Song, Bageshwar · Uttarakhand
Pindari Glacier
A long valley walk through Bageshwar villages to the snout of the Pindari glacier at 3,900 m.
Pindari Glacier is a moderate trek in Song, Bageshwar, Uttarakhand, reaching 3,900 m. The best time to go is April to June and September and October. Plan 8 to 9 days on the ground from Kathgodam and about ₹2,600 per person per day.
What to do in Pindari Glacier
The one thing not to miss
Zero Point
The end of the trail, facing the glacier and the peaks around it.
- 2Khati villageThe last village on the trail, with wood-and-stone houses.
- 3Dwali and PhurkiaThe two upper halts, where the valley narrows and the forest ends.
- 4Kafni glacierA side valley from Dwali. Ask locally whether the trail is open before planning on it.
A sample plan: 7 days
Day 1
Kathgodam to Bageshwar or Kharkiya
A full day's drive.
Day 2
Kharkiya to Khati
A short walk to the last village.
Day 3
Khati to Dwali
Along the Pindar river.
Day 4
Dwali to Phurkia
Above the tree line.
Day 5
Phurkia to Zero Point and back to Dwali
Early start for clear views.
Day 6
Dwali to Khati or Kharkiya
The way out.
Day 7
Drive to Kathgodam
The drive back.
The usual stages; operators and seasons vary, so treat it as a guide.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
The most accessible true glacier trek in Kumaon, with tea-house style stays at Dhakuri and Dwali.
Why not
90 km of walking; the road to Song is rough and long.
Before you go
- Permits
- Forest permit at Song; check current fee.
- Guide
- Local guide recommended; the valley forks at Dwali.
- Safety
- Avoid July–August; the valley floor floods fast after rain.
- Phone & internet
- None past Song.
Altitude
Pindari Glacier reaches 3,900 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Uttarakhand →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: District Hospital, Bageshwar.
All emergency contacts for Uttarakhand →What to pack for Pindari Glacier
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
9 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) It is cold at 3,900 m, especially at night.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs Jeans stay wet and heavy; these dry overnight.
- Quick-dry T-shirts, 2–3 Cotton holds sweat and chills you when you stop.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
2 items
- Trekking shoes with ankle support About 90 km of uneven trail; break them in before you go.
- Camp sandals or floaters Let your feet rest at camp, and useful for stream crossings.
Trek gear
10 items
- Rucksack, 40–60 litres Carries everything for a multi-day trek.
- Rain cover for your bag Keeps your bag and dry clothes dry.
- Headlamp with spare batteries Camps and villages have little or no lighting; summit starts are before dawn.
- Insulated flask Water freezes in ordinary bottles overnight.
- Dry bags or zip pouches Separate wet from dry, and protect your phone and documents.
- Trekking poles Take load off your knees on the descent.
- Energy bars and dry fruit There are few or no shops on the trail.
- Tissue roll, hand sanitiser and wet wipes Camp and trail toilets are basic.
- Quick-dry towel Dries overnight in a tent.
- Sleeping bag liner Adds warmth and keeps an operator's sleeping bag hygienic.
Health and sun
9 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- ORS sachets For dehydration and tired legs.
- Water-purifying bottle or tablets Stream and tap water should be treated.
- Blister plasters and a crepe bandage New or wet shoes rub; treat a hot spot before it becomes a blister.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 3,900 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsForest permit at Song; check current fee.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereNone past Song.
For what you're going for
2 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
Read before you go
2 items
- A guidebook for Uttarakhand Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
- A paper trekking map A paper map still works when the phone doesn't.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Kathgodam.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- The road ends before the place; the last stretch is on foot. The last stretch to the road head is rough; a local jeep from Bageshwar or Kapkot is the usual choice.
By road
From
Kathgodam
- Distance
- about 220 km
- Drive time
- 8–9 hours
- Kathgodam
- Bhowali
- Almora
- Bageshwar
- Kapkot
- Kharkiya
The walk starts at Kharkiya; Khati is the last village.
Live directions from KathgodamFrom
Bageshwar
- Distance
- about 70 km
- Drive time
- about 3 hours
- Bageshwar
- Kapkot
- Song
- Loharkhet
- Kharkiya
Buses and shared taxis. Trains from Delhi reach Kathgodam, the railhead for Kumaon; shared taxis and buses wait outside the station. Overnight and day buses also run from Delhi (Anand Vihar) to Haldwani. From Bageshwar, shared jeeps go towards Kapkot and the road head.
Pickups & drivers
From Kathgodam. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Pindari Glacier yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Pindari Glacier: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Pindari Glacier?
The best months for Pindari Glacier are April to June and September and October. July and August and November are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in January and February.
How difficult is Pindari Glacier?
Pindari Glacier is rated moderate. The trek is about 90 km in total, starting at 1,800 m and reaching 3,900 m.
How many days do you need for Pindari Glacier?
Plan 8 to 9 days on the ground, counted from Kathgodam. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Pindari Glacier cost?
Expect about ₹2,600 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹23,400 for 9 days, before the cost of getting to Kathgodam.
How do you reach Pindari Glacier?
By road: from Kathgodam it is about 220 km, 8–9 hours (Kathgodam → Bhowali → Almora → Bageshwar → Kapkot → Kharkiya); from Bageshwar it is about 70 km, about 3 hours (Bageshwar → Kapkot → Song → Loharkhet → Kharkiya). Trains from Delhi reach Kathgodam, the railhead for Kumaon; shared taxis and buses wait outside the station. Overnight and day buses also run from Delhi (Anand Vihar) to Haldwani. From Bageshwar, shared jeeps go towards Kapkot and the road head. The nearest gateway is Kathgodam.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Pindari Glacier?
Permits: Forest permit at Song; check current fee. Guide: Local guide recommended; the valley forks at Dwali.
Is Pindari Glacier suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is not advised; with seniors it is not advised. It is moderately busy in season. Avoid July–August; the valley floor floods fast after rain.
What should you pack for Pindari Glacier?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs, quick-dry t-shirts, 2–3, sun cap or hat, rain jacket or poncho. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Pindari Glacier?
None past Song.
Will I get altitude sickness at Pindari Glacier?
Pindari Glacier reaches 3,900 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Pindari Glacier?
Pindari Glacier is not a good choice for first-time trekkers who are not reasonably fit, families with children, senior citizens and anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 3,900 m. Also keep in mind: 90 km of walking; the road to Song is rough and long.
Close to Pindari Glacier
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Milam Glacierabout 20 km
- Munsiyariabout 30 km
- Roopkund (Skeleton Lake)about 31 km