Adi Kailash
Weather :
Tags : Hills & Valleys
Timings : May-June, October-November
Time Required : 7 days
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Adi Kailash, Dharchula Overview
Adi Kailash is popularly known as Chhota Kailash. Being a replica of Mt. Kailash in Tibet within the Indian territory, Adi Kailash is immensely popular among devotees of Shiva.
Trekkers walk through this route in search of a spiritual journey to have a glimpse of Om Parvat where Sanskrit word Om take formation naturally. The entire expanse of Chhota Kailash gets beautifully reflected in Parvati Tal, on the foothill. The trek passes through Darma, Byans & Chaudans valley which offer mesmerizing views of wild flowers & fruits, beautiful waterfalls and dense forest. Being an important pilgrimage for the Hindus, the trek passes through Kutti village which is named after "Kunti", mother of Pandavas in Mahabharata.
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Difficulty Level
Difficult
Starting Point Of Trek
Dharchula
Estimated Cost
INR 38,000
General Tips and Tricks
1) Make sure you carry warm clothes along with you no matter during whichever season you are travelling in.
2) Be always prepared with your trekking gear and equipment.
3) Carrying your own medication and a good pair of shoes is a must.
4) Make sure you obtain all the permits well in advance required for trekking in the region. Inner line permit is required in the region.
5) Also, carry raingear along as weather at higher altitude changes at every moment.
6) Choose a well-qualified and professional guide and fix the rates in order to avoid any misunderstanding.
7) Carry spare batteries and film roll for the camera as there might be no electricity supply.
2) Be always prepared with your trekking gear and equipment.
3) Carrying your own medication and a good pair of shoes is a must.
4) Make sure you obtain all the permits well in advance required for trekking in the region. Inner line permit is required in the region.
5) Also, carry raingear along as weather at higher altitude changes at every moment.
6) Choose a well-qualified and professional guide and fix the rates in order to avoid any misunderstanding.
7) Carry spare batteries and film roll for the camera as there might be no electricity supply.
Trekking Route
It is a full thirteen-day trek to and fro Adi Kailash, which contains a spiritually enriching journey for trekkers and devotees alike. The highest point of the trek is at an altitude of 4700 m or 15,510 ft. Your trek starts from Dharchula which is approximately 120 Km away from Adi Kailash. Dharchula is at the height of 915 m. You can reach Narayan Ashram, by walking or you can take a jeep ride. From Narayan Ashram, trek to Sirkha which is at an altitude of 2560 m. The next day is spent walking through beautiful forests of flowering chestnut trees catching views of woodpeckers and langurs to Gala, which is at an altitude of 2440 m. From here, you climb down the famous 4444 steps to Kali river. Here onwards, you walk along Kali river cherishing the sound of waves and sights of waterfalls. After several climbs & descents, you reach Budhi at an altitude of 2680 m. After starting the next day with a steep climb to Chialekh, you pass along a beautiful narrow meadow which is hung on a flat shelf of the hillock, to destination Gunji at an altitude of 3220 m. Next, you trek for 19 Km to reach Kutti at 3600 m, through Nabhi and Bhojpatra forests. The trek to Jolingkong the next day starts with a steep climb of 3000 ft, after which Adi Kailash is in clear view. The marvellous patches of snow make the trek seem easier. If you reach early, you can visit Gauri kund and relax on the grass in front of the camp, spellbound by the serene view of Chhota Kailash. Next morning, climb the hill to Parvati Sarovar. After resting and beholding the sights offered, you can start your journey back to Dharchula. With the roar of urban life receding to the background, one finds the healing quietude of Chhota Kailas peaceful enough to be one's own listener.
Water Availability
Water is available in the guest houses along the way. It is advisable to stock up in reasonable quantities whenever a refilling option is available.
Food Availability
Dhaba food is available up along the way. You can pack essential food for the rest of the climb.
Best Time To Visit Adi Kailash
January - Lot of snow, trek not recommended
February - Lot of snow, trek not recommended
March - Lot of snow, trek not recommended
April - Late April onwards
May - Great time for trekking for nature lovers
June - Great time for trekking for nature lovers
July - Monsoon (Not Advised)
August - Monsoon (Not Advised)
September - Amazing time for trekking for adventure enthusiasts
October - Amazing time for trekking for adventure enthusiasts
November - Lot of snow, trek not recommended
December - Lot of snow, trek not recommended
February - Lot of snow, trek not recommended
March - Lot of snow, trek not recommended
April - Late April onwards
May - Great time for trekking for nature lovers
June - Great time for trekking for nature lovers
July - Monsoon (Not Advised)
August - Monsoon (Not Advised)
September - Amazing time for trekking for adventure enthusiasts
October - Amazing time for trekking for adventure enthusiasts
November - Lot of snow, trek not recommended
December - Lot of snow, trek not recommended
Sample Itinerary For Adi Kailash
Day 1: Dharchula to Sirkha - 6 Km
Take a two hour jeep ride across 44 Km to Narayan Ashram from Dharchula. Narayan Ashram is a quiet and serene place from where you can begin trekking towards Sirkha. It's a simple walk of 7 Km. Sirkha is at an altitude of 2560m.
Day 2: Sirkha to Gala - 14 Km (5 to 6 hrs)
As you start trekking from Sirkha, you climb through beautiful forests of flowering chestnut trees. It's an easy trail of 2 hours to the breakfast halt. After climbing for another hour, you shall reach Rolling Top which leads you to descent through quiet forests with woodpeckers and lots of langurs. The descent will take you 2 hours before you reach crossing the river in Simkhola village where you can stop for refreshments. As you walk ahead through a long winding climb, you reach Gala which is at an altitude of 2440 m.
Day 3: Gala to Buddhi - 21 Km (9 hrs)
The trek is long and strenuous in this part. After walking 4 km, climb down the famous 4444 steps descent to Kali river. A word of caution here - the path can become quite steep in places and the irregularly packed stones when wet due to rain, can be slippery. You can halt at Lakhanpur at the end of 4444 steps for breakfast. Here onwards, walk along the Kali river, with Nepal a stone's throw away. Be careful along the parts where the passage was too narrow. The path goes up and down a bit, and one has to be careful enough to call out when visibility is obstructed at the top of each small incline or around sharp bends. You can stop at Lamari where the yatris are treated with tea. You can stop at Malpa for lunch, where a memorial has been erected for the 1998 landslide victims. The trek onwards is filled with beautiful waterfalls. After 9 km of climbs and descents, you would be able to see Budhi at an elevation across. Go down to cross the river and climb up to reach Budhi at 2680 m.
Day 4: Buddhi to Gunji - 19 km (5 to 6 hrs)
The trek is a steep climb to Chialekh, taking between 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. The path is mostly stone packed and is like a steep ramp with steps in between. There are three rest shelters along the climb, but these shelters are unkempt. You can halt at Chiyalek for breakfast at Annapurna restaurant, a small structure capable of holding 10-15 travellers. The ITBP checkpoint lies 200 m from Chialekh. The path through Chialekh was mostly flat and was along a narrow meadow which hung on a flat shelf of the hillock between steep rockfaces both above and below the meadow. The meadow is full of beautiful flowers during spring. After a sharp descent to Gharbyang, walk a flat terrain along river Kali for about an hour to reach the lunch point at Sipti. From here, it's an easy walk to Gunji at an altitude of 3220 m. Cherish the amazing view of Annapurna peak in Nepal from Gunji, provided your luck with the weather.
Day 5: Gunji to Kutti - 19 Km (7 hrs)
The trek is smooth with marvellous views till Nabhi, after which there is a rocky patch. Walk through Bhojpatra forests across the river to reach Rampa, where you can stop for lunch at a hut, which seems like a blessing in the middle of nowhere. The final climb along the last 4 Km is populated, where you come across an ITBP post. As you go on across two gorges, you shall reach the tents of camp at Kutti at 3600 m.
Day 6: Kutti to Jolingkong - 14 km (6 hrs)
As you start trekking from Kutti, you may come across several patches of snow depending on the weather conditions. After climbing an elevation of over 3000 ft, you can marvel at the view of Chota Kailash, much before you reach camp. The trek is simple, but high altitude may cause nausea or breathlessness. You can reach Jollingkong (at an elevation of 4572 m) in 6 hours.
Start early from Kutti to reach by lunch, so that you can spend the afternoon trekking to and fro GauriKund. You can refresh and ponder over the view of Chhota Kailash while lying down on the flat in front of camp at Gaurikund.
Day 7: Jolingkong to Adi Kailash/ Parvati Sarovar - 4 Km (1 hour)
Take a two hour jeep ride across 44 Km to Narayan Ashram from Dharchula. Narayan Ashram is a quiet and serene place from where you can begin trekking towards Sirkha. It's a simple walk of 7 Km. Sirkha is at an altitude of 2560m.
Day 2: Sirkha to Gala - 14 Km (5 to 6 hrs)
As you start trekking from Sirkha, you climb through beautiful forests of flowering chestnut trees. It's an easy trail of 2 hours to the breakfast halt. After climbing for another hour, you shall reach Rolling Top which leads you to descent through quiet forests with woodpeckers and lots of langurs. The descent will take you 2 hours before you reach crossing the river in Simkhola village where you can stop for refreshments. As you walk ahead through a long winding climb, you reach Gala which is at an altitude of 2440 m.
Day 3: Gala to Buddhi - 21 Km (9 hrs)
The trek is long and strenuous in this part. After walking 4 km, climb down the famous 4444 steps descent to Kali river. A word of caution here - the path can become quite steep in places and the irregularly packed stones when wet due to rain, can be slippery. You can halt at Lakhanpur at the end of 4444 steps for breakfast. Here onwards, walk along the Kali river, with Nepal a stone's throw away. Be careful along the parts where the passage was too narrow. The path goes up and down a bit, and one has to be careful enough to call out when visibility is obstructed at the top of each small incline or around sharp bends. You can stop at Lamari where the yatris are treated with tea. You can stop at Malpa for lunch, where a memorial has been erected for the 1998 landslide victims. The trek onwards is filled with beautiful waterfalls. After 9 km of climbs and descents, you would be able to see Budhi at an elevation across. Go down to cross the river and climb up to reach Budhi at 2680 m.
Day 4: Buddhi to Gunji - 19 km (5 to 6 hrs)
The trek is a steep climb to Chialekh, taking between 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. The path is mostly stone packed and is like a steep ramp with steps in between. There are three rest shelters along the climb, but these shelters are unkempt. You can halt at Chiyalek for breakfast at Annapurna restaurant, a small structure capable of holding 10-15 travellers. The ITBP checkpoint lies 200 m from Chialekh. The path through Chialekh was mostly flat and was along a narrow meadow which hung on a flat shelf of the hillock between steep rockfaces both above and below the meadow. The meadow is full of beautiful flowers during spring. After a sharp descent to Gharbyang, walk a flat terrain along river Kali for about an hour to reach the lunch point at Sipti. From here, it's an easy walk to Gunji at an altitude of 3220 m. Cherish the amazing view of Annapurna peak in Nepal from Gunji, provided your luck with the weather.
Day 5: Gunji to Kutti - 19 Km (7 hrs)
The trek is smooth with marvellous views till Nabhi, after which there is a rocky patch. Walk through Bhojpatra forests across the river to reach Rampa, where you can stop for lunch at a hut, which seems like a blessing in the middle of nowhere. The final climb along the last 4 Km is populated, where you come across an ITBP post. As you go on across two gorges, you shall reach the tents of camp at Kutti at 3600 m.
Day 6: Kutti to Jolingkong - 14 km (6 hrs)
As you start trekking from Kutti, you may come across several patches of snow depending on the weather conditions. After climbing an elevation of over 3000 ft, you can marvel at the view of Chota Kailash, much before you reach camp. The trek is simple, but high altitude may cause nausea or breathlessness. You can reach Jollingkong (at an elevation of 4572 m) in 6 hours.
Start early from Kutti to reach by lunch, so that you can spend the afternoon trekking to and fro GauriKund. You can refresh and ponder over the view of Chhota Kailash while lying down on the flat in front of camp at Gaurikund.
Day 7: Jolingkong to Adi Kailash/ Parvati Sarovar - 4 Km (1 hour)
Have an early breakfast at Jollingkong and start the trek for the day. Climb the hill to the Sarovar and temple. Weather conditions may play foul in catching the view of Adi Kailash in the Sarovar, but the magnificence of Chhota Kailash against the blue sky doesn't reflect anyone. There is a temple near the lake, which is sometimes visited by swan-like birds. You can come back to Jollingkong and have enough time to get back to Kutti the same day after relaxing and beholding the sights on offer. The trek downhill to Dharchulla follows the same track.
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