Trekking in Himachal Pradesh

Introduction

Trekking invariably means trekking in the mountains and Himachal Pradesh is a trekker’s paradise. It has its own delight and dangers- its own joys and hazards. The unhurried absorption of the passing scenery is no less joyful than the greatest satisfaction of scaling some of the highest snow covered peaks.

Trek only once in Himachal and you will never wish to spend your holiday in any other way. The meadows covered with flowers of every variety and the changing hues of its glaciers would create in the trekker and overwhelming desire to return again and again. The wide open spaces with range after range of mountains, the pine and cedar forests, rivers passing through the fields and valleys and above all the camping under the starlit sky are the things that make the soul come alive. The moments spent in communion with nature redide in the memory for a very long period.

Besides the private operators of trekking tours, the H.P Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., also organizes several treks regularly under the National Himalayan Trekking Scheme in collaboration with the Youth Hostel Association of India. They provide all trekking amentities. The main trek routes are as follows. 

1. Kalpa- Sarahan- Sangla

1. The Sarahan- Sangla Valley Trek

The Sarahan in Sangla valley is about 175 Km from Shimla in Himachal pradesh. It falls in the ruggedly beautiful, mountainous and romantic land of kinnaur, the home of legendary Kinner tribe. 

The Sangla valley is one of the most beautiful and enchanting in Himachal Pradesh, with green fields and meadows full of flowers and fruit trees.

The soccer ground, reputed to be the highest such ground in the world, serves as a base camp at Sarahan. Sarahan commands an enchanting view of green valleys, rolling fields and several high peaks including the famous Srikhand Mahadev. 

A mixture of Hindu and Buddhist architecture, the ancient temples of Bhimakali are the great attractions for the tourists and the pilgrims. 

The trek fairly leveled in the beginning descends to Chora, on old Hindustan-Tibet Road. The road was constructed in 1850, and it revels the fantastic view of the river below. 

2, The Sar Pass Trek

2. The Raison- Kasol- Sar Pass Trek

India is a land blessed with natural beauty and its hill state Himachal Pradesh is no exception. The mountain ranges of Himachal attain an altitude from 500 meters to 6500 meters above sea level. This has provided an ample fertile ground for a wide range of flora and fauna.

Trekking in Himachal is not only a fun but it is a memorable experience too. Recently in kullu district the Raison- Kasolsar trek has been included in trekking programs. 

From Raison the trekkers take a journey to Grahan. Then they travel ahead to Mang Thach, a village about 9 Km from Garahan. Next day the trekkers trek up to Nagru (7 Km ), then they have to cross two high passes The Baskari pass (13,000 feet) and Sar pass (13,800 feet). Both these passes are higher than the legendary Rohtang pass, the hardest pass of this journey. 

3. Paris Peacock Papilio paris at Kasol(6500 ft.) in Kullu districy of Himachal Pradesh, during Sar Pass Trek.

3. Raison- Kasol- Chanderkhani Pass

Raison on the Kullu- Manali Highway is the common base camp for the Chander Khani Pass as well as for the Sar Pass trekking programmes. This place situated on the banks of Bead River is and ideal place for such adventure activities.

It is about 140 Km long track which is covered in 14 days. The trekkers stay at the camping site for two days to get acclamatised and to learn the elementary rock climbing techniques.

After the first halt at Jana (9 Km) and Mati Kocher (14 Km), the trekkers cross the 10,032 feet high Bringta Pass and reach Jari in the Parbati valley on the sixth day. Jari nestles on the hillside shelf juat above the Parbati River and opposite the Malana valley.

4. Old House at malana

The view from this spot of the upper Parbati valley and other valleys and streams which diverge from it is more impressive than that presented by the Beas valley. Jari to Kasol is and easy walk of 8 Km, which provides an exquisite scenery. Towards Pulga and Tosh nullah is a mountain range of rugged grandeur and a dense huddle of rocky peaks of varied shapes and sizes. The trekkers also visit Manikaran which is famed for its hot water springs and ancient temples. It is also a favorite resort for the pilgrims coming from different and distant parts of India.

5. No pilgrimage or the Sar Pass Trek would be complete without mentioning this holy river Parvati. It was lovely feeling to spend a few days alongside this love abode of Parvati as its transparent, abundant & turbulent waters mesmerize any body as she passes through deep valleys. The camp at Kasol is just located besides it. As it meets a smaller & calm Beas at Bhunter, about 30 40 km. downstream below Kasol, it becomes Beas. 

On the 9^th and 10^th days, the trekkers visit Rashol village across the 10,692 feet high Roshul Jot or pass and reach Malana after walking through the steep rocky path. Situated in a Mountain fortress a small conservative community of about 700 people stepped in superstitions and still practicising the ancient ceremonial rites and practices of abroriginal ancestory. It is said that Malana is the oldest existing democratic society in the world, where the villagers take part in managing the affairs.

6.Base camp at Kasol

After a day’s halt the trekkers travel up to Kiksha Thach (16 Km) at the base of Ali Ratni peak by passing through some of the wild and uninhabited valleys of Kullu. On the last two days the participants cover almost 40 Km and reach the base camp at Raison after staying at Nagrun and Ramshu and crossing the 12,000 feet high Chander Khani Pass. A particularly striking view of Deo Tibba nearly 20,000 feet overlooking the Malana Glen as well as the other snow capped peaks on the Spiti border can be enjoyed from the top of the ridge. 

2. Photo Credit- Wikimedia Commons by J.M.Garg

Image URL- https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/Biskeri-_Camping_I_IMG_7238.jpg/800px-Biskeri-_Camping_I_IMG_7238.jpg
3. Photo Credit- Wikimedia Commons by J.M.Garg
Image URL-http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/Paris_Peacock_I_IMG_6540.jpg
4. Photo Credit- Wikimedis Commons by Asheesh123sharma
Image URL- http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/MALANA_VILLAGE.jpg/800px-MALANA_VILLAGE.jpg
5.Photo Credit- Wikimedia Commons by J.M.Garg
Image URL- http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/Parvati_river_at_Kasol_Im_IMG_6644.jpg/800px-Parvati_river_at_Kasol_Im_IMG_6644.jpg
6. Photo Credit- Wikimedia Commons by Surajhaveri
Image URL- http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/Kasol_Base_Camp.jpg/800px-Kasol_Base_Camp.jpg