LONGER
TREKS AROUND KULLU FEATURING CHANDRAKANI PASS. MALANA,
PARVATI VALLEY,MANIKARAN, KHIRGANGA
Walking around the Kullu valley enables you to get
up into the pine forests away from civilization
and experience the true flavour of this remarkable
region at first hand. The features of this trek
include three different valley systems and the 12000
ft Chandrakani pass with marvelous views to Lahaul,
Kinnaur and Spiti. The village of Malana is especially
interesting - the inhabitants speak their own language
and are supposed to originate from the lost armies
of Alexander the Great. At sulphur - filled Manikaran
you can cook meals in the hottest springs.
Day 1.
Fly to KuIlu, scenic 50 kms drive through terraced
fields and orchards t Manali 1 6000 ft I.
Day 2.
Rest. ; explore Manali bazaar, Old Manali, Hadimba
temple.
Day 3.
Morning free, afternoon by road to Naggar castle.
Explore nearby Krishna temple. Magnificent views
of the Kullu valley.
Day 4.
Walk to Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery for display
of mountain painting.' Continue climbing up a meadow
for lunch. Leave the tree line and camp belo~ Chandrakani
pass, ( 6 hrs ).
Day 5.
Over Chandrakani Pass stop at top for snack. Steep
descent to Malan village - camp on bluff ( 5 hrs
).
Day 6.
Explore the village. Malana claims to be the oldest
democracy in the won with an upper and lower parliament,
its own laws and customs. Afternoon walk beside
Malana river to Choki - the entrance to the Parvati
valley ( 5 hrs ).
Day 7.
Walk beside Parvati river to Kasol. Camp on sandy
beach beside the river. Possibility of trout fishing.
Afternoon free or stroll to Manikaran for a hot
bath ( 3 hrs).
Day 8.
Through Manikaran on a reasonable track, cross river
for an hour climb to Pulga village. Stay in or near
a charming forest rest house ( 5 hrs ).
Day 9.
A narrow trail leads to the open air pool at Khirganga.
Takes approx. 6-7 hr,
Day 10.
Return to Manika ran for bath. Afternoon by road
to Manali ( 4 hrs ).
Day 11.
Rest, explore Vashist, Jagatsukh - site of the ancient
capital.
Day 12.
Day trip to Rohtang Pass 13,050 ft. Optional walk
down to Palchan village through carpets of wild
flowers.
Day 13.
Sightseeing by road through the Himachal Pradesh
foothills to Nalagarh Overnight palace hotel.
Day 14.
By train to Delhi.
Grade : Moderate
Best time : April to June
and September to October
2. JALORI PASS PONY TREK
Through densely forested Himalayan cedar trees,
the peaks Trail, Khannag, Takrari and Shoja provide
spellbinding views. The Sorleskar lake above the
pass is at approx. 3500 m. This area was known as
Inner Seraj and is largely what Lady Penelope Benjamin,
daughter of Field Marshal, Lord Chetwode has written
in her famous book on Kullu - " A fascinating
and magnificent country".
Duration
Average Trek
Maximum Height
Grade
Best time
2 Days Delhi to Delhi
O to 72 kms per day
Easy
May to October
3. CHANDRAKHANI / MALANA ESCAPADE
Day 1. MANALI I NAGGAR / TELLING
:
Transfer from Manali to Naggar by road. Trek starts
from Naggar with a visit to the famous Roerich
Art Gallery and legendary Naggar Castle. Climbing
steadily past Rumsu village, the trek enters a
thick cedar forest and opens out at an alpine
meadow in Stelling.
Trekking time : 3 hrs
Grade : Easy
Day 2. STELLING / GHAN KALARI
Trekking begins with the trail winding up through
a fir, oak and walnut forest. Passing enroute,
the meadows of Chaklani and Parol, with views
of Kullu valley below and spectacular peaks of
Bara Bangal and Pir Panchal ranges in the horizons.
After the initial climb, the trek levels off with
a slight ascent before Ohan Kalari. Ohan Kalari
has a magnificent view of the Chandrakhani Pass.
This area is rich in Rhododendren trees and Juniper
bushes.
Trekking time : 5 hrs
Grade : Moderate
Day 3. GHAN KALARI / CHANDRAKHANI
PASS / NAGRUNI :
The trek to Chandrakhani is a pleasant climb.
We reach the highest point of our trek here at
11600 ft. The Pass itself is a flat ridge, providing
a 360 deg. panorama of surrounding giants like
the Greater Himalayas, Pir Panchal and Bara Bangal
ranges. Famous high peaks, some towering above
20,000 ft, are all visible from this vantage point.
The trek to the camp initially follows the ridge
line and then descends into the meadow of Nagruni
which is known for its wild pheasants.
Trekking time : 5 hrs
Grade : Gradual to steep
Day 4. NAGRUNI / BARA GAR HAN
:
This trek starts with a continuous descent through
an oak forest passing enroute Dadru, the summer
cultivation grounds of Malana village. From there,
it follows the river Malana upstream. an area
rich in wildlife, the trek alternates between
forests and meadows till it reaches the Bara Garhan
camp.
Trekking Time :5 hrs
Grade : Easy
Day 5. BARA GAR HAN / KIKSA THACH
: The valley' at this point widens up considerably
as it is a U-shaped glacial creation. The Ratna
peak towers majestically over the area. The trek
follows rich alpine meadows and gradually ascends
to Kiksa Thach. Kiksa Thach is a huge glacial
amphitheater. It is sealed at its head by the
Dudana Glacier.
Trekking time 6 hrs
Grade : Moderate. Steep
Day 6. KIKSA THACH
Day at leisure with an opportunity to observe
and explore a quarry lake.
Day 7. KIKSA THACH / CHOTTA GARHAN
:
Descent to Chotta Garhan trek follows the river
downstream passing through thick oak forests and
meadows.
Trekking time : 3 hrs
Grade : Easy
Day 8. CHOTTA GARHAN / MALANA
We descend to the mysterious ~ village today.
The people of Malana are thought to be the descenders
Alexander The Great's army. They have their own
judiciary and parliamentry system, and think themselves
to be the highest caste in the world. Hen strangers
or outsiders are allowed to touch them as they
believe that th be thus defiled. Their God is
Jamlu, the ruling deity of the Valley of the The
camp site is located on a beautiful spur overlooking
the Jan valley. A Alternatively, a night's stay
in a local traditional cottage can be arranged
Trekking time : 6 hrs
Grade Easy
Day 9. MALANA / JARI :
Follow the narrow river Malana's gorge to Jan
descent starts steeply to the valley floor and
levels off when the river ~ and Parvathi meet.
Trekking time : 6 hrs
Grade Easy
Day 10. JARI / MANIKARAN IJARI
:
Day at leisure with trip to Manikara a holy place
for Sikhs and Hindus. Bathe in the waters of the
hot - sulphur springs - a luxury especially after
a long trek. Return to Jan for the night
Day 11 .
Transfer to airport or onward drive.
4. Beas Kund Leisure Trek
Day 1 . MANALI / DHUNDI : Transfer
from Manali to Solang valley along a short scenic
route. Solang is a popular alpine meadow which
is transformed into a superb ski run during winter.
The trek begins with an initial walk long the
wooded bank of the river Beas. Our first night
halt is in Dhundi, after crossing the river Beas.
Dhundi is a beautiful meadow from where we get
the front view of Hanuman Tibba peak.
Trekking time: 4 7,2 hrs
Ascent : Gradual
Day 2. DHUNDI / BAKKAR THACH :
Today's trek starts from the coniferous tree-line
to the high altitude pastures. Rhododendron shrubs
are abundant and river Beas is crossed over a
snow bridge. Night halt in Bakkar Thach, a shepherds'
camp.
Trekking time: 4 hrs
Ascent : Gradual to
fairly steep
Day 3. BAKKAR THACH / BEAS KUND
/ BAKKAR THACH :
With Bakkar Thach as a base, we make a steep ascent
to Hanuman Tibba Glacier and return via the amphitheater
of Peas Kund. Peas Kund obtained its name from
the legendary poet Ved Vyas who mediated at this
point and wrote the epic Mahabharat. Surrounded
by hanging glaciers and waterfalls, the source
of the river Peas I or the Kundi is indeed awe
inspiring Encounters with pilgrims are not uncommon
here as it is believed that to bathe in the waters
of the Kund is a very rich blessing. Night halt
again at Bakkar Thach.
Trekking time: 6 hrs
Ascent : Steep only up
to the glacier.
Day 4. BAKKAR THACH / LADYLEG
:
We start with a gradual descent and cross river
Beas from where the trek ascends steeply to the
spur of Ladyleg. Ladyleg is the base camp for
Friendship Peak and provides a panoramic view
of Ladakhi, Shitidhar and Hanuman Tibba peaks.
Night halt in Ladyleg.
Trekking time: 6 hrs
Ascent : Mostly steep
Day 5. LADYLEG / DHUNDI :
The trek now descends by an alternative route
on the opposite bank of river Peas. The trek initially
steeply descends on the spur of Ladyleg and then
gradually skirts the hillside towards Dhundi.
Night halt in Dhundi which is reputed to be full
of wildlife
Trekking time: 6 hrs
Ascent : Steep to gradual
Day 6. DHUNDI / MANALI :
From Dhundi, trek to Solang and we return to Manali
by road.
Trekking time 3 hrs
Descent Gradual
Best time April to June
and September to October
5. DEO TIBBA GLACIER TREK
Day 1. MANALI /JAGATSUKH / KHANSUR:
Our trek starts from the old village of Jagatsukh.
After passing the summer farm houses of Sharon,
there is a moderate ascent through the gorge of
the Jagatsukh stream.The gorge is flanked by gigantic
fir, oak and chestnut trees. As the valley widens
at Khanaur, we reach our first campsite. The Khanaur
carnpsite is picturesquely cradled by high altitude
cedar forests and maple trees.The river's roar
and a faraway waterfall completes this idyllic
spot.
Trekking time: 2 1/2
hrs
Ascent : Moderate
Day 2 KHANAUR /CHIKHA :
The initial climb takes us closer to the foot
of the lagged cliffs. Ascending through dense
forests where pine needles form a soft carpet
underfoot. Looking back, the magnificent view
of the Bara Bangal range with Kaiheni pass is
a reward. Zigzaging upwards, the narrow valley
suddenly opens up into alpine meadows fully endowed
with brilliant yellow, violet, dazzling blue and
pink flowers. The camp site is located on a flat
meadow of Chikha
Trekking time: 5 hrs
Ascent : Steep
Day 3. CHIKHA / SERI :
The trek stays close to the cliffs today, climbing
gradu ally through beautiful birch and maple forests.
A profusio~ of flowers greet u.' as we go higher
up - rhododendrons, irises, anemones, marsh marigolds
an~ primroses. Our campsite at Sen commands a
superb view of the snow-cov ered Norbu peak which
overshadows the valley. The campsite is close
to green flat which was once a glacial lake.
Trekking time : 5 hrs
Ascent : Steep
Day 4. SERI / CHANDERTAL / Base
of Deo Tibba peak) :
The day's trek start,' with a casual stroll into
the amphitheater of Sen. Reminiscent of an arctic
tundra this vast expanse of space surrounded by
dramatic cliffs of glacial ice and mcI is a place
to be drunk in slowly. After a level walk around
the basin, the steel climb up to the actual lake,
Chandertal is tackled. Our campsite commands breathtaking
view of the Deo Tibba peak and its surrounding
glacier.
Trekking time: 4 hrs
Ascent : Steep short
climb
Day 5. CHANDERTAL / SERI :
The return route to Sen is somewhat easier considering
that it descends all the way, following the earlier
day's route.
Trekking time : 2 7/2
hrs
Descent : Steep to gradual
Day 6. SERI :
Day at rest in Sen with an optional tour to the
base of Norbu Pea~
Day7. SERI / CHIKHA :
Following the same route as before, the trek descend.
to Chikha.
Trekking time : 4 hrs
Descent Steep
Day 8 . CHIKHA / JAGATSUKH : A
fairly easy trek although the descent is long
From Jagatsukh, it is only a 20 minutes drive
to Manali.
Trekking time : 6 hrs
Best time : May to October
6. SUMMER ADVENTURE CAMP /CORPORATE SHAPEUPS
Day 1 . MANALI / CAMPSITE :
From Manali, transfer by jeep to starting point
of trek. After a short trek we reach campsite
No.1 and hot lunch will be served. Our course
director will give a briefing, issue equipment
and start with a tent - pitching class.
Day 2 . CAMPSITE NO.1 :
After morning bed-tea , acclimatization exercises
start. After breakfast nature walk and study of
Alpine flora. On return, introduction to mountaineering
equipment. After lunch, class on rope-knots. After
tea, free time till dinner. Campfire after dinner.
Day 3. CAMPSITE NO.1 / CAMPSITE
NO.2:
Our trek to the next campsite starts after breakfast.
Packed lunch will be provided today. River crossing
training at campsite no.2 and campfire after dinner.
Day 4. CAMPSITE NO.2 / CAMPSITE
NO.3 :
After breakfast, trek to camp-site no.3. Packed
lunch will be provided. At campsite no.3, class
on map-reading after tea. Acclimatization walk
and night navigation with stars before dinner.
Day 5. CAMPSITE NO.3 :
Lecture, training and practice of ice/snow walking
in the morning. After lunch, class on Himalayan
geology and glacial formations. After tea, expedition
planning class. Dinner and campfire at night.
Day 6. EXPEDITION :
The expedition trek is accomplished today. We
will encounter a natural amphitheater of awesome
hanging glaciers and waterfalls. Packed lunch
will be provided. In the afternoon, discussion
on outdoor survival techniques.
Day 7. RETURN FROM EXPEDITION
:
After breakfast, return to campsite no. 3. After
a hot lunch, class on outdoor cooking and campsite
selection.
Day 8. CAMPSITE NO.31 CAMPSITE
NO.2 :
Return to campsite no.2 and groups will be subdivided
into teams for night~ut treasure hunt exercise.
Day 9 . CAMPSITE NO. 2 :
After breakfast, introduction to rock climbing
and abseiling. After lunch, course assessments
begin. Participants will be tested on the following
1. Group cooking
2. Test of knots
3. Name of the equipment
4. Quiz
Day 10. CAMPSITE NO.2 / MANALI
:
After an early breakfast, demonstration and class
on unarmed combat. Later descend to roadhead and
return to Manali by jeeps.
Best time: Mid April
to June and September to October
India
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