Overview
Bali Pass is a demanding crossover trek connecting Sankri in the Supin Valley with Yamunotri in the Yamuna Valley. The route follows the classic Har Ki Dun trail through Taluka, Osla, and Har Ki Dun before entering increasingly remote terrain around Ruinsara Tal and the upper valleys.
Beyond Ruinsara Lake, the landscape changes dramatically. Forests disappear, giving way to boulder fields, glacier crossings, snow slopes, and loose moraine. The climb to Bali Pass involves sustained elevation gain and often requires walking on snow during early summer. Weather conditions can change quickly, making proper preparation essential.
Standing at over 16,000 feet, Bali Pass offers commanding views of Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, Black Peak (Kala Nag), and several peaks of the Garhwal Himalayas. The descent towards Yamunotri is steep and physically demanding, requiring careful footing over loose rock and snow. This trek is best suited to experienced trekkers seeking a challenging Himalayan crossing rather than a leisurely trail.
Photos And Videos
Highlights
- Challenging crossover trek between Sankri and Yamunotri.
- Cross Bali Pass at 16
- 207 feet.
- Visit the scenic Ruinsara Tal lake.
- Close views of Swargarohini
- Bandarpoonch
- and Black Peak.
- Traverse glaciers
- moraine
- scree
- and snowfields.
- Walk through the Har Ki Dun Valley and Osla village.
- Remote camps far from crowded trekking routes.
- Demanding summit day with significant elevation gain.
- Diverse terrain changing almost every day.
- One of Uttarakhand's premier high-altitude pass treks.
Trek Details
Seasons
Departure Cities
Terrain
Itinerary
- 1
Dehradun to Sankri
Drive through Mussoorie, Purola, Mori, and the Tons Valley before reaching Sankri. The journey takes around 8–10 hours. Meet the trek team, complete equipment checks, and prepare for the expedition.
- 2
Sankri to Taluka Drive and Trek to Seema
Drive to Taluka before beginning the trek along the Supin River. Pass traditional villages, forests, and wooden bridges on the way to Seema campsite. This day serves as a gradual introduction before the higher sections of the trek.
- 3
Seema to Har Ki Dun
Follow the valley through forests and meadows while gaining altitude steadily. Reach Har Ki Dun campsite with views of Swargarohini and surrounding glaciers. Rest well as the terrain becomes significantly more demanding from the following day onward.
- 4
Har Ki Dun to Ruinsara Tal
Leave the main Har Ki Dun trail and head toward Ruinsara Tal. The route becomes quieter and more remote, passing alpine meadows and glacial streams before reaching the beautiful high-altitude lake surrounded by towering peaks.
- 5
Ruinsara Tal to Odari
Climb gradually through boulder fields and alpine terrain toward Odari campsite. Vegetation becomes sparse as the landscape transitions to moraine and rocky slopes. Spend the afternoon resting and preparing for the demanding pass crossing.
- 6
Cross Bali Pass and Descend to Lower Dhamni
Start well before sunrise for the steep climb to Bali Pass. Snowfields, loose rock, and glacier sections make this the toughest day of the trek. After crossing the pass, descend carefully toward Lower Dhamni campsite through rugged alpine terrain.
- 7
Lower Dhamni to Janki Chatti
Continue descending through forests and rocky trails until reaching Janki Chatti near Yamunotri. The changing landscape marks the completion of the crossover. Vehicles meet the group for the onward journey.
- 8
Janki Chatti to Dehradun
Drive back through Barkot, Naugaon, and Mussoorie to Dehradun. The journey takes most of the day. Plan onward travel for the following day to account for possible delays caused by mountain road conditions.
Things to Carry
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