The most exciting journey which takes you deep into the heart of the Himalayas is the Bali Pass. With its breathtaking scenic views of snow-clad peaks and valley-draped richness, it is perfect for seasoned trekkers who are looking to push their boundaries to reach there.
It is situated in the Uttarakhand region, a high-altitude trek distinguished by sheer beauty and challenging terrains. The Bali Pass trek is not for the faint of heart with a height of 16,207 feet, but the views are so spectacular that every step taken will be worth it.
The Himalayas Bali Pass trek spreads over a distance of approximately 60 kilometers and is pretty famous for a variant range of landscapes such as dense forests, any such beauty meadows, and dramatic rocky terrains.
The best time to visit the Bali Pass trek will be in May and October. In these months, the climate is relatively comfortable, and the temperature for hiking at Bali Pass trek seems pleasant.
The trekkers have to be endurance and preparation perfect as the difficulty level of the Bali Pass trek is moderate to difficult, so it’s not a trek for beginners and is taken only by experienced trekkers.
The details on the Bali Pass trek map help in planning a perfect adventure for the trekkers to make sure they do not miss any of the highlights. So, the ones eager to trek the Himalayas through Bali pass have a once-in-a-lifetime journey as easy as it is challenging.
The Bali Pass trek is a high-altitude journey that takes in the breathtaking sceneries of the Himalayas. It’s an excellent trek for adventurers seeking to test their limits and witness remote alpine meadows, snow-clad peaks, and valleys.
It lies within the Govind Pashu Vihar National Park, Uttarakhand, India. The trek starts from the village of Sankri, which is always a favorite among trekkers, and it passes over all important landmarks such as Har Ki Dun and Ruinsara Tal before finally reaching the top of the Bali Pass.
This trek may be classified as “difficult” by the standards of being steep, tricky terrains with high altitudes. The Bali pass trek difficulty level would ask trekkers to be fit and to tolerate a lot of difficult weather conditions.
The Bali Pass Trek best time is the pre-monsoon as well as post-monsoon seasons. The climate is most stable and panoramic during these seasons.
The Bali Pass Trek best time is the pre-monsoon as well as post-monsoon seasons. The climate is most stable and panoramic during these seasons.
A great adventure along the trek route in the Himalayas awaits adventure lovers who travel across the Bali pass.
Bali Pass Trek has some of the most scintillating views and experiences in the Indian Himalayas. Here are the major highlights of this adventurous journey:-
These highlights, combined with the challenging Bali pass trek difficulty level, make the trek an unforgettable experience in the Himalayas!
Bali Pass Trek preparation and essentials: Prepare a safe and enjoyable experience on the Bali Pass Trek. Below is the complete preparation guide, from gear to fitness level requirements, and safety tips, with which you will be well-prepared for the adventure.
Packing the right gear is critical in a trek. Here is an exhaustive checklist of the equipment to pack.
Bali Pass Trek is a challenging trek and requires a good level of physical fitness. Here is what one needs to know:
Base Location: Dehradun
Bali Pass Trek starts from a small village called Sankri in Uttarkashi district, at a distance of about 200 km from Dehradun. Nearest big city is Dehradun, from which train, bus, as well as flight options are available to rest of India.
As soon as you reach Dehradun, the rest of your journey would be reaching out to Sankri. It is base camp for the Bali Pass. The road distance between Dehradun to Sankri is around about 200 kilometers and takes 7–8 hours.
Now, from Sankri, you will start trekking to the gorgeous Bali Pass on well-marked trails and supported by beautiful landscapes.
Accommodation in the Bali Pass Trek is mostly camping since the route stretches through remote zones with fewer infrastructures. In the course of trekking, one would camp at Seema, Rainbasera, Ruinsara Tal, and Odari points since each of these points offers a great scenic view alongside access to water sources.
Organized trekking parties will provide tents and sleeping bags, but the solo traveler or the independent trekker will carry his tent and sleeping bag. At Taluka and Sankri, a few basic guesthouses or huts exist but these are scarce and advanced bookings are generally taken.
Meals on the trek are usually arranged by the trekking company or a local guide. They consist of simple yet nourishing food to provide energy for the physical requirements of trekking. Staple North Indian dishes include rice, chapati, lentils, and vegetables with some regional delicacies on occasion.
A packed lunch is carried for those days when you have long hours of hiking. In more remote areas, camping gear is necessary if you are trekking independently. Carry high energy snacks, including dry fruits, energy bars, and chocolates, to help your energy level.
Since this is a part of the Govind Pashu Vihar National Park, quite a few permits are required to undertake the Bali Pass Trek. These can often be obtained in advance by local trekking agencies or directly from the Forest Department office in Sankri.
Bali Pass Trek cost for permit is around ₹ 500 to ₹ 800 for Indians; however, international trekkers will have to pay extra. Do not forget to carry at least one valid ID proof as it may be needed at all permit check points.
The Bali Pass Trek falls in an eco-sensitive zone. Leave No-Trace Principles should be followed, not litter, and usage of plastics be as small as possible, and respect wildlife at all points; near villages and a sacred site, the Yamunotri Temple.
One needs to ensure that one adheres to the environment principles laid out by the locale so that the beauty of the region isn’t lost.
From Dehradun, your trek starts with a very long, scenic drive to the charming destination that is Sankri. On the way, you would pass through some of the most beautiful hill stations, such as Mussoorie, and quaint towns like Purola, which provide views of the Garhwal Himalayas. Flanking winding mountain roads, passing through dense pine forests, river valleys, and quite a few remote villages, the journey invigorates your senses and offers a feel of the beautiful state of Uttarakhand.
A base for a couple of treks such as Bali Pass, the small but very charming village of Sankri perfectly provides the setting for the beginning of an adventure surrounded in towering peaks and dense forests. Guesthouses and local shops will be there to help you ready up for what lies ahead. Once you have reached, you will either pitch camp or stay at a guest house, and for the night, acclimatize to the more elevated altitude.
You will trek from Taluka, that’s the last motorable village to a small village called Taluka. After having breakfast, you’ll start trekking and passing through thick forests, all along rivers. Thick forests will pass in between and rivers will be flowing on one side.
The beautiful trail of Taluka-Seema runs along the Supin River. You’ll walk through dense pine, oak, and rhododendron forests with wooden bridges crossing bubbling streams. You’ll cross the picturesque villages of Gangad and Osla, where you can see a traditional way of Garhwali life. At places, the trail is mostly a gradual ascent but you ascend upwards sometimes as you gain altitude.
Seema is one small village with a few huts and a good camp on the riverfront. It is the perfect place to relax after trekking for the day, accompanied by soothing sounds from the river creating a serene atmosphere.
On this day you continue trekking on the Supin River but it becomes a little trying with increasing height. Densely forested, open meadows, and beside high cliffs are some of the critical stretches. Water cascades down from the mountainside and on narrow paths with appreciable views of the valley can be seen.
The altitude picks up with the change in vegetation, and then you land at alpine meadows, dotted with wildflowers. It is cooler and fresher as you cross over to the Rainbasera campsite. The location is very secluded and beside a river of gigantic mountains. Spending one night here is peaceful and beautiful. The day is not harsh but warms up for steeper trails and higher altitudes ahead.
The trek for today will be shorter than all previous days but it has one of the most panoramic experiences on this trek of Bali Pass. The trail moves through a good mixed stretch of dense forests, alpine meadows, and rocky terrain.
As you are getting nearer to Ruinsara Tal the landscape opens up as extensively towards views of high peaks that tower around and there are stunning Swargarohini and Bandarpoonch ranges as well.
Ruinsara Tal is a high-altitude glacial lake. The grass meadows around the lake give a picturesque view, and the still waters are the reflection of the snow-capped peaks surrounding the lake.
It is a place of tranquility, best suited for spending some time gazing at the beauties of the Bali Pass Trek the Himalayas and taking rest before a big day ahead. Setting up the camp near the lake and spending the night there will be great, with mountain air being cold but crisp, making this a memorable camping experience.
This is a shorter distance trek from Ruinsara Tal to Odari, but very grueling due to the almost straight, rocky ascent. Here altitude begins to nibble at you, and air becomes pretty thin. You’re going to have to pace yourself for this journey. The route takes you through boulder-strewn paths and narrow ridges with breathtaking views of snow-clad peaks all around.
The name Odari, which means “cave,” is applied because of the cave itself, where the legendary Hanuman was said to have rested while searching for the Sanjeevani herb. What remains special about the campsite is the excellent view of the surrounding peaks and glaciers around it, which will give you a feel of how remote and rugged the terrain is.
This is the last camp before going over the Bali Pass, and will hence be an early rest with preparation for the toughest day of trekking.
This is the most challenging and yet rewarding day of the trek. You shall begin early to cross the Bali Pass with a steep climb to the top being steep and demanding, largely under snow and with such thin air at that altitude, makes the climb more trying but worthwhile as the views from atop are worth all that effort. The panoramic views of Bandarpoonch and Swargarohini and other Himalayan giants are also enjoyed from the summit.
After you spend sometime at the summit, you’ll begin to descend steeply towards Yamunotri. The route is scary and treacherous where you need to be extremely careful with each step, mainly in the snowfields. The scenery will change from high-altitude snow into alpine meadows and further into forests with the descent.
Yamunotri is one of the Char Dhams and is considered a sacred place devoted to the river goddess Yamuna. You might pitch your camp nearby and visit the sacred place and take a holy dip in the thermal springs.
On the last day of your trek, you will cover the short 6 km descend to Janki Chatti from Yamunotri where your trek actually comes to an end. The path is very well marked and is often utilized by devotees traveling to the Yamunotri temple. From Janki Chatti, board vehicles for the long drive back to Dehradun and it will be the last day of your thrilling Bali Pass adventure.
It differs between good days and cold nights, mainly during the higher altitude. One can expect temperatures ranging from 10 to -5°C. It may even get raining or snowing while on the trek.
There are no specific age restrictions; however, the participants should be above 12 years of age and fit. Children younger than this age should be accompanied by a guardian.
Certainly, as solo travelers can also undertake the trek by joining a guided group tour to ensure better safety and convenience while trekking. Independent trekking is feasible, though the individual needs proper preparation.
