At Dwali, where the milky Kafni meets the grey Pindar, most trekkers turn left for Pindari. The Kafni Glacier trek turns right — into a lonelier world where bamboo gives way to birch, birch to meadow, and the south face of Nanda Kot towers over a glacier viewpoint at 12,660 ft. On many departures you will not meet another group. That, for a certain kind of trekker, is the entire sales pitch.
What is the Kafni Glacier trek itinerary?
Days 1-3 follow the classic Kumaon approach: drive 165 km from Kathgodam to Loharkhet, cross the Dhakuri ridge to the flower-boxed village of Khati (7,250 ft), then take the river-hugging trail to the twin-river confluence camp at Dwali (8,465 ft).
Day 4 turns up the quieter Kafni valley to a boulder camp at 11,615 ft with Nanda Kot glowing at sunset. Day 5 pushes over moraine to the glacier viewpoint at 12,660 ft — blue ice cradled beneath Nanda Kot and Nandabhanar — with a long lunch and a slow return. Days 6-8 retrace both valleys to Khati and Loharkhet and drive back to Kathgodam in time for evening trains.
When is the best time for Kafni?
May-June and September-October, the standard Kumaon glacier windows. September is especially good here — the monsoon leaves the upper valley intensely green and the crowds have not returned even to Pindari, let alone Kafni.
How difficult is the Kafni Glacier trek?
Rated Moderate-Difficult — a notch above Pindari. The valley is wilder, the trail rougher above Dwali, and Day 6 is a 15 km descent day. One prior Himalayan trek makes this far more enjoyable; strong first-timers with serious preparation manage it.
What does it cost?
The Kafni Glacier trek package is ₹14,999 + 5% GST per person: all meals on trek, alpine tents or KMVN huts on twin sharing, sleeping bags and mats, trek leader with local guides, and forest permits and camping charges. The Kathgodam-Loharkhet shareable cab and offloading are extra.
How do you get there?
Overnight train from Delhi to Kathgodam railway station, then the 7-hour drive through Almora and Bageshwar to Loharkhet. The itinerary is built around Kathgodam's train timings at both ends.
Permits
Bageshwar forest division permits for the Kafni valley are arranged by us and included. Carry a government photo ID and two photos.
Choose the quiet valley
If solitude is the luxury you are after, this is Kumaon's best-kept open secret. Dates are live on our Kafni Glacier page.
