Kafni Glacier Trek

The scenic beauty and the tranquility prevailing in this region has an unbeatable charm. The Kaphini (Kafni) Glacier lies left of the Pindar Valley below the famous peak of Nandakot. The route to Kaphini Glacier covers the same track up to Dwali, as the track to Pindari. Kaphini Glacier is 12 km from Dwali via Byali Udiyar, which is at a distance of 8 km from Dwali. As compared to Pindar the valley is much broader and the rhododendron (burans) that blooms here is spectacularly beautiful. The main Himalayan summits visible from the glacier are Nandakot (6860 m) and Nandabhnar (6236 m).

There are no rest houses beyond Dwali on the Kaphini track, so one has to use tents. Byali Udiyar is an ideal spot for a night's stay, because there are grasslands to pitch a tent and caves for a convenient night halt. To reach the glacier, one should start very early from Byali Udiyar 4 km away, so as to arrive at the zero point before 9 a.m.

From Khati you can trek to Maiktoli Glacier, which is on the other side of the river. If you are lucky you may be able to see the Nanda Devi from Khati on a clear day. At Dwali the confluence of Kafni and Pindari can be seen. The Kafni has its origin from the Kafni Glacier which is about twelve kilometers from Dwali.

The magnificent Nanada Ghat can be seen after Phurkia. From Phurkia till zero point one can see the Glacier but to get a good view you have to go further and climb a small ridge. The actual glacier is still one to two kilometers away and the snout of the river Pinadari can be seen from the top of this ridge. At zero point there is the Ashram of Pilor Baba who stays there, throughout the year.

The Pindari Glacier trail provides for a 90 km (56 mile) round-trip trek that most people find comfortable to complete in five days. With the town of Bageshwar as main city where medical support is available-one has totake shared jeep or taxi [Jeep] for base village SONG. 3 km of trek and you will reach LEHARKHET which is start of this trail.

A long ascending but gradual one awaits you when you start your trek, next morning. Slowly slowly trail winds up to high altitude and this is when you see DHAKURI PASS. After crossing this pass-you can camp here.

Next day trek to river bed which is where you will find KHATI VILLAGE. This is over OLD and FAMOUS village which had seen great expeditions to various mountain peaks and glaciers.

Dwali is further 11 km on banks of PINDAR RIVER and trail slowly gains height. Dwali is moist place and usually cold in every season.

Trek to Kafni Glacier

Base Camp Saung
Saung to Kaphini Glacier 45 km.

Saung to Loharkhet 3 km,
Loharkhet to Dhakuri 11 km,
Dhakuri to Khati 8 km,
Khati to Dwali 11 km,
Dwali to Kaphini Glacier 12 km.

By Road
Saung to Bageshwar 36 km.

Saung to Almora 109 km.

Saung to Kathgodam 199 km.

Khati to Dwali 11 km,
Dwali to Phurkia 7 km,
Phurkia to Pindari Glacier 5 km.

Accessibility

Air : Nearest airport is Nani Saini (non-operational), 5 km. The nearest operation airport is PantNagar, Nainital.

Rail : Nearest railhead is Tanakpur, 151 km.

Road : Well connected by a motor able road.

Information Centre
Tourist Bureau, Pithoragarh
Tel.: (05964)-25527