Right now at Kalindi base: −32°, clear skies
DifficultAMS highMay–Jun & Sep (glacier window)

Kalindi Khal

Uttarakhand · Gangotri National Park to Badrinath, Uttarkashi/Chamoli · from Gangotri

One of the highest and hardest classic crossings in Garhwal, a glaciated pass at nearly 6000 m linking Gangotri to Badrinath over crevassed snowfields.

Plan this trekOpen in the grader
Max altitude
5942 m
Distance
70 km
Days
9
Honest grade
Difficult
AMS risk
high · 55
3D replay

See it in 3D

A Google-Earth-style flyby that drops in from orbit and traces the real approach trail up to Kalindi Khal(where it’s mapped in OpenStreetMap), over real satellite terrain — so you can read the climb and the lie of the land before you go.

The map

Where you’ll sleep, on real terrain

The elevation profile traces the full climb and descent; tap a camp on the map and the SpO₂ gauge and safety numbers follow.

Elevation profile — the whole climb
Highest-risk night: Rajparav · sleeps 4,500 m (-1100 m)
4,0005,0006,0000 km70 km
Hover the profile to read altitude & AMS zone at any point.
2,500–3,500 m — acclimatise3,500–5,500 m — AMS commonAbove 5,500 m — extreme
D1 14 km · 6–8.5 hD2 8 km · 3.5–5 hD4 6 km · 3.5–5 hD5 7 km · 3.5–5 hD6 5 km · 2.5–3.5 hD7 9 km · 6–8.5 hD8 10 km · 3–4.5 hD9 11 km · 3.5–5 h

Reconstructed from real per-day distance, ascent and camp altitudes. The line between points is a straight approximation — not a surveyed terrain profile.

When to go

Best months

Prime window: May, Jun, Sep

Curated season (May–Jun & Sep (glacier window))— off-months reasoned from the region’s monsoon and winter.

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Prime windowShoulderOff-season
Trail path

Stage by stage

Start · Gangotri→End · Badrinath~70 km walked · est 32–45 h total
Day 1Gangotri → Bhojwasa~14 kmest 6–8.5 h
Day 2Bhojwasa → Nandanvan~8 kmest 3.5–5 h
Day 3Rest / acclimatisation at Nandanvan
Day 4Nandanvan → Vasuki Tal~6 kmest 3.5–5 h
Day 5Vasuki Tal → Sweta Glacier camp~7 kmest 3.5–5 h
Day 6Sweta Glacier camp → Kalindi base~5 kmest 2.5–3.5 h
Day 7Kalindi base → Rajparav (via Kalindi Khal)~9 kmest 6–8.5 h
Day 8Rajparav → Arwa Tal~10 kmest 3–4.5 h
Day 9Arwa Tal → Badrinath~11 kmest 3.5–5 h

Distances are approximate operator-standard figures. Times are computed— Naismith’s rule (pace + climb + descent) slowed for altitude, for a fit trekker with breaks — not copied from brochures. Plan generously; groups move at the pace of their slowest member.

The route

Night by night, stop by stop

Each stop is where you sleep — the altitude that drives acclimatisation. Exact camps and per-day distances vary by operator; the safety flags are computed from this profile.

  1. 1
    Bhojwasa3800 m · est SpO₂ 85%
    Fast arrivalNight 1 is already at 3800 m. Arriving high (flying/driving straight up) is a leading cause of AMS — spend a night lower first if you can.
  2. 2
    Nandanvan4300 m (+500 m) · est SpO₂ 82%
  3. 3
    Nandanvan (acclimatise)4300 m · est SpO₂ 82%
    Rest daySleeping altitude held — this is where the body actually acclimatises.
  4. 4
    Vasuki Tal4900 m (+600 m) · est SpO₂ 77%
    500 m/night limitSleeping altitude jumps 600 m to 4900 m. Above 3000 m the guideline is ≤500 m per night.
  5. 5
    Sweta Glacier camp5300 m (+400 m) · est SpO₂ 73%
  6. 6
    Kalindi base5600 m (+300 m) · est SpO₂ 70%
    1000 m rest rule1300 m of sleeping gain since your last rest day. Take a rest day every ~1000 m.
    Extreme altitudeSleeping at 5600 m — no lasting acclimatisation is possible here. Minimise nights and be ready to descend.
  7. 7
    Rajparav4500 m (-1100 m) · est SpO₂ 80%
    1000 m rest rule1300 m of sleeping gain since your last rest day. Take a rest day every ~1000 m.
    Rest cadence4 nights climbing without a rest day above 3500 m.
    Big summit pushClimbs ~342 m to 5942 m in a single day. Summit day is when AMS/HAPE most often strikes — start pre-dawn, pace slowly, and turn around at the first symptoms.
    Sleeps lowerDescends to sleep 1442 m below the high point — good, it gets you off the summit overnight.
  8. 8
    Arwa Tal3800 m (-700 m) · est SpO₂ 85%
    1000 m rest rule1300 m of sleeping gain since your last rest day. Take a rest day every ~1000 m.
    Rest cadence5 nights climbing without a rest day above 3500 m.
Why this grade

Sold as "Difficult"; our numbers put it at Difficult. Broadly consistent.

Max altitude
32
Acclimatisation load
17
Daily distance
10
Length & remoteness
12
7-day weather window

Overnight lows lapse-adjusted to the high camp (~5600 m).

Sun
-31°
Mon
-33°
Tue
-33°
Wed
-33°
Thu
-33°
Fri
-32°
Sat
-34°
How to reach
Starting point
Gangotri
Uttarakhand
By air
  • Dehradun (DED)~115 km
  • Shimla (SLV)~179 km
By rail
  • Dehradun~115 km
  • Rishikesh~117 km
By road

Drive to the roadhead Gangotri. From Dehradun (~115 km) shared taxis and state buses run the last leg to Gangotri.

Distances are straight-line (as the crow flies), computed from the coordinates. Real road distance and driving time in the mountains are longer — confirm current road status and the last motorable point with your operator, especially in monsoon and winter.

Permits (Indian nationals)

Uttarakhand: forest & national-park permits per route — usually arranged at the range office or roadhead.

Forest / trek permit
State Forest Dept (range office at the roadhead)
National Park entry (where applicable)
Park authority (e.g. Nanda Devi / Valley of Flowers)
Full permit navigator →
⛑Emergency & evacuation
Nearest roadhead
See the trek roadhead
Nearest hospital
Nearest district / community health centre
Helipad
Charter only — arranged via operator/administration
Trek area (approx)
30.994, 78.941
If things go wrong

Descend to the roadhead; arrange onward transport to the nearest hospital. Carry evacuation insurance.

Approximate planning info — confirm with your operator. HAPE/HACE signs = descend immediately.

Known hazards
  • •deep crevasses and roped glacier travel
  • •life-threatening AMS / HAPE / HACE near 6000 m
  • •steep snow and ice on the pass day
  • •extreme cold and storm exposure
  • •multi-day remoteness with no rescue
Highlights

On the trail

Photo credits →
Before you go

Necessary preparations

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Fitness

  • Serious base needed: 5 km under 30 min, weekly long hikes with a loaded pack; train 8–12 weeks out.
  • Expect ~8 km of walking a day — train on stairs and inclines, not just flat ground.
  • Do a few hikes carrying your actual daypack weight so your legs and shoulders are used to it.
  • Add interval/cardio work — summit days at this altitude are long and relentless.
✚

Acclimatisation & health

  • Know the AMS golden rules: don't ascend with symptoms; if worse, descend; HAPE/HACE = descend now.
  • Carry a pulse oximeter and take a daily resting reading — a falling trend that doesn't recover means stop.
  • Discuss acetazolamide (Diamox) with a doctor before you go — Shikhar never prescribes medication.
  • This profile ascends fast (AMS: high) — build in a spare acclimatisation day if you can.
  • Stay hydrated (3–4 L/day), eat well even without appetite, and avoid alcohol at altitude.
  • Carry a personal first-aid kit; tell your operator about any medical conditions in advance.
◆

Gear & clothing

  • Layering system: moisture-wicking base, fleece/down mid, waterproof-breathable shell (jacket + pants).
  • Broken-in waterproof trekking boots with ankle support + 3–4 pairs of wool/synthetic socks.
  • 40–55 L backpack with rain cover; a 20 L daypack if porters carry the main load.
  • 3-season sleeping bag rated to at least −5 °C; a liner adds warmth cheaply.
  • Trekking poles, sun hat, and warm hat + gloves for cold camps.
  • Mountaineering layer: crampons, ice axe, harness and a helmet — go with a qualified guide who provides technical training.
  • UV protection: category-4 glacier sunglasses, SPF 50+, lip balm — UV is brutal at altitude and on snow.
  • Headlamp (+ spare batteries), 1 L insulated bottle, and a power bank (cold drains batteries fast).
❖

Documents & permits

  • Government photo ID (original + several photocopies) and passport photos for permits.
  • Forest/national-park entry & camping permit — often arranged at the roadhead or by your operator.
  • A registered guide/operator is mandatory here — book before you arrive; independent trekking isn't allowed.
  • Travel + trek insurance that explicitly covers high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation.
  • Emergency-contact card: family contact, blood group, allergies, and your day-by-day itinerary.
Ask about this trek

Kalindi Khal copilot

Grounded strictly in this trek’s data — route, computed times, AMS grade, permits and field notes. It won’t invent water sources or clear you medically. Ask in English or Hindi.

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