Pindari Glacier Travel Guide
The most accessible glacier trek in Kumaon — a 50 km round trip from Song village with views of Nanda Devi East and Nanda Kot.
- Altitude
- 3,660 m
- Best season
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- From Dehradun
- ~335 km (to Song) + trek
- Category
- Trek
Why visit Pindari Glacier
- Trek to one of the most accessible glaciers in the Kumaon Himalaya — a spectacular ice field at 3,660 m reachable without technical climbing
- Walk through verdant forests and rhododendron groves on a trail that reveals Nanda Devi East (7,434 m) and Nanda Kot (6,861 m)
- Camp at Zero Point for an unobstructed sunrise view of the glacier face reflecting in a glacial pool
- Experience genuine wilderness on a route maintained by the Forest Department but largely free of commercial crowding
- Combine with Kafni Glacier (side trail) for a longer high-altitude circuit through pristine Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
The Pindari Glacier lies in the southern fringe of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve at 3,660 m, fed by the same massif that contains Nanda Devi East (7,434 m) and Nanda Kot (6,861 m). It is considered the easiest glacier trek in Kumaon, accessible without technical climbing skills, and the clear trail through the Pindar River valley makes it suitable for first-time glacier trekkers. The standard route begins at Song village near Bageshwar and covers roughly 50 km round trip over 6–8 days.
Key camps along the route include Loharkhet, Dhakuri (with a famous 360-degree Himalayan panorama), Khati village, Dwali and Phurkiya — each offering basic but adequate accommodation. The final leg from Phurkiya reaches the Zero Point at the glacier's snout, where the views of the surrounding peaks are outstanding. A popular extension trail leads to the Kafni Glacier, adding two days to the itinerary. The trek is at its best in May–June (pre-monsoon wildflowers) and September–October (post-monsoon clarity).
Explore around
Places near Pindari Glacier
The last village accessible by road and the standard starting point for the Pindari Glacier trek
Key junction camp where the Kafni Glacier trail branches off from the Pindari route
The closest viewpoint to the glacier — maximum public access point with unobstructed views of the ice face
A side trail from Dwali leads to Kafni glacier and a viewpoint for the Nanda Khat cirque
What to do
Activities at Pindari Glacier
Glacier Approach Trek
The 50 km trail from Song passes through Khati village (forest rest house), Dwali (glacier junction), and Phurkiya camp before reaching Zero Point. The trail follows the Pinder river most of the way, with steady but manageable gradients.
Zero Point Panorama
Zero Point is the designated closest public access point to the Pindari Glacier. The glacier descends from the cirque formed by Nanda Khat, Nanda Koti, and Changuch peaks. The view is expansive and on clear mornings, the colour of the ice shifts dramatically with the light.
Camp at Phurkiya
Phurkiya camp (3,260 m), 3 km before Zero Point, is the last camp on the trek. Forest Department shelters and camping spots are available. The morning walk from Phurkiya to Zero Point is the most dramatic section of the entire route.
Nanda Kot and Nanda Devi East Views
The upper sections of the trail (Phurkiya to Zero Point) reveal the great peaks of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve — Nanda Devi East (7,434 m), Nanda Kot (6,861 m), and Nanda Khat — in an overwhelming panorama.
Before you go
Pindari Glacier travel tips
- Song village (trek base) is 65 km from Bageshwar via Kapkot — the road becomes narrow beyond Kapkot; cars can reach Song
- Forest Department permit is required; register at Khati village checkpost with a small fee
- Khati village (12 km from Song) is the last place to buy provisions — carry all food from here onward
- The trail is gradual and suitable for families with older children and reasonably fit adults; no technical experience needed
- Leeches are active on the lower trail in July–August; carry salt or leech socks
- Accommodation in forest rest houses must be pre-booked with the Bageshwar Forest Division
Getting there
How to reach Pindari Glacier
Bageshwar to Song (trek base) is 65 km via Kapkot. Bageshwar is 190 km from Kathgodam. Shared jeeps operate Bageshwar–Kapkot–Song in the morning. No direct buses beyond Kapkot.
Kathgodam (190 km from Song) is the nearest major railhead, well connected to Delhi. From Kathgodam, take a bus or taxi to Bageshwar and connect to Song.
Pantnagar Airport (200 km) has limited flights from Delhi. From Pantnagar, hire a taxi to Kathgodam and onward to Bageshwar.
Where to stay in Pindari Glacier
- Song village has a Forest Department rest house and a few basic guesthouses
- Forest rest houses at Khati, Dwali, and Phurkiya provide dormitory and basic private room accommodation — pre-book with the Bageshwar Forest Division
- Camping with your own tent is permitted throughout the trek; trekking agencies from Bageshwar and Almora offer organised camping packages
- Bageshwar town (65 km from Song) has KMVN Tourist Rest House and private hotels for pre/post-trek accommodation
Food & dining
- Khati village (12 km from Song) has small tea stalls and a guesthouse kitchen — the last reliable food source on the route
- Organised trekking packages include all meals; self-supported trekkers should carry packed food from Khati onward
- Bageshwar town has the best pre-trek meal options — market dhabas with Kumaoni thali
- Carry high-energy snacks for long days on the trail; the cold above 3,000 m increases caloric requirements significantly
Background
History of Pindari Glacier
The Pindari Glacier is the source of the Pindar river, which flows south through Bageshwar district to join the Alaknanda at Karnaprayag. The Pindar valley and its glacier have been known to local communities for centuries as a sacred headwater region within the Nanda Devi religious landscape. The goddess Nanda Devi, patron deity of Uttarakhand, rules over the high peaks that form the glacier's cirque.
The glacier became more widely documented during the Survey of India's 19th-century mapping operations. British explorer Tom Longstaff explored the upper Pindar valley in the early 20th century, and subsequent mountaineering expeditions in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve added to its documentation. The trek route was formalised and rest houses built by the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) in the late 20th century to make the glacier accessible to non-technical trekkers.
Like all Himalayan glaciers, Pindari has been retreating — studies show it has receded several kilometres over the past century, and the rate of recession has accelerated. Zero Point, the public access limit, is progressively farther from the actual glacier terminus than it was two decades ago. This makes early May and June the best time to visit for the most dramatic ice views, before summer ablation reduces the ice coverage.
Plan your trip
Suggested Pindari Glacier itinerary
- Day 1Drive from Bageshwar to Song village (65 km, 3 hrs). Trek Song to Khati (12 km, 4–5 hrs) through forest. Overnight Khati rest house.
- Day 2Trek Khati to Dwali (15 km, 5–6 hrs) along the Pinder river. Overnight Dwali rest house or camp. Optional: afternoon acclimatisation walk.
- Day 3Trek Dwali to Phurkiya (11 km, 4–5 hrs). Afternoon rest and acclimatisation. Overnight Phurkiya (3,260 m) camp or rest house.
- Day 4Early morning trek to Zero Point (3 km, 2 hrs). Glacier and peak panorama. Return to Phurkiya for breakfast. Begin descent to Khati (26 km total, 7–8 hrs). Overnight Khati.
- Day 5Descend Khati to Song (12 km, 4 hrs). Drive back to Bageshwar. Overnight Bageshwar.
Common questions
Pindari Glacier FAQ
- How long is the Pindari Glacier trek?
- The total round trip from Song village is approximately 100 km over 5–6 days. The one-way distance from Song to Zero Point is about 50 km, typically covered in 3 days ascending and 2 days descending.
- Is the Pindari trek difficult?
- Pindari is graded moderate — the trail is gradual, follows a river valley, and has no technical sections. It is suitable for reasonably fit adults and older teenagers. The altitude at Zero Point (3,660 m) requires some acclimatisation but the approach is slow enough for most trekkers to adapt.
- Can families do the Pindari trek?
- Yes — Pindari is one of the most family-friendly glacier treks in Uttarakhand. The gradual gradient, well-maintained trail, forest rest house accommodation, and maximum altitude of 3,660 m make it suitable for families with children 12 and older who have basic walking fitness.
- How do I reach Song village?
- Song village is 65 km from Bageshwar via Kapkot. Take a bus from Bageshwar to Kapkot and then a shared jeep to Song, or hire a private taxi from Bageshwar. Bageshwar is 190 km from Kathgodam (nearest major railhead).
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