Kafni Glacier
Bageshwar, Uttarakhand, India • 30.20°N, 79.98°E
📖 About Kafni Glacier
- ✦Extends 4 km beyond Pindari Glacier's Zero Point at 3991m (13,094 ft)
- ✦Trek base at Dhakuri Pass, 32 km trek distance from Song village
- ✦May to October trekking window only; heavy snow blocks access November to April
- ✦Zero mobile connectivity beyond Khati village; carry cash for guide payments
The Kafni Glacier trek extends the popular Pindari route by 4 km beyond Zero Point, reaching 3991m (13,094 ft) at the glacier snout. From Song village (2250m), the trek covers 32 km one way through Loharkhet, Dhakuri Pass, Khati, Dwali, and Phurkiya before reaching the glacier. At this elevation, May temperatures range from 7.1°C to 27.4°C (44.8°F to 81.3°F), while September sees 10.7°C to 23.8°C (51.3°F to 74.8°F) with 114 mm rainfall. The glacier feeds the Kafni Gad, a tributary of the Pindar River.
Unlike Pindari, which attracts 100-150 trekkers daily in peak season, Kafni sees 20-30 trekkers because of the added distance and higher camping requirements. The route passes through dense oak and rhododendron forests between Loharkhet and Dhakuri at 2740m, then opens to alpine meadows beyond Khati village at 2210m. Dwali camp at 3030m serves as the last settlement before Phurkiya (3240m), where porters set up temporary camps. The glacier retreat has accelerated - locals report the snout has receded 200 metres in the past 15 years.
Experienced trekkers who have completed at least one high-altitude trek (above 3500m) will manage the steep climb from Phurkiya to Zero Point and beyond. The trail from Phurkiya to Kafni Glacier involves boulder hopping and stream crossings without marked paths. Beyond Khati village, no mobile network works - BSNL coverage ends there, and medical help takes a full day to arrange from Dwali.
🎯 Things to Do in Kafni Glacier
Zero Point marks the junction where Pindari and Kafni routes split, located 28 km from Song at 3660m elevation. The climb from Phurkiya camp takes 4-5 hours with a 420-metre altitude gain over rocky terrain requiring trekking poles. Most trekkers reach Zero Point and return to Phurkiya the same day, making it a 8-9 hour round trip that starts at 5:00 AM to avoid afternoon cloud cover.
Phurkiya sits at 3240m, 4 km before Zero Point, where guides set up temporary camps from May to October. No permanent structures exist here - porters carry tents, sleeping bags, and cooking equipment from Dwali, adding Rs 400-500 per porter per day (confirm locally — rates vary by season). Temperatures drop to 5°C (41°F) at night even in May, and October nights reach -2°C (28.4°F) with frost on tents by morning.
Dwali Forest Rest House at 3030m, 24 km from Song, offers the last permanent shelter with 4 rooms managed by the Forest Department. Book through the Bageshwar DFO office at least 15 days ahead for Rs 500 per room (confirm locally — rates vary by season), though availability drops to near-zero during September-October peak season. The alternative involves camping outside on uneven ground, which 70% of trekkers end up doing when rooms fill.
Khati village at 2210m, 20 km from Song, hosts small temples dedicated to local deities and marks the last point with a primary health center and basic medical supplies. The village has 30-40 families who operate homestays for Rs 300-400 per night with simple dal-rice meals (confirm locally — rates vary by season). Mobile connectivity ends here - even BSNL network stops working beyond this point, so inform family before proceeding.
Dhakuri Pass at 2740m, 11 km from Song, offers the first clear view of Nanda Kot (6861m) and Nanda Khat peaks on the northern horizon. The climb from Loharkhet involves a steep 3-hour ascent gaining 600 metres through oak forests where leeches become active during July-August monsoon months. The KMVN rest house at Dhakuri charges Rs 800 for a double room with basic meals available (confirm locally — rates vary by season).
📅 Best Time to Visit
| Month | Low °C | High °C | Rain (mm) | Humid % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 🌤️ | -5.6 | 16.8 | 37 | 49% |
| Feb | 🌤️ | -5.4 | 18.8 | 56 | 50% |
| Mar | 🌤️ | -3.1 | 22.3 | 53 | 53% |
| Apr | 🌤️ | 3.4 | 24.9 | 66 | 48% |
| May | 🌦️ | 7.1 | 27.4 | 99 | 53% |
| Jun | 🌦️ | 10.0 | 28.3 | 105 | 64% |
| Jul | 🌧️ | 13.4 | 25.7 | 220 | 85% |
| Aug | 🌦️ | 13.6 | 24.0 | 174 | 88% |
| Sep | 🌦️ | 10.7 | 23.8 | 114 | 82% |
| Oct | 🌤️ | 4.9 | 22.2 | 47 | 65% |
| Nov | 🌤️ | 0.3 | 19.9 | 6 | 49% |
| Dec | 🌤️ | -4.1 | 18.2 | 12 | 40% |
📡 Data Source: NASA POWER
Climate figures are 11-year averages from NASA POWER satellite data. Values represent conditions for the broader Bageshwar region, not exclusively Kafni Glacier. Actual conditions at this specific location may vary due to local elevation and terrain. Always check a local forecast before travel.
🚗 How to Reach Kafni Glacier
💡 Visitor Tips
Pack for temperature swings from 27.4°C (81.3°F) daytime in May at lower camps to -2°C (28.4°F) nights in October at Phurkiya - bring a down jacket rated to -5°C (23°F), thermal innerwear, waterproof trekking pants, and gloves even in summer months.
Book Forest Rest House rooms at Dwali through Bageshwar DFO office (05963-220532) at least 15-20 days before your trek, especially for September-October when availability drops below 30%. Register your trek with the Forest Department at Song village checkpost and carry two photocopies of your ID proof.
Hire mules or porters at Song for Rs 600-800 per mule per day (confirm locally — rates vary by season) as carrying 10 kg backpacks above 3500m becomes exhausting without acclimatization. The trail from Phurkiya to the glacier involves boulder hopping without marked paths, making a local guide necessary at Rs 1200-1500 per day (confirm locally — rates vary by season).
The last ATM works in Kapkot town, 32 km before Song village - withdraw Rs 15,000-20,000 cash for guide payments, porter fees, and emergency funds. UPI and cards do not work anywhere on the trek route. Mobile network ends at Khati village, so download offline maps and inform family beforehand.
Song village has 3-4 basic guesthouses charging Rs 500-800 per night with attached bathrooms and simple meals (confirm locally — rates vary by season). Most trekkers prefer staying at Loharkhet (5 km ahead) where KMVN guest house offers better facilities at Rs 1000-1200 per room (confirm locally — rates vary by season), reducing the first day's trek distance by 5 km.
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📚 About This Page
This travel guide for Kafni Glacier covers key information for visitors including best time to visit, how to reach, things to do, and practical tips. Kafni Glacier is located in Bageshwar district, Uttarakhand, India at an elevation of 3991 metres above sea level. Climate data on this page is sourced from NASA POWER and represents 11-year regional averages.