Maximum Altitude
16,200 ft.
Trek Duration
7 Night / 8 Days
Trek Distance
60 Km
Difficulty Level
Difficult
Start/End Point
Prince Chowk, Dehradun
Nearest Airport
Jollygrant Airport, Dehradun
Best Season
May- June / Sep - Oct
Accomodation
A night in hotel room & during trek in dome styled tent
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, evening snacks and dinner
Permits
Forest Department & Trekking permit
Temperature
5°C to 15°C (Day) , 0°C to -15°C (Night)
Snow
December to February
The Bali Pass is a high altitude trek in the Himalayas that reaches a massive 16,200 ft. It connects two beautiful valleys Supin and Vaitarni offering a thrilling experience between the high mountain peaks. This 60 km trek lies within the Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and runs from the small village of Sankri to the holy shrine of Yamunotri. This trek features a dramatic transverse between dense conifer forests at lower elevations and high alpine glacial environment near the top. The Bali Pass Trek can be geographically identified by three landmarks: the ancient wooden heritage village of Osla, the beautiful glacial lake of Ruinsara Tal (3,500m) and the three towering massifs – Swargarohini (6,252m), Bandarpoonch (6,316m) and Kalanag (6,387m). This trek is classified Level 4 due to its severe technical challenges, including the crux – a knife-edge ridge traversing from a high point to steep slope covered with loose scree and permanent snowbeds with a vertical slope of 60 degrees. This is one of the few long-distance treks that results in nearly a 1,000m vertical descent in a single afternoon; therefore, micro-spikes, trekking poles, and a high level of physical fitness are recommended to complete this trek successfully. The trek also provides a unique connection between the tribal lifestyle found in the Har Ki Dun Valley and the spiritual significance of the Char Dham shrines.
The Bali Pass Trek features an uncommon scenery of mythological significance, technical skill levels and geographical movement. This is one of the toughest high altitude bridges between two important cultural landmarks: The Tons Valley (cultural) and Yamuna River (spiritual). This is a more detailed account of why the trek to Bali Pass would be considered one of the most unique treks in the Indian Himalayas:
1. A Grand Crossover:
The majority of treks are found to be in a circular design. Bali Pass is a linear crossover, as you start at the lush tribal region of Sankri and end at the sacred pilgrimage site of Yamunotri, allowing for never having the same scenery twice along the route. You will witness the full transition from the dense forests of Govind Pashu Vihar National Park that are populated with blue pine and silver birch trees, to the high alpine glaciers of Upper Garhwal, to the steep and rocky gorges of the Vaitarni Valley.
2. Unmatched Proximity to Garhwal Giants:
Trekkers on popular treks such as Kedarkantha and Har Ki Dun get to see the peaks from a distance, but on Bali Pass, you will trek to the base of these peaks.
3. The Mythological Legend:
This trek is the Path of Pandavas, and locals say that it is the path followed by the five brothers and their wife – Draupadi – to their final destination: Heaven. Also, your path will take you through the village of Osla and past a temple. The entire town of Osla is composed of large wooden structures that have been connected with large interlocking beams of cedar wood; these buildings provide you with a window into ancient Himalayan architectural style.
4. Technical Terrain:
The technical challenge of the Bali Pass is what sets it apart from other passes and makes it so unique; it has one element that takes it to another level and that is the crux -the descent from the pass to Yamunotri being a 60 degree convex slope that is almost straight down. In early summer this descent is a steep snow bank with inclined angles which would require the use of ice tools or micro spikes to assist in traversing. In the fall, this descent is nothing but a loose rock slope where every step will create a mini avalanche effect produced by the release of loose stones on the slope below you. In one sense, this is the most adrenaline-pumping part of trekking that isn't mountaineering.
5. The Solitude of Ruinsara Tal:
This is a trek to the remote Ruinsara Tal located at a high altitude of 3,500 m. Ruinsara Tal is a remote spot far away from the overcrowded campsites of more popular trekking routes. In the summer months lakes are often adorned with beautiful alpine flowers with large boulders lying all around it, giving the feeling of being at the end of the world. Ruinsara Tal is the calm pre-cursor to the intense and jagged landscape of the Bali Pass that each trekker must traverse.
6. The Temple of Yamunotri:
Many treks usually conclude with a road-head, however, when you trek to Bali Pass, your trekking adventure will conclude in place of major significance, namely the Yamunotri Temple, one of four temples along the Char Dham circuit. This place marks the end of seven days of tough terrain by providing such high levels of spiritual energy. In addition to the spiritual aspect of your trekking, you can also take advantage of the hot springs found at this site to help soothe and heal your entire body after all of your hard work. This is truly a great experience and one that may be hard to duplicate on subsequent treks.