Himachal Pradesh

India's Trekking Destinations

Season

Himachal offers a virtual bonanza for trekkers. From moderate to strenous treks ranging up to 11 days. The season is from June toOctober.

Getting There

By air:Shimla is connected to Chandigharh, Kullu and Delhi and the nearest air port is at Jabbarhatti 23 kms from Shimla. The Nearest airport to Manali is Bhuntar and 49 kms away.

By rail: Nearest railhead is Kalka and is connected to major centers of India.

By Road:Shimla is connected by road to all major centers in India. Delhi is 370 kms, Manali 280 kms & Kullu is 240 kms. Manali is 500 Kms from Delhi Via Chandhigarh and Punjab.

Trekking Routes

From Brahmour in the Ravi Valley, the tracks follow the Gaddi Shepard trail in the Budhil Nala and across the Kugti Chobia and Kalicho passes (all topping off at 5000 m) lead to the Chenab valley in Lahaul (4/5 days - 3/C) with options of continuing to Leh, Spiti or Manali. Driving out of the river valley, the road takes in the Khajjiar meadows and a diversion to the old hill station at Dalhousie.

Adventure Sport

In the lower mountains section of the Verdant Beas Valley, all-year excursions at medium altitude provide the launch points not only for hang gliding and para-sailing at Billing but also treks across the crest of The Dhauladhar ranges in to Brahamour.

Shorter Options

For those able to spare only two or three days walking time, a drive from Kulu is suggested, reaching the road-head at the Manikaran hot springs. Next morning a walk along the Parvati brings up the secluded village at Pulga. Ideal for a series of short excursions upriver (2B) before returning to Manikaran, this itinerary could be combined with a trek (2B) up the tributary Tosh Valley bordered by the Pir Panjal range and its peak of Papsura and Dharamsura. While Pulga can be visited all year, the best time for the later routes is May to October.
With strenous trekking for 10-11 days (4C) and for those above average in fitness and previous experience the Pin Parvati Pass (53230 m) is recommended. From Manikaran walk to the old world rest house at Pulga along the Parvati river. Gradually, the trail winds its way past Khirganga, the Mantaliai glacier to the top of the pass on the Kulu-Sipti divide to Kaza and the Kunzu Pass into Lahaul or down to the Indian junction with the Sutlej to reach the Hindustan-Tibet road for Shimla.

Prominent Watershed

A number of treks dissect the world's most prominent watershed. From the roadhead at Chitkul (11,000ft) in Kinnaur district, five to six trek (3C) days over the Rupin Pass lead to Naitwar in the Tons Valley over the Borasu pass (3D) to the Harkidun valley and the Lamkhaga and Chotkhaga passes (4C) to Harsil in Bhagirathi Valley. The best time again is June to October.

Moderate trekking for 4 days (2B) over the Sutlej-Beas watershed. Drive from Shimla via Narkanda on the Hindustan Tibet road to Rampur. From the Bashleo pass (3277 m), there are views of the Mahadev range and the trail down to the Beas Valley at Banjar for the road to Manali. West of the Bashleo lies the Motorable Jalori Pass. Other diversions include a hike (2B) to Churdhar (3647 m) from Narkanda.

Countless Flora

Moderate to strenous trekking (2-C/D) for 5 days, over the Beas-Chenab watershed leads to the Hamata pass (4268 m) on the Pir Panjal range. From Manali the route extends beyond Jagatsukh to the junction of the Jarbi and Hamta nalas. Excellent views of the high Peaks such as Indrasan and Deo Tibbaa. Descending leeward the route joins the road at Chatru and Batal on the junction to Lahaul in the west, Spiti in the east and the Chandarabhaga triangular trek (3B), tracing the sources of the Chenab.

Moderate trekking for 3-4 days (2B) access the ChanderKahni Pass (3600m). Cross the Beas at Bhuntar and drive 40 Kms to the road head at the Manikaran hot springs. The trek begins at Jari and gets to the scheduled Malana Village which is said to be among the oldest democratic system in the world. Crossing the pass, the route descends to Ramsu and finally the roadhead, Nagar, at the Roerich Art gallery in the Beas Valley.

The Sach Pass (4390 m) crossing entrails fairly strenous trekking (2c) for 4 days. This Pass lies astride the Ravi-Chenab watershed and links Chamba with its tribal Pangi valley. The route is unusual as it can begin with an extended drive around the district through Dalhousie, the Khajjiar meadow and the Ravi and Budhi Valley to Barhmour. The trek begins near Trela. The Pass, once crossed, provides several options including a journey upstream along the Chenab to Udaipur in Lahaul or through the difficult Sersank and Poat La passes(4C) to Padam in Zanskar. Yet another trail North-West (2B) of Pangi, down the Chenab, leads to Kishtwar. Ample opportunity for the crossroads enthusiastics!

Tough Options

Those looking at moderate treking (2B) for 4 days would enjoy tackling the Indrahar Pass (4425 m). From the high point on the Dhauladhar range, the path points south to the Beas and north to Ravi valley. The trek originates at Dharamshala, home to the Dalai Lama, high above the artistic traditions of the Kangra school and descends to Chauntar near Brahmour. Return via the road to Chamba or drive up the Budhil Nala to Hadsar for a visit to Manimahseh Tal and Chamba Kailash. The hardy have further options: the Kugti, Choboa and Kalicho up with the Miyar Nala in the Chenab valley and Lahaul. Providing yet lengthier choices along the East fork to the Rothang Pass and Manali or the west road to Keylong, the Baralacha pass and Leh

From Chamba the bus route goes up along the river and crossing it at Kharmukh, follow the tributary Budhilv Nala till Brahmour 61 Kms away. This old temple town with its installation dating to the 7^th century in the heart land of the pilgrim route to Manimahesh Kailash where many participate during the annual Rath Yatra in August. The jeep road now extends another 14 kms to Hadsar where a night halt is necessary.

The first day's trek to Alias positions one at the base of the Chobia pass (3B) on the Pir Panjal crest. After crossing it the following day, the route descends to Alias in the Chandrabhaga or Chenab gorge. Along the way are opportunities to study the life style of the Gaddis-the traditional Shepard dwellers of the Ravi who migrate with their flocks across these valley year after year. In their hardy yet simple manner can be seen the true blend of the rigour the beauty of the high Himalaya. Geographically, the Chobia pass is the rigour and beauty of the high Himalaya. Geographically, the Choiba pass is the central one of three, all approximately 5000 m high (3B) which link these unforgettable aspect of the Ravi and Chenad valley across the Pir Panjal from Barhmour to Udaipur. The other two passes Kugti at 5035 m and Kalicho at 5000 m, also cut across the same board physical features with trek routes stretching between 5-6 invigorating days.

Exciting Combinations

One of Himachal's classic routes in the Chandar-Bhaga triangle and Bara Lacha Pass (4833 m). It has a number of entry points and exit enabling many combinations. Requiring moderate trekking (3B) for the main part and lying entirely in Lahaul and Spiti district much of triangle is now motorable. On either side of the Baralacha, rise the Chandar and the Bhaga Stream which encircles the Chanderbagh mountains to meet at Thandi near Keylong to form the Chenab. A third Stream, the Yuna, flows North from the pass to the Tsarap valley moving away from the Leh road. A route of infinite scale and grandeur.

Kinnaur district in many ways exemplifies the attractive medely that is Himachal. Strewn along the massive gorge of Sutlej, this part of the state also has some of its highest peaks including Leo Purgyol and Kinnur Kailash. At the base of former lies the spectacular Sutlej-Spiti junction while the later forms the North flank of the Baspa river. Just as the Minjar fair is Chamba's cultural high watermark, so does the Lavi Fair signify the traditions of the Sutlej. The motor road terminates in the verdant Baspa-gorge at Chitkul, starting point (3B) for the Charang Ghati pass (5242m) crossing over to Morang, North of the range on the Hindustan-Tibet road. Logical extensions include the Borsau and Lamkhaga passes (4C) on the Indo-Gangentic divide, link the Baspa valley with the Bhagirathi in Uttar-Kashi district of Garhwal.

Rugged Routes

Sometimes clubbed together, Lahaul, Spiti and the Manali Leh road are two of the world's most rugged motorable routes wihch can be interspersed with treks (2/3B) in the vicinity. Sturdy vehicles in convoy open only from July to September, since it involves crossing the second highest motorable point in the world at Tanglangla (17482 ft) and its 470 kms length is best completed in three days from Manali including acclimatisation enroute. The Spiti road branches East from Gramphu at the Northern base of the Rothang Pass. After the village Losar, the road carries on to the 1000 yeas old Tabo in the opposite direction. Starting at Shimla, the road to Spiti is open virtually all year. With Inner Line permits, a 4/5 day exit over the little known Parang La (3C) leads to the Rupshu plain Ladakh.