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Pangarchulla peak is the trek of a lifetime for regular trekkers, mountain lovers, and thrill seekers. The magnificent views of some magical Himalayan peaks, including Nanda Devi, the second-highest peak in India, is a subtle experience bringing a sense of accomplishment to the trekkers.
And let’s not forget the absolute divinity which surrounds the summit in the form of bubbling springs, thick pine forests, rugged slopes, blooming meadows, and snowy boulders.
The summit of Pangarchulla Peak is perched at an elevation of 15,069 ft and starts from a beautiful town called Joshimath nestled in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The trek takes the visitors through the Nanda Devi National Park.
The locals usually use Garhwali and Hindi to converse with each other. However, most of them understand English, so, language is the least of all concerns for the trekkers.
Pangarchulla peak is known for its high elevation which makes it possible for trekkers to have unrestricted views of majestic Himalayan peaks, including Nanda Devi, Hathi Ghoda, Neelkanth, and Kamet.
Besides, there are several gurgling streams, misty hillsides, unexplored hamlets, and colorful meadows that have the power to heal the senses of those who touch their boundaries. Trekkers can also go sightseeing in Joshimath, Auli, Vishnuprayag, and Ghangaria, to expand their travels.
The starting point of Pangarchulla is Joshimath, which is the gateway to some famous pilgrim sites, including Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib. Joshimath, is thus, easily accessible via road from Haridwar.
One can board a train or catch a flight to Haridwar from where they can either book a cab or hop on a bus to reach Joshimath. The closest airport to Haridwar is Jolly Grant in Dehradun, and it takes about two hours to reach Haridwar from the port.
From there, one can get a Volvo or hire a private cab to reach Joshimath. It takes about 8 to 10 hours to cover the distance from Haridwar to Joshimath. The Pangarchulla trek distance from Joshimath is around 38 km and is covered less by driving and more by foot.
The private cab costs between INR 8K to 12K to reach Joshimath from Haridwar or Rishikesh. The Volvo or AC- buses charge around INR 700 to 900 to cover the distance between the source and destination station. From Joshimath, the Pangarchulla peak can only be accessed via drive or foot.
The Pangarchulla weather is usually cold throughout the year when compared to the Himalayan foothills. However, the Pangarchulla trek best time is during May and June, and then, September and October.
The Pangarchulla trek in May is probably the time when the peak is most visited since during this time, the snow is still melting while the sun is at its brightest. Pangarchulla temperature ranges from 18°C to 12°C during the day and swings between -3°C to -6°C at night during summer and autumn.
The trail to the peak was once the path for Pandavas while they journeyed to the Swargrohini mountain.
The other story is that the path was also a playground of Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
The word ‘Pangar’ literally translates to Maple and ‘Chulla’ means Chimney, and there’s a reason why the peak is named Pangarchulla. It is because the peak resembles the shape of the big, black chimney when looked to the top from the base, which is surrounded by Maple trees. So, this is how the peak came into existence with its name.
Pangarchulla peak is a high-elevation trek where there is no shade or shelter let alone a place to eat. The Pangarchulla peak trek also takes about a week to finish, so, trekkers have no other way but to carry their food packages to the trek.
Just like food, there are no guest houses, hotels, or homestays in the middle of the trek. However, there are a handful of camping sites blessed with scenic views and murmuring streams, so, the best way to spend the nights on the trek is by putting up camps and dancing around the bonfire!
Pangarchull peak trek is full of adventure and thrill on every step. The more you get closer to the summit, the more exciting the trail gets – the experience is something that can only be felt and understood once you pass through the rocky tracks, dense forests, cliffside villages, meandering rivers, and snowfields signaling the endpoint of the trek.
