After an early breakfast, a short but dramatic drive through buckwheat fields and pine forests brings you to the trailhead at Balati Base. The trek begins with a steady climb through rhododendron forests that in spring months create a crimson carpet beneath your feet. The trail offers increasingly spectacular views of the Milam Glacier and Nanda Devi as you gain altitude. After approximately three hours, you'll emerge above the treeline to the stunning Khaliya Top meadow – a vast alpine pasture where local shepherds graze their flocks during summer months. At 3,500 meters, this natural amphitheater offers 360-degree views of the Panchachuli massif. You'll set up camp near the ancient shepherd stone huts, with the evening light transforming the snow peaks into golden pyramids. As temperatures drop rapidly after sunset, you'll enjoy a hot meal while the Milky Way emerges with breathtaking clarity in the pollution-free mountain sky.

Today begins in the pre-dawn darkness with a hot drink before commencing the final ascent to Zero Point (4,000 meters). The one-kilometer climb is steep but short, taking you to the highest vantage point in the region as the first rays of sunlight begin to illuminate the eastern horizon. The reward is arguably one of the most spectacular sunrise views in the Indian Himalayas – the entire Panchachuli range igniting in shades of orange and pink while the valleys below remain shrouded in shadow. After sufficient time to absorb this magnificent spectacle and capture photographs, you'll begin the descent through a different route that reveals new perspectives of the Gori Ganga valley. The trail descends steadily to Eco Park, where vehicles await for the return drive to Munsiyari. The evening is free for well-deserved relaxation – perhaps visiting the local market for souvenirs or enjoying a hot shower before gathering for a celebratory dinner sharing stories of the mountain experience.

The final day begins with a leisurely breakfast and last photographs of the Panchachuli peaks in the morning light. The return journey follows a different route to include a stop at Birthi Waterfall – a 400-foot cascade that creates rainbows in its mist during sunny hours. Here you can enjoy packed lunches while listening to the thunder of falling water and spotting Himalayan griffons soaring on thermal currents. The drive continues through increasingly warmer climates as you descend from the high mountains to the foothills, with a late afternoon tea stop in Almora offering final views of the receding Himalayas. Arrival in Kathgodam occurs by early evening, where you'll bid farewell to the mountains and your trekking team, carrying with you not just photographs but the memory of having stood at Zero Point as the Himalayas awakened at your feet.