Dokriani 'Bamak' is a well-developed medium sized glacier of the Bhagirathi basin. The glacier is formed by two cirques, originating at the northern slope of Draupadi Ka Danda and Jaonli Peak, 5,600 m and 6,000 m respectively. The glacier is 5-km long and flows in the northwest direction terminating at an elevation of 3,800m.
The stream originating from the glacier's melted water is called "Dingad", which later joins many other snow/ice-melted streams and finally merges into Bhagirathi River near Bukki village. There are several well-developed meadows and proglacial lakes located 2 km below the snout of the glacier. These meadows, lakes and other formations themselves tell their past history and behavior of the glacier and also provide good camping sites.
Approach To The Glacier
The glacier is easily approachable from Uttarkashi. Nearly 56-km from Uttarkashi on the road to Gangotri, Bukki village is 2-km, from the bus terminus situated on the right bank of Bhagirathi River. On way to Dokriani glacier, one has to walk 23-km from the road.
Campsite
After crossing the Bhagirathi river a footpath flows along the steep mountain slopes up to Tela camp. From Tela to Gujjar hut a 12-km. Run along the Dingad stream is a route offered to cross the several up and down ridges, many small and big streams and dense mixed forests of Deodar, Rhododendron, Oak, Pine, etc. provide an atmosphere of perfect peace and tranquility.
Overwhelmed by such heart-touching beauty one crosses the way without difficulties. Gujjar hut (a summer camp of Gujjars with their buffaloes) is located at a height of 3,500m, just 5-km below the Dokriani glacier. Gujjar hut is the gateway of the valley. The valley has a gentle slope with different land features formed by the glacier and surrounded by snow-covered peaks. This place is good for camping and one can walk up to the glacier and adjoining areas and climb the small peaks. Only Gujjar huts and a base camp (near the glacier snout) of Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun lie on the way.
One visiting the area has to make his own arrangement for food, tents and light warm clothes. The best season to visit is throughout Summer and Autumn. Besides the above two glaciers, Kedar, Rudugaira and Jaonli are some other glaciers which are approachable by the same way.