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Auden’s Col with Mayali Pass Trek: A journey from Gangotri to Kedarnath

Group departure from 28th May 2022.

Many experienced hikers arguably claim Auden’s Col trek as the toughest trek in India. Keeping the debate aside, this treacherous col and challenging trail is certainly a bucket list trek to all experienced trekkers.

Auden’s Col trek – Prerequisites:

• A trekker must have completed at least 5 high altitude treks going above ~ 4500 m/15000 ft.
• A minimum of 2 Difficult grade treks reaching beyond 5000 m/16500 ft e.g. Pin Parvati Pass, Ronti Saddle, Parang La etc.
• A trekker must be in excellent physical condition along with NO prior acclimatisation issues on high altitude.

Suggested Itinerary for Auden’s Col trek:

Day 01: Drive from Dehradun to  Gangotri – 250 km – 10/11 hours. Lodge accommodation
Day 02: At Gangotri. Active acclimatisation day. Height gain exercise/half day hike. Lodge.
Day 03: Trek from Gangotri to Nala camp.
Day 04: Nala Camp to Rudragaira base camp.
Day 05: Rudragaira base camp – rest day and acclimatisation.
Day 06: Rudragaira Base Camp to Base Camp Gangotri Group
Day 07: Base Camp Gangotri Group to Auden’s Col base camp.
Day 08: Auden’s Col Base Camp to Khatling glacier.
Day 09: Khatling Glacier to Waterfall Camp/Zero Point.
Day 10: Rest/recuperation day.
Day 11: Waterfall Camp/ Zero Point to Chowki.
Day 12: Chowki to Masar Tal.
Day 13: Masar Tal to Vasuki Tal over Mayali Pass.
Day 14: Vasuki Tal to Kedarnath. Tent
Day 15: Descent from Kedarnath to Gauri Kund – 5 hours – drive to Haridwar/Dehradun – 230 Km – 10 hours
Day 16: Buffer/reserve day (mandatory and will be utilised if required during the trek).

• Itinerary is suggested and can vary primarily based on team and weather conditions. E.g. if a team is well acclimatised and doing good, we may skip the rest at Rudgaira base camp to use it before crossing the pass or split the distance into halves, camping at Sukha Tal etc. Approximate trekking distance 100 Km.
• You need to reach Dehradun on Day 1 latest by 9 am. Arrange your return train/bus tickets from Haridwar on Day 16 evening after 9 pm.

Seasons for Auden’s Col trek:

A high altitude trek like Auden’s Col trek is suitable in:

• Summer: Mid May to Mid June (heavy to moderate snow)
• Post Monsoon/Fall: September (less snow, normally colder)

Access to trek base (Gangotri, 250 Km from Dehradun):

Depending upon the number of trekkers we may arrange a car pickup from Dehradun to Gangotri and return from Badrinath. This will get equally divided amongst the trekkers opting. You pay directly to the driver. At present a Tata Sumo/Maxx type vehicles charge ₹ 8000 for drop from Dehradun to Gangotri. This can accommodate 5-7 persons. Similarly Gauri Kund to Haridwar is ₹ 6000. Approximately this comes around ₹ 2000 to ₹ 3000 per person (includes pick up and drop) when you share with fellow trekkers.

Alternatively if you wish to reach Gangotri on your own by public transportation then:

• There is a direct bus from Haridwar (Roadways bus stand, opposite to railway station) to Gangotri starting at 4 am. These depends on season and road conditions. Almost 300 Km tiring journey can take 13/14 hours.
• From Dehradun take morning bus at 5 am (just beside railway station) for Uttarkashi town or you can get shared vehicle/Tata Sumo. Reach Uttarkashi by latest 2 pm. There is a bus from Uttarkashi to Gangotri which starts 2/2:30 pm. Also you will get shared vehicle/Tata Sumo to Gangotri.

Download the list of things to carry in Auden’s Col trek or check here

Why treks with HT?