FACHUKANDI PASS TREK
The Fachukandi Pass Trek serves as a connecting route between Sankri and Yamunotri Valley. The Trek ends at Janki Chatti after crossing several passes, lakes and ridges. The journey of the Fachukandi Pass Trek includes other popular treks like the Saru Tal Trek, Phulara Ridge Trek and the Kedarkanta Peak (if one has time). It is one of the most unique treks in the Himalayas, as most parts of this trek are less populated. Therefore, it is a great opportunity for people seeking solitude but also want to explore many places in a short time. The trek is graded as moderately difficult; therefore, the trekkers should focus on their fitness before the trek. It can be approached for both beginners and experienced trekkers.
There are many other factors, other than the natural beauty, which make the Fachukandi Pass Trek a memorable one. There are many varieties of flowers and plants which providemedicinal value and also offer several commercial opportunities to the locals. The small settlements and the Garhwali people are also pleasing for the trekkers. You can learn a lot from them about the local cuisine, attire, folk music and prevalent folklore.
Itinerary
After you reach Dehradun, the Discovery Hike Team will pick you up for the Sankri Village, which is the base camp for the Fachukandi Pass Trek. The road will take you through the beautiful city of Mussoorie and the majestic Kempty Falls. Purola is the last major settlement with a large market. The trekkers can choose to buy something if needed or freshen up along the way. Make sure to have enough cash with you in case of an emergency. Mori is the last place to have an ATM on the way to Sankri. The Tons River shows you the way as it travels along the twisty mountain roads for the most part. The Kedarkanta Peak can also be witnessed from different parts of the journey, which can be quite overwhelming for many trekkers. We will reach Sankri by evening. Tea and snacks will be served after we arrive. After talking to the locals about the trek, we rested at the guesthouse for the night.
You might be excited today, as we will start our trek after finishing breakfast. After leaving Sankri, we trek for 1 km to reach the Saud Village. After crossing the village, the trail becomes steep towards Juda ka Talab, which is our destination for the day. We also have a few streams along the way before reaching there. The camping location can be at Juda ka Talab or a little ahead. It is decided by the Discovery Hike Team Leaders. The trail from Juda ka Talab diverges in two directions – one towards the Kedarkanta and the other towards Phulara Ridge. We will take the Phulara Ridge trail and pitch our tents there. You can capture amazing photographs of the diverse flora and fauna along with the majestic peaks in the backdrop.
This day will be full of a lot of experiences. As you start our journey towards Bhoj Gadi, we will come across alpine forests full one pine trees. As we keep moving for the next 2 km, we will witness a stream with a broken bridge. We catch a short breath here, and after filling out water bottles, we start our journey again. After about 30 minutes, we reach a point from which the Phulara Ridge is visible. If the trekkers have time, they can choose to reach the Kedarkanta Summit after crossing the Phulara Ridge. After crossing the ridge, we take a gradual ascent towards Bhoj Gadi. We stay at the Bhoj Gadi campsite for the night. Make sure to spend enough time outside the camp, as you move higher, to get acclimatised well.
Trek from Bhoj Gadi to Pushtara Meadows via Phulara Ridge Trek, 7 km, Time: 5 hrs (12450 ft)
After breakfast, we start our journey towards Rateri. This day is primarily kept for acclimatisation and therefore, it is a short day. We walk at a comfortable speed, appreciating the creation of nature along the way. It takes around 3 hours to reach the Rateri campsite. We spend time outside the camp more often to get acclimatised well. Follow the instructions of the Trek Leaders as they tell you about the challenges during the coming days and the steps to be taken.
The trek from Rateri to Saru Tal is short but can be challenging because of its altitude and low oxygen. The alpine lake is extremely beautiful because of its solitude and thesurrounding ridge on one side. The place is home to many animals like the snow leopards, blue sheep, Himalayan Monal and many more. The trekkers can also witness wildflowers during the summer months. The environmental rules are quite strict here, so make sure not topollute the Saru Tal campsite. We spent the night here.
Finally, the much-awaited day arrives when we start our journey for the Summit. It is a short distance from Saru Tal, but the trail is steep, so follow the instructions of the Discovery Hike Team Leaders. They will guide you through this strenuous part safely. The trekkers are welcome with a breathtaking view of the mountain ranges, covered in snow. It is not the end of today, as we have to reach Leka Dogri. The descent is mostly gradual, but there are some steep sections as well. We have lunch along the way and spend the night at the Leka Dogri campsite.
We start our journey towards the Hanuman Chatti. We might be overwhelmed with a lot of emotions as the trek is coming to an end. You start missing the locals, the culture, and all the moments spent with the team members of the Discovery Hike. It is a 2-hour descent, and after reaching Hanuman Chatti, the team will drop you off at Dehradun or your preferred location (as per the package).
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Transportation: Transport will from Dehradun to Sankri
- Accommodation: Stay from Sankri Base camp is included. Accommodations include a guest house or permanent camp at Sankri and camping tents at the campsites, all on a triple-sharing basis.
- Meals: All meals from afternoon snacks at Sankri on the Arrival Day to breakfast on the Last Day are included. We provide simple, nutritious, and healthy food daily on the trek. *Note: Meal variety is subject to change, depending on the availability.
- Permit: Forest permit charges are included.
- Tent & Sleeping Bag: Quality tents, mattresses, and sleeping bags are provided in the camps, along with a liner.
- First Aid Kits: Carried by our trek leaders and guides. Emergency medical issues are addressed with utmost care.
- Adept Trek Leaders and Team Members: Our local Himalayan team includes professional trek leaders with mountaineering qualifications and familiarity with the local terrain. The team also includes well-trained guides, cooks, and helpers.
Cost Excludes
- Backpack Offloading Charges: An additional charge of Rs-500/- per bag per day for offloading, with a maximum weight limit of 10 kg per backpack.
- *Note: Suitcases/trolleys/duffel bags are not allowed. Offloading during the trek is subject to prior arrangement.
- Stay & Unplanned Transport: Accommodation in Sankri or any unplanned transportation, which is not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Personal Expenses: Any kind of personal expense is not included in the cost.
- Rescue Cost: Expenses for any trekker needing to be sent back or rescued.
- Others: The Fachukandi Pass Trek excludes transportation, personal gear, insurance, unforeseen expenses, transit meals, tips, and additional services like mules or porters.