Gulabi Kantha Winter Trek

Escape the crowd · Uttarakhand

Duration
5 Days
Difficulty
EasyEasyWalking on well-defined trails or gentle snow, low altitude or short days. Suitable as a first Himalayan trek — no prior experience required. Read the grading glossary →
Max altitude
4,000m
Best season
Dec – Feb
Start / end
Dehradun → Dehradun

Highlights

  • The quieter Kedarkantha.
  • A 360° Yamunotri-valley summit view.
  • Beginner-friendly winter snow.

Overview

The trek follows a classic Yamunotri-valley line. From Dehradun, drive 160 km up the Yamuna valley to Hanuman Chatti (2,400m) — the road head and trek base. The walk goes Hanuman Chatti to Channi Camp (2,700m) to Seema Thatch (3,474m) to the Gulabi Kantha summit (4,000m), with summit day done as a long out-and-back from Seema Thatch back down to Channi Camp. Day 5 retraces the line down to Hanuman Chatti and drives back to Dehradun. Roughly 25 km of trekking total.

Who climbs with us

Gulabi Kantha is our gentlest winter expedition — a snow trek that tops out at 4,000m. Recent groups have been mostly first-time Himalayan trekkers coming for the snow, alongside experienced trekkers looking for a quiet trail. One of our reviewers called this her first trek. The trip is built to make a first Himalayan trek work.

Itinerary

5 days, Dehradun to Dehradun.

  1. Day 1

    Dehradun to Hanuman Chatti

    2,400m

    Assemble at Dehradun by 5:30 AM and drive up the Yamuna valley to Hanuman Chatti — the Yamunotri-side road head and trek base. Settle in, gear check, early dinner.

    Stay: Tent / stay Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2

    Hanuman Chatti to Channi Camp

    2,700m

    A short, easy first walking day onto the trail to acclimatise. Steady gain through forest to the Channi Camp clearing.

    Stay: Tented camp Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

  3. Day 3

    Channi Camp to Seema Thatch

    3,474m

    Climb out of the forest onto the higher meadows. Camp at Seema Thatch — a wide alpine bowl that sits below the summit ridge. Summit briefing in the evening, sleep early.

    Stay: Tented camp Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner

  4. Day 4

    Seema Thatch to Gulabi Kantha summit (4,000m), back to Channi Camp

    4,000m summit, return to 2,700m camp

    Pre-dawn start with headlamps. Walk up the ridge from Seema Thatch to the Gulabi Kantha summit at ~4,000m / 13,200 ft. 360° view across Bandarpunch, Swargarohini, the Shivaliks, Bali Pass, and the Sarutal–Fachu Kandi ridges. Long descent past Seema Thatch back down to Channi Camp.

    Stay: Tented camp at Channi Meals: Pre-dawn breakfast, summit snacks, dinner

  5. Day 5

    Channi Camp to Hanuman Chatti to Dehradun

    2,400m road head

    Short walk down to Hanuman Chatti. Vehicle waiting; drive back to Dehradun. Trip ends in the evening.

    Stay: Meals: Breakfast

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation — stay from Day 1 to Day 5 in tents/stay
  • Food — all meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 6
  • Permits & camping charges — all trekking permits and national park charges
  • Trekking and safety equipment — tents, sleeping bags, gaiters, micro-spikes
  • Certified trek leaders, expert trek team, backpack offloading charges
  • Transport — Dehradun to Hanuman Chatti / Nishni village and back

Not included

  • Meals during transit
  • Rescue — insurance and rescue expenses
  • Insurance
  • Personal expenses of any kind
  • Anything apart from the inclusions
  • Customary tips

Dates & availability

No fixed dates yet — get in touch for the next Dec – Feb batch or private/custom dates.

We haven't opened a public batch for this trek yet. Reach out and we'll share the next departure as soon as it's confirmed, or set up a private group on dates that suit you.

Need different dates? Private departures are possible through Dec – Feb with a minimum of 4 trekkers — message us on WhatsApp.

Your leaders

Subodh Bhadauriya

Subodh Bhadauriya ITRA

Lead Trek Leader · 8+ years

Long-distance hiker, trail runner, and occasional poet — at home in the Himalaya.

Ajay Rawat

Ajay Rawat

Senior Trek Leader · 5+ years

A nomad from the greater Himalayas — happiest out walking.

Frequently asked

What is the Gulabi Kantha Winter Trek?

A 5-day, 4-night winter snow trek in the Yamunotri Valley of Uttarakhand. It tops out at ~4,000m / 13,200 ft and is graded easy — well suited as a first Himalayan winter trek.

How long is the trek?

5 days, 4 nights, Dehradun to Dehradun, with about 25 km of walking spread across days 2–5.

How much does it cost?

₹12,000 per trekker. Includes accommodation from Day 1 to Day 5, all meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 6 breakfast, all trekking permits and national park charges, tents and sleeping bags, gaiters and micro-spikes, certified trek leaders, and backpack offloading.

How difficult is it?

Easy. Max altitude 4,000m, longest single day is summit day at ~14 km. Suitable for first-time Himalayan winter trekkers in good general fitness.

When does the trek run?

Winter — December through February, when the Yamunotri valley is reliably under snow.

Where exactly is Gulabi Kantha?

In the Yamunotri Valley, Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. The road head is Hanuman Chatti — the same Hanuman Chatti on the Yamunotri pilgrimage route.

Is it less crowded than Kedarkantha?

Yes — that's the whole pitch. Kedarkantha pulls hundreds of trekkers a week in winter; Gulabi Kantha sees a tiny fraction of that for a similar snow-trek brief at a similar altitude.

What can I see from the summit?

A 360° Yamunotri-valley panorama including Bandarpunch, Swargarohini, the Shivalik range, Bali Pass, and the Sarutal / Fachu Kandi ridges.

Do I need a permit?

All trekking permits and national park charges are included in the trek fee and handled by TVT.

What's the cancellation policy?

More than 60 days before the start date — full refund. 60 to 30 days before the start date — 50% refund. Less than 30 days before the start date — no refund.

What gear is provided versus what do I bring?

We provide tents, sleeping bags, gaiters, and micro-spikes. You bring trekking boots, layered warm clothing, gloves, headlamp, sunglasses, sunscreen, and personal essentials. Full gear list shared on confirmation.