Muling La Pass, situated at an altitude of 5,669 meters (18,600 feet) in Uttarkashi district, is a high-altitude seasonal mountain pass connecting Uttarakhand with Tibet. This trek takes you to the base of Muling La Pass (16,134 ft.), offering breathtaking views of glaciers, snow-clad peaks, and the cold desserted mountains. It is one of the most challenging and less-explored treks in India.
In a major boost to winter and adventure tourism in Uttarakhand, PM Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the Muling La Pass-Neelapani trek route during his upcoming visit to the Harsil-Mukhwa region. The inauguration is scheduled for March 6, 2025. Along with Muling La, the Jadung-Jankatal trek – another high-altitude trek near the Indo-China border. This will also be developed to promote trekking and tourism in the region. This initiative aims to enhance border tourism and adventure activities in the region, offering trekkers an opportunity to explore some of the most remote and pristine landscapes of the Garhwal Himalayas.
The journey to Muling La Pass can be started from Dehradun, as it has the nearest railway station, airport, and ISBT. From Dehradun, a 260 km drive takes you to Harsil, a scenic Himalayan town in Uttarkashi district. Harsil serves as the acclimatization point before continuing further, and one can also take a short hike to Lama Top for acclimatization.
From Harsil, a 59 km drive leads to Neelapani, which is the starting point and base camp of the trek. The trekking route then passes through Nallah-1 and Nallah-2 campsites, offering breathtaking views of the Garhwal Himalayas. After crossing Nallah-2 campsite, trekkers finally reach their destination—Muling La Base, situated at an altitude of 16,134 ft. The total trekking distance from Neelapani to Muling La Base is around 22 km, which takes approximately 4-5 days to complete.
Muling La Pass Trek Overview:
- Region: Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand
- Maximum Altitude: 5,669 meters (18,600 feet)
- Trek Duration: 7 Days
- Trek Distance: Approx 44 km (round trip)
- Trek Difficulty: Difficult
- Base Camp: Harsil (2,745m)
- Best Time to Visit: Post-monsoon (September-October) and pre-winter (May-June)
- Permits Required: Special permission may be needed due to proximity to the India-China border.
- Who Can Do This Trek? Experienced trekkers with high-altitude trekking experience (Bali Pass, Kalindi Khal, Auden’s Col, etc.)
Why Trek to Muling La Pass?
- One of the highest trekking passes in Uttarakhand (5,669m).
- Spectacular views of the cold deserted mountains, snow-covered peaks, and high-altitude glaciers.
- Remote and untouched trek, offering an offbeat adventure experience.
- Challenging glacial terrain, steep ascents, and weather uncertainties make it an ultimate test for the adventure enthusiasts.
Muling La Pass Base Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Drive 260 km from Dehradun to Harsil (8-9 hrs), acclimatization, and optional Lama Top hike.(for acclimatization)
Day 2: Drive 59 km from Harsil to Neelapani, the trek base camp– rest, and acclimatization.
Day 3: Trek 6 km from Neelapani to Nallah-1, crossing rocky terrain and streams.
Day 4: Trek 7 km from Nallah-1 to Nallah-2, with a steep ascent and glacier crossings.
Day 5: Trek 14 km from Nallah-2 to Muling La Base (16,134 ft) and back to Neelapani.
Day 6: Drive 59 km from Neelapani to Harsil, rest, and explore Harsil Valley.
Day 7: Drive 260 km from Harsil to Dehradun, concluding the trek.
The Muling La Pass Trek is one of the most thrilling and remote high-altitude treks in Uttarakhand. With PM Modi set to inaugurate this trek along with the Jadung-Jankatal trek on March 6, 2025, it will open new opportunities for adventure enthusiasts.
