Gulabi Kantha Trek

Gulabi Kantha, a lesser-known trek, is located in the Uttarkashi district near Barkot. Uttarkashi is already known for popular treks, such as Kedarkantha, Har Ki Dun, and Dayara Bugyal. Soon, this list is going to receive its "pink flavour" as the Gulabi Kantha Trek is set to be added to that list due to its increasing popularity. The trek is known for its breathtaking and ethereal views, which will always raise one question above all! Why isn't this place more popular, and how has it remained hidden in the age of social media? The surreal beauty and panoramic landscapes of the Gulabi Kantha are yet to be discovered by many.
 

Gulabi Kantha Trek distance is 24 km long, and is ideal for both adventure lovers and beginners looking to start their trekking journey. To witness its grandeur, the best time to visit the Gulabi Kantha Trek is during the spring, summer, and winter seasons.
 

The region receives heavy snowfall in winter, transforming this place into a winter wonderland. The beauty and charm of Gulabi Kantha during winter is different, which is why it is also known as a 'Popular Winter Trek'. In this Gulabi Kantha Trek Guide, we have shared all details, including itinerary, package, route map and items required.

Base Camp

Barkot serves as the base camp of the Gulabi Kantha Trek, which is located 36 km away from its starting point. It is equipped with all basic facilities like Hotels, restaurants, ATMs, medical and others. A cloak room facility to keep extra luggage is also provided by various hotels. Barkot is easily accessible by road from Dehradun, Rishikesh and other major places.

Trek of the Year 2025

The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board recently announced the Gulabi Kantha Trek as the "Trek of the Year 2025". Along with this, the Chenap Valley Trek in Chamoli and Bankatiya Trek in Pithoragarh have also been awarded the title to promote such treks across the region. Similar to other popular treks in Uttarakhand, Gulabi Kantha Trek is nonetheless. It possesses all qualities which can etch its name in the popular trek list of Uttarakhand.
 

The trek will be promoted among trekkers through various agencies from September 2025 to March 2026. To encourage their participation, the department has also announced a subsidy of Rs 2,000/- for each trekker. To avail the benefit of the subsidy, the trekking agency must meet the criteria shared in the official notice. 

Trek Difficulty Level

Experienced trekkers and agencies rated the Gulabi Kantha an easy-to-moderate trek. The total distance its trail covers is around 24 km and is easily accessible, making it suitable for beginners. Those who are adventure lovers and have never gone for a trek can undertake this trek. Though the trek is easy but it still demands basic fitness strength from the trekkers, as some stretches may test your strength and endurance.
 

Although the Gulabi Kantha Trek is graded as an easy-to-moderate trek, it still requires an experienced trek guide who can guide you throughout the trek and share valuable insights. Doing a trek doesn't mean just climbing the summit and coming back, but to know about the region, nature, peaks and mountains surrounding the region.

Gulabi Kantha Trek Itinerary

Journey Commenced From

• The Gulabi Kantha Trek starts from Dehradun, which is around 251 km away from Delhi. Dehradun offers excellent connectivity by air, rail, and road.
• Dehradun Railway Station provides good connectivity to Delhi Railway Station, offering various direct trains daily.
• Apart from this, Dehradun can also be reached by Air, as its Jolly Grant Airport provides direct flights to many cities.
• Besides this, it is also connected by road to its nearby cities and can be easily reached using state transport buses, private buses, taxis and own transportation.

Gulabi Kantha Trek Route: Key details

Gulabi Kantha Trek Route Map

The journey to the Gulabi Kantha Trek primarily commences from Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The base camp of the Gulabi Kantha Trek is Barkot, situated 125 km away. Dehradun offers bus, taxi, and shared taxi options to reach Barkot. The journey takes around 7 hours; however, the duration may also depend on the mode of transportation, road, and traffic conditions. The Journey to Barkot passes through various places, which can be checked through its route shared here: -

Dehradun → Mussoorie → Kempty Falls → Nainbagh → Lakhamandal → Naugaon → Barkot

A Trail to the Gulabi Kantha Trek

The Gulabi Kantha Trek is around 24 km from its starting point, which can be covered in three days; however, the entire journey takes 5 days to complete. The trail starts from Hanuman Chatti, an important layover for the people heading to Yamunotri.

Day 1: Drive from Dehradun to Barkot

• On the first day of the journey, we head to our base camp at Barkot, located around 125 km away from Dehradun.
• Barkot can be reached by bus from Dehradun Hill Bus Stand or by a shared taxi from Rispanna Bridge taxi stand.
• Alternatively, you can hire a taxi or use transportation services provided by the trekking agencies.
• The route will pass through some quintessential tourist hotspots like Mussoorie, Kempty Falls, and Lakhamandal.
• After a few hours of driving and enjoying the blissful view of the mountain, we reached Naugaon, a place known for its apple orchards. Barkot is just 10 km away from Naugaon, and takes approximately 30 minutes to reach.
• Barkot, a popular town, is nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, which is prominently used by the devotees on their pilgrimage to the Yamunotri Temple.
• Upon arrival, we booked our accommodation for the night.
• That's all for Day 1, now we will take some rest to prepare ourselves for the next day's adventure.

Day 2: Drive from Barkot to Hanuman Chatti, followed by a Trek to Kandola Channi

• The refreshing morning in Barkot provided a perfect start to the day.
• After having a perfect breakfast, we checked out and proceeded toward Hanuman Chatti.
• Hanuman Chatti is around 36 km away from Barkot, which takes a short drive of 1-2 hours to reach.
• It is a small place which serves as the starting point of many treks, including the route to Yamunotri Temple. From here, we began our trek to Kandola Chhani, which is approximately 4 km away.
• The trail winds through dense forest, mountains, villages, and a Shiva temple. Along the way. The terrace fields and rhododendron forest offer an irresistible view.
• After some time, we reached our today's destination today, i.e. Kandola Chhani. The area is usually used by the villagers for grazing livestock.
• Surrounded by oak and pine forests, Kandola is a beautiful place. The lush green fields provide a peaceful spot where we can relax for hours.
• After dinner, we went to sleep to continue our trek the next day.

Day 3: Kandola Chhani to Seema Thatch

• On the third day of our journey, we continue our journey from Kandola Chhani to Seema Thatch. Today's trail will take us through some ascents, oak and pine forests and vast open meadows.
• Seema Thatch is located around 6 km from Kandola Chhani and takes approximately 7 hours to reach.
• The serenity and calmness of the region are palpable. The trail is lined with beautiful rhododendron flowers, whose aroma is unmatched.
• The trail is relatively easy, and after enjoying the scenic view and clicking tons of pictures in the mid-way, we finally reached our second campsite.
• While the camp is being set up, we relaxed in the fields, soaking in the quaint beauty of nature. The day ended with a breathtaking sunset that left us mesmerised.

Day 4: Seema Thatch to Gulabi Kantha Peak and Back to Kandla Chhani

• Finally, the day we had been waiting for arrived. Today we summit the Gulabi Kantha peak, which is just 2 km away from Seema Thatch. Thereafter, we trek back to our first campsite at Kandola Chhani.
• The fourth day will be the highlight of our journey, as today we will witness the beauty of Gulabi Kantha. Similar to other days, the trail is simple, but slightly on the steeper side.
• After completing the climb, we reached the summit, where the panoramic and landscape views are stunning. From the top, we also spot some popular peaks like Bandar Punch, Swargarohini, Gangotri, and Srikanth.
• After enjoying the view and taking some pictures, we began our trek back to Kandol Chhani. While returning to Kandola Chhani, you will witness the surreal landscapes that we missed during the ascent.

Day 5: Kandola Chhani to Hanuman Chatti and drive back to Dehradun

• The final day of our journey had arrived, as today we trekked back to Hanuman Chatti, from there we drove back to Dehradun.
• As soon as we reached Hanuman Chatti, the trek journey officially concluded. The taxi we booked for our return is waiting for us.
• You can also take a shared taxi to Barkot, and from there, catch a bus or shared taxi.
• By the time we reached Dehradun, the beautiful memories of the journey continued to replay in our minds.

Backpack Check List for Gulabi Kantha Trek

Accommodation

Barkot is the base camp for the Gulabi Kantha Trek and offers a variety of facilities. In addition, it also offers plenty of accommodation options for visitors, such as Hotels, Resorts and Camps. Stays can be booked either online or upon arrival. However, it is recommended that trekkers book their stay before their arrival to avoid any last-minute issues. Visitors can find many options for their stay, some of them are: -

• Hotel Devbhumi.
• Yamuna Valley Resort.
• Hotel Grand View.
• Hotel Diksha Inn.
• Hotel Bharat Palace.
• Hotel Necklace Moon.
• Oak Wood Resort.
• GMVN Jantra Yatri Niwas.
• La Monal Hotel.
• Hotel Karan Palace.
• Hotel Sarutal and Restaurant.
• Veda Cottage.
• Sumeru Camp.
• Aalayam Yamuna Retreat and Cottages.

Important Tips for Trekkers

• Physical fitness is necessary, as you have to cover a distance of 24 km.
• Carry all necessary items required for the trek.
• Direct bus services to Barkot are available from the Dehradun Hill Bus Stand.
• Shared taxis to Barkot are also available from Dehradun Rispana Bridge Taxi Stand.
• ATMs are available in Barkot, still it is advisable to carry cash.
• If using trekking agency services, carefully read the terms and conditions.
• Consider opting transportation facilities offered by the trekking agency.
• Avoid trekking during the monsoon season, as it brings many challenges.

Gulabi Kantha Trek Package

The price for the Gulabi Kantha Trek varies from agency to agency. Generally, the trek price ranges between Rs 8,000/- and Rs 13,000/-. However, the kits and other equipment costs are not included in the price.

The trekkers need to verify the agency and the service they are offering in their package. Also, read the terms and conditions carefully before signing the documents. The package included some facilities, whereas some are not part of the package but can be taken as an add-on. If you require any add-ons, you can opt for them during the booking.

Facilities available in the Trek Package

Popular Trek providers

• Trek the Himalayas.
• Himalayan Hikers.
• Himalaya Shelter.
• Trail Hikers.

Helpline Number

• In case of emergency, reach out to your trek guide or dial 112.
• For subsidy related: -
  • Uttarakhand Tourism Department Email Helpdesk: adventurewingutdb@gmail.com