trekking in dhaula

                                                                                Trekking
                                                              Dharamsala Dhauldhar Region

Inderhara pass in Dhauldhar range 13500 ft image by P r Bali

                                            Inderhara pass

The main area are the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges, routes over the passes between Shimla region and Kullu valley, numerous treks out of Kullu and selected treks in the trans-Himalayan region of Kinnaur, lahaul and Spiti. Most trekking areas are between 1,500-6,000meters. With over 270 defined trails, the variation in the terrain is many fold.

Peaks around Dharamsala Dhauldhar

There are a number of peaks in this region which are very tempempting and attract the novice mountainers to scale them and learn the art of climbing.These peaks are of alpine nature and ascents can be suitably planned in less time with low budget. The height of these peaks vary between 4500 m to 5000 m.The promient peaks are,The Dhauldhar or the Gauri Junda(4850m),Cairn(4550m).
Slab( 4560m.)Rifflehorn(4500m.)Two gun(4490m.)Camel(4520m.)Dromedary(4575m.),Atthur Footstool(4520m.).These peaks are accessible almost throughout the year.

Treaking in Dhauldhar Kangra Hills
Dharamsala to Manali (over Inderhara Pass & Kalihin Pass)

Rock cave.Dharamsala to mcleodganj by bus 9 km . mcleodganj to triund 9 k.m A well marked
track.triund to lahesh cave 5 km. located at the foot hill of inderhara pass.

Lahesh cave                 Kwarsi                                       19 km                                      12hrs

                                  village with a temple for overnight stay. a extremly tiring trek. one needs to take an early start
                                  to reach before darkness at kwarsi.
Kwarsi                        Holi                                             20 km                                        9 hrs

                                  last bus head of ravi valley. There is a rest house, shops of various sorts and a dispensary.

Holi                          Nayagraon                                    18 km                                       5 hrs

                                 Nayagraon is a village with a forest rest house.
Nayagraon                 Gronda/Dhardi                               16km                                        5 hrs
                                 village

Dhardi Barabhangal 15 km 6 hrs

Last village of Kangra distt. The trek is very tiring and dangerous at places.

                                Only a place for tent accomodation.Gradual climb.The trek heads up towards the right side
                                of the nullah.
Kamet Got              Gabala Got                                       6 km                                       4 hrs

                               Tent pitching place. To carry a tent is a must on this trek.
Gabala Got              Dudru Got                                        15 km                                    6 hrs
                                (over Kalihin Pass)
                               This is very long, tough and tiring trek. One can sleep under the rock cave or pitch up
                               a tent nearby.

Parli Kulh               Manali                                                17 km                                  by bus
                               The idle time to do this trek is from mid Augest till end October.Portera and guides can
                               be had from Dharamsala & Barabhangal. One must be self contained by way of provision
                               & equipment.Only trekkers with experience of snow walking are advised to trek.

High-Altitude Sickness
"From experience and all we have read and been told , the critical altitude for high-altitude sicjness is usually
about 14000 ft. If one isn"t sick at that hight, he probably will not be sick ,excecpt in the event of great exertion,
untill he passes his own effective altitude. the key to avoid sickness is to move up slowly, acclimatizing ourselves
gradually.If ,for example , we were suddenly dropped from an aeroplane on the top of Everest without Oxygen
masks on . we would be dead on about ten minutes-That is how serious it can be."
-Lute Jerstad

Dalhousie can be made the base of trekking routes of this region. It has cold climates enough hotels, tourism accommodation and other related facilities. Trek no. 1 : Dalhousie-Kishtwar Via Sach Pass(4390 m)-12 days

Day-1	Dalhousie to Khajjiar (Ht. 1951 m) Distance 20 km. Walking through forests. At Khajjiar visit old temple nine hole golf ground a beautiful lake surrounded by dense deodar trees.
Day -2	Khajjiar to Chamba (Ht.996 m) Distance 18 km. Steep going down with beautiful view .Visit Chaugan, Lakshmi Narayan Temple and Bhuri Singh Muiseum.
Day-3	Chamba to Tarella (Ht. 2000 m) Distance 8 hrs. Via Tisa by Bus passing through green fields, villages and Chamera Hydle Project.
Day-4 :	Tarella to satrundi , (Ht. 3400 m) Distance 16 km. Steady climb. This area has wild flowers in summer season.
Day-5 :	Satrundi to Bindrabani, (Ht. 2800 m),Distance 18 km. Gradual climb to Sach Pass which remains open from June to October, Decend to Bindrabani.
Day-6 :	Bindrabani to Killar, (Ht. 2600 km), Distance 16 km. , Going down hill Via Bagotu.
Day-7	Halt, To visit nearly village and enjoy the views while resting and relaxing.
Day-8	Killar to Ishatahari (Ht.2226 m) Dist. 27 km. , Down and level walking via Dharwas.
Day-9 :	Ishata to Atholi , (Ht. 2225 m) Distance 22 km. , Level walk via Shol.
Day-10	Atholi to Shasho (Ht. 2287 m) Dist. 14km. , Level walk.
Day-11	Shasho to Galhar (Ht. 2288 m) Distance 22 km. Level walk along Chenab River.
Day-12	Galhar to Kishtwar (Ht.1525 m) Distance 4 hrs. By bus, see Kishtwar town in the afternoon and then proceed to Jummu.

Trek No.2 : Dalhousie - Udaipur-Manali Over Sach Pass 4390 m (12 to 15 days)

Day-1	Dalhousie to Khajjiar(Ht. 1951 m) Dist.20 km. Wonderful trekking through forest and the wild Life Sanctuary.
Day-2	Khajjiar to Chamba (Ht. 996 m) Dist. 18 km. Descending and having good view of distant mountains and Ravi valley.
Day-3 :	Chamba to Tarella (Ht.2000 m) Dist. 84 km., By bus passing through green fields, villages and Chamera Hydle Project.
Day-4	Tarella to Satrundi (Ht. 3400 m) Dist. 16 km. , Beautiful wild flowers meadow at this point & above.
Day-5	Satrundi to Bindrabani (Ht. 2800 m) , Dist. 18 km. Over the Sach Pass down to Binrabani.
Day-6	Bindrabani to Killar( Ht. 2600 m) , Dist. 16 km. , Descendig, KIllar is the headquarter of Pangi Valley. From here one route goes to Kishtwar(Jummu) and another to Manali.
Day-7	Killar to Sach Village(Ht. 2200 m) , Dist. 15 km. There is a famous Mindhal temple worth visiting opposite to Sach.
Day-8 :	Sach to Purthi(Ht. 2150 m) , Dist. 20 km. , R.H. and temples with villages. Easy going through the valley.
Day-9 :	Purthi to Raoli(Ht. 2450 m), Dist. 19 km. , Good walking along the Chenab river.
Day-10	Raoli to Tindi ( Ht. 2650 m) , Dist. 16 km. , Village & temple may be visited in the evening.
Day-11 :	Tindi to Udaipur(Ht. 2743 m) Dist. 4 hrs., By bus in the afternoon visit Trilokinath temple and return to Udaipur.
Day-12	Udaipur to Manali(Ht. 2050 m) Dist. 9 hrs., By bus via Rohtang Pass.

Day-3 :Chamba to Sillagharat (Ht. 1830 m) Dist. 20 km After crossing Saho nallah the route goes along the Hul nallah.

Day-1 : Dalhousie to Khajjiar (Ht. 1951 m) Dist.20 km. Either via Kalatop or direct road through thick forest and wild Life sanctuary.

Day-2 : Khajjiar to Chamba(Ht. 996m) Dist.18 km. Descending with good view of distant mountain and Ravi valley.

Day-4 : Tissa to Devi Kholi (Ht. 2350m) Dist. 16 km. The route is steep & passes through forests and then drops over Baira nallah.

Day-5 : Devi Khoti to Mindh cave (Ht. 2745 m) Dist. 15 km. Upto hall it is easy going but later becomes difficult till the cave.

Day-6 : Mindh cave to Alyas(Ht. 3450 m) Distance 16 km. First steep and difficult route but then easy upto pass. Descent to other side is easy.

Day-7 : Alyas to Mindhal Village (Ht. 2380 m) Distance 12 km ,An easy trek along the left bank of stream. Mindhal has a famous templeof Kali, where a fair is held in August.

Day-8 : Mindhal Village to Killar via Sach (2600 m) Distance 18 km. It is an easy going trek, killar is the is the junction of Pangi & Kishtwar valleys, One can go to Jammu, Zankar, Lahaul & Kullu valleys from here.

Triund

Location        Dhauldhar Hills Kangra valley (9325 ft)
                         9 Km above Mcleodganj
Famous as    Trekking

Mcleodganj to Triund is a 9 km gradual trek which passes through the Dharmkot and Rakkar villages. The tracks from Rawa, Dal lake, Dharamkot and Bhagsu meet at a ridge known as Galu Devi (2130m) which has a small temple and a water point. From Galu Devi onward the track is smooth and clear and ascends through a mixed forest of oaks and rhododendrons. The track then gradually gains height and winds round the ridges looking towards Dharamshala and the Kangra valley. The last climb after a snow nullah rises abruptly with steep ascents and the track weaves through twenty two curves making the ascent tiring and difficult. On this track one can spot many types of birds. Monals are in plenty. The black bear, leopards, pigs and wild goats are also found in this region. There is a small forest bungalow at Triund located on a big and green subsidiary ridge of the Dhauladhar range. The forest bungalow was built some years ago.

Triund Image by P r Bali
. To its north stands the mighty snow- capped Dhauladhar range with towering peaks like Mun (4610 m) Slab (4570 m), Rifle Horn, Arther Seat and many more. Triund is a famous spot for bird-watchers and star gazers allowing one to do things one can not really do, in the big cities. There is paucity of water on this track and even at Triund, especially during the post-monsoon months. The water source is about a kilometre below Triund ridge to the other side and the route is dangerous. Trekkers are warned not to go to the waterpoint late in the evening as it is visited by wild animals from the forests after sunset.Triund is a popular skiing resort about 1500 m above the main Dharamshala town. Skiing was perhaps started in these slopes by the Britishers in the 1930. Supplies enroute may be had from Mcleodganj. Nothing is available on the way till one reaches Kawarsi village, on the other side of the pass. Route guidance, maps, equipment etc. may be had from the Regional Mountaineering Centre and from
Eagle's Height Trekkers mcleodganj.

Triund to Lahesh Cave: 3500 m. : 6 km.

This is a beaten track frequented by shepherds, trekkers and local people; it has a moderate ascent. Vegetation comes to an end at an elevation of 3300 m. The track climbs up to the left of the rest house along a slippery and a rocky path through oak and tosh trees. From April up to early May the track is dangerous due to hard snow and landslides.

ILLAQA Images by Ria Monika
Illaqa Got (3350 m) is below Indrahara Pass. A trekkers hut is coming up at this place. There are few shepherds huts at this place but not worth living. On the left of the snout of a glacier, about 1.5 km from Illaqa Got towards Indrahara Pass, is the Lahesh Cave at 3500 m, a natural rock shelter which can house seven to eight persons in an emergency. This camping place makes the next days climb to the Indrahara pass very easy after an early start. Beginners should follow the stages given here to get themselves properly acclimatized to the thin air of high altitude. Mountaineers and experienced trekkers can, however, make it to the Lahesh Cave in one day from Dharamshala. The terrain is most rugged and dry with temperatures touching zero at night. Proper equipment is therefore an absolute must for trekking groups. If lost one can seek assistance from local people in locating the track to the pass which is, at places, marked by the cairns.

The trek to the pass is long and goes over soft snow and a number of icy streams covered with soft and hard snow. The track passes over rock faces and at certain points involves very steep climbing at gradients of up to 1/5 to 1/4 degrees. Negotiating these icy streams of considerable vertical heights are challenging tasks for the climber. Inclement weather with zero visibility obstructs the movement of a trekkers, on such occasion it is advisable to stay back and wait for the weather to clear. During May and June the climb is comparatively more difficult due to hard and slippery snow base. The trekkers at such occasions have to be careful and must necessarily possess balancing skills. A sturdy stick or an ice axe is an indispensable possession. There are a number of peaks like Dromedry, Camel, Two guns, Rifle-horn, and Slab to the left and right of Indrahara pass, which can be attempted after camping below the pass. This pass provides ~ very scenic view of both the Kangra and Ravi valleys and offers a distant view of the Middle and Greater Himalayas. The other side of the pass remains snow-covered till the middle of July. The trek heads down and reach a place known as Chhata Parao, which has a natural cave shelter and an improvised hut for a night halt. The mountain ridges are free of snow during July, August and September and October when they transfer into pastures for the gaddis who stay there with their sheep and goats till the end of October. The area has a variety of alpine flowers and herbal plants. Those with good trekking experience can make it from Lahesh Cave to Kwarsi village in one day. Backside of Inderhara Pass Image by Ria Monika

Backside of Inderhara Pass Image by Ria Monika

Backside of Inderhara Pass Pic Ria Monika
Indrahara pass is accessible from May till November subject to snow conditions. During the summer months one needs proper climbing equipment to negotiate the vertical icy patches. I have, however, climbed and crossed this pass in January, in summer and in autumn. Success depends entirely on one's climbing capability, proper conditioning and of-course, the weather conditions prevalent at that time. Unpredictable weather, hailstorms, chilly winds and snow blizzards are common in this route. One feels greatly relieved on reaching the top after a hectic climb there is an ample compensation by way of exotic beauty and grandeur of dome like peaks, amidst which Stands the might Kailash(5655m)
Text by Shiv Ram Saini. Regional Mountaineering Mcleodganj.

                                                       Eco-Tourism
                                  Mountaineering ,Trekking & Adventure
                                         By M S Gill (former Chief Election Commissioner and former President                             Mountaineering Foundation, is Currently President Himalayan Club

Large hotels by Plains people are no good for Places like Manali. They pollute and destroy the environment and the income does not go to the local people. On the other hand the bread and breakfast accommodation in local homes allows the tourists' to stay with local families, and thus learn to appreciate their culture, and ofcourse the income goes to the owners of the homes.

My PERSONAL involvement with the Himalayas goes back to 1958 when I joined the IAS and went to Darjeeling on Bharat Darshan. Meeting Everest hero Tenzing was a great experience, and fixed my interest in the mountains. I started to read every bo-ok I could find. In the then Punjab where I was posted, all of Kangra and Lahaul Spiti on the Tibet border were part of the state. I am the first IAS officer in India to ask for and train at the HMI (Himalayan Mountaineering Institute) , Darjeeling with Tenzing. I later helped to set up the Western Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Manali. I was clear that administrators should be encouraged in mountaineering and other adventure sports in order to give our country well motivated officer for
the high mountain frontier districts. In 1961 i asked for and became Deputy Commissioner Lahaul Spiti and was there at
the time of the Chinese war. As a young bachelor, I had the pleasures of trekking and climbing those high valleys from 10 to 20 thousand feet. As I wrote in my book Himalayan Wonderland- Travels in Lahaul Spiti, "for once my pleasure became my duty". I maintained my mountain interest all through my career, and traveled extensively from Ladakh to Arunachal. I valued my friendship with Tenzing, Hillary and other great mountaineers.

               Image by N M Raina
When Everest was climbed in 1953, it was Nehru 's idea to set up the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling. He made Tenzing Director of training and encouraged Indian youth towards high adventures. Indians had in the past centuries traveled in the Himalayas with a religious focus for pilgrimage and pence, but to climb the high mountains for adventure and sports is a British idea .Free india needed to encourage this sport ,to create in its youth a desire for adventure and risk taking.
                            Only then can great administrators be produced. HMI Darjeeling became a mother nursery of all our famous climbers. They came mainly from the Armed Forces, and Indians soon began to climb the highest peaks. By 1965 Everest had been climbed, putting 9 people on top. Other major peaks like Annapurna, Nanda Devi, Trishul etc. were all being quickly climbed by young Indians. These achievements excited and encouraged our youth.
The Himalayan Club of which l have the honor to be the current President, was set up by the British in 1928. It has continued for the last 74 years to promote adventure sports in the high mountains, as well as a study of their botany, geology and culture. In about 1957 again with Nehru's encouragement, and the efforts of some leading civil servants the Indian mountaineering
Foundation was set up.The IMF recevied strong support from govt. of India, and became main body to encourage Indian attempts on the high peaks, as well as the training of young Indian mountaineers. Over the decades, it did tremendous work in spreading mountaineering and trekking across the country. Many training institutes were set up and we have at least 5 of them now. Climbing and mountaineering clubs sprang up all over, and young people started going out on expeditions. Very soon Indian woman climbed Everest. We have the distinction of Santosh Yadav being the only woman in the world to have climbed Everest twice. The young women of India showed remarkable achievements in climbing difficult peaks, and undertaking other adventures in the hills. The Govt. of India through the mountaineering institutes, subsidies training for young people in a big way. The IMF too spends considerable money in training our mountaineers and upgrading their skills.
                           The population of India has unfortunately risen from 30 crore at independence to 100 crore now. Our cities have expanded beyond desirable limits, and all our urban population faces difficult living conditions. It is all the more necessary now, that our youngsters from the big urban centers like Bombay and Calcutta should be enabled in the summer to go to the cool Himalayas for adventure and spiritual communion. The number of trekkers and climbers has risen in a big way.
I also have to say that in the last 50 years the rising population has put unacceptable pressure on our high mountains, rivers, forests and wild life. All these treasures have diminished. I remember climbing in thick forested Sikkim in 1961. -I have in later decades traveled there, and seen sad, barren hillsides. In my 40 years of administrative life, I can personally record the reduction of forests from Himachal to Arunachal, and in the Madhya Pradesh.
^{I want to warn that in this new
century, there will be water wars, between countries and within countries. With little
foresty, the rivers are drying up and being polluted by uncontrolled industries. Forests,
where the tigers have now entirely disappeared. The reduction of forests is damaging our
rivers. I want to warn our young people, that in this new century; there will be water
wars, between countries and within countries.}
Already minimum water availability is a crisis in every big city. The Yamuna in Delhi is a sewer and so it continues all the way to Agra and the Taj Mahal. Therefore while we must go to the Himalayas for rest and sustenance, we must also guard and preserve them. The forest on the hillsides is precious and the only way to prevent erosion. The Himalayas too have turned into a mountain desert in many parts. We must check these for the sake of future generations. I have seen outstanding eco- plantation work in Mussoorie and elsewhere. This must be made an all India movement. Our rivers and mountains are sacred, and should be treated with respect and honor.
In the 50s and 60s we followed the European practice of climbing with big expeditions, for prestigious conquest of peaks. Our
culture does not believe in the conquest of high peaks, which themselves are the sacred abode of the Gods. We go there only to pay homage. The Europeans too have today become very conscious of environment protection. They now travel in small expeditions of 2s and 4s and 6s only. They make sure no damage is done to the trees and environment, and all rubbish brought back to the plains for destruction. Our youth must learn this basic civic sense.

                                                            Dhauladhar hills Dharamsala Image By P r Bali
                     I have travelled extensively in the Himalayas as well as in European mountain areas. I found that in countries such as Austria and Scotland, the local population has a major source of earning from the beauty of their mountains and environment. Vast numbers of tourists come to climb, trek and enjoy the scenery. These countries maintain a very efficient bread and breakfast culture for tourists i.e., the residents in the hills are given financial and other help to maintain good quality homes with attached bathrooms, etc. During the summer season they welcome visitors to stay in bread and breakfast accommodation. Thus they earn good money. For the long snow bound winters, the family has the full use of a large house and enough to eat. I believe
we need to encourage the same policy in the hill states from Himachal to Arunachal. Large hotels by plains people are no good for places like Manali. They pollute and destroy the environment. Manali is in poor shape now-and the income does not go to the local peoplec On the other hand the bread and breakfast accommodation in local homes, allows the tourists to stay with local families, and thus learn to appreciate their culture and of course the income goes to the owners of the homes. I am very clear, that the main possibility of higher earning for the hill people is eco- tourism, through the dispersed bread and breakfast method. Therefore I would hope, that the hill state govts. guard the beauty of their environment, allow no pollution by large industries or hotels etc. and in fact encourage through cheap financial loans, their local citizens to upgrade their housing accommodation, for both summer tourists, and their own living in the winter.
                     In places like Manali bread and breakfast accommodation should be listed, supervised, properly controlled, and known to the tourist offices locally as in Europe, so that tourists can be guided to good and cheap accommodation, which still gives excellent earnings to the house owners. Along with this of course will go the service industries of transport, eating, well mannered guides etc. It is therefore of prime interest to the govts. of the hill states to maintain well considered laws in order to check any damage to the environment, forest or rivers. As President of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation for 6 years {'93-99') , I pressed very hard, to have the size of lndian expeditions reduced to the minimum, and for them to be conscious of environment protection.
       Our Armed Forces and Police sometimes, are guilty of large prestigious expeditions, even now. We tried very hard to focus them on environment protection. Due to our Armed Forces being on the Himalayan borders, there is severe pressure on the scarce forest cover of the mountains. That too must be guarded by all of us. Therefore in this year of eco-tourism and mountains, I would plead for a national consciousness and agressive movement, to safeguard the Himalayas and the great rivers which come from them, and sustain our life in the plains.

                                            EAGLE'S HEIGHT TREKKERS
                                                 A Complete Trekking Agency With Proffessional
                                                                       The Mall Mcleodganj

LOCAL TREKKING FOR ONE DAY ,TWO DAY, THREE DAY )
ONE DAY TREKS ONLY:-
There are round about five to six one day treks in the local region of Mcleodganj. Their detail is given as under:-
Mcleod to Bhated River:
Distance lO kms. To and fro.
Time duration :five to six hrs.

Nature of the Trek: -The trek is most suitable for any kind of client .There is no height in this route. lt is most suitable for families and kids below 12 years .lf asked by the trekkers the fresh lunch can be provided, which adds to the charm of the trek. The trek ends in the river which is snowfed and the cold and clear water provides you an opportunity to take the cold water bath. There are dense and most beautiful cedar ,oak and other broad leaved trees. There is ample scope for those who are interested in the herbs of the lower himalayan range. The trek provides full jungle charm.

Route no.2:- Mcleodganj- Bhagsunag-waterfall-Dharamkot-Galu Temple etc
The trek starts from Mcleodganj and heads towards Bhagsunag village which is known for its very old Nag temple. After the temple We go forward to the water fall of Bhagsunag which is nearly a kilometre away towards the north- east direction of the temple. In water fall there is a small break for the group.After waterfall the group moves up towards the temple of Galu Mata,the highest Point of this trek.Resting for half an hour, the group comes back to the town of Mcleodganj.

Route no 3:-Mcleodganj to Mata Goona Temple
Time Duration: six to eight hours. Maximum Altitude:-2500 Metres. Distance: 14 Kilometres.(to & fro )
This is the first full day track which needs little strong efforts.The track
passes through Dal lake and the village of Naddi. Aftcr crossing naddi village , we take the lower course of the route which enters into the bhated khad.After reaching there, is the steep climb tor the next twenty minutes to reach village Balgaon. From here start the other part of the valley, we can see Kareri village .Before reaching the temple
you will see the clear view of the mountain Bhim Ghasutri , the approach for Chamba valley.the temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga.The place is good for mediation. From this point the return journey starts towards the village side again. From Balgaon another route is taken through Galoo Temple and Dharmkot village.