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The Himalayas may be just mountains to the world but for those living cradled in the lap of the mighty Himalayas, the mountains are deities. Not just mountains, but the earth, the trees, and rivers are worshipped by the Himalayan folk for centuries. Such elements have formed the very core of their spiritual beliefs from time immemorial. It is this same attitude that should be adopted by those wanting to embrace the mountains. A trekker should never want to conquer a mountain or a route but be humbled in the presence of spirituality and an all-pervasive peace that flows everywhere.
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| pic-credit-Pushkar Chatterjee |
If
there is one trek that can truly fulfil the desire of being one with the
mountains, it is the Bagni Glacier Trek in Uttarkhand gives you a real feel of
being among mountains. The Bagni Glacier Trek is a moderate one that takes you
on locations used by seasoned mountaineers giving you the feel of being in the
Everest Base Camp and within seemingly arm’s length away from the Changbang massif
and in the mighty presence of Mt Dronagiri.
The Bagni
Glacier Trek gives you the best opportunity to view Mt Dronagiri.
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| Pic courtesy -Raj Kumar Khosla |
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| Peak 6635-pic credit -Purnima Ghosh |
Mt
Dronagiri shares a mythological connection with the epic Ramayana that
describes how Lord Hanuman picked up the entire mountain (since he could not
identify the herb and brought it to the battlefield to save Rama’s brother,
Laxman’s life
Dronagiri Village [3615 m]
The
legendary Dronagiri village is named after the great Guru of the Mahabharata,
The guru Dronacharya who was a great warrior, scholar and mentor of both the
Pandavas and the Kauravas, the warring cousins of the Mahabharata. It is
believed that Dronachaya meditated here
for several years and later attained enlightenment and earned fame as a
renowned ascetic figure and gifted warrior.
From time immemorial, Dronagiri has been the home of the Bhotias of Chamoli Garhwal, aborigines of nomadic lineage with a proud cultural past. Before 1962 the Bhotias were mainly engaged in cross border trade with Tibet, bringing salt, the most essential ingredient, fine silks pashmina wool, and expensive metals such as gold, silver, precious gems and stones to trade them for food grain, jaggery, sugar and clothes. Animals like horses, mules, goats and donkeys were the key source of transportation and the trade was fully based on the barter system.
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| pic credit-Purnima Ghosh |
From time immemorial, Dronagiri has been the home of the Bhotias of Chamoli Garhwal, aborigines of nomadic lineage with a proud cultural past. Before 1962 the Bhotias were mainly engaged in cross border trade with Tibet, bringing salt, the most essential ingredient, fine silks pashmina wool, and expensive metals such as gold, silver, precious gems and stones to trade them for food grain, jaggery, sugar and clothes. Animals like horses, mules, goats and donkeys were the key source of transportation and the trade was fully based on the barter system.
The Bagni Glacier
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| Mt Purbi Dronagiri Pic credit-Raj Kumar Khosla |
The
trail to Bagni Glacier starts from Jumma, 45km from Joshimath and Joshimath is
278 km from Hardwar accessible by road; it takes 4 and ½ day of climbing to
reach Rishikund top passing through Ruing (2542m) and Dronagiri village (3415m).
Its scenic beauty keeps growing as you climb higher and higher along the Bagni-Ganga
also known as Dunagiri Gaad.
All
the way to the Rishikund Top you get to see different peaks, and finally, find
yourself at the “ Back Door” or Northern wall of Devi Sanctuary which comprises
of peaks Dunagiri(7066m), Changbang(6,864m), Kalanka(6931m), Safminal (6911m)
and Rishi Pahar (6992m).
Bagni
Glacier Trek technical details
Grade – moderate
Best season – May – June – July &
September – October – November
Highest point – 4130 m.
Highlights – The tribal culture of
the Bhotias and the Rongpas. The spectacular close-ups of the series of Dronagiri peaks with mount
Changabang.
Destinations covered – Hardwar – Rishikesk –
Joshimath – Dronagiri villagee – Bagni Glacier and Changbang BC.
Duration - 7 night/ 8 day
Complete Itinerary
for Bagni Glacier Trek
Day 1: Haridwar / Dehradun –
Joshimath 268 drive, 8 hrs o/n hotel.
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| Devprayag-confluence of Alaknanda and Saraswati-as the birthplace of the Ganga. |
You
will get to see the 4 major sacred prayags (confluences of the rivers that end
in the creation of the Ganges), stunningly carved valleys of the Ganga and
Alaknanda rivers and spiritual towns of Haridwar and Rishikesh.
Day 2: Joshimath – Jumma (2578 mt), drive 45 km, 2 hrs, -
Ruing (2542 m), trek 3, 2 hr camp
In the morning after breakfast, drive to Jumma.
On the way, visit Adi Guru Shankracharya Cave and Kalpvriksha (a 2500 yrs old
mulberry tree perched on an equally old Shiva temple.) Further drive will take into Dhauli Ganga
valley the origin of Chipko Movement (an environmental conservation movement,
triggered by Late Mrs Gaura Devi). Reaching at Jumma, an easy trek takes you to Ruing
village, a small tribal settlements of some 10 houses. Lunch will be packed.
Day 3: Ruing to Dronagiri Village
(3415 m) , trek 7 km, 5 hr camp.
Today’s walk goes through some lovely patches of tall Deodar and pine forests, The route will be an ascending and descending one along the Bagni Ganga, offering an inspiring close view of Lampak 1, 2 and 3 peaks during entire walk. The last part of the trek is a difficult steep climb, negotiating through bolder and loose sandy route until Dronagiri but soon the graceful sight of the scenic old village of Dronagiri. Breakfast in camp and lunch packed.
Today’s walk goes through some lovely patches of tall Deodar and pine forests, The route will be an ascending and descending one along the Bagni Ganga, offering an inspiring close view of Lampak 1, 2 and 3 peaks during entire walk. The last part of the trek is a difficult steep climb, negotiating through bolder and loose sandy route until Dronagiri but soon the graceful sight of the scenic old village of Dronagiri. Breakfast in camp and lunch packed.
Day 4: Dronagiri village – Langatoli
(3515 m) trek 7 km, 5 hrs camp.
A moderate climb takes you through alpine meadows, flocks of sheep and goats and today you have a good chance to wildlife as mountain goats and blue sheep. Breakfast in camp and lunch packed.
A moderate climb takes you through alpine meadows, flocks of sheep and goats and today you have a good chance to wildlife as mountain goats and blue sheep. Breakfast in camp and lunch packed.
Day 5: Langatoli (3515 m)– Bagni Glacier Base camp, (4130 m)
trek 10 km , 5 hrs camp.
The walk begins with encountering, running glacial water bodies, moraine, loose dead glacier and bony ridges that all effortlessly offer an awe-inspiring view of the vast expanse of sky kissing snowcapped mountains and glacial lakes. Breakfast in camp and lunch packed.
Day 6: Bagni Base Camp – excursion -
Changbang BC (4268m) and back Sem khark 15 km, 7 hrs, camp.
Today
you are advised to start early with a packed breakfast, especially if you want
to catch the rewarding sight of early light on the peaks and blue glacial
lakes. If you got guts, an endeavoring step will see you exploring further
deeper into gorge towards the foot of the Changbang massif, the highest one in
area. Later trek down to Sem Khark.
Day 7: Sem Khark - Jumma road head –
Joshimath, trek back 6 hr, drive 45 km, 2 hr hotel.
This
will be again the same route down to Jumma Road via Ruing, where your the pre-arranged vehicle will be waiting to drive for Joshimath.
Day 8:
Joshimath – Haridwar / Dehradun airport
and final departure.
Morning take an early wake up and
drive for Dehradun Airport. This entire journey will take 9 hours.
Peaks visible during Bagni Glacier Trek
The
Bagni Glacier trek should never be missed because it is an ideal one even for
beginners who want to get as close as possible to the mighty towering Himalaya.
If you want to know more about this trek contact Lammergier Himalayan Experience.
Peaks visible during Bagni Glacier Trek
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| Pic credit-Raj Kumar Khosla |
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| Pic Credit Raj Kumar Khosla |
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| Pic credit-Raj Kumar Khosla |
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| Pic credit-Raj Kumar Khosla |
Publisher
Note: My experience with Lammergier Himalayan Experience was an excellent one when I went with them on
the Pangarchulla trek. Friendly and helpful guides and small groups made a
perfect environment that culminated in a trekking experience that I will
remember for a lifetime.
Post: Ajay Rawat
Pic credits: Ajay Rawat, Purnima Ghosh, Pushkar Chatterjee, Raj Kumar khosla
For more details on the Bagni Glacier Trek contact Lammergeir Himalayan Experience
For more details on the Bagni Glacier Trek contact Lammergeir Himalayan Experience