Kafni Glacier

Kafni Glacier is an ice formation in the Kumaon region at roughly 3,800 meters elevation, stretching across the southwestern slopes of the Nanda Devi massif. The icescape occupies a high alpine valley framed by steep rock walls and snow-capped peaks all around.

The glacier formed over thousands of years as part of the vast ice coverage that shaped the Himalayan massif during earlier climate phases. Since then the ice has retreated and continuously reshaped itself through geological processes that created the alpine landscape we see today.

Local communities near Kafni Glacier maintain traditional agricultural practices and conduct religious ceremonies honoring mountain deities throughout different seasons.

Reaching the site requires multi-day trekking starting from Kharkiya village along established routes with camping spots available. The best time to visit is summer through early autumn when snow and weather conditions are most manageable.

The meltwater feeds several mountain streams that create a network of waterways supporting the alpine wildlife and plants in the area. These water sources enable rare high-altitude life forms to thrive in an otherwise harsh environment.