HIMACHAL PRADESH – TREKKING AND HIKING
Himachal Pradesh is a paradise for day hikes and multi-day treks. Different mountain formations in different areas might make it difficult to choose. The easiest way is to talk to us about your ideas. For an initial overview, here is a brief introduction to some of the areas.
Dhauladar-Mountains
I have to admit: this is the area I know least. But our local colleagues know every trail like the back of their hand and can help with advice. The longest tour takes 14 days. For all multiple-day-treks one needs tents and porters/luggage animals. Directly from McLeod Ganj, there is the very popular day trek to Triund – and if you want, you can then continue over the Indrahar Pass. Here is a selection of the more popular treks in this area:
Kareri Lake Trek: 3 days (or various extensions possible)
Jalsu Pass Trek: 4 days
Indrahar Pass Trek: 4 days
Sach Pass Trek: 7 days
Kalihani Pass Trek: 8 days
Kugti Pass Trek: 8 days
Of course there are more options – we will put together the perfect tour for you!
Kulluvalley/Manali
The mountain world in the broad Kullutal valley is well forested up to over 3,000 metres, but above that the magnificent alpine meadows begin. You might think that the mountains are populated by numerous hikers on many trails – but this is not the case. There are few well-developed tours for day hikes and the multi-day treks are less frequented. The area attracts a different type of traveller – they like being in the mountains, but don’t like walking around there. All the better for hiking enthusiasts! In addition to well-known day hikes such as:
Anjani Mahadev
Bijli Mahadev
Rumsu + Krishna Temple
Jogini Waterfall
Friendship Peak Base Camp
Jana -> Bijli Mahadev
or the first stage of various multi-day treks can also be done as a day hike
We would also like to invite you to further discoveries!
Multi-day treks are usually done with tents and porters/luggage animals. The first short trek is an exception. Some of the better known multi-day treks are:
Kheerganga: 2 days (no tent required)
Rani Sul Lake: 3 days
Brighu Lake: 4 days
Beas Kund: 4-5 days
Hampta Pass (towards Spiti): 5 days
Chanderkhani Pass: 5 days
Deo Tibba Base Camp: 5-6 days
Bara Bhangal Trek (from Manali to Billing): 11 days
Of course, there are many other options, variations and combinations.
Great Himalayan National Park
The Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which means that it is protected from exploitation by the local population. But you are allowed to go trekking there, which is a good opportunity to see a special biodiversity and spot wildlife. There are also very few other hikers travelling here – (still) a real insider tip. Many day hikes are possible around the large area surrounding the park, e.g.
Chehani Kothi with Miyar (highest tower, temple and view)
Sarolsar Lake
Raghupur Fort
Waterfall and “little Thailand” in Jhibi
Various tours in the 10 km wide belt of the GHNP
Chhoie Waterfall
Sacred Hanging Trees
The Sarolsar Lake can also be visited on the 4-day Lambri Trek. This is the only better-known trek in the area outside the GHNP. In the park, on the other hand, there are various routes of different lengths and levels of difficulty, from the 2-day starter trek to Rangthar to the 8-day Tirth trek. Here you always walk with tents and porters.
Lahaul/Miyar Valley
Lahaul offers trekking opportunities in the Miyar Valley (the challenging Kang-la Trek over glaciers to Zanskar or a more moderate trek with a return to the starting point or over the 5,358 metre high Tarsalamo Pass to Darcha), while the Batal/Chandertal Lake trek to Baralacha-la would be a highlight. This could be extended with the Hampta Pass trek from Manali. There are some trekking connections between western Lahaul and the Kangra Valley – these are mentioned in the Dhauladhar Mountains part. In Keylong, in addition to hikes to the monasteries of Khardong, Shashur and Tayul, you can test your fitness on a hike to Gondhla, which involves crossing a pass (4,600 metres). This should only be done with a guide! In principle, you can hike a good route anywhere in the villages of Lahaul, even if there are no specially marked tours. Our guides will be happy to show you the most beautiful trails.
Spiti
Spiti is a high mountain desert like Ladakh and Zanskar and therefore attractive for hiking. This is the only good opportunity to do a homestay trek in Himachal Pradesh – it takes 4 days to cover the distance between Langza and Dhankar. Parts of it are also suitable as day trips – just as the area around Kibber, Chausham and Gete offer good opportunities. The trails are usually not particularly difficult – but the altitude is a challenge. Spiti is quite small and so the longer treks tend to lead out or in – in particular the Pin Parvati Trek and the legendary 8-day Korzok-Kibber trek over the Parang-la and the shorter 5-day Bhaba Pass trek.
Others
Shimla is not an area for multi-day treks, but has some day tours to offer, such as the Shalli Dibba Tour. It is also important to mention the various options for travelling from the Sangla Valley in Kinnaur to the next state, Uttarakhand. In addition, we have certainly not mentioned various other options here in the overview – if you have found a trek to your liking elsewhere: we can certainly offer it as well. The state is too big and full of beautiful mountains for us to really list all the possibilities here!
