Trek through Rudugaira Valley's meadows and villages like Gangnani and enjoy stunning views of Himalayan peaks like Thelu and Jogin.
Traverse the Auden's Col pass through icy glaciers and challenging slopes for a truly adventurous trekking expedition.
Explore the beautiful landscapes of Bhilangana Valley, alpine lakes, dense jungles, and remote villages like Kharsoli and Tambakund.
Immerse in the spiritual aura of Gangotri by visiting the sacred Gangotri Temple where the Ganges River originates.
About the Auden’S Col Trek, Uttarakhand:
The Auden’S Col Trek is also one of the toughest treks in the Garhwal Himalayan region and hence it has been the least explored one by regular trekkers; a dream for all the ardent trekkers. It will take you through some of the dangerous moraines, narrow cliffs and stony, snaky and twitchy paves.
About the Auden’S Col Trek, Uttarakhand:
Set at an altitude of 5,490 m, the Auden's Col is one of the high altitude mountain passes in the Garhwal Himalayas that connects the Rudragaira valley and Bhilangana valley. Forming a bridge between the north-west ridge of Gangotri-III and Jogin-I, it reaches an altitude of 5,390 m.
The Auden’S Col Trek is also one of the toughest treks in the Garhwal Himalayan region and hence it has been the least explored one by regular trekkers; a dream for all the ardent trekkers. It will take you through some of the dangerous moraines, narrow cliffs and stony, snaky and twitchy paves.
Auden's Col Trek is filled with Hindu pilgrimage sites and hosts a shrine and views that your eyes can fathom. The trail passes through the thick alpine forests, meadows dotted with varied species of flowers, gushing streams, and cuts through numerous villages. Even being a strenuous trail, the journey is treated with the majestic view of the hulking high peaks like the Rudragaira, Jogin, Bhagirathi and Kedar Dome. Not just a trek, but it is an expedition that would rejuvenate and inspire you!
Total Trekking Distance: 40,070 m / 2600 m
Maximum Altitude: 5490 m (18,012 ft)
Auden’S Col Trek Difficulty Level: Challenging
Auden Col trek is a long duration trek and usually takes about 15 nights and 16 days to complete it. The trek starts from Khatling Glacier Camp-I and takes you through several Himalayan destinations like Tambakund, Kharsoli, Gangi and Ghuttu and finally leads to Audens's Col.
The inclusions of the Auden’s Col Trek are:
- Accommodation in camps, hotels and rest-houses on all days of the trek
- Trekking gears and equipment
- Transfer by train between Delhi and Haridwar
- Experience trekking guide
- All meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner- taken during the trek
- Sightseeing tours through the areas covered
- Camping staff and cooks
- Permit fee or royalty as and when required
The best time for Auden’s Col Trek is during the summer months of May and June and the post monsoon months of September and October. Summer has pleasant climate with daytime temperatures ranging between 15°C and 20°C and clear skies. During the post monsoon season, the temperatures range between 10°C and 15°C and the Himalayan landscapes look refreshingly lush with verdant forests and vibrant flowers. It is fairly easy to stick to the Auden Col Trek Itinerary during these months.
Auden’s Col trek is a challenging trek with treacherous terrain, high altitude, and unpredictable weather conditions. During the trek, you will have to cross glaciers and hike along steep ascents and descents. Hence, this trek requires a good level of physical fitness and prior high-altitude trekking experience for a safe Himalayan trekking expedition.
Auden's Col trek begins from Gangotri and ends at Kedarnath. Auden's Col connects elevations of Gangotri III from the north-west to the Jogin from the east. Start your trekking from Gangotri into the narrow confines of Rudugaira valley. You get to take the path of least resistance as there are a lot of loose boulders.
On the trail, you get to spot Himalayan bears and snow leopards and then proceed to all the way until Auden's Col base camp. The climb to the Col requires physical and mental strength as you get to climb on a steep slope of hard snow that are about 15 to 18 ft wide. But at the end, you will realize that the trek is not really a trek but you do for beauty.
Auden Col Trek Package usually starts from Gangotri, a small town in Uttarkashi which serves as a base camp for Auden's Col trek. The nearest towns to Gangotri are Uttarkashi and Dehradun. The fastest and most convenient way to reach Gangotri is to fly to Dehradun or Delhi and then take a cab to Gangotri.
The maximum altitude you will reach with Auden Col Trek is approximately 5,490 meters (18,012 feet). This is reached at the Auden’s Col mountain pass. From here, you can witness surreal views of the snow covered Rudugaira valley on the Gangotri side and the Bhilangana valley on the Khatling glacier side.
The height of the Auden Col trek trail ranges from 3,500 meters (11,483 feet) to 5,490 meters (18,012 feet) at its highest point, Auden Col Pass. This challenging trek has diverse terrain which includes valleys, glaciers, and mountain passes.
The starting point of the Auden Col trek is Gangotri, a town located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. From Gangotri, you can start your Auden Col Trek expedition over the next two weeks. The trail takes them through remote valleys, rugged terrain, and high mountain passes and finally culminates at the breathtakingly beautiful Auden Col Pass.
Auden Col is a high-altitude mountain pass that connects the Rudugaira valley in the Gangotri region to the Bhilangana valley in the Khatling Glacier area. The pass is named after the British geologist and explorer J.B. Auden who first crossed the pass along with his British team in 1939 .
During your Auden's Col trek, you will have to carry:
- Comfortable trekking shoes, and an extra pair of socks
- Sunscreen lotion
- Water bottles, backpack and energy bars/snacks
- sunglasses and camera
- Caps or hats
- Personal toiletries and basic medication
- Insect repellent and emergency medical kit
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Comfortable clothes
Auden Col trek is a high-altitude trek with major parts of the trail covered by snow. Hence, sturdy and waterproof hiking boots with ankle support are essential. These boots should have a grippy sole for traction on rocky terrain and offer protection against sharp rocks and uneven surfaces.
Yes, the guide is necessary for col Auden trek because this trek is bit tricky and challenging and one needs to be physically fit to undertake this trek. This trek entails steep walk on melting glaciers which requires the help of an expert tour guide who has prior experience of trekking on this trail.
To complete the trek, a good supportive guide team is necessary. Guides are well equipped and well versed with the terrain, route, local people and the local culture.
Here is the list of best Uttarakhand treks that you can book from Thrillophilia:
For Auden Col Trek, you will need essential equipment like sturdy hiking boots, warm clothing, waterproof jackets, trekking poles and a high-quality backpack. In addition, you need to carry a sleeping bag suitable for cold temperatures, a tent, and a headlamp. Other things that you need include a first aid kit, sunscreen, sunglasses, and sufficient food and water supplies for the duration of the trek.