Overview
Auden's Col is one of the toughest non-technical treks in the Indian Himalayas, crossing an 18,000 ft pass between the Gangotri and Bhilangana valleys. Named after the geologist who first discovered it in 1935, this trek takes experienced trekkers across moraine, glaciers, and a steep roped descent, rewarded with jaw-dropping views of the Gangotri and Jogin peaks.
Why You'll Love This Trek
Trail Highlights
- Crossing the 18,030 ft Auden's Col
- Views of Gangotri, Jogin & Bhagirathi peak groups
- Roped ascent and rappelled descent at the pass
- Crossing the crevassed Khatling Glacier
- Sukha Tal, a seasonal moraine lake
- Remote, rarely-trekked Bhilangana valley
What Makes This Trek Special
Auden's Col isn't a trek for the casual weekend hiker, it's a full-blown Himalayan expedition. Over nine demanding days you'll cross crevassed glaciers, climb a 30-50° gully roped up for safety, and rappel down the other side onto the wild Khatling Glacier. In return, you get views most trekkers never see: the Gangotri and Jogin massifs rising on either side of you, and a genuine sense of remoteness that's hard to find anywhere else in Uttarakhand.
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Auden's Col sits at 18,030 ft, connecting the Rudugaira and Bhilangana valleys in the Garhwal Himalayas. It was first discovered in 1935 by John Bicknell Auden, a geologist with the Geological Survey of India, and first crossed by him in 1939. The trek runs along the ridge joining Gangotri III and Jogin I, and is widely considered one of the most demanding non-technical treks in the country.
The journey begins in Gangotri, a pilgrim town on the Bhagirathi river, and follows the Rudugaira valley up through forest, then grassland, then increasingly difficult moraine and glacier terrain. The days leading up to the pass through Nala Camp, Rudugaira Base Camp, and the moraine-heavy Gangotri Base Camp, steadily strip away the vegetation until you're walking entirely on rock and ice.
The crossing itself is the heart of the trek: a long day that starts before dawn, crossing moraine ridges and a crevassed glacier before a roped climb up a steep gully to the col, followed by a rappelled descent onto the Khatling Glacier. From there, the trail continues over more crevassed terrain and difficult moraine before finally dropping into the green, welcome relief of the Bhilangana valley, ending at the village of Gangi.
Because of the technical terrain, crevasse risk, and remoteness, this trek absolutely requires an experienced guide and is not suitable as a first, second, or even third Himalayan trek, prior experience above 15,000 ft is strongly recommended.
Route Map
Trailhead Weather
7-day forecastLive conditions at the trailhead. Plan around the forecast — mountain weather shifts fast.
Itinerary 13 Days
Day 1Rishikesh to Gangotri
The journey begins with a long drive from Rishikesh to Gangotri, a pilgrim town on the Bhagirathi river and the last road head before the wilderness of the Garhwal Himalayas.
Day 2Acclimatization at Gangotri
A rest day is essential here, since Gangotri already sits above 10,000 ft. A short acclimatization walk toward Gaumukh or Kedartal is a good way to help your body adjust before the trek begins.
Day 3Gangotri to Nala Camp
The trek starts with a climb through dense forest: pine, cedar, rhododendron, and bhoj trees before crossing a log bridge and moving above the treeline into grassland, ending near a stream-fed campsite at Nala.
Day 4Nala Camp to Rudugaira Base Camp
A short but steep day, crossing streams and grazing grounds with your first clear views of the Jogin peaks, ending at a small grassy campsite framed by the Gangotri and Jogin massifs.
Day 5Rudugaira Base Camp to Gangotri Base (Moraine) Camp
The trail leaves the grassy slopes behind and climbs over two moraine ridges before descending to camp, your first real taste of the rocky terrain ahead.
Day 6Gangotri Base Camp to Auden's Col Base Camp
A moraine ridge walk past Sukha Tal, a lake that dries up after monsoon, ending at a rocky flat patch that serves as your final camp before the big crossing
Day 7Auden's Col Base Camp to Khatling Glacier Camp
The most demanding day of the trek. An early start takes you across moraine ridges and onto the glacier, followed by a roped climb up a steep 30-50° gully to Auden's Col at 18,030 ft. The descent on the other side is a rappelled 70° gully onto the Khatling Glacier, followed by a careful, crevasse-aware walk to camp.
Day 8Khatling Glacier Camp to Zero Point
A long day of navigating crevassed glacier terrain, followed by a difficult moraine traverse where the boulders shift underfoot, before finally reaching flat ground at Zero Point.
Day 9Buffer Day
Kept aside for bad weather or unexpected delays, an essential part of the itinerary given how weather-dependent the col crossing can be.
Day 10Zero Point to Uddar Camp
After days on ice and moraine, greenery finally reappears as the trail descends along the Bhilangana river valley to Uddar Camp.
Day 11Uddar Camp to Jungle Camp
A pleasant walk through dense forest and meadows, with a good chance of spotting shepherds and their grazing animals along the way.
Day 12Jungle Camp to Gangi
A long final trekking day through forest and meadow, with a steep climb in the last stretch before reaching the village of Gangi, where the trek officially ends.
Day 13Gangi to Rishikesh
A local transfer to Ghuttu followed by a taxi ride back to Rishikesh, marking the end of the expedition.
Best Time to Visit
Things to Carry
- Sturdy trekking shoes suited for rock, moraine, and glacier terrain
- 40–50L backpack with rain cover
- 3–4 warm layers (fleece, woolen, padded jacket), temperatures at 18,000 ft demand serious insulation
- 2 pairs trekking pants, thermals (recommended for cold nights)
- 3 full-sleeve collared T-shirts (one quick-dry)
- Sunglasses (essential near snow to prevent snow blindness), sun cap
- Waterproof fleece/woolen gloves, balaclava or woolen cap
- 3 pairs socks (2 sports, 1 woolen)
- Headlamp/LED torch, trekking pole
- 2x 1L water bottles
- Personal cutlery: spoon, mug, lunch box
- Toiletries: sunscreen, moisturizer, lip balm, toilet paper, toothbrush, hand sanitizer
- Personal medical kit: Diamox, Dexamethasone, Crocin, Avomine, Combiflam, muscle relaxant, Digene, Avil, ORS, knee cap if needed
Permits & Fees
Safety Tips
- Hire an experienced guide - this isn't optional; the crevassed terrain and technical col crossing make it essential.
- Take the acclimatization day seriously - Gangotri already sits above 10,000 ft, and skipping this raises your AMS risk significantly.
- Start early on crossing day - mountain weather turns fast in the afternoon, and you don't want to be on the col or the glacier when it does.
- Rope up for the glacier and col sections - the area is riddled with hidden crevasses; this is non-negotiable.
- Know there's no network for most of the trek - weak signal only near Gangotri, real coverage returns only at Ghansali on the other side.
- Plan for zero nearby medical help - the closest hospitals are in Uttarkashi or Ghansali, so a solid personal medical kit matters.
- Don't attempt this as an early Himalayan trek - prior experience above 15,000 ft is genuinely necessary here, not just a suggestion.
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