Bara Banghal Trek (18 days)

This is one of the most enchanting and picturesque treks leading from the Kullu Valley into the scenic Kangra Valley. Magnificent Himalayan Vistas open up as the trail traverses- myriad streams, evergreen forests and lush green meadows stew with amazing variety of wild alpine flowers. The fauna spotted reaches from the Himalayan Brown Bear to the elusive Musk deer. This area is rich in birds. It is a challenging trek to the last major landlocked region of Himachal Pradesh. The village Bara Banghal still remains cut off from the world by 4500 and 4700 m passes. Only very few trekkers find their way here.
A high altitude trek, anyone reasonably fit will find it an almost dreamlike experience. Each day presents a different and startlingly beautiful landscape, all lavishly decorated. A trek that lets one wonder about the awesome beauty of the Himalayas. The Trek terminates at Dharamsala: the mini Lhasa in India and seat of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Day 1 Arrival in Delhi from abroad
Pick up from airport to hotel, overnight in hotel

Day 2 Sightseeing Delhi, evening drive to Manali by car 585 km
Visit the most famous Sights in Delhi today ( Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Lotus Temple, Qutab Minar…). In the evening we start towards Manali.

Day 3 Manali Rest day and local Sightseeing
Use this day to relax from the overnight journey, visit the market or do some guided local sightseeing with us (The Mall, Tibetan Monastery, Hadimba Temple, Vashisht Hot spring, Manu Temple. Overnight in Hotel

Day 4 Manali- Lamadug 4/5 hrs
Today our 12 day trekking Tour starts.
A little higher up from Manali is a temple of Hadimba Devi (goddess) with a four tiered pagoda shaped roof and the front doorway carved with figures and symbols; the trek starts here. Gentle climbing through thick forest after Hadimba temple. 2 hours later we arrive at a place from where Indersan (6220m) And DeoTibba (6001m) Peaks can be seen. Overnight camp near the stream.

Day 5 Lamadug- RiyaliThach5/6 hrs
Trek through a steep ridge below ThanpariTibba (4000m). One can havea full view of Manali town and upper KulluValley. Continue going upwardsand arrive at RanisuiLake (small) and follow the trail which is going to the western top of the mountain, by the afternoon arrive at the camping place of Riyalithach (tach is meadow in local language). Overnight in camp

Day 6 Riyali - Shangor (3800m) 5hrs
From Riyali follow the trek in alpine forest until reaching a small stream, cross it and walk along the left side for few minutes. Continue stepping up, where the tree line finishes and you have a wonderful view of upper and lower Kullu valley. Overnight in camp

Day 7 Shangor - KALIHANI PASS (4640 m) DhankoThach 6/hrs trek
Climb steadily on a rocky path, along a snowy glacier. Then climb over the glacier which is an interesting experience. Finally arrive at the top of the Kalihani Pass (4640m). From here you can enjoy the view around the major peaks of Kullu and Lahaul valley. Cross the pass, while descending you will cross hazardous rivers in various ways. E.g. over a stone bridge with a rope handrail.The descent is over patches of ice, then follow the small stream which originate from the pass. Arrive at the campsite of DhankoThach. Overnight in camp

Day 8 DhankoThach - LambaParao (3150 m), 5/6hrs trek
Gradual descent into the valley for 1 ½ hour. Cross Kalihani stream by bridge, then follow the track along with the stream. Camp by the stream. Overnight in camp

Day 9 Lamba Parao - Suni Parao (3000 m) 5/6 hrs trek
From the camp follow the trail on the right side of Kalihani stream, it is easy walking, but one has to walk over boulders and occasionally on snow and ice patches (in early season). Overnight in camp

Day 10 SuniParao - BARA BANGAHAL (2,540 m) 12 Km 5 hrs trek
A nice route on the right bank to Bara Banghal village. Bara Banghal is the mid-point of the trek, a village enclosed by mountains. Gradual walk down into the beautiful surrounding.Before Bara Banghal cross a bridge over Ravi River. Finally arrive in the village. Bara Banghal is a tribal village inhabited by GADDIS (Shepherds), who claim to be descendants of Alexander the Great. Overnight in forest rest house or tent

Day 11 Bara Banghal - Marh (3850 m) Base of THAMSAR PASS, 6/7 hrs trek
A gentle climb after crossing a bridge near Bara Banghal. After a 2 hours walk through the forest, arrive the beautiful meadows at the base of the ThamsarPass. Camp near the stream. Overnight in camp

Day 12 Base Camp - THAMSAR PASS (4700 m) –Panihartu(3600 m) 14 Km 5/6 hrs trek
Easy climbing through snow leads to the glacier. We cross the Thamsar pass at 4,700 meters. Here we have a panoramic view of the DhauladharRrange of the Himalayas. After a 5 km descend, we arrive at Panihartu campsite. Overnight in camp

Day 13 Panihartu - Rajgunda (2850 m) 16 Km 6/7 hrs trek
From the camp followthe Uhl stream on the left bank for an hour. Then walk through forest and cross a bridge near Palachak Deota. Now follow the right side of Uhl, until you arrive at Rajgunda. Overnight in camp

Day 14 Rajgunda– Billing (2600 m) - Bir (2000 m) 15 km 5/6 hrs trek
Gradual walk down through forest. Billing is famous for international Hang-gliding sports.
We follow a dry stream, while walking down. Good view all around. Finally arrive at Bir Khas for an overnight halt. Bir is inhabited by a large number of Tibetan settlers, it has a beautiful monasterie. Overnight in hotel

Day 15 Bir - Dharamsala (1300 m) 65 km drive
Drive to Palampur. Palampur is a beautiful spot in the KangraValley surrounded by tea plantages. Before Palampur visit Baijnath to have a look at the500 year old MahadevTemple. Finally arrive inDharamsala. Dharamsala is a hill station lying on the spur of the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas. Since 1960, when it became a temporary headquarter of HIS HOLINESS H.H. THE DALAI LAMA,Dharamsala has risen to international fame as the little Lhasa in India. It is the best destination for those who want to study Tibetan Buddhism, Arts and Culture. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 16 Dharamshala and in evening journey back to Delhi 514 km
Take rest and do some Sightseeing in Daramshala. You can visit the local market, the Monatery, do some trekking or just relax at the restaurants.

Day 17 arrival in Delhi
Overnight in hotel

Day 18
Journey back home