TREK TO BARA BHANGAL

You will be received at Chandigarh airport or station and immediately driven to Mandi. The journey for the first bit up to Kirapur is on the plains. At Swarghat we cross over from Punjab to Himachal Pradesh and enjoy the changing scenery as plains give way to mountains. We follow the river until we reach Mandi and stay overnight in a hotel.

After breakfast we continue towards Manali. We cross the Pandoh Dam, as the road winds along the River Beas. The drive is beautiful with the roads lined with deodar trees and apple orchards. We soon get fascinating glimpses of the Himalayan range. We reach Manali and check into our hotel. Sightseeing in Manali is an option; visit Hidimba Temple, Vasishtha hot springs or Old Manali. If you prefer try out the many eateries on Mall Road in Manali. Overnight stay in a hotel in Manali.

After breakfast we start the trek from the Hadimba temple. We climb through the deodar forests for about 3 km to a rocky outcrop from where we have a bird’s eye view of Manali. Just above this vantage point is a small meadow before a steep 400 m ascent through small pastures and conifer and oak forests. The gradient begins to become gentler as you reach the camp in an open glade. Lamadugh is a lovely meadow ringed by maple, spruce and oak while stands of silver birch are further up in the hillside. Overnight at the camp.

Now the trail ascends, through the ridge below Tanpari Tibba. Look out for uninterrupted views north towards the Solang and Rohtang Valleys. The ascent is long, gradual and exhilarating, with views of the Hamta Valley and Deo Tibba. After 4-5 hours you reach the highest point of the ridge, from there the trail heads south, reaching an intermediate valley and a prominent side of trail. From this point, a gradual traverse of 2-3 km leads from a small oak forest to the meadow called Riyali. Camp here overnight.

The trail leads towards the upper river course before gradually descending to the valley floor. After about 2 hours, you cross a small stream and climb a series of grassy ridges and pass a number of shepherd encampments. There are fine views east towards the Chanderkhani Pass and the peaks of the Himalaya Range. Camp here overnight.

The landscape slowly begins to change as forests and meadows give way to patches of snow on rocky landscapes. It is a steep, long climb to the top of Kali Yahni pass. Across the broad glacier, and down the moraine and the valley we camp by a stream. Overnight at the camp.

From here we trek through the trail that leads down into the shepherd’s valley and following the stream after crossing the bridge takes us to our camp. Camp overnight.

A downhill traverse across loose rocks and boulders for 2 hours. Then a climb for ½ hour, crossing a stream and further ½ hour of uphill walk. After this it is an easy walk to the camp in a lovely grass meadow. Overnight at the camp.

Through more of the same terrain we continue, along the side of the hill looking out across the valley. Finally, a long and gradual descent leads to the village of Bara Bhangal. The trail takes you through a forest of silver birch, rhododendron and blue pine. The final descent is steep and dusty. Overnight stay in forest rest house / camping.

We spend the day at Bara Bhangal. Resting, walking around, enjoying the views and the rhododendron trees.

Cross the bridge over the river flowing from the Kali Yahni pass and commence a steep 400 m ascent. Continue for 3 km to a broad glacial valley before crossing to the right. There follows a gradual ascent across open meadows and steep slopes. Ascend the trail to the right of the waterfall before crossing the river to a series of meadows referred to as Madh. There are fine views of Mani Mahesh Kailash and the impressive Pir Panjal Range. Camp overnight.

The trail gradually climbs up the valley, passing a prominent side valley and glacier to the east. After 3 to 4 kms, we climb a steep field filled with boulders to reach a glacial lake. The trail further winds above steep slope and leads to another glacial lake and to the base of the Pass. After crossing the snowfield one leads to a prominent ridgeline – the crest of the Dhaula Dhar Range and the Thamsar Pass. A steep descent from the pass reaches a large glacial lake. Then follows another steep descent to the meadow at Panhartu. Overnight at the camp.

The trail descends across a series of permanent snow bridges for 2 to 3 km to reach a well-defined trail. The trail leads through a forest of rhododendron, spruce and oak down to Palachak. At Palachak cross the metal Bridge and continue through the forest to reach Raigundha. Camp overnight.

From Raigundha, the trail continues on the true right of the Uhi valley through spruce, oak and rhododendron forest. After 4 to 5km, the trail heads around contours and Alpine ridges to Billing. A gradual downhill walk of 2 hours from Billing leads to Bir. We further drive from Billing/Bir to Mandi. Overnight at a hotel.

After breakfast transfer we leave Mandi and retrace the drive through forests following the river out of the mountains to the plains till we reach Chandigarh for our onward journey.