About the Trek
The Phulara Ridge trek is one of the best-kept secrets of Uttarakhand trekking. Unlike most Himalayan treks that follow valleys and river gorges, this unique trail follows a high ridge for most of its duration, offering uninterrupted panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks throughout the day.
The ridge connects the Kedarkantha and Bali Pass areas in the Govind National Park, passing through alpine meadows, rhododendron forests, and grasslands. From the ridge, you have continuous views of Bandarpoonch, Swargarohini, Black Peak, Kedarkantha, and the entire Tons valley spread below.
In spring, the ridge is blanketed with wildflowers — including rare Brahma Kamal — creating a natural flower garden at 3,500 metres. The autumn months bring crystal-clear visibility and golden grasslands, making every step on this ridge a visual feast.
Trek Highlights
- Continuous ridge walk with uninterrupted Himalayan views
- Views of Bandarpoonch, Swargarohini, Black Peak and more
- Wildflower meadows in spring including rare Brahma Kamal
- Unique trail design — ridge walking instead of valley trekking
- Walk through Govind National Park's pristine wilderness
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A 6-day ridge walk from Dehradun through Govind National Park with continuous panoramic views.
- Drive from Dehradun to Sankri
- Short trek to Kotgaon village
- Overnight at homestay
- Begin the ridge trek through forest
- Climb to the ridge line
- First panoramic views open up
- Camp at Bhatinda Parav
- Overnight in tents
- Walk along the ridge with continuous views
- Pass through rhododendron and birch groves
- Views of Swargarohini and Bandarpoonch
- Camp at Bhoj Gadi
- Overnight in tents
- Reach the highest point of the trek on the ridge
- 360-degree panoramic views
- Descend to Pushtara campsite
- Overnight in tents
- Descend from the ridge to Taluka
- Drive to Sankri
- Farewell dinner
- Overnight at guesthouse
- Drive back to Dehradun
- Trek concludes — departure
What's Included
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- Accommodation — Hotel / Homestay / Tents on triple sharing
- All necessary entry fees and permits
- Professional trek leader, guide, cook and support staff
- Camping equipment — sleeping bags, blankets, mats, toilet tents
- Safety equipment — medical kit, oximeter, crampons & gaiters
What's Not Included
- Meals during the road journey
- Any kind of insurance
- Mules or porter to carry personal luggage (can be arranged at extra cost)
- Medical / evacuation expenses (assistance provided in emergencies)
- Any expense of personal nature
- Any expense not specified in inclusions
Things to Carry
Essentials
- Backpack (50-60 L) with rain cover
- Day pack (20 L)
- Trekking shoes with ankle support
- Headlamp / torch with spare batteries
- Water bottles (2 L)
- Personal medication
Clothing
- Thermal innerwear (top + bottom) x 2
- Heavy fleece / down jacket
- Waterproof outer shell
- Woollen cap, balaclava, gloves (inner + outer)
- Trekking pants x 2
- Quick-dry t-shirts x 3
- Gaiters
Documents
- Government photo ID (Aadhaar / Passport / DL)
- Two passport-sized photos
- Medical fitness certificate
Optional
- Trekking poles
- Sunglasses (UV protection)
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
- Power bank
- Energy bars / dry fruits
How to Prepare
This is a Moderate grade trek. You'll be walking 5–8 hours on some days, often at altitudes above 3,500 m. Prior trekking experience is not mandatory but a solid 4–6 weeks of preparation will make a real difference.
Cardio — Start 4–6 Weeks Before
- Run/jog: Build up to 5 km in under 28 minutes, 4x per week
- Brisk walks: 8–10 km weekend walks with a 5–8 kg daypack
- Stairs: 10–12 floors daily, or use a stair machine at the gym
- Cycling / swimming: Great cross-training — 30 min sessions, 2x per week
Strength (3–4x per week)
- Squats — 3 sets of 20 (add 5 kg dumbbells in week 3+)
- Lunges — 3 sets of 15 each leg
- Step-ups on a bench — 3 sets of 12 each leg
- Planks — hold 60 seconds, 3 sets; side planks 30 sec each
- Dead hangs — grip strength helps on rocky scrambles
Diet & Hydration
- 3–4 litres of water daily throughout your training period
- High-protein meals (eggs, dal, paneer, chicken) for muscle recovery
- Complex carbs (oats, brown rice, sweet potato) for sustained energy
- Cut alcohol completely 1 week before departure
- Carry electrolyte sachets and glucose powder for the trail
Altitude Awareness
- Moderate treks often cross 3,500–4,200 m — AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) is a real risk
- Walk slowly, breathe deeply, and hydrate constantly above 3,000 m
- Know the symptoms: headache, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness
- Inform your trek leader immediately if you feel unwell — never push through altitude symptoms
- Consult your doctor about Diamox if you have a history of altitude sensitivity
Photo Gallery
Photos from the trail. More coming soon — follow us on Instagram for daily updates.
Gallery photos will be added soon. Binoy is preparing the best shots from the trail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most treks follow valleys. Phulara Ridge walks along the ridge top for most of the trail, giving you continuous panoramic views instead of glimpses.
It is rated Moderate due to the sustained climbing and ridge exposure. One prior easy trek is recommended.
In May-June, you can see Brahma Kamal, blue poppies, primulas, and numerous wildflower species. Autumn brings golden grasses.
Yes, the ridge is exposed to wind and weather. We monitor conditions carefully and carry emergency shelter. Proper wind-proof layers are essential.