Information:
Region: Lahaul & spiti valley ( Himachal Pradesh)
Duration: 5 days
Grade:Moderate +
Best season: June – Oct
Start/end point: Manali
Highest altitude: Hamta Pass (4270m)
Activities: Trekking
Eligibility: 16 Years above
Please Carry:
Mountain/adventure travel requires one to be adequately equipped with the right kind of personal gear. Since one is travelling in the wilderness there will be hardly any opportunity to buy anything once you hit the trail so we urge you to carefully pack everything into your bags.
*Jeans / Trekking Pants-2
*Shirts / T-shirts – 2/3
*Windproof jacket of decent quality (no flimsy wind cheaters please!) preferably with a hood
*Warm and thick Fleece / Full-sleeve Woollen sweater
*Good quality jacket
*Thermal inner wear (upper & lower)
*Woolen cap
*Woolen gloves
*Woolen socks & regular socks (3-4 pairs)
*Scarf/muffler (optional)
*Comfortable Trekking/Hiking shoes (shoes with a thick sole are recommended)
*Lightweight floaters/sandals/slippers
*Raincoat / Poncho
*Small light weight towel
*Water bottle (sturdy ones, no empty Bisleri bottles!!)
*Cap / Hat to keep the strong sun away from your face
*Sun glasses
*Walking stick / Trekking pole
*Sunscreen Lotion
*Lip Balm
*Torch / Flashlight (with extra batteries)
*Medicines, if requiring any specific medication
*Personal toiletries
*Book, if you like reading
*Day pack/small bag which you will carry on your back every day and keep your essentials in it
*Carry rain cover for your bags
*Keep a few poly bags or waterproof bags in your bag in which if required you can put your belongings in case of heavy rain
*Camera if you like (with fully charged batteries)
All the items : Carry your stuff in a duffel bag, soft shoulder bag or a rucksack. Avoid suitcases, trolleys or any other hard luggage. As you will be walking long distances carrying a rucksack, avoid bringing unnecessary items on the trip. Please avoid carrying expensive watches, jewellery and electronic items on the trip.
Itinery:
Day 1: Manali (2000m) - Jobra (2707m)-chikha(3000 m) (Drive/450 Mins)(Trek/2 hrs)
In the morning, we drive to the dam site at Jobra and from here walk through a very pleasant landscape. The walk initially will take us through a mixed forest having pines, spruce, deodar, chestnut and maple trees. We cross a beautiful meadow having a gaddi shepherd camp there. We will need to cross the river at a vantage point if the gaddis haven’t made a makeshift bridge somewhere along the river. We cross the river and climb to a beautiful meadow called Chikha along a side stream. Today’s hike is a gentle one and will take about 2 hrs. Having rested for some time one will be advised to walk up a short distance to a nearby waterfall which also plays host to a number of white capped redstarts. Overnight in tents.
Day 2: Chikha 93000m) – Balu-ka-Gheera (3600 m)Trek/4-5hrs)
It’s an interesting day’s hike today. We cross the stream immediately after the campsite and start gaining height and moving towards a gorge section towards the right side moving along the river. We will walk through boulder sections, meadows filled with wildflowers, cross a waterfall and a side river which might require careful handling to reach our campsite for the day, Balu-ka-Gheera. This hike will take about 3.5 to 4 hrs with a few breaks in between. This campsite is along a network of river channels and has big mountains guarding it on all sides. Our guides might also take the decision to walk for an additional hour and reach an upper campsite also called by the same name. This will make next day’s climb a bit shorter. We rest and relax at the campsite and get charged for the next day’s climb to Hampta pass. Overnight in tents
Day 3: Balu – Ka-Gheera (3600 m)-Hamta Pass(4270 m)-SheraGahru(3700 m)(Trek/6-7 Hrs)
Today weather and trail conditions will decide what time we leave but it’s going to be an early morning departure for sure, between 5-6:00 a.m. The walk is in all probability going to be partially/completely on snow depending upon season and weather conditions. From the camp we start with a steep climb on scree slopes to reach a ridge and from here we continue climbing towards another ridge which leads to the pass. This climb will take about 4-5 hrs and one will be rewarded with absolutely out of the world views all around. Indrasan and Deotibba peaks completely dominate the landscape and the ranges towards Lahaul look quite majestic. We spend some time at the top taking pictures and to have lunch and having regained our energy start climbing down carefully towards our destination for the day, SheaGahrucampsite, which is set beautifully between the mountains. This descent will take about 2-3 hrs. Overnight in tents.
Day 4: SheraGahru( 3700 m) – Chatru (3300 m) – Chandratal (4250 m)-Chatru (trek/3-4 Hrs)(Drive/5 Hrs)
On this day an early start is mandatory. We will start our day at 5 am. The hike today is completely downhill and in a completely contrasting landscape typical of Lahaul&Spiti regions. There are a couple of tricky sections in between involving careful traverse and river crossings so we let our guides carefully guide us through these sections. We move through a long scree and boulder section which overlooks the road leading to Spiti. We finish at Chatru and from here board the waiting vehicles to take us to Chandratal. This drive will take about 2 – 2.5 hrs. Chandratal is a complete delight to senses and lazing around the lake can be a surreal experience. Overnight in tents in Chatru.
Please note an early start on this day will give us a better chance of reaching Chandratal as there are lots of side stream crossings. Sometimes there is a possibility that the road to Chandratal is not open. Hence, we will camp at Chatru and get indulged in various adventurous activities such as Bridge slithering, Bouldering and Rappelling.
Day 5: Chatru (3300 m) – Manali (2000 m)(Drive/3-4 Hrs)
After breakfast we start one of the beautiful drives in the Himalayas from Chatru to Manali via Rohtang pass. Arrive Manali around 12 noon. Trip ends here.
Rates: (From Manali to Manali)
Rs. 9,200/- On Double Sharing + 2,000/- Transportation
(All charges are per person)
We will pick up the participant on the first day of Trek from Manali and drop them on the last day of Trek at Manali.
Registration:
Please fill up the registration form and pay an advance of Rs.7500/- to confirm your booking. The balance payment should reach our office at least 30 days before the commencement of the journey.
Cheques or DD should be in favour of OUTDOORS UNLIMITED, payable at VADODARA only.
What’s included?
Accommodation: Stay on Sharing basis in Tents while camping.
Day 1: Overnight stay in Tents.(Chikha)
Day 2: Overnight stay in Tents.(Balu - ka - gheera)
Day 3: Overnight stay in Tents.(SheaGahru)
Day 4: Overnight stay in Tents.(Chandratal)
Meals: All vegetarian meals Starting from lunch on Day 1 till breakfast on Day 5.
Professional guide(s) to ensure high safety and more information and personal attention which are necessary to appreciate a trek. All our guides are professionally trained and have many years of relevant experience in guiding treks
High quality Camping arrangements We believe that roughing it out necessarily doesn’t mean sleeping in smelly sleeping bags, compromising on safety by using low quality equipment and having unappetising
Following equipment is provided on the trek:
3/4 season imported alpine tents, Fresh and clean Sleeping bags of very good quality, Comfortable camping mattresses, Mess Tent, Camping stools & tables.
There will be 2 toilet tents [separate for gents and ladies] having portable toilet seats.
Porter / Mule: charges for carrying camping equipment & rations
Forest entry charges, permits & Camping fee (if any)
First Aid / Medical kit: First aid would be available throughout the programme. All emergences would be treated by the nearest available doctor/medical facility
What’s not include?
*Accommodation in any other location not mention above
*Porter/mule charges to carry your personal bag
* Any meals/services not mentioned above
*Any charges for video cameras, still cameras, etc.
* Alcohol, soft drinks, beverages, etc.
* Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
* Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, road blocks, bad weather, etc.
*Insurance
* GST
Cancellation Charges*:
Minimum: 10%
between 45 to 30 Days: 25%
between 30 to 15 Days: 50%
Last 15 Days: No refund
* Cancellation charges will be applicable on total Program cost.
* Please note that the booking is not transferable.
* Please bring original receipt for claiming the refund.