Maximum altitude: 18000ft. from sea level
Grade: Difficult
Duration: 15 days
Trekking distance: 95 km
Trail type: High mountain pass
Rail head: Dehradun
Airport: Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun)
Snow Season: Mid May to Mid June (heavy to moderate snow)
Service from: Dehradun
Base camp: Gangotri
Best season: Summer (April to June), Spring (September to December)
Region: Uttarakhand
Who can participate: Age above 15 years, experience of high altitude trek
Travel from Dehradun to Gangotri (3100 m)( 8-9 hours)
Rest and Acclimatization at Gangotri
Gangotri to Nala Camp (3750 m) (8-9 hr trekking)
Nala Camp to Rudragaira camp (4350 m) ( 7 to 8 hrs)
Rest and acclimatization at Rudragaira
Rudugaira Base camp to Auden Col Base Camp via Gangotri Base Camp (4750 m) ( 6 to 7 hr)
Auden's Col Base Camp to Khatling Glacier Camp (5000 m) ( 5 to 6 hrs) via Auden's Col ( 5500 m) ( 5 to 6 hrs)
Khatling Glacier Camp to Zero Point/ Waterfall Camp(3900 m)( 9 to 10 hrs)
Rest
Zero Point/ Waterfall Camp to Chowki (3500 m) (5-6 hours)
Chowki to Masar Tal (3750m) (5 - 6 hrs)
Masar Tal to Vasuki Tal ( 4200 m) ( 2 - 4 hrs) via Mayali Pass (5000 m) ( 5 - 6 hrs)
Vasuki Tal to Kedar Nath (3500 m) ( 3 - 5 hours)
Kedarnath to Gaurikund( 1950m) (6 to 7 hours)
Gaurikund to Dehradun ( 250 km) (8 to 10 hours)
Clothes:
Footwear: Get yourself sturdy well-fitted trekking footwear so that your feet do not hurt during the trek.
Other Essentials:
By Air: You can reach Dehradun by air by reaching Jolly Grant Airport which connects the city to other cities of India. From the airport, travel for 40-45 minutes to reach the city.
By Road: Dehradun is well connected with neighboring cities such as Delhi, Mussoorie, Shimla, Rishikesh, and Agra by road. These buses arrive and depart from Dehradun Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT). You can also travel by NH 58 and NH 72 to reach the city by car or hired cab.
By Train: The city is connected with many other India cities by railroad. You will be able to travel from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Allahabad, Ujjain, Chennai, Lucknow and Varanasi and reach Dehradun Railway Station, located 1-2 kilometers away from the city.
There is only one route to follow if you wish to embark on Auden Col trek. The route will start from Gangotri and continue to Nala Camp. From Nala Camp, you will be reaching Rudragaira camp and proceed towards Auden’s col base camp via Gangotri Base camp. From Auden Col base camp, the route goes to Auden Col and then Khatling Glacier Camp and finally to Zero Point/Waterfall Camp. The next leg of the trek goes from Chowki to Masar Tal to Vasuki Tal via Mayali Pass. And then to KedarNath, from where the down journey starts and finishes at gaurikund.
Trekkers must be careful about a few pointers during their trek. This will make their journey safe and enjoyable. A few tips to note are:
Climatic conditions in high altitudes are different from the plains; So, take time to get acclimatized to high altitudes.
Children below the age of 15 years are not recommended for Auden's Col trek.
Get your medical checkup done to ensure fitness before you go on a trek.
People with heart, respiratory and blood pressure problems should not go trekking without a doctor’s advice. The trek is also not recommended for pregnant ladies.
Pay attention to your trek instructor to enjoy a safe and sound trek.
Do not waste water as it is precious in the hills.
Trek only during day time unless it is a part of your itinerary.
Be careful as you walk. Do not get distracted while walking, which might result in losing your foothold and spraining your legs.
You will trek through an eco-friendly zone, so refrain from littering the local sites or campsites or you may be fined.
Do not use earphones during trekking, it might make you unmindful.
Provide a valid ID card during the time of check-in.
Hotels and camps are basic in nature and do not provide luxury.
Where is Auden Col?
Auden's Col is a high altitude mountain pass at an elevation of 5500 m that connects the Rudugaira valley and Bhilangana valley. It is considered to be one of the most challenging as well as least explored treks in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand.
How difficult is Auden's Col Trek?
Auden's Col Trek is considered to be one of the most challenging treks in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. The trek takes around 14 to 15 days to complete and consists of walking through moraines, boulders,glaciers, steep ridges etc., making things difficult. However, the more difficult will be your climb, more beautiful will be the scenic beauty.
What is the highest altitude of Auden's Col trek?
The highest altitude of Auden’s Col trek is Auden's Col at 5500 m from the sea level.
What is the best time to do Auden's Col trek?
The best time to do an Auden's Col trek is during the summer months from May to June or during the post monsoon months from September to October. If you go on the trek during the summer months, you will be able to enjoy pleasant weather with a cool breeze. The post monsoon months are when the natural beauty of the area is further enhanced.