The Best Ridge Trek In Our India To begin with, ridge treks are extremely uncommon in our country. There is hardly a handful. In exploring the Phulara Ridge trek in April 2018, we discovered a ridge trek that is looking to be one of the best!
Now, a ridge is a place where two sides of the mountain meet. So the walk on a ridge is almost like one on a knife-edge, where there are just flanks of the mountain sloping down from either side of you. There are small ridge sections on a few Himalayan treks. However, to have an entire day’s trek on a ridge is unparalleled.If you have done a summit climb, you would know that you stand at the highest point for perhaps 20-30 minutes. This is from where you get great views of the mountains around. On this trek though, you’re at a high point of 12,000 ft for a day’s worth of trek(4-5 hours!).
The 250-degree panorama of snow-capped mountains stays with you throughout! It almost gives you the feeling that these mountains are trekking along with you, as you traverse the ridge that curves its way into the landscape. Below you, the ground sweeps down on either side – one into a meadow, one into a valley. This is what makes Phulara Ridge a unique experience.
Quick Itinerary DAY 1 Reach Kotgaon (6,397 ft) Drive distance: 190 km | Drive Duration: 9-10 hours | Pick up point for Indiahikes trekkers: Grand Legacy Hotel Lalpul, Dehradun or Library Chowk, Mussorie | Pick up Time: 6.30 am | Location of Indiahikes basecamp: Kotgaon Transport will be organised from 6.30 am. This costs Rs 6,500 per vehicle (for a 5-6 seater SUV) & Rs 10,000 per vehicle (for 11-12 seater Tempo Traveller) which is to be shared by trekkers and paid directly to the driver. DAY 2 Trek from Kotgaon to Sikolta Trek Distance: 4.85 km | Trek Duration: 4-5 hours | Altitude gain: 6,520 ft to 8,925 ft A gradual ascent through a well-marked trail and the lovely pine forests. The sunlight cutting across the canopy is beautiful while you hear the birds chirping in these woods. DAY 3 Trek from Sikolta to Bhoj Gadi Trek Distance: 4.45 km | Trek Duration: 4-5 hours | Altitude gain: 8,925 ft to 11,170 ft Another day of gradual ascent as you cross the tree line of pine, Deodhar, dwarf rhododendrons and enter the meadows of Bhoj Gadi. Watch out for the sunset where you get to witness the alpenglow of the mountain ranges. DAY 4 Trek from Bhoj Gadi to Pushtara via Phulara ridge Trek Distance: 8.4 km | Trek Duration: 6-7 hours | Altitude gain and loss: 11,170 ft to 9,860 ft via 12,345 ft The most exciting day with the walk on the ridge for about 2-3 hours. As you walk on the ridge, you get the sense that the mountains with 250 degrees are trekking along with you. From the ridge, you descend down towards the meadows of Pushtara. DAY 5 Trek from Pushtara to Taluka. Drive to Kotgaon Trek Distance: 8.1 km | Trek Duration: 6-7 hours | Drive Duration: 1.5-2 hours | Altitude loss: 9,860 ft to 6,520 ft Descent through the denser mixed forest section compared to your first day. The trail is much more secluded and can get a bit tricky. So watch out for the trails going across. Keep your eyes open and do not get lost on the trail. DAY 6 Drive from Kotgaon to Dehradun Drive Distance: 190 km | Drive Duration: 9-10 hours Drop off point: Hotel Grand Legacy, Dehradun This transport cost again has to be borne by trekkers and paid directly to the driver. This costs Rs.6,500 per vehicle (for a 5-6 seater SUV) & Rs 10,000 per vehicle (for 11-12 seater Tempo Traveller) which is to be shared by trekkers and paid directly to the driver. Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending the weather conditions and the route you take. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons. PRO-TIPS Onward Travel The drive to Kotgaon takes you along the narrow mountain roads along the River Yamuna. Within an hour of driving from Dehradun, you reach Mussoorie. Further ahead, the journey takes you past Mori and Purola. You see beautiful valleys and forest cover throughout the journey. Cross the villages of Nainbagh, Naugaon, Purola, Jarmola, Mori Naitwar, and finally Kotgaon. The 18 km stretch of the dense pine forest after Purola and the drive through the Mori valley alongside River Tons will stay with you for a long time. Do not miss to watch out for them. The village offers a beautiful view of the sun setting behind the greater Himalayas. The peaks of Swargarohini shimmer in the evening sun, standing tall over the ridges beyond Kotgaon. Return Travel The drive back to Dehradun follows the same route you took on your way up. The route is along the tributaries of Yamuna. The road goes along hugging the mountainside and you see the forests and valleys of Purola go by. You are expected to reach back at Dehradun at around 7-8 pm. Plan your return journey on the next day. Cre: indiahikes