Barot-Manali over Thamsar and Kaliheni Pass
Thamsar Pass at 4700 meters has a romantic appeal paralleled by none. Leading to a village of 400 people, over a centuries old mule trail, its your pass to bliss. There are some makeshift shops on the way, 2 beautiful lakes on either side of the pass, Pir Panjals, 3 sister peaks above Panhartoo, lush green meadows with fabulous yellow flowers and a few waterfalls. Many streams rising on slopes of the Bara Bhanghal Range unite here to form the Ravi River. This trail provides an insight into the life of Gaddi People living in the valley. Thamsar pass to Bara Bhanghal is one of the most pleasant and scenic treks in the Dhauladhar region, and because of the gradual, graded slopes on the northern side of the Dhauladhar no great exertion is needed. Rock shelters can also be found all along the way. Bara Bhanghal lies in a bowl at the base of three high ranges, and many glacier torrents join near the village to form the Ravi River. From Bara Bhanghal you can also go to Kullu valley. Shepherds' trails wind upwards in all directions. Thamsar is not for the faint hearted. If the altitude does not get to you, the remotenes and the length of camping outdoors will. So, as is understandble, despite being a fantastic trek to deeper ranges of the Himalayas, this is not a very trekked trail. Thamsar Pass is one of the highest passes in Dhauladhar Range. It links Chhota Bhangal region with Bara Bhangal region. With no road access and surrounded by mighty peaks and passes, Bara Bhangal is one of the remotest inhabited area of Himachal. Usually the pass remains closed from October to April. In this trek we proceed upto Panhartu, which is the base camp of Thamsar on Chhota Bhangal side. A major part of the trek lies along Uhl valley. It's a beautiful and relatively unexplored region in the lap of Dhauladhar range.
Trek Itinerary:-
Day 1 - Arrival in Barot and Badagran
Barot is a small green valley with breath-taking views and awesome weather throughout the year. It's surrounded by green mountains and accompanied by UHL river. A mixture of old and charming wooden housing and modern construction dominates the landscape. Barot is famous for angling and its fish farms. There is Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary across the UHL river which is home to Goral, Himalayan Black Bear and many pheasant life. 15 kms upwards of Barot through a well paved road we come across the broad and mesmerizing valley of Badagran facing the twin villages of Rajgundha and KukkarGundha. If you think Barot is beautiful, you are in for a suprise as the valley gradually opens up as we drive on our way to Badagran. We have our campsite along the beautiful terraced fields of Badagran, where you can enjoy spacious and comfortable stay in our luxury tents, take a shot at rock climbing, rappelling over the barot waterfall or river crossing and enjoy good music, food and conversations with your fellow trekkers as tomorrow is the beginning of our trek. So we enjoy with bonfire and little wine in the serene environment at Badagran situated at 2200 meters and nestled along ancient villages and their magnificent architecture which will leave you spell bounded.
Day 02: Badagran-Rajgundha-Plachak
We start our trek from our campsite and head towards the village of Badagran, which is a few hundred meters from there. Along our wave we come across a small waterfall and some streams flowing below a concrete bridge. After crossing the bridge we will walk our way across the village and it's old and charming wooden houses as we are greeted by children saying "Namaste". You can buy some biscuits and munch for your long journey, as well as engage in light conversations with villagers. From the village we descend downwards towards the UHL river, cross a temporary wooden bridge and start our upward climb towards twin villages of Rajgundha and KukkarGundha. The old construction with stone slates and wooden logs leaves the visitor coming from city spell bound as if he has reached a magical land. The houses are traditional and made of wood, stone and mud. Rajgundha was earlier under wild life sanctuary, however it has been recently removed and now comes under agriculture land. There is a school, few new constructions, a forest and a private guest house in Rajgundha. From Rajgundha there is an easy trek to Plachak over magnificient views and lush green landscapes along the river, which leaves the visitor enchanted. There is a tea shop and a forest guest house in Plachak. We will pitch our tents and enjoy the beauty of nature and stars in a clear blue sky, never as abundantly visible, while the gushing river nearby and its roar keeping things exciting till late night. After some bonfire and dinner, we retire in our comfortable tents.
Day 03 - Plachak to Panhartu (3693mts)
This trek is of moderate ascent, crossing villages of Plachak, Guhardi and a beautiful scenic waterfall to the base of Thamsar Pass over beautiful green meadows below the tree line.
Day 04 - Panhartu-Thamsar Pass-Mahru (3900mts)
Over Thamsar pass (4665mts), 10-12 hrs. This trek is weary and it involves climbing. A beautiful small glacial lake can be seen on this trek. The pass is surrounded by snow and pass also shares two different valleys (Kangra & Ravi valley). From here trail descends to the vast of snow towards north. The trekkers and gaddis camp at this place and make an early start to cross Thamsar pass.
Day 05 - Marhru to Bara Bhangal (2540mts)
It is downhill trek to Bara Bhangal which is situated above the attraction for trekkers, mountaineers, nature lovers and anthropologist who thrive to feel and experience the lives of local tribes who live there in complete isolation untouched from the outer world in their own traditional ways.
Day 06 - Rest day at Bara Bhangal
Explore village and surrounding areas. Situated at the confluence of Ravi and Kaliheni Bara Bhangal is one of the remotest villages of the Himalayas, Members of the Gaddi tribe inhabit it who claim themselves to be the descendants of Alexander's Army. Bara Bhangal is a village wrapped in legends, sandwitched between the Kaliheni Pass (4800 meters) and Thamsar (4766 meters), the village is virtually inaccessible from the rest of the civilization being surrounded by high mountain passes, impregnable mountains and gushing river. Bara Bhangal is the oldest village of the pastoral Gaddi Tribe and the oldest settlement of Kangra District. It also has a polling booth which is again the remotest in Himachal Pradesh. Horses carry rations in the village during summer. The villagers are friendly and will greet you with smiles, offer Tea and invite you for lunch. There is a primary school, old wooden houses, patched with cow dung, bricks and layered by grass, sometimes adorned by boll wood posters brought back the younger generation from cities. There is also a hydel power project as it's equipment was flown from a helicopter. The villagers will offer you gifts, sweets, dried meat, buttermilk, apples, fresh milk, rajmah or corn as well as free meals. You will be charmed by their hospitality. It will be an insult to say no to their offerings.
Day 07 - Bara Bhangal to Sukha Parav (2990mts)
This trek passes through forests. Streams and meadering rills involving many ups and down. This is a sceneic feast with panorama of peaks all around. The trail takes us through forests of silver birch, rhododendron and blue pine
Day 08 - Sukha parav to Lamba Parav (3150mts)
This is an easy gradual trek with moderate ascents over rock boulders. We will also have to cross a stream before we setup our camp at Lamba Parav.
Day 9 - Lamba Parav to Gwari(3780mts)
The trek which rises steeply arduous climb up to the camping ground. Gwari is situated at the fool hill of Kalihin pass when the Kalihin river originates and joins the Ravi near Bara Bhangal.
Day 10- Gwari to Sanghor over Kaliheni Pass (4800 mts)
This is very tiring trek. The climb becomes stiff before the pass but then rewarded adequately for ones efforts by fascinating view of the mountains of Greater Himalayas as seen from the pass. One needs balance and self control while descending.
Day 11- Sanghor to Sangchur (288mts)
This trek passes through many ridges and crosses through couple of streams on its way to Sangchur.
Day 12 - Sangchur to Manali (2050mts)
This is comparatively easy trail can be covered n 2-3 hrs. The trek descends through many villages of Kullu Vally.
Why choose us?
We will provide trained Hindi and English speaking guide and proper backup and safety along with great food and camping.
Click Here...To know whats included in your package and what you need to bring.
Day 1 - Arrival in Barot and Badagran
Barot is a small green valley with breath-taking views and awesome weather throughout the year. It's surrounded by green mountains and accompanied by UHL river. A mixture of old and charming wooden housing and modern construction dominates the landscape. Barot is famous for angling and its fish farms. There is Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary across the UHL river which is home to Goral, Himalayan Black Bear and many pheasant life. 15 kms upwards of Barot through a well paved road we come across the broad and mesmerizing valley of Badagran facing the twin villages of Rajgundha and KukkarGundha. If you think Barot is beautiful, you are in for a suprise as the valley gradually opens up as we drive on our way to Badagran. We have our campsite along the beautiful terraced fields of Badagran, where you can enjoy spacious and comfortable stay in our luxury tents, take a shot at rock climbing, rappelling over the barot waterfall or river crossing and enjoy good music, food and conversations with your fellow trekkers as tomorrow is the beginning of our trek. So we enjoy with bonfire and little wine in the serene environment at Badagran situated at 2200 meters and nestled along ancient villages and their magnificent architecture which will leave you spell bounded.
Day 02: Badagran-Rajgundha-Plachak
We start our trek from our campsite and head towards the village of Badagran, which is a few hundred meters from there. Along our wave we come across a small waterfall and some streams flowing below a concrete bridge. After crossing the bridge we will walk our way across the village and it's old and charming wooden houses as we are greeted by children saying "Namaste". You can buy some biscuits and munch for your long journey, as well as engage in light conversations with villagers. From the village we descend downwards towards the UHL river, cross a temporary wooden bridge and start our upward climb towards twin villages of Rajgundha and KukkarGundha. The old construction with stone slates and wooden logs leaves the visitor coming from city spell bound as if he has reached a magical land. The houses are traditional and made of wood, stone and mud. Rajgundha was earlier under wild life sanctuary, however it has been recently removed and now comes under agriculture land. There is a school, few new constructions, a forest and a private guest house in Rajgundha. From Rajgundha there is an easy trek to Plachak over magnificient views and lush green landscapes along the river, which leaves the visitor enchanted. There is a tea shop and a forest guest house in Plachak. We will pitch our tents and enjoy the beauty of nature and stars in a clear blue sky, never as abundantly visible, while the gushing river nearby and its roar keeping things exciting till late night. After some bonfire and dinner, we retire in our comfortable tents.
Day 03 - Plachak to Panhartu (3693mts)
This trek is of moderate ascent, crossing villages of Plachak, Guhardi and a beautiful scenic waterfall to the base of Thamsar Pass over beautiful green meadows below the tree line.
Day 04 - Panhartu-Thamsar Pass-Mahru (3900mts)
Over Thamsar pass (4665mts), 10-12 hrs. This trek is weary and it involves climbing. A beautiful small glacial lake can be seen on this trek. The pass is surrounded by snow and pass also shares two different valleys (Kangra & Ravi valley). From here trail descends to the vast of snow towards north. The trekkers and gaddis camp at this place and make an early start to cross Thamsar pass.
Day 05 - Marhru to Bara Bhangal (2540mts)
It is downhill trek to Bara Bhangal which is situated above the attraction for trekkers, mountaineers, nature lovers and anthropologist who thrive to feel and experience the lives of local tribes who live there in complete isolation untouched from the outer world in their own traditional ways.
Day 06 - Rest day at Bara Bhangal
Explore village and surrounding areas. Situated at the confluence of Ravi and Kaliheni Bara Bhangal is one of the remotest villages of the Himalayas, Members of the Gaddi tribe inhabit it who claim themselves to be the descendants of Alexander's Army. Bara Bhangal is a village wrapped in legends, sandwitched between the Kaliheni Pass (4800 meters) and Thamsar (4766 meters), the village is virtually inaccessible from the rest of the civilization being surrounded by high mountain passes, impregnable mountains and gushing river. Bara Bhangal is the oldest village of the pastoral Gaddi Tribe and the oldest settlement of Kangra District. It also has a polling booth which is again the remotest in Himachal Pradesh. Horses carry rations in the village during summer. The villagers are friendly and will greet you with smiles, offer Tea and invite you for lunch. There is a primary school, old wooden houses, patched with cow dung, bricks and layered by grass, sometimes adorned by boll wood posters brought back the younger generation from cities. There is also a hydel power project as it's equipment was flown from a helicopter. The villagers will offer you gifts, sweets, dried meat, buttermilk, apples, fresh milk, rajmah or corn as well as free meals. You will be charmed by their hospitality. It will be an insult to say no to their offerings.
Day 07 - Bara Bhangal to Sukha Parav (2990mts)
This trek passes through forests. Streams and meadering rills involving many ups and down. This is a sceneic feast with panorama of peaks all around. The trail takes us through forests of silver birch, rhododendron and blue pine
Day 08 - Sukha parav to Lamba Parav (3150mts)
This is an easy gradual trek with moderate ascents over rock boulders. We will also have to cross a stream before we setup our camp at Lamba Parav.
Day 9 - Lamba Parav to Gwari(3780mts)
The trek which rises steeply arduous climb up to the camping ground. Gwari is situated at the fool hill of Kalihin pass when the Kalihin river originates and joins the Ravi near Bara Bhangal.
Day 10- Gwari to Sanghor over Kaliheni Pass (4800 mts)
This is very tiring trek. The climb becomes stiff before the pass but then rewarded adequately for ones efforts by fascinating view of the mountains of Greater Himalayas as seen from the pass. One needs balance and self control while descending.
Day 11- Sanghor to Sangchur (288mts)
This trek passes through many ridges and crosses through couple of streams on its way to Sangchur.
Day 12 - Sangchur to Manali (2050mts)
This is comparatively easy trail can be covered n 2-3 hrs. The trek descends through many villages of Kullu Vally.
Why choose us?
We will provide trained Hindi and English speaking guide and proper backup and safety along with great food and camping.
Click Here...To know whats included in your package and what you need to bring.
