Panpatia Col Trek, Photo: Bharat Puspwan

Panpatia Col Trek

Panpatia Col - Connecting Kedar and Badri

Panpatia Col Trek is one of the most demanding and tough treks in Uttarakhand Region of India. This trek connects Badrinath to Kedarnath which goes through the might Himalayas, multiple crevasses and massive icefalls.

The Panpatia Col Expedition offers you the unparalleled views of prominent peaks such as Neelkanth, Balakun, Sri Parvat, Kunaling, Hathi Parvat and Dhauliganga Peaks.

Get Panpatia Col Trek Guide, Trekking Updates, Panpatia Trek Route with Travel Tips

Panpatia Col is located between the holy shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath. This trekking expedition starts from Badrinath and takes you through a diverse terrain including high altitude passes, moraines, crevasses, terrifying cliffs, and roaring streams.  But these days most of trekkers prefer Badrinath to Madmaheshwar trek route 

This is the shortest possible route (in terms of Kms) from Badrinath to Kedarnath over high glaciers and passes. The region around Panpatia Col is the watershed between Badri and Kedar regions mainly for Alaknanda and Mandakini river system respectively.


Panpatia Col Trek Routes

There are three trekking routes for Panpatia Col given as following.

  • Route 1 (Most Popular): Joshimath - Badrinath - Panpatia Col - Madhmaheshwar - Ransi
  • Route 2 (Shortest): Ransi - Madhmaheshwar - Panpatia Col - Madhmaheshwar - Ransi
  • Route 3 (Very Tough): Badrinath to Kedarnath


Panpatia Col Average Trekking Cost

The average cost for this trek vary from Rs 90000 to Rs 1,75,000 per person. The cost depends on the group size, services required, experience of the trekking Team and guide. The cost will be higher for Foreign Trekkers.


Best Time to Panpatia Trek

Best time for Panpatia Col Trek is in summers (Mid May – June) and Post Monsoons (September – early October).

During Summer the weather of Panpatia Col Trek remains salubrious and pleasing with cool breezes. Serenity and solitude are at its best during post monsoon months at Panpatia Col Trek.


One of the best Video and Travel Logue of Panpatia Col Trek


Panpatia Col Trek Travel Tips

  • It is a Technical Trek and services of mountaineering certified guide is must for Panpatia Col Trek.
  • Use of ropes, crampons, harness, carabiners, descender will come into play during the trek.
  • Prepare well before this trek, keep at least 2 days for acclimatization at higher altitudes.
  • As you will be trekking in remote Himalayas and weather is always unpredictable, keep at least 2-3 more days for this trek.
  • Do follow the instructions of your tour leader during this trek for safety reasons.
  • Do not consume alcohol or any other intoxicants during the tour.
  • Trekkers with no history of AMS or any acclimatization issue should consider for this trek
  • Trekker must have experience of 4-5 high altitude treks.

History of Panpatia Col Trek

In the past there were many unsuccessful expeditions from Badrinath to Kedarnath due to weather and other reasons. In 2000, an English mountaineer Martin Moran lead an expedition to Neelkanth, a nearby peak in Badrinath area to find a route and then successfully negotiated the Panpatia ice falls to exit through Kedarnath making it the first successful attempt completing Shipton's route.

Mythology about Panpatia Col Trek

It is said that during ancient times priests and sages could cover this trek from Badrinath to Kedarnath in just one day!

Suggested Itinerary of Panpatia Col Trek (Tough One)

Day 1: Arrive in Joshimath
Reach Joshimath from Haridwar/Rishikesh. On the way you can see Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Nandprayag and Chamoli. Reach Joshimath before evening, you can visit Narsingh Temple of Joshimath or just stroll in Joshimath market. Night stay in one of the Joshimath hotels.

Tip: If you have time you can also visit Auli, either by road or by taking Auli Cable Car.

Day 2: Joshimath - Badrinath (3133 M) - Nearby Camps
After breakfast, drive to Badrinath. Visit Badrinath Temple (and Mana Village if time permits). After lunch we will start small hike to the camping ground in Badrinath.

Day 3: Badrinath - Shepherds Camp
The trekking expedition starts today, as you trek towards the treeline just above the campsite. Following the flags that are attached to boulders, you will be trekking to reach the Shepherd camp. After reaching the camp, you can enjoy the amazing views of the hills nearby.

Day 4: Shepherd camp - Panpatia Snout Camp
The trek today will lead you through a variety of terrains. It will range from a moderate uphill hike to treacherous climbs to finally reach the snout of the glacier of Panpatia. Overnight at camps.

Day 5: Snout camp - Moraine Camp
This day's trek will be slightly challenging. You will be crossing many moraines and go through patches of snow. All the way, you will get some unmatched views of the hills of the Himalayas. Overnight at Moraine Camp.

Day 6: Rest and Acclimatization
The day will be for you to acclimatize to the high altitude weather. Overnight at camps.

Day 7: Moraine Camp - Base of Parvati Col
The trek for the day leads you the base of the hill Parvati Col by crossing the snowfield of the Panpatia Glacier. The trek leads through some of the most thrilling climbs and steeps. Campsite for the day will be located just under the Parvati Col.

Day 8: Base of Parvati Col - Panpatia Snowfield - Camp
After a breakfast in the morning, the trek will lead you to some sort of gully which is vertical in nature. The way up from there will be covered in snow and rocks. From this place, you will clearly see the majestic Chaukhamba Peak, and if you are lucky, the highest peak of India, the Nanda Devi. The camp will be in the Panpatia Snowfield.

Day 9: Camp I - Panpatia Col - Camp at Sujal Sarovar
On this day of the trek, you will be crossing a snow-covered plateau to finally arrive at the Panpatia Col. A small and steep descent from here will take you straight to the Madhyamaheshwar watershed. The camp for the night will be set up near a small lake called the Sujal Sarovar.

Day 10: Sujal Sarovar - Kachni Khal
The trek for the day will lead you from the Sujal Sarovar to Kachni. The place is located across a small pass right above the lake which is slightly sloped and strewn with rocks. Following this route for a while will bring you to the campsite located right next to the Madhmaheshwar Ganga. From the campsite, you will be able to see the lights and the temple of Guptkashi located below.

Day 11: Kachni Khal - Madhmaheshwar - Nanu chatti
From here, the trek will lead you to the temple of Madhmaheshwar which is one of the Panch Kedar Temples. After visiting the temple you will continue to trek through the forests to finally arrive at the campsite for the day at Nanu Chatti. Overnight at camps.

Day 12: Nanu Chatti - Ransi - Rudraprayag
This will be the last day of trekking on this trip, and so it begins from Nanu Chatti. You will move downhill through forests of pine and arrive at the banks of the river Madhmaheshwar Ganga near the village of Ransi. The trekking expedition ends here. You will be driving from here to reach the hotel in Rudraprayag, where you will stay overnight at Rudraprayag hotels.

Tip: If you have time, you can visit Chopta Hill Station and Trek to Tungnath and Chandrashila Peak Summit. You can also trek to Deoria Tal as well.

Day 13 - Rudraprayag to Haridwar
Departure from Rudraprayag to Haridwar. Panpatia Col Trek ends.


Panpatia Col Short Tour via Madmaheshwar (Getting Popular)

Day 1: Arrive at Ransi via Ukhimath. Night stay.
Day 2: Trek to Madhameshwar.
Day 3: Acclimatization Day or you can do an easy trek to Budha Madhmaheshwar.
Day 4: Madmaheshwar to Kachini Dhar/Khal.
Day 5: Kachini Khal to Suraj Sarovar.
Day 6: Suraj Sarovar to Panpatia Col
Day 7: Panpatia Col to Suraj Sarovar
Day 8: Suraj Sarovar to Kachini Khal
Day 9: Kachini Khal to Madmaheshwar
Day 10: Madmaheshwar to Ransi Village.
Day 11: Back to Haridwar/Rishikesh.

Panpatia Col trek also known as Panpatia Glacier Trek, Panpatia Pass, Panpatiya Col

Panpatia Col Trek Photo Gallery

Camping with Chaukhamba Peaks at the Background
Trekkers during Panpatia Glacier Trek
Trying some Yoga Pose
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What is Panpatia Col Trek famous for?

Panpatia Col Trek is famous among tourist as Trekking, Expedition, High Altitude Trek, Camping, Garhwal Trekking, High Altitude Pass.

Panpatia Col Trek is recommended destination for Foreigners, Groups.

Panpatia Col Trek is popular destination for following activities/ interests - Adventure, High Altitude Mountain Pass, Trekking.

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