Nature's most scenic shortcut to the sky at 12,250 ft.
Maximum Altitude
12,250 ft.
Trek Duration
5 Night / 6 Days
Trek Distance
29 Km.
Difficulty Level
Easy - Moderate
Start/End Point
Prince Chowk, Dehradun
Nearest Airport
Jollygrant Airport, Dehradun
Best Season
April, May, June, Sept,Oct, Nov
Accommodation
A night in hotel room & during trek in dome styled tent
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, evening snacks and dinner
Permits
Forest Department & Trekking permit
Temperature
8°C to 18°C (daytime) 5°C to - 5°C (nigh time)
Snow
December to February
The Phulara Ridge Trek offers an entirely new type of trek within the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand due to its unique geographical layout. Generally, treks in the Himalayas take place within valleys or finish at a peak unless the trekker descends again before they reach that destination. With Phulara Ridge Trek, there is a very distinct horizontal traverse that allows the trekker to experience trekking at altitude without ever trekking straight up. The trek incorporates a 4-5 kilometer long Sky Walk along the summit, giving trekkers a view of the entire Swargarohini Massif, Bandarpoonch and the Kalanag (Black Peak) as well as a panoramic view of the mountain itself. The experience along the high-altitude corridor offers trekkers an extended view over the Pushtara Meadows and gives trekkers an opportunity to see the whole view of the valley below, just above you. The experience is enhanced by the additional complexity introduced through a well-established botanical transition that takes you from the ancient holy forests of Bhojpatra (Silver Birch); where the bark was previously used for writing Vedic texts, to the incredibly distinct connected rolling bugyals of Pushtara created millions of years ago by ancient glaciers pushing upwards on the surface of the land, creating smooth, flat areas of green velvet. Finally, the Phulara Ridge has been described as a natural balcony providing spectacular views along with the excitement of high-altitude trekking, yet has remained very accessible to novice trekkers preparing for meditation and spirituality within the depths of these Himalayan heights as well as experienced trekkers searching for a higher elevation adventure.
The Phulara Ridge Trek is an exceptionally constructed trek located within the Garhwal region of India. This trek will appeal to individuals who want to experience the vastness of a typical high-altitude trek while not wanting to experience the extreme stress associated with high-altitude trekking. The Phulara Ridge Trek is different from many of the V shaped and Pyramid trekking routes typically found within the Himalayas because it provides a complete 'Linear Traverse' allowing trekkers to spend more time along the ridge line than just on the summit of any given mountain.
1. The Sky-Walk Geography
This trail's uniqueness stems from its very impressive 4-5 kilometre (approximately 12,127 ft) horizontal section at a continuously maintained level. Unlike average walks where you spend only a few moments at the summit with a view, and then descend back down, the topography of the Phulara Trail allows you to trek for 4 to 5 hours along the spine of this mountain. Essentially, during the entire day, you are trekking at the same height, providing you with all of the excitement of being at the summit and completing multiple kilometers of trek.
2. The 250 Degree Panorama of the World
The ridge, which functions as a giant natural balcony, is aligned perfectly to provide an uninterrupted view of the Garhwal and Kinnaur skylines for 250 degrees. This view is essential because it allows you to see famous peaks, like Swargarohini Massif, Kalanag (the Pyramid), and Bandarpoonch, from the point of view of being mid-air and eye-level with these high rises as opposed to being located on the valley floor and looking up.
3. Two-tiered Horizontality
The narrow crest offers a visual experience of two valleys separated by the steep drop-offs on either side from which to view the two unique geological features of the area: the rocky basin, or Devkyara Valley, provides both breathtaking scenery of the steep rock walls dropping away from you, toward the high surrounding mountains; and Pushtara Meadows, a lush, rolling meadow, creating an illusion of more land beneath you as you are standing atop another valley with steep cliffs to either side.
4. Unique Perspective of Birds
The ridge provides the best opportunity to view birds of high altitude, especially the Himalayan Monal. This can only be done due to the fact that the ridge provides a vantage point above the steep cliffs where Monals nest, allowing you to gaze down at the amazing colors of their beautiful plumage. Watching the state bird of Uttarakhand float on the warm thermals below you while ascending to higher elevations provides an ecologically unique experience that is a highlight of the Phulara Traverse.
5. From Bhojpatra to the Glushy Bhoond Bugyals
You will be walking on a bridge of flora connecting the ancient Bhojpatra forest to the Pusthara Bugyals. The Bohpatras are sacred trees with a paper-like bark used to create the original Vedic texts; they line the edge of the Pushtara Bugyals. This transition area has some remarkable features separating it from the other steep, rugged areas such as the undulating meadows of the Pushtara Bugyals are different from the steep slopes found elsewhere – they are really smooth, rolling green mounds created by the melting glacial retreat of the last Ice Age thousands of years ago and are simply spectacular in their beauty.
One of the most unique aspects of Phulara Ridge is its incredible linear high-altitude traverse, which allows its trekkers to spend a full day traversing along the top of a mountain rather than through its valleys; they also experience the feeling of being in-the-air—floating—above a valley; they will be looking down into both valley systems above which they are floating. Camping in the Pushtara Meadows offers a feeling of comfort away from other people that is hard to find elsewhere due to the tranquillity and grandeur of being surrounded by 6,000-meter peaks and a green field covered with a blanket of wildflowers.
The Phulara Ridge trek is classified as a walk of easy to moderate difficulty, or Level 2. For those who enjoy the excitement of a high-octane technical trek but do not want to be physically drained, this trek offers a combination of adventure and moderate challenge. Phulara Ridge is the perfect bridge trek for both beginning and fit trekkers looking for solitude. Although this trek does not require technical trekking gear, the narrow ridges and traverses are very adrenaline-inducing and require focus when it comes to heights; however, the gradient incline and well-defined paths give a safe introduction to trekking at high altitudes while being an enjoyable experience.
You will pass through some of the most pristine Bhojpatra (Silver Birch) forests in Uttarakhand, which were once prized due to the papery bark that was used to write sacred texts of ancient scriptures. Because of their elevation, the ridge where you trek provides a rare perspective from above as you will see the Himalayan Monal (the iridescent state bird) gliding below you. The area is also home to the Himalayan Griffon as well as several different species of deer, providing a unique wilderness experience that is not found on most popular trails.
The journey begins and ends in Sankri, a quintessential Himalayan hub and a gateway to the ancient culture within the Govind Pashu Vihar National Park. You will see traditional wooden architecture and houses that are traditionally carved in the Garhwal region and built to withstand the heavy winters. The local culture is deeply rooted in the land. You will encounter local shepherds migrating their herds up to the high bugyals, and you will feel the warmth and hospitality of the local villagers, whose lives are still dictated by the seasonal rhythm and ancient folklore.
The experience of the trek is completely different during the spring/summer months as compared to autumn . In the spring/summer months (May/June) the meadows are alive with colour as they earn the name "Phulara" (which means Dancing Flower). The meadows provide a stunning array of vibrant yellow, purple primrose and wild strawberries. The autumn months (September and October) have the clearest and crispest views of the snow-capped mountains because of the clear air left after the monsoon. This provides the best opportunity for high contrast photographs of the meadows in their rich golden-brown colours.
Most three-sixty degree views from summits only last for an instant. The summit of Phulara is actually a continuous 4 to 5 km sky walk. You will remain at 12,127 ft for an extended period of time, walking along the narrow lip of the mountain, allowing an extended 250-degree perspective of not just the beauty from up there, but the mountains themselves. Seeing these mountains from up here is an experience you will never forget. Not only are you above it all at an elevation of 3,700 meters; you are trekking along the edge and getting to see these legendary giants such as the Swargarohini Massif, Bandarpoonch, and the pyramid-shaped Kalanag back to eye level.
The trek takes you through some of the most spectacular and varied landscapes that make up the Himalayas. The dense forests where you start your journey are full of greenery and are often illuminated by shafts of sunlight that break through the leaves of oak and maple trees, making them wonderous for any nature lover! As you head up the trail you will find yourself in a beautiful meadow called Pushtara that is known for its soft, velvety-like mounds shaped by natural erosion instead of steep and jagged hills. The most impressive part of the trek is the long horizontal ridge walk where you get to see the stark contrast of both sides of the ridge falling away from both sides giving you a view of the jagged cliffs and glacial areas in the Devkyara Valley to your northwest and the sweet, flower-filled slopes of the southeast.
