Where the River Begins
Up the Pindar valley, village by village, to the foot of the glacier where the river starts. Our longest walk, and the one that asks the most.
The Pindari trail follows a river back to the ice it comes from. You walk through the last villages of the valley, then forest, then open moraine, until the glacier stands in front of you at around 3,600 metres.
Stays on the trail are simple: village homestays, rest houses or tents, depending on the season and what is open. We keep the days unhurried so the walking stays a pleasure.
Day by day
Day one, Oakakhi
Arrive in Ranikhet. A slow evening, the forest at dusk, and a briefing at the fire.
Day two, to Khati
Drive north through Bageshwar to the roadhead, then walk to Khati, the last village on the trail.
Day three, Khati to Dwali
A long, beautiful day along the Pindar river through forest to Dwali, where two valleys meet.
Day four, Dwali to Phurkia
A short day on purpose. The altitude starts to matter, so we give it time.
Day five, to the glacier
The big day. Up to Zero Point at the foot of the Pindari Glacier, time there, and back down to Dwali.
Day six, Dwali to Khati
Retracing the river, with legs that know the way now.
Day seven, out of the valley
Walk out to the road and drive to Kausani for a hot shower and a night facing the Himalaya.
Day eight, homeward
Back to Ranikhet or down to Kathgodam.
From the trail
Photographs from our own walks on this route.
The trek
Pindari Glacier · Challenging · Bageshwar district. A multi-day walk up the Pindar valley through the last villages, forest and moraine, to Zero Point at the foot of the glacier at around 3,600 metres.
More about Pindari GlacierWho it suits
- Fit walkers with some trekking experience
- Anyone who wants a full week away from roads
- People who like the idea of following a river to its source
How fit you need to be
Several consecutive days of walking, one of them long. You should be in good health and able to walk six to seven hours.
Included
- Seven nights: Oakakhi, trail stays and Kausani
- All meals
- Tents where needed
- Our guide and local support staff
- All transport from Ranikhet and back
- Trek permits and forest fees
Not included
- Travel to Ranikhet
- Porter or mule for personal bags (can be arranged)
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
When to go
May and June, and September to October. The upper trail is closed by snow in winter and difficult in monsoon. We confirm the route and stays before each batch.
Before you book
Where do journeys start?
Almost every journey starts at Oakakhi Stays, our home in Ranikhet. The nearest railway station is Kathgodam, about three hours away by road. Tell us how you are travelling and we will help you plan the last stretch.
How do I book?
Message us on WhatsApp or use the enquiry form. We talk first about what you are looking for, then share dates, the full plan and how to confirm your place. No booking is final until we have spoken.
I am travelling from abroad. Can I join?
Yes, and you are very welcome. Our page for international travellers covers getting to Ranikhet from Delhi, visas, permits, seasons, money and what to pack. Prices are in rupees, with approximate US dollar prices alongside.
What happens in an emergency?
Our guides carry first aid supplies and are trained in immediate response. In a real emergency, getting you to help fast is the only priority.
Other journeys
Let’s plan a quieter kind of journey.
Tell us what you are looking for, how many of you there are and roughly when. We will help you find the right walk, sky or forest, and we will be honest if we are not the right fit.