RISHIKESH / CHEFNA – 220km (136mi) / 7-8hrs drive

Departure: 8am

Morning, after breakfast we drive for a good 7/8 hours to Nandprayag and Ghat and then to Chefna (starting point of the trek). The drive, though long is very scenic as we drive along the Ganga, Alaknanda and Nandakani rivers. Enroute we stop at Deoprayag which is another important Hindu site, known for the confluence of two rivers: Bhagirathi and Alaknanada, which then flows down as the Ganga. We camp for the night at Chefna, next to the river. Overnight in tents.

CHEFNA / GHUNI – 2,550m (8,366ft) / 3-4hrs trekking

Departure: 9am

After breakfast we start our trekking, first next to the river followed by an ascent. The walk takes us to a village called Ghuni at elevation of 2,550m (8,366ft). It is a typical Garhwal Himalayan village with friendly mountain people and cute attractive houses. Overnight stay and meals in camp area at Ghuni.

GHUNI / SHEMKHARAK – 3,064m (10,052ft) / 5-6hrs trekking

Departure: 8am

From the campsite we climb steeply for 300m (984ft) on a zigzagging trek to emerge into open, grassy, grazing meadows. Snow peaks begin to emerge above the forest to the north. The highest point, reached in 3 hours from the camp at elevation of 3,064m (10,052ft) is the Ramni Pass, also called Binayak Top. The trek is now gentle, mainly through open pastures into forests of horse chestnuts and walnut trees complete with waterfalls. Lastly, downward trail will bring us down to the campsite at Shemkharak. Dinner and overnight in tents.

SHEMKHARAK / PANA – approx. 2,900m (9,514ft) / 5-6hrs trekking

Departure: 8am

Trekking starts with a descent to the colorful village of Jhinjhi. Then walk continue to the old suspension bridge on the river Birahi Ganga followed by steep climb. After that trail becomes almost flat passing under the cool shades of the rhododendron forests. There are many streams and waterfalls on the way. We cross a village named Pana from where there is a short climb to a spot called Kaliaghat, which is a very good campsite. We can see an open valley of the village. Overnight in tents.

PANA / DHAKWANI – 3,200m (10,498ft) / 5-6hrs trekking

Departure: 8am

The trekking traverses above the village followed by a steep climb into a rhododendron forest. Then the trail descends gently, traversing along the valley to open meadows with scenic views of the Kuari Pass. We continue downhill through the valley along several streams, followed by another steep climb of about 900m (3,000ft) with a small break about half way up, to cross a large stream. The final climb brings us above the tree-line to the Dhakwani campsite – a large pasture where sheep and goats graze in summer, with the Kuari Pass towering above. Dinner and overnight in tents.