Where the trails split
On summit night, a tiny temple on the ridge marks where the old routes to Kuari Pass and Pangarchulla separate.
After the trail · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
Pangarchulla is a hard trek with a real summit: one long day over boulders and snow to the top.
4,590m
The summit
12–14h
Summit day
44km
Walking, over 5 days
7,816m
Nanda Devi, in view
💪 Difficult❄️ Mar–Apr🍂 Oct–Dec⛺ 2 camps
Day by day
Seven days, step by step
This is Bikat Adventures' plan. Its page says 47 km, though its day distances add up to 44 km.
How high you are on each kilometre
- Day 1Dehradun → JoshimathThe long drive295 km · about 10 h🛏️ Guesthouse · 1,890 m
- Day 2Joshimath → Tugasi → GulingThrough villages and forest6 km · about 5 h🛏️ Tents · 2,857 m
- Day 3Guling → KhularaTo the base camp5 km · about 3 h🛏️ Tents · 3,390 m
- Day 4Khulara → Kuari Pass → KhularaAcclimatisation walk11 km · about 7 h🛏️ Tents at Khulara
- Day 5Khulara → Pangarchulla → KhularaStart at 3 a.m.14 km · 12–14 h🛏️ Tents at Khulara
- Day 6Khulara → Tugasi → JoshimathDown through the forest8 km · 3–4 h🛏️ Guesthouse in Joshimath
- Day 7Joshimath → DehradunThe drive home295 km · about 10 hTrip ends
Stories and nature
Under the giants
Joshimath's Kalpvriksh
Joshimath has a mulberry tree called Kalpvriksh, said to be 1,200 years old, with the Narsingh Temple and Shankaracharya Math nearby. In 2024 the Centre approved renaming the tehsil Jyotirmath.
Two faces of one slope
In spring the boulder field is buried under snow. In autumn it melts away and leaves boulders with big gaps between them.
When to go
Spring or autumn
Bikat runs two seasons with very different summits.
March–April
Snow from Khulara up, and camping in snow. The boulders are buried.
Oct–Dec
Mostly rock with hard snow patches. Days 5–15 °C, down to −5 °C higher up.
Summer
Bikat does not list summer batches.
New Year
Amar Ujala reported over a foot of snow at Kuari Pass at New Year 2024.
Plan your trip
Getting to Joshimath
Joshimath is a full day by road from Dehradun.
- Dehradun🚌 295 km, about 10 h
- Joshimath🚙 13–14 km, about 45 min
- Tugasi
Direct buses also run from Haridwar and Rishikesh. Dehradun has the nearest airport.
Cost
Bikat Adventures charges ₹13,400 + 5% GST from Joshimath. Dehradun transport is ₹3,000 extra.
Medical
ID proof and a medical certificate are required. The check-up at Joshimath hospital is ₹300.
Grade
Difficult (BRS 5). Bikat asks for at least one earlier BRS 4 trek.
Altitude sickness
Summit day gains about 1,200 m. Tell your leader about any symptoms, and turn back if they get worse.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
Bring cash
Joshimath has the last ATMs, and they can run out of cash. Draw what you need in Rishikesh. Trekkaro
Phone signal
Good signal up to Guling, the first camp, then patchy. You may get some on the summit. Bikat Adventures
Charging
Joshimath is the last charging point. Carry a power bank of 20,000 mAh or more. Himalayan Dream Treks
Drinking water
Carry 2 litres a day. There is no water on summit day, so take an insulated bottle. Trekkaro
Stays
Guesthouse in Joshimath, then tents at Guling and Khullara, three to a tent. Trekkaro
Offloading
Bikat charges ₹2,000 to have your backpack carried for the trek. Bikat Adventures
By bus
UTC, Vishwanath Seva and Himgiri buses leave Rishikesh and Dehradun's Parade Ground early in the morning for Joshimath. Himalayan Dream Treks
Insurance
Trekkaro makes insurance with high-altitude and evacuation cover mandatory. Trekkaro
Rescue
The team carries you down to the road head, then a car takes you to a hospital. You pay, unless insurance covers it. Bikat Adventures
What to pack
Your checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your ticks stay saved on this device. Items with a red price can be rented.
Clothing
Shoes
Gear
Papers and money
Health
List from Trekkaro: Pangarchulla things to carry.
Rent or buy
Where to get gear
Many operators lend tents, sleeping bags and spikes. Ask yours before you rent.
Dehradun before you leave
DecathlonBuy · thermals, socks, fleece, gloves, torch, polesPlot 1591, Haridwar Bypass Road · Website
Himalayan Dream TreksRent · shoes, jackets, bags, trek pants, ponchos, poles, torches, power banks, gaiters10 B Mothorowala Road, Dharampur · +91 80896 93825 · Website
Shop details are from each shop's own page. Phone to confirm prices and stock.
Who runs it
Choose an operator
We found 5 operators with a Pangarchulla page in October 2026. Himalayan Dream Treks shows only last spring's months, so its price may be out of date.
Prices are base prices from each operator's own page (October 2026); most add 5% GST. Ratings are what each operator shows, not an independent audit. Names marked † show last season's price or one seen only in a search snippet.