A Trek To The Pindari Glacier
Discover India|July - August 2019

The Pindari Glacier in the upper reaches of Uttarakhand demands sincere endeavours by serious trekkers for the extraordinary views it offers.

Sathya Saran   
A Trek To The Pindari Glacier

IF I HAD KNOWN what 1,000 metres up meant, I might have had second thoughts about embarking on my adventure. It was not too late; I could still give up and turn back. But the call of Pindari Glacier was strong, so I tried my best to ignore the signals that my body was sending out in no uncertain ways.

Pindari… In a geography textbook that bored the schoolgirl in me to tears, it had been the one chapter I had read avidly. Perhaps the photographs of the icy glacier winding down from snowy peaks entranced me, but I nurtured a secret desire to set foot on Pindari some day. That it could be done was also evident. Of course, as a student who thought geography was a bore, I had no awareness of where Pindari was or about how one could get to it, but the word held its magic, and buried itself into my subconscious.

The universe was obviously eavesdropping. And so, 40 or more years later, here I was on my way to realising my dream, as I toiled up, step after breathless step, on the first day of my trek.

A day earlier we had driven from Kathgodam station (which connects New Delhi to the Himalayan mountains) in Nainital district, Uttarakhand for two days to reach Loharkhet (1,760 metres) where a rather basic Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd. (kmvn.gov.in) guest house building gave us shelter. Tantalising views of snowcapped peaks, which revealed themselves at our first night halt at a roadside guest house in the tiny village of Deenapani had stirred the impatience in me. But the road through the mountains will not be hurried, and when it finally took us to Bageshwar (another small town), we bore the brunt of a hot afternoon as we grabbed our lunch and started out for Loharkhet. The road petered out at Song village where we had to transfer our bags into a 4x4 that would take us up the rest of the way.

This story is from the July - August 2019 edition of Discover India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the July - August 2019 edition of Discover India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM DISCOVER INDIAView All
New Gear For New Travels
Discover India

New Gear For New Travels

Here’s our selection of some nifty new gear that’s certain to add extra oomph to your next vacation.

time-read
9 mins  |
November - December 2021
10 Hidden Gems Of India
Discover India

10 Hidden Gems Of India

The last two years have prepared us to expect the unexpected, so why not explore the unexplored in 2022? India boasts some of the most culturally abundant and visually spectacular places in the world. Pick one or more of these 10 indian destinations to travel to and discover new lands in the coming year.

time-read
8 mins  |
November - December 2021
When Travel Heals
Discover India

When Travel Heals

Going for a holiday just after you have lost your mother to COVID-19 may not be the most popular idea, but it was the only way for a grieving family to escape the agony with which they were living. And so, they headed to the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu in search of peace and recuperation.

time-read
5 mins  |
November - December 2021
BOOKS FOR THE BACKPACK
Discover India

BOOKS FOR THE BACKPACK

Journey across India through these books that shed light on the intriguing history and vibrant culture of the country.

time-read
2 mins  |
November - December 2021
Masks of Glory
Discover India

Masks of Glory

Charida is not the most popular tourist spot in West Bengal. But its obscurity is one of the reasons we choose to discover the undiscovered ‘mask village’ of India.

time-read
4 mins  |
November - December 2021
Palace of Grandeur
Discover India

Palace of Grandeur

The Grand Mercure Bengaluru at Gopalan Mall offers a slice of Karnataka’s rich architectural and culinary history and culture. We check-in at the palatial property for a plush staycation.

time-read
4 mins  |
November - December 2021
The Road to My Roots
Discover India

The Road to My Roots

A family finds harmony and plenty of nostalgia in the hilly forests of Ramgarh, Uttarakhand and the Kumaon Himalayas.

time-read
6 mins  |
November - December 2021
GARDEN of FABLES
Discover India

GARDEN of FABLES

On the fringes of Darjeeling, Kurseong is home to India’s most expensive tea, the world’s first tea factory, and a mystical natural phenomenon.

time-read
5 mins  |
November - December 2021
MORE than just FOOD
Discover India

MORE than just FOOD

Kochi’s boutique cafés go beyond the traditional meal to o er artisanal experiences that reflect the port city’s varied expressions. From artist residencies to couverture masterclasses and upmarket design stores, there’s much to explore and savour.

time-read
5 mins  |
November - December 2021
Magical Moments
Discover India

Magical Moments

Travel blogger and dancer, Nina Okhotina, is also the founder of the clothing brand, The Dress Stories. Her fl owy, one-tone dresses add a touch of magic to her Instagram pictures from her Indian trips. The Russia-born social-media star reminisces about her time in India and the people that made it special.

time-read
3 mins  |
November - December 2021