Phulara Ridge Trek

Uttarkashi district is known for various treks, which are popular among trekkers, and the Phulara Ridge Trek is one of them. The trek is known for a series of mountain ridges that form the Phulara Ridge. Situated at a height of over 12,000 feet, the summit provides a breathtaking view of the prominent peaks. The state bird, Monal, and the sacred Bhrahmakamal flower are additional attractions that further enhance the region's charm.

Apart from this, the trek is also known for the alpenglow phenomenon, which is hardly visible on other treks. Starting from the Sankri village, the Phulara ridge trek covers a distance of 26 km, which typically takes about 6 days to complete. Being rated as easy to moderate, it can be undertaken by any beginner adventure enthusiast. In this Phulara Ridge Trek guide, we have shared some useful information that may help you plan your trek effectively.

Base Camp of the Trek

Base camp plays an important role in any trek, providing trekkers with basic yet essential facilities. Sankri, the last motorable point, serves as the base camp for the Phulara Ridge Trek. The village is located approximately 209 km from Dehradun. Along with Sankri, Kotgaon village is also used as a base camp for the Phulara Ridge Trek, offering facilities similar to Sankri.

Trek Difficulty Level

One question that always comes to mind, especially for beginner trekkers, is what is the difficulty level of the Phulara Ridge Trek? It is important for the trekkers to collect information before embarking on any trek, as this helps them prepare and face challenges more confidently. If we talk about the difficulty level of Phulara Ridge Trek, it is graded as easy to moderate, which means beginners with good physical fitness can visit it. The Phulara Ridge Trek distance from its base camp is around 25 to 26 km and can be completed in six days.

The trail includes both ascents and descents, with some stretches that will test your endurance and physical strength. During spring, when parts of the trail are covered with ice, these sections become more challenging. In addition to this, in rainy and snowy seasons, the trail becomes hard to navigate, which further adds to the overall difficulty of the trek.

Best Time for the Phulara Ridge Trek

Phulara Ridge Trek is renowned for its pristine and overlooked natural beauty. Although the region is dominated by the Kedarkantha and Har Ki Dun treks, the beauty and charm of Phulara Ridge stand tall. Scenic mountain views and blooming rhododendrons create a magical view, especially during the spring season. Considering all these factors, the best time to visit the Phulara Ridge Trek is during the spring, summer, and autumn seasons.

Phulara Ridge Trek Short Itinerary

Phulara Ridge Trek covers a distance of 26 km, which can be completed typically in six days. Below, we have outlined the journey of each day, which provides an idea how does each day looks like.

Day 1: Drive From Dehradun to Sankri

• Drive Distance: 207 km
• Drive Time: 8 to 9 hours
• Accommodation: Homestays, Hotels, and Guesthouses

The first day of the Phulara Ridge trek covers a distance of 207 km by road, where you will reach Sankri, the trek's base camp. The journey can be completed by road via bus or taxi. If you are not availing the trekking agency transportation service, take a bus from the Dehradun Hill Bus Stand, which will drop you at Sankri by evening. The drive will pass through various popular locations offering a scenic view of the region.
 

Remember, the winding hilly road may cause dizziness, so it will be good to take its necessary precautions before travelling. Upon arrival, check in to the accommodation (if booked earlier or included in the package). After some rest, take a short walk near the market, which may help you to adapt to the surrounding conditions. Before going to bed, prepare your bag carrying items required for trekking. Sleep well, as the next day marks the first day of the trek.

Day 2: Trek from Sankri to Sikolta

• Trek Distance: 7 km
• Trek Duration: 6 hours

The second day officially marks the beginning of the trek, where you will trek from Sankri to Sikolta campsite. After completing the permit formalities, proceed towards your destination.
 

Beginner trekkers may feel a bit nervous and may feel butterflies in their stomach as they move forward. Initially, the trail passes through an area surrounded by tall pine trees, where you can spot several popular bird species, especially barbets, woodpeckers, and drongos.
 

Moving forward, you will come across a bridge with a stream flowing beneath it. It is a good spot to refill your water bottles, as there won't be any water stream further. After walking about a mile, you will reach a point where the first glimpse of Phulara ridge appears.
 

From here, the trail splits into two sections; one takes you to the Juda Ka Talab, and the other to today's campsite, Sikolta. From this point onward, the snow-covered peaks become visible, creating a perfect view in the foreground. After covering a few more distance, the trail opened to a clear meadow, today's campsite at Sikolta.

Day 3: Trek from Sikolta to Bhoj Gadi

• Trek Distance: 5 km
• Trek Duration: 5 hours

Waking up early amidst nature's lap is an experience that cannot be expressed in words. As the sun starts peeking through the mountains, the view it creates is magnificent.
 

On the third day of our journey, we will trek to our second campsite, Bhoj Gadi, located about 5 km away from yesterday's camp. The trail is relatively easy and can be covered without much struggle. As we start walking, the meadow section gradually fades and opens into a dense forest. Further sections of the trail feature both ascents and descents, where you can spot another water stream along the way.

During the spring season, the blooming rhododendron trees alongside the trail create a magical environment with their unique, pungent fragrance. Eventually, the trail opens to a clear meadow, from where you can spot the popular Kedarkantha and Swargarohini peaks.
 

During spring and autumn, the area is adorned with bright yellow marigolds and purple lilies.
 

While you are admiring the beauty of the region, you will soon arrive at today's campsite. It is a great spot for photography enthusiasts, where they can capture the enchanting beauty of the surrounding area. Take some time to soak in this natural retreat, enjoy fun activities with fellow trekkers and share stories about yourself.

Day 4: Trek from Bhojgadi to Pushtara (via Phulara Ridge)

• Trek Distance: 8.4 km
• Trek Duration: 7 hours

It is one of the most important days of the trek, where you will witness the enthralling beauty of Phulara Ridge. Today's trail is of moderate difficulty, with a mix of steep ascents and descents. Within an hour of trekking, you finally arrive at the Phulara Ridge, a stunning series of mountains, which provides a magical view of the Great Himalayan peaks. From here, you can spot various popular peaks, including Bandarpoonch, Swargarohini, Sarutal, Hata Peak, Hanuman Top and more. In addition, you will also get a bird's-eye view of Purola Valley.

Moving ahead, the trail begins to descend towards today's campsite, Pushtara. Walking continuously on the ridge can cause discomfort, but as soon as it opens into the meadow, the ease of relief can be felt.
 

The area is home to a variety of Himalayan birds, including the Monal, the state bird of Uttarakhand. Along the trail, you may also spot Brahmkamal and other wildflowers popular in the region. Unlike the previous two days, today's route does not contain any water source, so it will be good to carry enough water with you.

Day 5: Trek from Pushtara to Taluka and drive to Sankri

• Trek Distance: 8 km
• Trek Duration: 6 hours
• Drive Distance: 12 km
• Drive Time: 60 minutes

The day marks the final leg of trekking, where you will trek from Pushtara to Taluka, followed by a drive to Sankri base camp. The trail is easy and mostly descends, which passed through a dense forest. As you walk amidst the forest covered with pine trees, the sun rays filtering through them produce a magical view. After reaching the village, the trail to the Har Ki Dun Trek becomes clearly visible. From the taluka, a taxi will take you back to Sankri for an overnight stay.

Day 6: Drive back to Dehradun

• Drive Distance: 207 km
• Drive Time: 10 hours

This is the final day of the journey, as you drive back to Dehradun from Sankri. The faces that were unknown on the first day have now become friends, and they start cherishing the trek journey by sharing photos and videos. By the end of the day, you will arrive in Dehradun, from where you can proceed to your respective destination.

Journey Commenced From

The thrilling and exciting journey to Phulara Ridge begins in Dehradun, which is easily accessible via road, rail and air. If you are travelling from another city, you can choose any mode of transport depending on your needs.

How to reach Dehradun?

• By Road: The city is well connected by road to Delhi, Punjab, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, and can be reached by bus or taxi. Several state-run buses connect these cities with the Dehradun ISBT.
• By Train: You can also travel by train, as Dehradun Railway Station is well connected to major railheads across the country.
• By Air: Alternatively, it can also be reached by air, where its Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport is connected with direct flights from several major Indian cities.

Phulara Ridge Trek Route: Key details

Phulara Ridge Trek Route Map

Sankri and Kotgaon villages are typically used as base camps for the Phulara Ridge Trek. Both villages are located about 209 km from Dehradun and are accessible by road via bus and taxi. The Uttarakhand Transport Corporation operates a direct bus service to Sankri, which departs early in the morning from Dehradun Hill Bus Stand. The destination can be reached by two routes, one that passes through Mussoorie and Kempty Fall, and the other via Dakpathar. The route maps for Phulara Ridge Trek are as follows: -
 

Option 1 : Dehradun → Dakpathar → Nainbagh → Lakhamandal → Naugaon → Purola → Mori → Netwar → Sankri Village.
 

Option 2 : Dehradun → Mussoorie → Nainbagh → Lakhamandal → Naugaon → Purola→ Mori→ Netwar → Sankri Village.
 

Backpack Check List for Phulara Ridge Trek

Accommodation

Kotgaon and Sankri villages also serve as base camps for the popular Winter Trek, i.e. Kedarkantha and Har Ki Dun. As a result, they offer ample accommodation facilities which can easily accommodate these trekkers.
 

Trekkers can book their stay either offline or online, depending on availability. However, for trekkers undertaking the Phulara Ridge Trek through a trekking agency, their accommodation is usually covered in the package. Here are some options you can consider for your overnight stay.

• Hotel Mountain View.
• Hotel Sankri Paradise.
• Hotel Kedar Woods.
• Hotel Meraki Palace.
• Wild Orchid Inn.
• The Daffodils Inn.

Important Tips for Trekkers

• Good physical fitness is a must for the trek.
• Obtain a permit from the Forest Department check post.
• Carry a valid photo identification proof.
• Direct bus departs daily from the Dehradun Hill Bus Stand.
• Bring all essential gear and items required for the trek.
• Before using the services of any trekking agency, carefully read their terms and conditions.
• Certain facilities are not included in the package but can be added as an add-on service.
• Beginners with good physical fitness can also attempt this trek.
• Book accommodation in advance if stays are not included in the package.
• Mobile networks are not available along the trail.

Phulara Ridge Trek Package

Phulara Ridge Trek cannot be undertaken alone, so it is important to hire an experienced guide or an agency that provides such services. Several trekking agencies are providing packages for this trek. The cost of the Phulara Ridge Trek may vary depending on the agency and the type of services they provide. Therefore, before comparing prices, check the facilities included and the group size. Generally, the Phulara Ridge Trek price ranges from Rs 8,500/- to Rs 12,500/-. Various trek guides and agencies are also available near the base camp that offer packages at reasonable prices.

Facilities offered by the agencies

Popular Trek Providers

Note: The prices mentioned above are indicative and subject to change by the agencies. For the latest package cost, visit the portal of the respective agencies.