16 Days 15 Nights Masar Tal Lake Trek Via Khatling Glacier

After breakfast and begin the trek to Kyarki Khal (pass). The trail goes through lush green meadows, waterfalls, beautiful flowers and scenic views of the surrounding peaks. We will climb up for about 2.5/3 km in the beginning, which will be followed by a descent of about 5 km. Reach Kyarki Khal. Dinner and night stay at the camps.

After breakfast, trek to Parital via Kyarki Bugyal. Several ridges will come in our trekking route. The Kyarki meadow looks yellow in summer as the tall grass cover changes its colour. Reach Parital. Pari means fairy and Tal means lake. As per a legend, in Satyug, when the gods used to wander in this area, fairies would try to please them by dancing near the lake. That is why the lake is called the Parital (Fairy’s Lake). Lake is small and simple but it is enveloped with beautiful natural scenery. Dinner and night stay in the tents.

After  breakfast, start the trek towards Sahasratal via Taddiudyar with packed lunch. First part of the trek involves ascending for about 2.5/3 km, followed by a downhill trek of some 4/4.5 km. Reach Sahasratal (‘thousand lakes). The enchanting lake located on the western end of Khatling glacier looks divine. Besides its own beauty, the lake also provides a great panoramic view of the Himalayan peaks and glaciers (such as Jogin group, Meru and Kriti Stambh glaciers). Dinner and night stay in tents.

Set out to Kalyani in the morning after breakfast along with a packed lunch. Sahasratal is perched on the mountain while Kalyani is situated in a valley. We need to climb down through a trail which includes a ridge, possessed by dense forest. It is very difficult to find one’s way over here, without a professional guide it is easy to get lost. Reach the base camp. The camp site is small and the ground is uneven, but it can accommodate about 20 tents if the space is fully utilized. Water source is located close to the camps. Night stay in the tents.

Start the trek towards Kharsoli passing through Biroda with packed lunch. Way towards Kharsoli passes through small meadows and clusters of stunted trees of rhododendron and birch. Various kinds of flowers will welcome you all along the route. Kharsoli used to be a very beautiful meadow, but now it has been strewn with boulders. Once a stream changed its course and started to flow through the middle of the meadow. The stream dried but left its bad marks in the form of boulders. The camps are pitched over an irregular surface on a ridge top at Kharsoli. Dinner and night stay in tents.

Begin the trek towards Tambakund with packed lunch. Various glacier-fed streams can be seen all through the trek. The trail goes through meadows and dense vegetation. On the opposite side of the valley one can see steep sloped mountains with several streams and waterfalls. Coming to the river bank, we start our upward climb. While going up, at one side will be a lofty mountain and at the other a tall ledge. The ascent continues, and after some time appear land-slide hit, tree-less mountains in the way. We need to tread very carefully over this area after which we will reach our destination – Tambakund. Dinner and night stay in tents.

Get on a 3 km trek to Khatling Glacier along with packed lunch. One can go only up to ‘Zero Point’ at the Khatling Glacier; a further trek of 500 metres can be undertaken. But for a thorough tour of the glacier one requires at least 2 days. Climb down for about 2 km till the river bank, then cross the river through a makeshift wooden bridge made by local shepherds. Every year, the monsoon sweeps away the bridge and a new one is constructed in its place, without any government help. After an ascent of 2/2.5 km we reach Chowki which is a pleasant meadow with green grass and wild flowers. The legendary flower ‘Bhrama Kamal’ is also found here. Several sheep would be seen here along with their shepherds. Chowki comes under the Kedarnath National Park. Dinner and night stay in tents.

Start the trek to Masar Tal in the morning. The trail will remain uphill till we reach our campsite. As a consolation, the vistas of the surrounding peaks and Khatling Valley will get better as we advance in our trek. The bluish-green Bhimtal Lake can also be seen beautifully gleaming below. Doodhganga River flows from the glacier, appearing just like its name suggests, as white as milk! Going further, Khatling Glacier comes to view. A small area is chosen for setting up of the camp near the Masartal. Dinner and night stay in tents.

Begin for Vasuki Tal via Mayali Pass (5,400 metres). Mayali glacier needs to be crossed to reach Painya Tal and Teen Tal. The lakes are about 1 km apart from one another, but bring a difficult terrain filled with boulders and loose moraine. Vasuki Tal comes after these two lakes. Vasuki Ganga originates from Vasuki Tal and later merges with Mandakini at Sonprayag. Camp will be set by the side of the picturesque Vasuki Lake, which has got snow-covered mountains as its backdrop. Dinner and night stay in tents.

Start a downward trek to Kedarnath along with a packed lunch. Only the initial 2 km till Vasuki top involves a steep climb, after that the rest of the 6 km consists of continuous descent which concludes near the Kedarnath Bazaar. From Vasuki top one can distinctively see the Kedarnath Peak, Kedarnath Temple, Meru Parvat, Sumeru Parvat and Manda parbat. Kedarnath Temple is the abode of Lord Shiva and one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. The structure of the temple, being constructed at such a great height, is absolutely brilliant. Dinner and overnight stay in TRH (Tourist Rest House)/guest house.

After breakfast climb down towards Gaurikund with a packed lunch. Gaurikund is believed to be the place wherein Goddess Parvati (or Gauri) meditated to win Lord Shiva as her husband. In Gaurikund one can visit the famous temple dedicated to Goddess Gauri. Drive towards Rudraprayag. Dinner and night stay in hotel/ TRH.

In the morning, take a holy bath at the confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini at Rudraprayag. After breakfast, start the drive towards Haridwar. Board the evening AC train for Delhi. Reach Delhi at 22:45 hrs.