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Short Itinerary
Day 1: Dehradun to Sankri - 8 h drive
Day 2: Sankri (1,920 m) to Seema (2,200 m) - 1 h drive + 5-6 h trek
Day 3: Seema (2,560 m) to Roiltia or Waterfall camp (3,350 m) - 6-7 h
Day 4: Roiltia to Ruinsara lake (3,600 m)- 2 h
Day 5: Rest day at Ruinsara lake
Day 6: Ruinsara lake to Black Peak/Swargarohini basecamp (3,800 m)- 5-6 h
Day 7: Black Peak basecamp to Dharali Odari (4,750 m)- 5-6 h
Day 8: Dharali Odari to Black peak camp 1- 4-5 h
Day 9: Black peak camp 1 to Dhumdhar Kandi pass (5,490 m) and descend to Gantrara - 9-10 h
Day 10: Gantrara to Doranggatt - 6-7 h
Day 11: Dorangatt to Jhala; drive to Gangnani (3,310 m) - 6-7 h
Day 12: Gangnani to Dehradun drive - 6-7 h
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01 : Dehradun to Sankri drive, 7 hours' drive 190 km
We start early from Dehradun and reach the village Sankri by evening. The final stretch is through the Govind Pashu National Park after we cross a check post at Netwar. We rest at night in a guest house or in camps.
Day 02 : Sankri (1,920 m) to Seema (2,560 m)via Taluka (2,050 m), 1 hour drive 5-6 hours' hike: 14 km
Post breakfast we are transported from Sankri to Taluka. The drive is a bit bumpy. The trek commences from Taluka on a stony path. With the river Supin gushing through rapids beside us, under the shade of walnut, pine and other trees, the walk is quite pleasant. Often the passing villagers greet us on the way.
The path crosses over a few streams which merge with Supin. After a few hours of walk the village of Gangad can be seen towards the left, across the river. We continue our hike and after about an hour's walk, the quaint village of Osla unfolds itself. Seema is a tiny settlement opposite to the river from Osla. We set camp here or stay in a hut with a local family in the village.
Day 03 : Seema (2,560 m) to Roiltia or Waterfall camp (3,350 m), 6-7 hours hike: 13 km
On this day, we continue along the true right of the valley along the Tons river. The trail ascends through the fields and climbs high above the confluence of the Tons and Ruinsara gad. The walk through the forest is beautiful, with Kalanag (6387) visible straight ahead in the valley. We camp beside the stream and close to the waterfall.
Day 04 : Waterfall to Ruinsara lake (3,600 m), 2 hours hike: 4 km
We ascend into the Ruinsara valley. There is a stark difference in the vegetation with pine and fir giving way to birch and rhododendron. Ruinsara lake is a lovely lake surrounded by meadows and rhododendron bushes. It is considered sacred by the locals. Overnight in camps near the lake.
Day 05 : Ruinsara lake - rest and explore
Today we rest near the lake and spent the day exploring the nearby glaciers and valleys. This will help us to acclimatize before the next day's climb to the pass. We can explore the river bed as well. By evening we are back at the camp.
Day 06 : Ruinsara lake to Black Peak/Swargarohini basecamp (3,800 m), 5-6 hours trek 7 km
On this day we trek further upstream. The campsite holds significant importance as it is the basecamp of two of the most famous peaks in the area: Swargarohini (Swargarohini I - 6,252 m) and Black Peak (6,387 m). The former, though lower of the two, is the most challenging peak to climb in this area. While not particularly high by Himalayan standards, and not the highest in the Bandarpunch range, Swargarohini I is notable for its dramatic local relief. For example, its north face drops 2,000 metres in less than 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) of horizontal distance, and its south face achieves the same drop in less than 3 kilometres. This camp is close to the south face of the peak.
Day 07 : Black Peak basecamp to Dharali Odari (4,750 m), 5-6 hours trek 8-9 km
Day 08 : Dharali Odari to Black peak camp 1, 4-5 hours trek 4-5 km
We proceed to camp 1 of Black Peak on this day. The peak was first summited in 1955 by Jack Gibson, an English master at the Doon School in Dehradun. The highest peak in the Banderpunch group, Black peak is climbed almost every year by multiple teams.
Day 09 : Black peak camp 1 to Dhumdhar Kandi pass (5,490 m) and descend to Gantrara, 9-10 h 9-10 km
On this day we start before sunrise. The pass is crossed and we descend to a stream at Gantrara.
Day 10 : Gantrara to Doranggatt, 6-7 hours 11-12 km
The trail on this day enters meadows and forests again. We camp at Dorangatt.
Day 11 : Dorangatt to Jhala; drive to Gangnani (3,310 m), 6-7 hours trek: 6 km + 30 min drive
We trek through forest trails and reach the village of Jhala. From here we board our vehicle and head to Gangnani. Gangnani used to be the village from where the hike to Gangotri started when motorable road was yet to reach thisholy pilgrimage. It is a small settlement with natural hot water spring baths. We rest in a guest house for the night.
Day 12 : Gangnani to Dehradun drive, 6-7 hours drive
We drive back to Dehradun from Gangnani. We reach by late afternoon or early evening.
