Gushaini
to Shilt Hut
Easy to Moderate three day hike
from Ecozone into Park.
Day 1: Gushaini (1500 m) to Rolla (2100 m).
Entry into Park. Easy day. Distance: 9 kms.
Day 2: Rolla to Shilt Hut
(3100 m): side trip to Chhordwari waterfall and bamboo forest. Distance: 7
kms.
Day 3: Shilt to Gushaini: Return. Total Distance:
30 kms.
Jiwa Nala to Parvarti River
Valley
A seven-day, very strenuous, dramatic
hike crossing the mountain passes at Kandi Galu (3627m), and Phangchi Galu
(4636m). Incredible vistas. Must be in excellent physical condition as
very demanding with elevation ascent of 2000 meters and 1500 meters
descent in one day (total up-down, 3,500 m in one day!).
Day 1: Neuli (1650m) to Bhagi Kashahri (2600m).
Morning visit to Manu Temple (2200 m). Evening at
village school site. Moderate ascent. Distance: 23
kms.
Day 2: Bhagi Kashahri to Subli (3300m).
Strenuous ascent in early morning (3600 m). Pass through Kandi Galu notch
(3627m). Distance 17 kms.
Day 3: Subli to Dwada (3150m).
Relatively easy hike passing through birch forests and meadows. Distance 6
kms.
Day 4: Rest Day at Dwada: Beautiful meadow surrounded by
steep mountain valleys and flowing Jiwanal River. Peaceful and good place
to rest after long hike from Subli.
Day 5: Rest Day Dwada: Day
hike up to Surtu Glacial Pond in Khandedhar with dramatic mountain
backdrops. Opportunities for wildlife observation including Brown Bear,
Snow Leopard, etc. Distance: 20 kms. round trip.
Day 6: Dwada to
Chippi (3550m): Very strenuous day. Crossing Phangchi Galu Pass (4636 m)
below Khandedhar into Parvarti Valley. Continuous steep ascent over rock
scree, boulders, and very narrow paths into high alpine meadows, then
higher lichen environments. Can be cold and windy. Descent from Phangchi
Galu can have deep snow pack and should be done with great care as steep
drops and potentially very dangerous. Sublime peace at the higher
elevations. Stressful on knees coming down! Distance: 23 kms.
Day
7: Chippi to Pulga: Easier descent back into forests and meadows,
ending at village of Pulga. Distance: 18 kms.
Total Distance: 110 kms.
Up
To Tirath/Tirthan Valley
Day 1: Gushaini (1500m) to
Rolla (2100m): Walk through Ecozone of GHNP. Gentle gradient at the
beginning of trek. Distance: 10 kms.
Day 2: Rolla to Nada (3300m) Thach: Moderate
to strenuous climb through oak and conifer forests.
There is a prominent tree god near Chalocha (2450
m) from where the climb starts. Possible sightings
of Himalayan Tahr or Black Bear. Nada thatch (meadow)
very good for bird watching. Distance: 12 kms.
Day 3: Nada Thach
to Majhoni (3800m): Gradual to steep descent through forests. Distance: 12
kms.
Day 4: Majhoni to Tirath (4000m) and back Majhoni: Moderate
gradient leading into the vast meadow of Tirath Offering views of
magnificent mountain panoramas. Tirath, the origin of Tirthan river has a
glacial lake which is sacred to the villagers of Tirthan valley.
Vegetation is stunted showing influence of extreme cold temperatures.
Distance: 8 kms.
Day 5: Trek from Majhoni to Nada Thach.
Distance: 12 kms.
Day 6: Rest day at Nada. Bird
watching.
Day 7: Nada Thatch to Rolla-descent. Distance: 12
km.
Day 8: Rolla to Gushaini. Distance: 10 km.
Total Distance: 76 kms.
Raktisar in Sainj
Valley
Day 1: Neuli (1500 m) to Shakti (2100 m)
village. Night at Park accommodation. Moderate ascent.
Distance: 22 Km
Day 2: Shakti to Parkachi (3000m) thach. Trek along the Sainj
river. Gradual ascent. Distance: 10 kms.
Day 3: Parkachi thatch
to Rakti Sar (4500 m): Along the river, quite a strenuous ascent through
rocky portions. Crossing of streams along the route is tricky. Distance:
14 kms.
Day 4: Trek from Rakti Sar to Parkachi thatch. Strenuous
descent. Distance: 14 kms.
Day 5: Rest day at Parkachi. Bird
watching. Medicinal herbs.
Day 6: Parkachi thatch to Shakti
village. Gradual descent. Distance: 10 kms.
Day 7: Shakti village to Neuli. Distance:
22 kms. Total Distance: 92 kms.
Crossing
the Pin Parvati Pass
(5319 meters altitude)
Main attractions: Village house architecture,
tree deities, old Forest Rest House at Pulga,
panoramic views; alpine and sub-alpine pastures;
huge glacial structures at Man-Talai onwards;
about 7 to 8 kms. long stretch of snow fields
on the Pass; changing vegetation and distinct
bird, mammal, butterfly life.
Day 1: Shamshi (1100 m) to Barsheni (2150
m): by road trek from Barsheni to Khir Ganga (2960
m) Distance:10 kms. A busy trekking route. The
sulfur springs at Khir Ganga are very famous in
the area. A number of Sadhus (holy men, hermits)
can be seen camping in the vicinity of the springs.
Day
2: Khirganga-Tunda Bhuj (3285 m) to Thakur Kuan: Trek is less
disturbed, goes through conifer forests, open meadows and birch forests.
The journey may be broken in two days, up to Tunda Bhuj (area with high
altitude birch forests) in one day and then from there to Thakur Kuan, the
next day. Distance: 19 kms
Day 3: Thakur Kuan to Pandupul (3700
m) to Mantalai (4200 m): This part of trek is above tree line in high
altitude meadows full of medicinal herbs, alpine grasses, bees and
butterflies during summer season. It should be done in two days: up to
Pandupul in one day and next day to Mantalai. Distance: 20 kms.
Day 4: Mantalai to Pin Parvati Pass (5319
m) to base of the snow field in Pin Valley (4075
m): This is the most strenuous part of the Pin
Parvati Pass trek. It involves a steep ascent
from Mantalai to the Pass and then a descent into
the Pin Valley. About six to seven kms trek is
on snow fields filled with potentially dangerous
crevices. Weather may change any time at the Pass.
Distance: 14 kms.(Pass cross will be made only
if conditions allow)
Day 5: Rest day at the base of Pass
in Pin Valley.
Day 6: Base of the snow field in Pin Valley to
Tariya or near Mud: Trek through arid zone of the cold desert in Pin
Valley. The arduous part of the trek is over, but watch out for crossing
of streams on the way. This part of trek can be done in two days with a
stopover in between. Distance: 11 kms.
Day 7: Tariya/Mud to Maling road head onwards
by road to Kaza (3600 m): Mud is the first village
to come by. The trekker may hire a pony or one
of the famous Chamurti bred Tibetan horses to
ride up to the roadhead. Distance:15 kms.
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=small}