Uttarakhand, nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, is home to numerous glaciers that serve as the primary sources of many important rivers in India, including the Ganga and Yamuna. These glaciers are not just vital for the region’s ecology and water supply but are also of religious, scientific, and trekking interest.
Major Glaciers in Uttarakhand
1. Gangotri Glacier
- Location: Uttarkashi District
- Length: ~30 km
- Altitude: 7,100 m (approx.)
- Significance: One of the largest glaciers in the Himalayas and the source of the River Bhagirathi (a main tributary of the Ganges).
- Popular Nearby Sites: Gaumukh (the snout of the glacier), Tapovan, Bhojbasa
2. Yamunotri Glacier
- Location: Uttarkashi District
- Length: ~13 km
- Altitude: ~6,000 m
- Significance: Source of the Yamuna River; revered as one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites.
- Popular Trek: Yamunotri Temple to the glacier base
3. Pindari Glacier
- Location: Bageshwar District
- Length: ~3.2 km
- Altitude: ~3,660 m
- Significance: Origin of the Pindar River, a tributary of the Alaknanda.
- Trek: One of the most popular glacier treks in Uttarakhand, starting from Loharkhet via Khati and Dwali
5. Milam Glacier
- Location: Pithoragarh District
- Length: ~16 km
- Altitude: ~4,200 m
- Significance: Source of the Gori Ganga River
- Trek Route: Munsiyari – Lilam – Bugdiyar – Milam village
5. Dokriani Glacier
- Location: Uttarkashi District, near Bhukki
- Length: ~5 km
- Altitude: ~5,600 m
- Significance: Important for scientific studies and glaciology research
- Trek Base: From Uttarkashi via Bhukki village
6. Kafni Glacier
- Location: Bageshwar District
- Length: ~3 km
- Altitude: ~3,900 m
- Significance: Source of the Kafni River; smaller and less visited than Pindari
- Trek: Shares part of the route with the Pindari Glacier trek
7. Sunderdhunga Glacier
- Location: Bageshwar District
- Name Meaning: “Valley of Beautiful Stones”
- Significance: Less frequented, offering stunning views of peaks like Maiktoli and Mrigthuni
- Trek Base: Same as Pindari and Kafni; diverges at Dwali
8. Khatling Glacier
- District: Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand
- Region: Bhilangna Valley
- Altitude: Around 3,900 meters (12,800 feet) above sea level
9. Tipra Kharak
- Region: On the route to Khatling Glacier
- Altitude: ~4,300 meters (14,100 feet)
10. Bagini Glacier
- Region: Chamoli District, Uttarakhand
- Altitude: ~4,500 meters (14,760 feet)
- Zone: Near Nanda Devi East Base Camp, in the Garhwal Himalayas
11. Chorabari Glacier
- Location: Between Kedarnath Peak and Kedarnath town, Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand
- Altitude Range: Approximately 6,000 meters (19,685 feet) at the origin to 3,800 meters (12,467 feet) at the snout
- Length: About 7 kilometers
- Area: Covers approximately 38 square kilometers
12. Bandarpunch Glacier
- Elevation: Bandarpunch I stands at 6,316 meters (20,722 feet).
- Location: Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand, within the Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Sanctuary.
- Massif Composition:
- Bandarpunch I: Main peak at 6,316 meters.
- Bandarpunch II (White Peak): Approximately 6,102 meters, located west of the main peak.
- Kalanag (Black Peak): Highest in the massif at 6,387 meters, situated northeast of Bandarpunch I.
13. Sona Glacier
- Location: Eastern Uttarakhand, in the Darma Valley of Pithoragarh district.
- Coordinates: Approximately between latitudes 30.2°N to 30.3°N and longitudes 80.6°E to 80.7°E.
- Altitude: The glacier spans elevations from around 3,600 meters (11,811 feet) at its snout to higher altitudes near the Panchachuli peaks.
- Orientation: Extends from the southwest to the northeast, situated just below Panchachuli I (6,355 m) and Nagalaphu (6,410 m) peaks .
14. Kirti Glacier
- District: Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand
- Elevation: Approximately 4,850 meters (15,912 feet) above sea level
- Coordinates: Situated within the Gangotri Glacier system
- Length: Approximately 11.05 kilometers
15. Bhagirath Kharak Glacier
- Area: Covers about 31.17 square kilometers
- Average Width: Ranges between 750 to 850 meters
- Snout Elevation: Located at approximately 3,796 meters above sea level
- Adjacent Glaciers: Separated from the Satopanth Glacier by a linear ridge
- Feeding Peaks: Receives ice from the eastern slopes of the Chaukhamba group of peaks, which range from 5,288 to 7,068 meters in elevation.
