling Glacier goes through the finest scenes of nature from picturesque landscapes, dense forests, and verdant meadows to small villages, captivating river streams, and rare Himalayan flora and fauna. All three routes are unique and full of beautiful vistas.
The trek from Ghuttu Village to Khatling Glacier is famous for its lovely villages and is the easiest among the three routes.
The trek from Malla Village comprises of beautiful lakes and which are refreshing to the soul. The route is a bit longer as compared to the Ghuttu Village route, but the fascinating locations that this route offers is worth the time is taken. The route also includes the famous Kedarnath Temple and is ideal for people who wish to cover it in this trek.
The trek from Gangotri is the most challenging one and we recommend it only to fit and experienced trekkers. The surreal views of Mt.Rudugaira, Auden’s Col, and other Himalayan ranges are worth the arduous trail that leads up to it.
Camping: The camping sites of Khatling Glacier trek varies from meadows to villages wherein you will get to experience enthralling sunrise and sunsets and rare sights of nature that won’t fail to leave you spellbound.
Village Tourism: Throughout your trek, you will come across different villages each with their own features. The beautiful villages are characterized by small huts and houses, terrace farming, and a peaceful atmosphere. You will spot cattle grazers grazing their cattle, children playing around and walking to school, and villagers going about with their day to day activities.
As most of the locations that you will cover in Khatling Glacier trek has its own myths and legend, you will get the perfect opportunity to listen to the stories and delve into the myths through the tales of the local people.
Photography: Needless to say, photography is something that you can’t miss out on this trek. The extraordinary landscape, the rare sights of nature, pristine lakes, and the welcoming villages, are worth capturing and savoring the memories.
Mythology about Khatling Glacier Trek
According to legend, Bhilangana was a divine spirit who tried to lure Lord Shiva towards her. Lord Shiva rejected her and she, in turn, was distorted to a liquid form. As a result, she originated as River Bhilangana. For that reason, the river, as well as the valley has been named after her. The beauty of Bhilangana Valley serves as the demonstration of her beauty.
There are some Routes to undertake Khating Glacier Trek.
There are three routes through which you can undertake Khatling Glacier trek. One route starts from Ghattu Village in Tehri district and the other two routes start from Malla Village and Gangotri town in Uttarkashi district. Out of the three routes, the route from Ghuttu Village and the Malla Village route are the routes preferred by travelers.
The route from Gangotri is tougher as compared to the other two routes and traverses via the legendary Auden’s Col mountain pass.
We have included the detailed itinerary of all three routes.
Route 1: Khatling Glacier Trek via Ghuttu Village.
Route 2: Khatling Glacier Trek via Malla Village.
Route 3: Khatling Glacier Trek Via Gangotri.
Khatling Glacier Suggested Trekking Itinerary
Day 1: Delhi – Tehri – Ghuttu Village (Total distance- 400 km/11-12 hrs)
The distance between Delhi and Ghuttu Village is about 400 kms and you can undertake the journey by halting at Rishikesh or Tehri. The nearest town from Ghuttu Village is Ghansali, and offers interesting places to visit to tourists.
Day 2: Ghuttu – Reeh (Total distance- 10 km/4-5 hrs)
After breakfast, we will start the trek to the scenic hamlet of Reeh, locally known as Reeh Chhani. The 10 km trek towards Reeh is a steep one with River Devling flowing calmly alongside you. The campsite at Reeh is located across beautiful landscape surrounded by woods.
Day 3: Reeh –Gangi (Total distance- 12 km/4-5 hrs)
The trek to Gangi Village takes you through refreshing meadows and ridges offering mesmerizing views of Panwali Kantha grasslands. As you reach Gangi Village, you will witness the local lifestyle of this beautiful Himalayan tribe. Gangi is also the last village that you’ll come across during the trek.
Day 4: Gangi –Kharsali (Total distance- 11 km/5 hrs)
Today we will start with a light descent to Deokhri Channi, which serves as the winter settlement for the residents of Gangi Village. After crossing the refreshing Kalyani stream, we will come across two trails. We will continue through the trail on the right. The vast open area, known as Birodh, mesmerizing meadows, and lofty conifers, finally give way to the captivating camping site of Kharsali.
Day 5: Kharsali –Bhedikharag (Total distance- 6 hrs)
The trail to Bhedikharag goes through the bridge over Kharsali stream and dense forests to reach Bhelbagi. Moving forward from Bhelbagi, we will chance upon Bhumkodaar Cave and Tamakund Cave. The campsite of Bhedikharag lies along a picturesque landscape.
Day 6: Bhedikharag – Khatling – Bhedikharag (Total distance- 12 km/6 hrs )
The journey today will be tiresome as we will cover to and fro from Bhedikharag to Khatling Glacier. After walking across rocky paths through glacier moraines and screeds, you will reach the mesmerizing location of Khatling Glacier. Surrounded by snow-clad mountains, Khatling Glacier stands tall at an elevation of 3,900 m at an extremely picturesque location. After spending some time at Khatling Glacier, you will continue with your return to Bhedikharag.
Day 7: Bhedikharag –Gangi (Total distance- 11 km/3 hrs)
We will start your return to Gangi Village and cover a distance of 11 kms. We can spend the evening exploring the village, its temples, and talking to the local people.
Day 8: Gangi –Panwali Kantha (Total distance- 15 km/9-10 hrs)
The route towards Panwali Kantha goes through a bridge over a tributary of River Bhilangana and beautiful forests. We can also see a clear picture of Khatling Glacier trek route through this trail.
Day 9: Panwali Kantha – Maggu Chatti (Total distance- 5-6 hrs)
After enjoying a beautiful morning at Panwali Kantha, we will start your trek towards Maggu Chatti. The route towards Maggu Chatti is an easy one which can be completed at ease. The scenic hamlet of Maggu Chatti offers you beautiful views of terraced fields and delicious tea from the local tea shops.
Day 10: Maggu Chatti –Triyuginarayan (Total distance- 6 km/6 hrs) - Guptkashi
The descent to the small town of Triyuginarayan in the Rudraprayag district, takes you through oak and rhododendron forests. You can visit the holy Triyuginarayan Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. From Triyuginarayan, you will continue your journey to Guptkashi which will take about 1-2 hrs.
Day 11: Guptkashi –Haridwar – Delhi
From Guptkashi, you will start your return journey. If you are travelling to Delhi, then you can halt at Haridwar or Rishikesh (completely optional).
What is Khatling Glacier Trek famous for?
Khatling Glacier Trek is famous among tourist as Trekking, Expedition, High Altitude Trek, Camping, Garhwal Trekking, High Altitude Pass, Glacier Trek.
Khatling Glacier Trek is recommended destination for Foreigners, Groups.
Khatling Glacier Trek is popular destination for following activities/ interests - Adventure, Camping, Glaciers, High Altitude Mountain Pass, Trekking.
