Note: Non-trekking trips to Dharamsala are included in the Northern India Adventures
Himachal Pradesh, nestled in the lap of the mighty Himalaya, has some of the most adventurous and attractive trekking routes in the country. The state is bestowed with spectacular snow-clad mountain peaks, and a refreshing mélange of cultures and history. We take you on a trek passing through the breathtaking Dhauladhar Mountains, which rise steeply from the Kangra Valley to a height of 5151m/17,000 feet. Situated on a mountain spur of the Dhauladhar is Dharamsala, the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the headquarters of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. More than 8,000 Tibetan refugees live in this area making it a Tibetan enclave in northern India. Along the way you’ll meet nomadic shepherds crossing beautiful mountain passes of the Himalayan range. The trek ends in Brahmaur, the old capital of Chamba, which is studded with ancient castles and historical temples.
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN DELHI.
On your arrival in Delhi, Yama Adventures’ representative will meet you outside the customs and escort you to your hotel.
The rest of the day is free or sightseeing of historical places such as the Red fort, Jama Masjid and Chandani Chowk area.
DAY 2: DELHI – PATHANKOT
The morning is at leisure. Afternoon sightseeing tour of National Museums and India Gate Delhi, we transfer you to the railway station in the evening for an overnight train to Pathankot. Your Accommodations are in second class air-conditioned sleeper departing at 9:10 p.m. (B) Overnight train
Day 3: PATHANKOT – DHARAMSALA
We arrive in Pathankot at 7:40 a.m. After getting off the train we drive to Dharamsala, stopping for breakfast on the way. Dharamsala is a spectacular place in the Dhauladhar Mountains, and was a British hill station between 1815 and 1847. Now it is the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who fled and settled here after the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959. Here in this Himalayan haven, we stay at the “upper” part of Dharamsala called McLeodganj, the seat of the Tibetan government in exile. The afternoon is free. (B,L,D) Chonor Hotel / Pemathang House or similar
Day 4: DHARAMSALA
Sightseeing of the SOS Children’s Village, Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, and the Norbulingka Institute, where traditional Tibetan arts and crafts are promoted and kept alive. (B,L,D) Chonor Hotel/ Pemathang House or similar
Day 5: BEGIN TREK – TRIUND
We start walking from McLeodganj (1630m/5,380ft), the upper part of Dharamsala, and follow a steep but well defined trail to Triund (2956m/ 9,758ft), passing through a mixed forest of Deodar, Oak, and Rhododendron. Triund is located on a ridge and boasts great views of the Kangra Valley and the Dhauladhar Mountains. (3 hours hiking.) (B,L,D) Camp
Day 6: LAHESH CAVE
We continue hiking steeply to a ridge, then on to Lakagot, from where we can see the Indrahar pass. We continue past the great south face of Mon Peak. Arrive at camp at Lahesh cave (11,644′). (4-5 hours hiking.) (B,L,D) Camp
Day 7: LAKA GOT CHHATA
We leave camp early and climb a steep slope towards Indrahar pass (14,156′), following the a path of Gaddi shepherds grazing huge flocks of sheep and goats in the higher reaches. At the top we’ll enjoy the unearthly scenes of soaring mountain peaks and the plains of the Punjab in the south. To the north, a wonderful view of several peaks, including Brammah peak and Sickle Moon of the Kishtwar area, refreshes the mind. Afterwards we descend a steep slope towards our camp at Laka Got Chhata (12,726′). For adventurous climbers this is a nice place to setup camp and scramble up several small peaks surrounding the area, such as Camel Peak, Two Gun, and Arthur’s Seat. (5 hours hiking.) (B,L,D) Camp
Day 8: CHHATA KUARSI
We now descend further to Las at 9,840′. This is a small natural shelter under an overhanging rock used by local shepherds. From here you have an excellent view of the sacred peak of Mani Mahesh Kailash (18,552′) and other surrounding mountains. We continue to descend to the remote and beautiful village of Chhata Kuarsi (7,291′). (4-5 hours hiking.) (B,L,D) Camp
Day 9: SUIR
Today we leave early as the day’s walk is long, although easier. We follow a good trail, which passes through several villages including Kuarsi Chanaota, to the road head at Machetar. We continue hiking to the village of Suir, where we camp at the outskirts in the fields. In the evening we’ll have time to visit the village. (5 hours hiking.) (B,L,D) Camp
Day 10: BRAHMAUR – CHAMBA
We walk for two hours to the large village of Brahmaur (7,200′), the ancient capital of Chamba in the 7th century. We’ll visit some of its 84 temples and ancient castle ruins before driving to the picturesque town of Chamba (3,267′), the center of the Gaddi shepherds. There are a myriad of other temples here to visit, too! (B,L,D) Hotel Irvatior or similar
Day 11: CHAMBA – PATHANKOT
Visit the Bhuri Singh Museum, with the history of the Chamba people on display. Subsequently, we drive to Pathankot, after an early lunch, for the overnight train to Delhi departing at 6:20 p.m. (B,L,D) Overnight train
Day 12: DELHI
After arriving in Delhi at 6:10 a.m, we’ll have breakfast and then check into dayrooms at our hotel. The remainder of the day is free to rest. You’ll have enough time to explore the capital city on your own and do some last minute shopping. In the evening, we’ll transfer you to the airport for departure on your home-bound flight. (B) Dayroom at Hotel
LAND COST
on request
What’s Included:
- All accommodation with breakfast.
- Camping accommodation as per the program with all meals during the treks.
- All monastery entrance fees, wild life fees and Camping fees
- English-speaking guide in monasteries and on trek.
- Service of cook and attendants .
- All camping equipment including mess tents, dining tent & toilet tent
- All transportation
What’s Not Included:
- Medical and evacuation insurance
- Miscellaneous expenses and tipping to the staff
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks food in hotels
- Interntional Air ticket to and from Delhi.
- A single room/tent supplement
- Laundry and other services not mentioned in the package. If you need any arrangements, please let us know.
IMPORTANT TREK NOTES:
Whilst every effort is made to keep to the above itinerary, clients will hopefully appreciate that this is Adventure Travel in a remote mountain region. There will quite likely be changes to the itinerary in terms of anything from on-the-spot choice of campsite to when a rest day is taken. Weather conditions, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns off the beaten track, local availability of horses or yaks, can contribute to the need for changes. The Trek guide will do everything in his power to see that you are inconvenienced as little as possible in such circumstances. Timings are approximate.
