Bali Pass Trek

 I have just signed up with Bikat Adventures for the Bali Pass trek in late September 2026. This might sound like a little too early but I took advantage of the 25 per cent discount they were offering during Diwali to book it at a substantially lower cost of Rs 16,000 + only. Of course this does not include the cost of off loading the bags or Dehradun to Dehradun transport cost. These two I will pay nearer the time of the trek. Perhaps a month or so before the trek. 

Bali Pass is supposed to be a difficult trek, particularly the climb down from the top of the pass which is at an altitude of 16240 feet. I was told there is a section of about 2/3 hours here that is really challenging. From short videos available on youtube I think it is a section with large boulders on a steep slope. As it is, this can be difficult to negotiate in good weather. It can become dangerous if it rains or snows at that time. One of the reasons I chose Bikat is its trained trek leaders who one can depend on. They even lay ropes on this section if it gets tricky. 

The payment that I made (through credit card) is Rs 16,931. This includes GST also. This was paid on 18th October, 2025. Bikat has issued me immediate acknowledgement for the payment. 

The trek starts on 26th September, which means I have to be in Dehradun on 25th September and start the bus journey on 26th morning. This means I have to start from Calcutta on 24th by Rajdhani and take the afternoon Jan Shatabdi from Delhi on 25th. 

The return journey will be on 4th October from Yamunotri reaching Dehradun on the same evening. I would perhaps fly back from there on the next morning. Else I might take a night train to Delhi and then take the Rajdhani on 5th. But night trains all reach early morning and I will have to spend about 8/10 hours for the connecting train. On second thoughts, I might take a morning train to Delhi and reach in the afternoon. Jan Shatabdi starts from Dehradun at 5 am. If I stay near the station, this is the best train to take. It reaches Delhi a little after 11 am.

If I fly from Dehradun, I will have to sacrifice the gas canister. Not a very high cost to pay but I will really feel very bad about it. I shall consider all these nearer the time of booking the tickets. May/June. In fact I have to calculate the dates on which the tickets will have to be made. There even is an app that does this for you. You just key in the journey date and they will tell you when to book the ticket :-) You can even set a reminder.

Here is a link to Bikat's Bali Pass page

Bali Pass trek goes through Har ki Doon valley, which is a popular easy trek. Sumanta also takes people on Har ki Doon, Ruinsara Lake and Bali Pass trail. But I chose Bikat for two reasons. A. I was very happy with the way their trek leaders took care of me during my Rumtse to Tso Moriri trek. I was falling behind and one of them always stayed with me. Also the price that Bikat offered is unmatchable. Also I like the professional approach of Bikat in terms of communication. Communicating with Sumanta is very difficult, which leaves me fuming. The man is not bad but he just does not take the need to communicate with his customers seriously. This can be very annoying. 

After the fall on the way to Tapovan, I realised Sumanta does not keep any first aid materials with himself except some cotton wool. But that is not a worry any more. I will carry my first aid kit with me in my personal sack, as I always used to. But it just shows how unprofessional he is. Bali Pass being a difficult trek I would prefer Bikat's professional team. 

Another issue with Sumanta is that he outsources the trek to some locals. They don't have the wherewithall to manage these treks professionally.