Bali Pass Trek in Uttarakhand

On Day 1 of the Bali Pass trek, our journey will commence from Dehradun, which is a perfect starting point for those seeking treks near Delhi. We will embark on an 8-hour, 190 km scenic drive that will take us through several beautiful villages in Uttarakhand, including Damta, Purola, Mori, and Netwar, while driving alongside the Tons river. Finally, we will reach the base camp of Sankri, which offers stunning views of the Greater Himalayan peaks, including the Bali Pass. As there is no mobile network in Sankri, we can relish the serene beauty of the surrounding mountains during the sunset without any distractions. We will spend the night in comfortable hotels or homestays in Sankri to recharge our energy for the adventure that lies ahead.

We begin our second day by heading to Taluka from Sankri, a journey that takes approximately an hour by car. Our trek begins with a stony path that runs alongside the Supin river, affording us stunning views of the red-hued Himalayan crop amaranth or cholai plantations. The pleasant walk is complemented by the shade of walnut, pine, deodar and maple trees, with friendly villagers greeting us along the way.
We cross a few streams and catch a glimpse of Gangad village across the river on the left, before continuing on our hike. After about an hour, we arrive at Osla, a charming village of around 200 families that is well-known among trekkers. Here, we can immerse ourselves in the Garhwali culture before proceeding to Seema, a small settlement located on the opposite side of the river. We can choose to set up camp in Seema or opt to stay with a local family in a nearby hut.

Trek from Seema (2,560 m) to Roiltia or Waterfall camp (3,350 m) | Trek 13 km; 6 hrs
Leaving the last of human settlements behind, we continue along the true left of the valley along the river Supin. Supin merges with Rupin near Netwar village to form Tons, which is the biggest tributary of river Yamuna. An ascend through deodar trees leads us to a beautiful meadow – Devsu Thatch. This 1km expanse of green land is set against the looming Swargarohini ranges. We can also see Kalanag (Black Peak) (6387m) straight ahead. On our left, we can see Har Ki Dun Valley. At its bottom lies the confluence of the Har Ki Dun and Ruinsara rivers.

After descending from the meadow, we enter the Ruinsara valley. At the end of today’s trek, we camp beside the stream close to the waterfall locally known as Roiltigad or Roiltia.

On day 4, we will hike towards one of the most anticipated destinations of the Har Ki Dun trek - Ruinsara Tal, a high-altitude lake nestled in the midst of Rhododendron trees. During the 2-hour hike, we will notice a remarkable change in vegetation, as we move from pine and fir trees to birch and rhododendron trees. This thick forest is home to the rare Himalayan brown bear, which we might spot if we are lucky. The highlight of the day is the beautiful alpine tarn, Ruinsara Tal, surrounded by lush pink-blooming Rhododendrons. Considered one of the sacred lakes in Uttarakhand Himalayas, Ruinsara Tal is among the trio of lakes in the Garhwal region, the other two being Marinda and Maldaru. We will be spending the night camping near the lake.

On day 5, we will take a break from trekking to acclimatize ourselves to the altitude before heading to Bali Pass base camp the next day. Ruinsara Lake, at an altitude of around 3500 m, provides an ideal location for acclimatization. The crystal-clear lake is surrounded by alpine vegetation and rhododendron bushes, which make for a breathtaking view. The river Supin flows 100 meters below the lake, next to a ridge.
During this rest day, we can indulge in various activities like playing games with our fellow trekkers, reading a book or simply enjoying the serenity of nature. We can also explore nearby places like the Banderpunch glacier or Kyarkoti, which is the base camp for Kalanag and Dumdar Kandi Pass.
We will return to our campsite by the evening, all refreshed and ready for the next day’s trek.

On this day, we have a long journey ahead and therefore, start early in the morning to reach our destination, Bali Pass Basecamp, before afternoon. We begin by descending to the river bed, crossing it, and climbing up the opposite bank to reach the Thanga meadow. This area offers breathtaking views of the Swargarohini ranges and the Kyarkoti valley on the left.

After a while, we arrive at Odari, a place that has a natural rock cave and an interesting mythological story associated with it. It is believed that Bali, Hanuman’s brother, had stayed here for a night. During our trek, we may also encounter the Himalayan brown bear, a rare and endangered species.

Finally, we camp at the base of Bali Pass on a glacial moraine. This is a fantastic location for a camp, with a beautiful valley below us and the Pass behind us. The temperature drops significantly at night, with sub-zero temperatures being common. Camping at such a high altitude is a unique experience that only a few treks offer.

m to reach the Bali Pass summit by 8 am. The trail leads us southwards, across a ridge, and although it is a relatively short climb to the pass, it is quite steep, with plenty of glacial scree to navigate. The time taken to reach the top varies from 45 minutes to one and a half hours, depending on our pace.

Once we reach the top, we are greeted with a stunning view of the Yamunotri valley, which is truly breathtaking. We can see the Saptrishi Kund, the origin of river Yamuna, along with the Banderpunch peaks, and the summits of Dayara Bugyal, Barua Top, and Dokrani Bamak in the distance. After taking in the panoramic view, we descend carefully via a connecting ridge and reach the camping grounds of Lower Dhamni.

From Lower Dhamni, we continue our descent through a forested trail that takes us to the renowned Yamunotri shrine.

Located against the backdrop of the majestic Bandarpunch mountain range, the temple is an important destination in the Char Dham circuit and is dedicated to the Goddess Yamuna. After seeking blessings from the deity and admiring the beauty of the surroundings, we follow the traditional pilgrim road to reach Janki Chatti, where we will spend the night in one of the guesthouses. Although we will have access to electricity, there is no mobile phone network in this area.

On the last day of our trip, we depart from Janki Chatti and drive back to Dehradun, which takes around 8 hours covering a distance of 190 km. During this journey, we can also explore some popular attractions on the way, such as Kempty Waterfalls, Nainbagh, and Mussourie. These places offer breathtaking views and add more fun to the trip. Overall, this trek and the sightseeing experience will leave us with unforgettable memories to cherish for a lifetime.