Khatling Glacier Trek

Khatling glacier is a vast hanging glacier in the remote Garhwal region of Uttrakhand. The glacier is the source of Bhilangana river and is one of the biggest glaciers of Himalayas. The trek to Khatling glacier will be very memorable experience, as the trail passes through some out of world Himalayan sojourns.

One can visit the Khatling glacier by taking the traditional Shepherd trail that starts from Ghuttu in Tehri Garhwal district. There is a non-tarmac road from Ghuttu till Reehi. It is slightly risky so best is to trek from Ghuttu itself. From Ghuttu onwards the trek is mostly uphill, as we gain considerable altitude on an everyday basis. But the reward of this strenuous trek is the pristine landscape that unfolds to your eyes on reaching the Khatling glacier. Not just the glacier but the view of Thalay Sagar forming the backdrop of Khatling makes it perfect for avid mountaineers.

The trek goes through the remote villages of Reehi, Gangi and Kalyani. These forgotten villages are still living in remote times with little or no access to outside world. Yes, the new generation is migrating to cities, but you can still find some old people here who have never a road or motor. Despite all that, they are self-sufficient and require very few things from cities. This culture and remote lifestyle are one of the pluses of Khatling glacier trek. A camp site like Kharsali, amidst dark forest on the confluence of two rivers, makes up for a psychedelic experience.

Khatling glacier is one of the least known yet an amazing trek in Garhwal Himalayas. HelpTravelerOnline offer following information for your planning and knowledge.

KHATLING GLACIER TREK DETAILS

• Difficulty: STRENUOUS
• Distance: 140 km
• Max Altitude: 4500+ m
• Trek Duration: 10-12 Days
• Location: Tehri and Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, India
• Best time: Mid-May till mid-June and mid-September till mid-October
• Nearest international Airport: New Delhi, India
• Nearest Domestic Airport: Dehradun, India

Equipment Checklist for Khatling Glacier Trek

• Footwear: Trekking Boots (snow and water proof), normal walking boots, and floaters. Few pairs of warm/woolen socks.
• Luggage: Backpack (60-70 liters), Daypack (20-30 ltr), Duffel bag.
• Clothes: Waterproof breathable jacket & pants, Jacket (synthetic or fleece of down feather), insulated pants (Synthetic), Poncho, Sweatshirt, inner thermal (upper & lower), fleece, t-shirts, cotton trekking pants, shorts.
  * clothing as per the season/weather
• Gear for Hand & Head: Liner glove, Bandanna, Sun hat, Woolen caps, Face mask etc.
• Accessories: Sunglasses/Goggles, anti-glare glasses, water bottle, hydra pack, Headlamp with spare bulb and extra batteries.
• Trekking Gears: Emergency tool kit.
• Protection and First-Aid: Sunscreen, toiletry kit, water purification tablets, Zip-lock bags, ear plugs, first-aid and all essential medicines.
• Camping Equipment: Tents (4 Season), Sleeping bags (extreme -10 to +10 Celsius) with liner, trekking poles, etc.