One of India's less explored trek with Breathtaking landscapes
Duration
4 Night and 5 days
Altitude
12,500 ft.
Trek Difficulty
Easy to Moderate
Distance
Road Distance: 140 km & Trek: 26km
Stay
Homestay & Camps
Meals
3 times a day & Tea, Snacks
Gulabi Kantha, an all-season trek in Uttarakhand, offers serene solitude with breathtaking Himalayan vistas. Less explored and less crowded, this trek showcases lush green landscapes, wild flowers, and numerous waterfalls during the monsoon. In winter, it remains covered in a blanket of snow. Explore Gulabi kantha with Montaxe
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Gulabi Kantha Trek Highlights
The must do experiences that you can cross off your bucket list
"Gulabi kantha Trek" the All-Season Himalayan Trek
Gulabi Kantha calls to you with its beautiful scenery, making it a captivating place to visit anytime of the year.
Breathtaking Landscapes of Gulabi Kantha
Gulabi Kantha offers vibrant vistas year-round, from the blossoming hues of spring to the lush greenery of monsoon and the ethereal charm of winter landscapes.
360° Himalayan range view from Gulabi kantha Summit
Get a 360° panoramic view of the most prominent Himalayan peaks, including Banderpoonch, Black Peak, Swargarohini, and more.
Experience the Rich culture of Yamuna Valley
Encounter the rich cultural heritage of Uttarakhand as you traverse through local villages and interact with the warm-hearted residents.
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Gulabi Kantha Trek Overview
During the summer Gulabi Kantha turns into lush green paradise, with variety of wild Himalayan flowers, and numerous water streams. In winter, the landscape completely transforms into a snow-covered wonderland.
In spring, the trails are adorned with red and pink Rhododendron flowers, inspiring locals to name it Gulabi Kantha, meaning “Pink Mountain” in Hindi (Gulabi means “Pink” and Kantha means “Hill” or “Mountain”). The summit of the Gulabi Kantha trek reaches an elevation of 12,000 ft, offering a breathtaking 360-degree view of Himalayan peaks such as Bandarpunch, Black Peak, Chaukhambha, Kalindi Sirkala, and Swargarohini. On the other side lies Dodital, a popular freshwater lake trek and the abode of Lord Ganesha.
Seema Thatch, a vast green meadow spanning kilometers, making it perfect spot for Skiing in Winters. There is a great possibility to develop it for winter Ski games. There is potential to develop it for winter ski games. In summer, these meadows are adorned with lush greenery and wild Himalayan flowers.
The adventure begins with a scenic drive from Dehradun to Barkot, passing through Mussoorie and Kempty Falls, where the first glimpse of Bandarpunch Peak is a sight to behold.
The trek to Gulabi Kantha starts from Hanuman Chatti, located approximately 13 km before Yamunotri Dham, at the confluence of the Hanuman Ganga and Yamuna rivers. Along the trail, we pass through Nishni Village, known for its scenic beauty, traditional wooden houses, and rich cultural heritage of the Yamuna Valley. Continuing on, Kandola Chhani offers picturesque grasslands surrounded by towering Deodar trees.
let’s explore the less explored trails of Gulabi Kantha Trek with Montaxe.
Gulabi Kantha Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Drive from Dehradun to Barkot
- 140 km drive to Barkot from Dehradun
- 7-8 hours drive
- En-route Place: Mussoorie, Kempty Falls, Lakhamandal, Naugaon
Experience beauty of Yamuna River and Bandarpunch peak
During the 140 km drive from Dehradun to Barkot, you'll traverse stunning scenery. As you reach Barkot, you'll get your first glimpse of Bandarpunch Peak.
Day 1 of Gulabi Kantha Trek: Our journey begins early morning from Dehradun, with our meeting point at either the railway station or Prince Chowk. As we head out, we’ll drive through the charming hill station of Mussoorie. Our first major stop is Kempty Falls, where we’ll take a stop for breakfast (not included in the trek package). Here, you can soak in the beauty of the cascading falls and the serene surroundings.
After our refreshing stop at Kempty Falls, we continue our drive, reaching the Yamuna Bridge, locally known as Jamuna Pul. This marks the point where our journey will closely follow the Yamuna River, offering scenic views all along the way. As we proceed, we will pass through several quaint villages and bustling small markets.
Our first significant stop en route will be Nainbagh. This village is renowned as the gateway to the popular weekend trek Nagtibba. The vibrant local life and scenic views make Nainbagh a delightful place to visit.
Next, we reach Damta, often considered a local midway stop. It’s a great spot to stretch your legs and perhaps interact with some locals. The small market here offers a glimpse into the daily life of the region’s residents.
Continuing our journey, we arrive at Barnigad, where you can find a place roadside ‘Gangnani’, a cold-water stream. Local folklore describes this as a stream of the Ganga river, adding a mystical charm to the area. The tranquil sound of flowing water and lush surroundings make it a beautiful place to experience.
As we proceed we will reach Naugaon. Here, there are two diversions; one leads to Purola Valley and Sankri (the base camp for several renowned treks like Kedarkantha, Har Ki Dun, and Phulara Ridge). However, we will take the second route from Naugaon, which leads us directly to our destination for the day, Barkot.
Before reaching Barkot, keep an eye out for the first breathtaking glimpse of Bandarpunch Peak. Upon arrival in Barkot, we’ll check into our hotel rooms. In the evening, we will take a acclimatation walk around the quaint town of Barkot, allowing you to immerse yourself in the local culture and picturesque surroundings.
Max Altitude
4,000 ft
Stay
Hotel/Guest-House
Food
Evening Tea & Snacks, Dinner
Day 2: Drive from Barkot to Hanuman Chatti and Trek to Kandola Chhani
- 30 km drive from Barkot to Hanuman Chatti.
- 5km Trek to Kandola Chhani.
- 2 water points on the way.
- Gradual to Moderate Ascent.
Day 2 of the Gulabi Kantha Trek: After breakfast, we’ll drive from the hotel to Hanuman Chatti, which is about 13 km before Yamunotri Dham. Hanuman Chatti is located at the confluence of the Hanuman Ganga and Yamuna rivers. and this is where we will start our trek.
We’ll begin our trek along a water stream and through a market forest trail. After a 3.5 km hike, we reach Nishni Village, a beautiful Himalayan village in the Yamuna Valley. Here, we’ll be greeted by the sight of old houses made of Deodar and pine wood and stone architecture, giving us a glimpse into the cultural heritage of the Yamuna Valley.
These houses here are built using an interlocking mechanism of rocks and wood. A sustainable way of building houses without using cement is something very rare and remote to witness here. Nishni Village is the first and last village we will come across on the Gulabi Kantha trek.
After a short break, we will resume our trek to Kandola Chhani, our destination for the day. It takes approximately 3.5 km to reach Kandola from Nishni Village. After a 500-meter hike, we reach the Nishni Village top, where we can see the mesmerizing view of the village, mountains, and valley in the backdrop.
The trail then takes us through a forest of giant trees, giving off the vibe of Stranger Things. Along the way, we’ll cross several water streams before reaching Kandola Chhani, where we’ll see grasslands surrounded by Deodar and other trees, creating a picturesque tree line.
Kandola Chhani is one of the most beautiful sights we’ll encounter on this trek. After reaching the campsite, we’ll have time to freshen up and enjoy a delicious lunch.
In the evening, we’ll go for a walk around Kandola, where we’ll see the vast grasslands, local flora and fauna, and even some small apple orchards. As the day winds down, we’ll return to our camp, where we’ll have evening tea and snacks, followed by dinner.
Altitude
8,500 ft
Stay
Tent/Homestay
Food
Morning Tea/Coffee, Breakfast, Packed Lunch during trek, Evening Tea & Snacks, Dinner
Day 3: Kandola Chhani to Seema Thatch
- Trek distance: 6km/4hrs
- Gradual to Moderate ascent
Day 3 of the Gulabi Kantha Trek: After breakfast, we start our trek towards Seema Thatch, our destination for the day.
The trail leads us through a dense forest, opening up to a beautiful grass clearing. Here, you’ll witness vast meadows stretching across kilometers. The hike to Seema thatch is approximately 3.5 km.
In summer, these meadows are lush and adorned with beauty of himalayan wild flowers like Blue Poppy, Rain Lily, Paper Cup Flower, and Himalayan Fleabane, making it a perfect alternative to valley of flowers trek. In winter, the meadows are covered in thick blanket of snow, making it perfect for skiing.
We arrive at the campsite before the lunchtime. After a hot lunch, we will enjoy an evening walk around the camp, taking in the serene surroundings. Following evening tea and snacks, we’ll have dinner and then retire for the night. Tonight, we sleep in camps with a breathtaking view of the Himalayas, preparing for the thrilling day ahead.
The next day promises an exciting adventure with a summit push to Gulabi Kantha and mesmerizing 360 degree views of the Himalayan mountain ranges.
Altitude
10,500 ft.
Food
Morning Tea/Coffee, Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Trek to Gulabi Kantha Summit and descend to Nishni village
- Peak visible from Summit: Bandarpoonch, Black Peak, Chaukhambha, Swargarohini Peak etc
- Climb steeply for 1 km to the top, then descend 11 km to Nishni Village.
Day 4 of Gulabi kantha trek: We will wake up early in the morning, filled with excitement for the summit push. The air will be crisp and fresh as we start our steep 1 km hike to reach the Gulabi Kantha Summit. With every step, the anticipation will build until finally, we stand at the summit. Here, a breathtaking 360-degree view of the Himalayan mountain ranges will greet us. We will see prominent peaks like Bandarpunch, the Gangotri Mountain range, Swargarohini, Srikanth, and many more.
At the summit, we will take our time to soak in the stunning scenery. The vast expanse of snow-capped mountains will stretch out before us, creating a picture-perfect panorama. From here, we can also spot the route that leads to Dodital (known as the abode of Lord Ganesha) through the Darba pass.
After spending some time at the summit, we will begin our descent to Nishni Village. The trail will lead us down through beautiful landscapes, and we will move at a relaxed pace to the Nishni Village.
Upon reaching Nishni Village, we will find ourselves in a picturesque Himalayan village surrounded by towering mountains. The village will offer a glimpse into the life and culture of the Yamuna Valley. We will stroll around, observing the traditional wooden and stone houses that have stood the test of time, even through earthquakes. These houses, built to withstand the harsh weather, remain cool in summer and warm in winter.
After a full day of adventure and exploration, we will return to our accommodations.
Altitude
8,000 ft
Food
Morning Tea/Coffee, Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Trek from Nishni village to Hanuman Chatti and drive back to Dehradun
- Trek distance: 3.5km/2hrs
- Lunch on the way (not included in the Cost)
- Reach Dehradun by evening
Day 5 of Gulabi kantha trek: Today is our last day of this beautiful journey. We will start our day with a hearty breakfast, gathering strength for the final stretch. After breakfast, we will begin our descent to Hanuman Chatti, which is about 3.5 km away. The path will take us through serene landscapes, and we will enjoy every moment of this last trek.
As we reach Hanuman Chatti, we will feel a mix of accomplishment and nostalgia. After a short rest in Hanuman Chatti, we will depart for Dehradun. The drive will offer us one last chance to enjoy the beautiful Himalayan scenery.
Upon arriving in Dehradun, our trip will officially come to an end. However, the bond we have made with the mountains and with Montaxe will remain. We will part ways, carrying with us the memories of this incredible journey and the connections we have formed.
Altitude
8,000 ft
Food
Morning Tea/Coffee