Credit: Somenath Mondal
About Bali Pass
The Garhwal Himalayas are a trekking haven for adventure lovers. Gaumukh- Tapovan , kedartal,yamunotri trek there are a number of endless treks that offer a challenging and exciting adventure to trekkers or nature lovers. Bali Pass trek, and another in the queue is another such trek that is not for faint hearted adventure lovers. Connecting Yamountri and Har Ki Dun Valleys, the trek is blessed with Himalayan peaks, glacial lakes, and green forests. You will experience all the landscape in a single journey.
The trek starts in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand from Sankari, which is also the starting point of the Har Ki Dun trek. You follow the same trail until you reach the confluence between the Tons and Ruinsara rivers. Moving in the direction of Ruinsara, you climb up to the alpine zone, leaving behind the greenery. The lush meadows of Devsu Thach, surrounded by pine forests, welcome you.
One thing to remember is that the trek is not for beginners and demands physical strength. The Bali pass is located at an elevation of 5,000 meters (16,207 feet) and offers a 360° panoramic view of surrounding Kalanag, Swargarohini and Bandarpoonch peaks. The trail then descends into Jankichatti, which is situated in Yamountri valley.
Itinerary of Bali Pass
Day 1
On day 1, you should try to reach Sankri village, which is located in Uttarkashi district. Its at a distance of 220 km and takes around a 10-hour drive. At Sankari village, there are multiple accommodation options. Kedarkantha, Bali Pass, and Har ki dun trek visitors gather at Sanakari. Spend your night at Sankari and get up fresh the next morning.
Day 2
Travel to Taluka, which is the last village up-to which the road is motorable. It’s a 12 km drive and passes through the Govind Pashu Wildlife Sanctuary. You can start trekking from Taluka and reach the village of Seema, which is a 12 km trek. It passes through lush forest on one side and a small river on the other. Take a rest at Seema and explore nearby villages.
Day 3
The next day, we continued to trek to Rain Basera from Seema, which is 10 km and covered in 6-7 hours. Rain Basera is located at 10,200 feet. Where you can spend a beautiful night in the midst of the forest.
Day 4
On the following day, you continue trekking to Ruinsara Tal, which is a beautiful pine area surrounded by beautiful meadows. Its located at a distance of 7 km from Rain Basera and takes around 4-5 hours. Campaigning beside the lake and watching the galaxy of stars in the clear night sky is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Day 5
On Day 5, the trek takes a great elevation and you can trek up to Odari, which is at an elevation of 13,100 feet. It takes around 3-4 hours to trek the distance of 4 km.
Day 6
On Day 6, start your trek from Odari to Bali Col Camp, which is at an elevation of 15,100 feet. It takes around 6 to 7 hours to trek the distance of 5 km.
Day 7
It’s the day when you attempt to summit Bali Pass, which is located at an elevation of 16,200 feet. At the summit, you get 360 panoramic views of Peaks like Bandarpoonch, Kalanag and Swaragrohini. As you start descending into the valley, you need the technical help of an expert because of its steps. It descended into Dhamni, then finally culminated into Yamontri temple.