Marvel Adventure–feel the excitation

BALI PASS TREK ---
GATEWAY TO THE YAMUNOTRI VALLEY

Trek Cost :

₹ 18,000 + 5% GST (Dehradun to Dehradun)

ABOUT THIS TREK

Grade : Difficult

Region : Uttarakhand

Altitude : 4950 m

Trek Distance : 55 Km

Trek Days : 8 Days

Best Season : May to June & September to November

Nearest Railway : Dehradun

Nearest Airport : Jolly Grant

The high altitude pass almost touching 5000 meters, connecting the Yamunotri valley with Har ki Doon Bali Pass touched an altitude of 4950 meters / 16240 ft. This difficult graded trek starts from Sankri Village and end is Jankichatti in the Yamunotri region. This trek not for begginers and childern, meant for the well experienced trekkers who wants to chase the high altitude dreams. This is a next level trek, the risk factor, terrain, altitude and gradient of steepness made this trek almost an expedition like. If you have done one or two moderate level treks like Goecha-La, Hampta Pass, Markha Valley this is the next challenge for you. You should choose this trek for your next level adventure in the Himalayas. This trek associates with Har-Ki-Doon & Ruinsara Lake trek. The trail goes via Ruinsara Lake campsite that is one of the campsites of Bali Pass. Despite of difficulty this trek requires only 60 kms of trek, best known for speechless views of Mt. Banndarpooch (), Mt. Swargarohini(), Mt. Black Peak. This trek only can be done in Summer and Autumn i.e. in the months of May-June and September to early November. As well as this trek is less walked so less spoiled, so the trekkers will enjoy the peaceful himalayan nature a lot. On the other hand this trek is full of drastically changing terrains, risky dengerous descending, narrow ridge ascent will blow your mind. So one need a very good physical endurance and strong mentality undertake this trek. It is the most unexplored treks in the Himalayas as less footed, that is why who wants to persue a offbeat trek. s Through this trek you can enjoy very diversity, on the initial days you passes through verdant green valleys, springs, rivers and on near the pass top point snowfield and morain,boulders are found. The view from the pass summit is so magnificent that is worth climbing it. The views of top class snow capped mountains and the thrilling high altitude climb will leave you will adventureous sheer joy. The delightful Devsu Bugiyal of Ruinsara valley welcomes you to heal your soul out of the hectic city life. The mesmerising Ruinsara Lake is like the sweet dish after the dinner. The trail goes through extravegent old ancient villages named Gangad, Osla. Experiencing their settelments is also a suprising factor in 21st centuary. The mighty Bali Pass covered under the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, and this trek takes you to the deep inside, less footed region of the National Park, so there is a big chance to spot Himalayan Black Bear, Uttarakhand’s state bird Monal, musk deers etc.

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WHY YOU SHOULD DO THIS TREK

EXPERIENCE A VALLEY TREK WITH RIVER BESIDE

The first attraction on this trek is the green valleys which is very healthy for your eyes. The Supin river will not leave you alone a single time throughout this trek. Lots of springs on the way will make your trip memorable. Taste the chilled crystal clear glacier melted water without any worry, it is safe and better than mineral waters.

FEEL THE ANCIENT TRAIL OF MAHABHARATA

According to the ancient history this trail was stepped by Pandavas after the great war of Kurukshetra in order to achieve Heaven through the peak Swargarohini. Experience the 5000 years old (renovated) Duryodhana temple, now named as SOMESHWAR DEVTA TEMPLE.

SNOW CLAD SWARGAROHINI PEAK

The mighty Swargarohini Peak is appears unobstructedly from the Bali Pass summit and base camp. The stunning view of swargarohini(6252 meters) is a very satisfying, reavels the snow look of the Himalayas. View a glaciers from the Bali Pass base camp & summit. See the 6000 meters above peaks from the top, Mt. Swargarohini. Mt. Black Peak and Mt. Bandarpooch.

THE GREEN VELVET MEADOWS

The trek is through the Har ki Doon and Ruinsara valley, the name is enough motivation to book this trek. The alpine green meadows with lots of blooming flowers will leave you spell bound. It green forests and grassy field just near your tent at our campsite is choclate in the cake. In the summer season the valley turned into lush green velvet cover. The campsites on the green bugiyals are picture perfect. We do not bring large group on the Himalayas, so the calmness doesn’t spoiled in order to give you a raw Himalayan experience.

THE ALLURING LAKE

The Ruinsara Lake in the lap of dense Himalayas are so blissful that gives you feeling of Heaven on earth. Green grass field with lots of Himalayan flowers, rivers, ice patches, springs on the way make your trek worthy, you definately feel all your hardship to achieve Ruinsara Lake comes true.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 | Arrive SANKRI

DEHRADOON is the closest Railhead and Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport for this trek. From Dehradoon/Airport drive to Sankri,230kms, 7/8 hrs. Sankri is the base village for this trek located at the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. You will be recieved by our Guide/ Trek Leader. Overnight stay in Cosy Homestay.
Altitude : Sankri village – 1950 meters/ 6 ft.

DAY 2 | Drive to Taluka & Trek to CHILLURGAD

After breakfast 11kms drive by car via a offroad jungle route, 1 hrs. Then start trek for Chillurgad, 10Kms, 5/6 hrs. Expected to reach Chillurgad campsite by afternoon. Overnight stay at Chillurgad camsite.
Altitude : Chillirgad camp – 2700 meters/ 8910 ft.

DAY 3 | Trek to RAIN-BASERA

Timings will be same, we will start trek after breakfast to Boslo, 10kms, 6/7 hrs. Expected to reach Boslo by afternoon. Overnight stay at Boslo campsite.
Altitude : Rain Basera camp – 3200 meters/ 13220 ft.

DAY 4 | Trek to RUINSARA LAKE

Same as yesterday, after breakfast start head towars the main and last point of the valley. 8kms, then take the ruinsara route and reach Rainbasera, 4kms, 7/8 hrs. We will visit the valley, spend some memorable time at the last valley point, click some pictures and trek forward to Rainbasera campsite. Overnight stay at Ruinsara Lake campsite.
Altitude : RuinSara Camp – 3500 meters/ 11550 ft.

DAY 5 | Trek to ODARI.

From Ruinsara Lake camp start early morning for Odari camp. The challenging trail starts today. 4kms, 3/4 hrs. Over night stay at Base camp.
Altitude : Odari – 4008 meters / 13,100 ft.

DAY 6 | TREK to Bali Pass Base Camp.

Today we will trek through a the most exacting trail, so be carefull and follow your Trek Leader and Guide. No water source on the way. You may find snow trails today. 3.5kms, 3/4 hrs. Stay overnight at Base camp.
Altitude : Base camp – 4678 meters / 15200 ft.

DAY 7 | Base Camp to Bali Pass Summit to Lower Damini campsite.

The D-Day has come today, get ready and prepare mentally to cross the Pass and enter The Yamunotri Valley. Steep and hard climb 1.5 kms to Bali Pass then descend down to Lower Damini camp. And oviously to experence a next level Himalayan mountain views. Climb the toughest trail and descend down through a risky trail towards lower Damini Campsite. 14kms, 10/11 hrs. Overnight at camps.
Altitude: Pass- 4950 meters & Lower Damini- 3400 meters / 11,100 ft.

DAY 8 | Lower Damini to Janki Chatti and Drive Back to Dehradoon.

Trek to the Janki Chatti by following a easy and recognisable route. 8 kms, 4/5 hrs. Reach Janki Chatti by after noon. Depart for Dehradoon by cab. 170 kms, 7/8 hrs of drive. Cab is included from us. No meals included during road journeys.
Altitude : Janki Chatti – 2600 meters / 8500 ft.

HOW TO REACH THE TREK BASE VILLAGE SANKRI

Sankri is a remote village in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. The village is only connected via road to Dehradoon and Haridwar. The Nearest Railway station is Dehradoon, by the way you can arraive via Hartidwar railway station also. Haridwar railway station to Dehradoon is 1 hour bus ride. From Dehradoon the best option is to take the Uttarakhand Roadways govt bus service. The bus leaves from the Mussourie bus stand sharp at 8:00 AM in the morning, and will reach Sankri by 5:00 PM. Two other private bus service is also there from Dehradoon ISBT leaves around 6:00 AM and 8:00 AM. If you don’t want to take the time consuming bus journey or hates it, you can definately book a cab from Airport/Dehradoon railway station (ask MARVEL ADVENTURES to book a cab). Currently a 5 to 7 seater cab charges 6000 from Dehradoon to Sankri, if the group size is 5 or more you should book a cab for better journey experience, and also it will be economical for all of you and time saving.

FINEST TIME TO EXPERIENCE BALI PASS

In peak winter in Har ki doon and Ruinsara precipitated by a good ammount of snowfall that is the reason we cannot achieve the valley and The Bali Pass. Because of heavy sonw it is nearly impossible for trekkers, porters and mules to reach the necessary campsites. So we have to wait for the snow to melt. So that Summer and Autumn is the perfect season to cross Bali Pass. As long as the altitude touches 5000 meters it is unbearable cold & huge amount of snow in winter it is very risky to do it in winter, nearly unfeasible. Har ki doon’s beauty is famous for greenaries, so the best season is Spring, Summer and Autumn. In the spring and summer the valley is full of green pine and oak trees with blossomed flowers. This two season provides you a pleasant waether to enjoy the nature, at day time temparature ranges between 20-25 degree, where as at night 10-15 degree. These days in May-June you might experience few amount of snow fallen in winter in the higher altitude camps i.e Odari and Base camp. In Autumm from September to November beauty changes to shaded trees with chattered birds, dried grasses on the bugiyals made the view saffron colored. That is also a great experience and another look of the valley. This time weather remains clear after the long rainy season with few showers, temparature ranges between 15-20 degree at day time, and 5-8 at night minimum. Sometimes goes below zero degree at the higher altitude camps.

HOW DIFFICULT IS THIS TREK

The Bali Pass trek is not a simple hike, sometimes it’s called expedition. Because of it’s hard ascend, higher altitude, risky trail. This is not for the begginers at all. You should have at least two moderate to difficult trek experiences or an 5000 meters above expedition where some mountaineering technicality you used. The trekking trail is so exhilarating and demands you to cross risky terrain and steep ascend. You must be very appropiately fit and have knowledge about high altitude treks to counter that challenge. Bali Pass is clearly a Difficult graded trek. And it is truely not for any childern below 16 years of age, not only that if your child dont have any prior moderate class trek experience above altitude 4000 meters don’t bring your child here.

TREK INCLUSIONS

TREK EXCLUSIONS

WHAT TO CARRY BALI PASS TREK

Like other treks bring all the trek gears and personal hiking gears. But the first thing you need to carry on every trek is a bit fitness and endurance. So before attempting a trek always do some Cardio and other endurance exercises to build your exercise. And in the list of hiking gears includes Rucksack, Waterproof Trekking shoes, warm layers of Jackets, Thermal Inners, Woolen and sun caps, Sunscreen(SPF 40) and toileteries, good quality waterbottle, multiple pair of socks, lighyt wieght rain poncho or jacket, warm gloves, a day pack Headlamps with extra cells, sunglasses etc. If you are checking for this trek we believe you are a pro trekker, so you know better what to bring on a trek as of previous experience. At last if you have any queries or its confusing what to carry, please feel free to contact us. Don’t overwaight your backpack, otherwise trek will seem to be very difficult.

IS THIS TREK SAFE FOR CHILDERN?

Har ki Doon is recommended for beginners and also for your childern above 12 years of age, this trek is a bit longer 11/12 kms walk on tough terrain graded as Easy to Moderate. So you and your child are recomended to come with a minimum fitness level and mental preparation. But it is totaly safe and doable for audults who brings a minimum level of fitness and endurance with strong mental stamina. The maximum altitude is 3600 meters/12000ft, the risk of Altitude mountain sickness/nausea/headach is very less if you follow the minimum guidelines to acclimatise yourself. Same for your child also, observe them and tell to drink enough water to acclimatise properly, bring enough warm clothings for them. Mounatin is all about acclimatisation, if you acclimatise properly nothing illness will touch you. Prepare your child prior, teach your child about mountains, weather, layering, acclimatisation, mountain hazards, safty guidelines and mountain illness. Any kind of dificulties will only feel when you are not following the guidelines given by our Trek Leader/ Guide to get proper acclimatisation. Till date there is no casualty on Har ki Doon trek. The altitude is not very high so the risk of attacked by AMS is very less (for your child also). Any how if you don’t feeling well, please do not hide your illness and report our guide/ Trek leader immidiately. We mountaineers always follow the golden rule to save lives or counter mountain illness Descend – Descend – Descend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Acclimatisation is the most important part of high altitude trek. Acclimatisation is the process where your body start getting cope up with mountain weather & atmosphere that is different from your hometown. This change of environment may affect your normal performance in that environmental conditions. So you need to be well acclimatise to safely do the trek. Not every time depend on the high altitude medicines to avoid AMS, go for natural acclimatisation. Otherwise your body will depend permanently on the medicines whenever you go to the high altitude. The natural acclimatisation is more powerful than medicines. We need to accept the himalayas as it is challenging. It is not that himalayas are unbeatable, but requires to follow rules and systematic approch. How do human body actually acclimatise to the high altitude? In the high altitude the air pressure gets lower so the density. That is why the molecules spreads out in more space and get apart from each other. This affects lower oxygen consume per breath. Our body reacts with that change and starts to take more breath that is hypoxia. We often called it breathlessness in laymen term. Then body try to take more breath to reduce the level of carbon dioxide in our blood. This results increase pH of blood, making our blood more alkaline and body starts urinate more for exerting of bicarbonates. On the other side the body starts to produce more hemoglobin count which are the oxygen carriers in our blood. This thickens our bloods and now our heart need to pump more to throw the blood in the distant organs hence the blood pressure gets higher. This indicates slight high pressure and pulse rate is normal in high altitude areas. There are three golden rules to acclimatisation in the field of mountaineering is –
1. Climb high sleep low
2. Ascend slowly, take your time. And do not over exert.
3. Hydrate & hydrate yourself more & more.

Our expert justified few ways to acclimatise naturally are discussed below-
At first check your itinerary. Trekking is not a game in hurry. You need time to complete. It is not anything you achieve but enjoyed. This is a sport that is away from any competition. Any trek should not be judge by time & distance. Do not over exert yourself, don’t go beyond your limits. Fix your itinerary comfortably. Do not try to cover more distance and altitude gain in one day to minimize the trekking days and cost. On the very initial days approach slowly even you are fit enough to trek faster. Take more time to gain altitude. This allows your body enough time to adjust with the atmosphere. Always bring a well hydrated body in the Himalayas and keep hydrated yourself on the trek days. Drink 3-4 liters of water every day on trek, and consume enough tea, soup, dal and other liquid includes in your meals. Do not consume any type of alcohol drinks 2/3 days before you start the trek, and also don’t on the trek. We do not allow any trekker to consume alcohol on the trek, if found he/she will be sent back then and there. We do not also advise to consume any hard drinks, too much coffee is also not good. ORS and other energy/glucose tablets are best on the trek. After arriving on trek base, trekkers may feel cold weather. But do not cover yourself fully with all of the woolen cap, muffler, neck warmer and all. Let your body to sense the atmosphere change with the sense organs. It will help in natural acclimatisation. Allow your skin to feel the cold. your ears to sense the pressure change. Keep that open while gaining altitude, unless there is a blizzard or bad weather condition. Don’t be a show off man, don’t show unnecessary bravery. Keep your body protect from cold weather. Protect your body from cold wind, cover your head at night & bad weather, cover your neck, tonsils and body tip like fingers, toes etc. Get proper sleep at night. It doesn’t mean that you should sleep at day time or in the afternoon as soon as you reach the campsite. Sleeping is important on every trek to get refresh and rest for next day trek. If you find difficulty in sleep bring immediate notice to the trek leader or guide. As you reach the trek base try to keep yourself dry, do not loose the body heat. Do not skip your soup in the evening. The garlic soup & other helps in blood circulation, keeps your body warm. You remain active on the high altitude. After reaching campsite everybody gets tired, this is normal. But do not get into your sleeping bag & take a nap. This will not help you to get acclimatise. Have some rest for a while, then explore the nearby places, go for the acclimatisation walk. You need to follow the golden rule ‘climb high sleep low’. Climb a bit higher in acclimatisation walk and get back to the campsite. You can indulge yourself in games, or can go for photography. Eat proper meals throughout the day, but lite. Not so much spicy foods, consume easy to digest foods more.
Trekking is a adventure sports, you need to bring a sportsman sprit and fitness on any trek. There is a big worry in many trekkers that how much they need to be fit for a trek. The himalayas are full of steep uphill, rough terrain, walking in the snow all these can be very challenging for trekkers specially for beginners. We will discuss here how to get fit for any trek with a complete training guide. Trek to uphill mountain is not in our daily routine so it is simple that we will find it tough to climb uphill. And with a backpack it seems very challenging. But only a month of regular exercise can make you fit for the trek. Cardio exercise is the best for pre trek exercise. Do some cardio exercise like jogging, swimming, cycling, jumping jacks etc will help you to build your endurance. Don’t forget to do some leg exercise like squats, lunges, stair climbing etc to build stamina of your legs. Now we made a routine exercise for you –
1. Cardiovascular endurance : On your trek you will constantly gaining altitude with your backpack in low oxygen atmosphere. Your heart will do more effort in this condition. So you need to go through cardio exercise at least for one month regularly to counter this constant uphill climb comfortably, infact you will find it bit easier. Jogging for 4 kms in 30 minutes is your first target for this. Start with slower jog and continue to fill the target.
2. Leg exercise : After one week of jogging add some leg exercise like squats and lunges to your routine. This exercises will build stamina of your leg that will help you on steep uphill climb. Start with 10 squats and 10 lunges of 2 set in first week. Then increase to 3 sets. Try to fulfil your target to do 3 sets of 15 each before the trek.
3. Strengthening the core : For strengthening your core body plank and hip raise are best. Do plank for 20 seconds for first three days and then start increasing by 10 seconds till 60.
Along with that do 10 hip raises 2 sets, and increase for 3 sets of 15 each. That should be the goal. So, get ready for your next adventure, make yourself fit enough to do the adventure activities.

There are three level of fitness we categorise :
Level 1 : It is the minimal fitness with that you just able to finish the trek. You struggle a bit, but not too much to do the challenging section. We find most of the trekkers with this much of fitness.
Level 2 : This is one level up fitness you bring on the trek, that you find the trek not very difficult or moderate but easy. And you can carry your own backpack easily throughout the trek. You don’t feel exhausted at the end of every day trek. You are find yourself still not tired and active after reaching the destination. You enjoy the other activity and enjoy exploring the nearby or involving yourself in some game.
Level 3 : This is the fitness we admire most & the ultimate mountaineer like fitness. The trekkers with this fitness finds trek easy for them and they are still very active after the whole day trek even with their rucksack. Not only that these people are fit enough to tolerate bad weather conditions, contribute in some work like tent pitching & kitchen activity, bringing water from nearby water source. Give a hand if other trekkers are in trouble or in some rescue operation.
Rucksack is a most important equipment on every trek & packing your rucksack is a important task for your trek. On a typical trek you need to carry your own rucksack, and if your rucksack is not comfortable to carry you will eventually start hating your backpack and also the trek. A rucksack need to be perfectly pack that it should be comfortable to carry on your back. It should not hurt you anyhow. The mordern day designed rucksacks are very light weight and have many chambers to pack seprately. A good quality rucksack have well paded for comfortable carrying in waist and shoulder. If you are planning to buy a rucksack, please keep the things in your mind and don’t forget to check the strength of rucksack and other straps.
Before you pack your rucksack go through our basic rule. This will help you to pack easily as a beginner. You just can not do every day packing and unpacking on multiple day of trek. Imagine how irritable and time consuming that will be. The A B C D E rule to pack your rucksack—

A – Accessibility = While packing your rucksack pack in such way that every thing are easily accissible for you. Use the different parts to achieve different things easily. For an example use different chambers for toileteries, different for your dry fruits and snacks, different for clothes, different for small items like gloves, socks, woolen caps etc. Keep the items at top or side pockets that you may need on the way like rain wears, sunglass, sunscreen etc.
B – Balance = Your bag need to be packed in such way that it can stand straight when you leave your backpack alone on a flat surface. The more your backpack is balanced the less it will hurt your shoulder. The weight distribution on both shoulder should be equal in order to comfortable carry.
C – Compression & Compartments = While packing your backpack compress all the cloths and the things that can be compresed. It will give you more space inside your rucksack. But remember don’t do more compress or less, do as much as it needed. Compress till it gives you more space to adjust other things. Now use more compartments or make more compartments by using different colored plastic bags, like for socks and underwear use red color plastic bags, for inner and thermal clother use yellow bag, for woolen cap & gloves use green one. It will not only give you another layer of waterproofing but also help you recognise all the different things. This will also help you to find your stuffs quickly.
D – Dry = Always keep your backpack dry from outside and inside also. Use rain cover from outside. And from inside all of your stuffs should be kept dry, otherwaise it will be more heavier than usual. Wet rucksack is not only heavier but also prone to damage, not good for rucksack maintenance. Use rain cover to protect from get wet.
E – Environment = Make a list of your stuffs that need to be packed inside the rucksack according to the environment of the trek you are going. Keep in mind the weather in that perticular month you choose to trek. Pack your backpack with stuffs you need in that weather conditions.

EXPERT’S ADVISE:
-> Always keep the heavy things in the middle of the rucksack and closer to your back.
-> The medium weight things should be kept in the lower compartments & liteweight items should be kept in top section of your rucksack.
-> Use plastic layer from inside to keep the stuffs dry.
-> Don’t forget to put rain cover from outside in rain and snow.
-> Adjust the shoulder straps to balance weight on both shoulder. Put the waist starps also to get better support and balance.
-> You can use you rucksack as a pillow inside the tent, or can rest your leg on rucksack.
Lots of trekkers are very worried about their accomodation on trek days. Wheather it gonna be comfortable or not, safe or not. Here is the answer. We have the good quality tents and sleeping bags for high altitude treks. Our mattress are very soft and thick to provide a comfortable sleep at night. But you should keep in mind that trekking in wilderness in himalayas are not any four or five star category. This is an adventure trip, if we provide a homely/hotel feeling on your trek, then there will be no adventure left for you. But obviously we will definitely provide a safe and cozy tent for your stay. Our tents are tested in bad weather conditions also. Sleeping bags are very warm to spend nights with a good sleep. And at the trek bases we arrange the best homestay available at the village. Homestays are sanitised and clean from inside. Toilets are well maintained and hygiene.
We go to the each and every trek base we organise and choose our guides on the basis of their experience, behaviour, past record, knowledge, abilities and good personality. They knows all about the routes and reacue & evacuation plans. They know how to handle in bad weather conditions. Our guides are well trained for work in the mountains, knows about the camping gears. They have years of experience in safety methods and protocols on the trek. Our guides are very happy to help and eager to serve you better. They always maintain health and hygiene. They are very friendly and make the more enjoyable for you.