Itinerary -
Day 01: Arrive Chandigarh – Manali (1981 Mtrs):
Reach Chandigarh by Shatabadi or cab and met by VTS member for onward journey to Manali covering a distance of 250 Kms . Enroute we will stop for tea/coffee and snacks. Our travel is through small towns and villages of Himachal Pradesh which is becoming a role model in tourism and industry growth. (
Day 02: Manali to Marsu, Saten (2500 mtrs.) 5 hours:
After breakfast drive to Prini village, Path leads through the village, Zig-zag trail leads to the valley floor and offers an extensive view . Now easy path leads to the Khangpa village of Saten who are migrated from Spiti .( From Tibet in the olden time). (Khangpa community use to move
Day 3: Marsu, Saten to Balu Gyra (3300 mtrs.) 5 hours.:
The trail begins by flat walking through the forest of Mapple, Silver Fur, Pine and Oak, paved by the grass and stone and fields of the wild flowers. Twice have cross the river. Bank sloping down from the high cliffs all around and ideal location for the end of the day. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Balu Gyra to Shea Gahru (3700 mtrs.) over Hamta pass (4200 mtrs.) 5 to 6 hours.:
The trail begins to ascend toward to the mighty Hamta pass,and soon the distant valley of Lahoul/ Spiti comes in to view. From the pass one can enjoy the view of magnificent Himalayan peaks, Deo the pass one can enjoy the view of magnificent Himalayan peaks, Deo Tibba, Indra Asan, Indra Kila. Slo
Day 5: Shea Gahru to Chhatru (3360 mtrs.) Short day Trek:
The trail descends toward the left bank of the " nalla ". Soon the Chandrariver is in view. After 3 hours reached at the beautiful campsite. After noon at leisure.
Day 6: Chhatru to Chhota Dara (3440 mtrs.) 5 hours:
Easy walk on the dusty and rough road to the opposite of the Chandra river between C.B range and Chhota Shigri Range.
Day 7: Chhota Dara to Batal (3640 mtrs.) 5 hours:
Easy walk, once again on the same dusty road. Right of the trail oposite of the Chandra river the Bara shigri range offers a magnificant view of the Lalana, Papsura, Dharamsura (White sale ), Shangrila and many other proeminent peaks of the range as wel as one of the world longest glacier.
Day 8: Batal to Chandra Tal (4200 mtrs.) 5 to 6 hours:
One of the most beautiful trail of the trek offers you a wonderful view of the Chandra valley as well as the now carpet mountains of the C.B range and Mul Kila. Shepherdss from the Kangra valley are with their flocks in the valley. Visit around the valley, meet The shepherdss, but be carefu
Day 9: Chandra tal to Topko-Yongmo ( 4370 mtrs ) 6 hours:
Very easy walk but long with the sceneray of the mountanious Chandra-bhaga. (C.B.) range opposite side . Camp nearby the river or just before or after crossing the river, all trekkers are advised to put on the sneakers while crossing the river.
Day 10: Topko- Yongmo to Topko-Gongmo (4450 mtrs ) 3to 4 hours:
Another river crossing is involved today, if you arrive before noon .Afternoon it is advised not to cross the river, because water level can increase rapidly due to the perpetual heat on the glacier.So one should cross as early as possible even one have to camp early day before wade through the ri
Day 11: Topko- Gongmo to base of Baralachala ( 4550 mtrs ) Short trek:
Just cross the river and camp site is after one hour, near the shepherds.Pitch your tents, hot lunch will be prepared and afternoon free time to stroll around, one can study the wild flowers.
Day 12: Base to Baralacha-la drive to Manali:
Gradual ascend upward the pass Baralacha-la, wade through a small but chilled yamen stream. Pickup till Manali .Over rogtangla pass .
Trip Ends With Sweet Memories !!!
1. Is there a minimum age requirement for children on the treks?
We recommend you to undertake the family treks if your children are above 6 years of age. Some treks designed especially for school groups, recommend age is 12 yrs. For all other treks minimum age required is 18 Yrs.
2. What about the food and drinks during the trek?
Throughout the trek, we take care of all your meals. Our cook and support staff members accompany you on the treks and carry all provisions. Juices, milk and energy drinks are available for you at all times. We also provide snacks like crackers, cookies and chocolate bars especially for the children to help make your trek more enjoyable. So you don't have to worry about anything while on the trek. You can inform us in advance if you have any special requirements for the meals and we'll ensure that we provide you with whatever you need.
3. What kind of accommodation is provided during the halts en route?
During the trek, you will be staying in comfortable Alpine tents. We provide you with clean bedding, blankets and sleeping bags.
4. What about other administrative arrangements?
To ensure that each trek is a memorable and delightful experience for our clients, we take care of all details like the provision of porters and mules. Our team is always at hand to take care of anything you might need during the treks.
5. What kind of terrain can I expect on a School trek / Elderly treks?
The trails are specially selected keeping your need in mind. So the trek will lead you over gentle, gradual slopes and through some of the most beautiful terrains, without being over strenuous. Please note the grades on all treks.
6. What about first aid/medicine?
Our instructors are fully trained at first aid and medicines and take care of any medical emergency in the mountains. However, if you have any specific ailment for which you take medicine we recommend that you carry that with you.
7. Who will be in charge of the trips?
One of our designated trek leaders will lead the trip. All our trek leaders are highly qualified from either Nehru Institute of Mountaineering or Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and are ample experience in outdoors.
8. Who all will accompany us?
Trek Leaders, Chef, Helpers and porters varying with group size.
9. Can I join a group trek?
We have joining group departure in good seasons. If one of these does not fit your schedule because of you time factor we can arrange a special trek for you whether you are traveling alone or with a few friends.
10. Is previous hiking experience necessary to go on a trek?
As long as you are in good physical shape, you do not require any hiking experience for short treks. If you are planning a trek longer than a week, you should work out or do long day hikes at home for practice.
11. What equipment should I bring?
Trekking equipments check listing (Personal Items to be brought by Clients). The list of items as given below gives a general idea of the personal items to be brought by a trekker. Actually, the personal items are of individual interest, choice and the luxury he/she wants to enjoy and the most important fact he/she must consider is the time of the year, trekking days, region and altitude as per the situation,
Foot wears: Hiking boots with some ankle support Training type shoe Flip – flop or slippers for use around the camp.
Clothes: Cotton shirts, T- shorts, jeans, etc. for day use. Socks and underwear 4/5 that can be easily washed and dried on daily basis. Trekking suits, light sweater, a wind proof jacket or lightly padded jacket, down jacket umbrella, sun hat, waterproof gear, etc.
In a supported trek, porters carry heavy personal items and the trekkers are required to carry minimum items only to make their walk easy. They carry what they might need during the daytime. So, they are briefed to pack their items in two different bags before the commence of the journey.
12. What is Family / Elderly trek?
This is organized in the same style as exploratory or mountaineering expeditions. This trek is also known as fully organized supported trek. In this trek, a team of guide, cook, sherpa, Sardar and porters will accompany you. Our porters carry all trekking equipments, food, fuel, and personal belongings, and our cooks and assistant prepares hygienic meals. Trekkers should carry only what they need personally during the day. At night, they are provided dining tents, sleeping tents, separately and toilet tents. They are also provided with mattresses and down sleeping bags, all of which are carried for them with the party. Even tables and chairs are carried. A guide supervises the whole operation thoroughly for the success of the traveling.
13. How Family / Elderly Trek Operated?
In a typical Trek, day starts around 6 a.m. with a cup of hot tea or coffee followed by a bucked of warm water for their washing and cleaning. After packing up their stuff and daypack, the trekkers are requested to leave their camp and meet at the dinning table for breakfast. The trek started around 7.30 - 8 a.m. and the kitchen staffs go ahead of the group.Our well trained staff packs all camping equipment and gears and the porters carry them to the next camping site. The trekkers should carry only personal belongings that they may need for the day like water bottle, rain gear, camera, etc.
The Trekkers can decide on their own on time for viewing the beautiful landscape, taking photographs and resting or making a short pause. The walk to the lunch spot normally takes 3 hours. Our cook and assistant serve hot lunch upon arrival. The afternoon walk takes about 3 to 4 hours to reach at the night camp around 4/5 p.m. Tea and snacks are served while our Sherpa pitch the camp. The dinner is served around 6/7 p.m. in the dining tent lit with a pressurized lantern and furnished with table and camping tools. We provide high quality tents, foam and mattress, and a simple toilet tent in every camp for once comfort.
Our well - trained and experienced cook, and assistant prepare a variety of healthy, hygienic and clean food which is carried for the entire trek. Fresh Fruit and vegetable may taste on the way to trek.
14. Is a Trekking permit required?
Conservation and National Parks permits are required. There are few restricted trekking areas in India, where trekking permits are necessary.
15. What happens if I get sick?
The most important thing is “DON’T PANIC”, you should always ensure that you have a well-stocked and appropriate medical kit as well as sufficient insurance just in case, you should have to be evacuated by Helicopter. A slight case of diarrhea is to be some times expected, as well as sprains and muscle aches – all a part of walking in the hills. Altitude sickness is extremely dangerous but mostly avoidable if you follow a few simple rules: trek high and sleep low, drink at least 2 liters of water per day (not including beer or soft drinks!), and be sensible. If you feel shortness of breath, a slight headache or dizziness, tell your Sardar fro safety. Lie down, drink water as much as possible. If you are still feeling unwell. After that may consider going down a few hundred meters. Do not pretend you are all right, and do not go down alone. A descent of a few hundred meters overnight may be enough to make you fully able to start trekking again next day. For more information, please visit at www.high-altitude-medicine.com. This excellent site will inform you all you need to know, and also include a phonetic Mountain porter questionnaire for your porter. Porters are just as prone to altitude sickness as everyone else is.
16. Is it possible/easy to get equipment on hire?
There are trekking shops at Delhi, in particular, where you can easily rent or buy items like sleeping bags, down jackets, rucksacks and duffel bags etc.
17. Is communication to home possible while on trek?
There are telephones in many villages along the popular trekking routes from which you can make international calls, but not in the far distance in remote areas.
18. What arrangements for drinking water are made while on trek?
You should bring a one-liter water bottle with you on the trek. We prefer that you filter water yourself using iodine in order to save scarce fuel. We can provide a limited amount of boiled water that you can use to fill your water bottle in the evening for next day’s journey.
19. What if the guide/porter leaves me alone the trail?
Sometimes the porter/guide may go on ahead if you are walking slowly on an easy trail, usually to find a good place to eat or stay the night. However, this doesn’t mean that you have been abandoned. Adventure trips porters or guides will never leave you for long periods and will never steal your bag or belongings. It is guaranteed by the establishment.
20. What is the best season for trekking in India? And can I go trekking in the months of June and July?
The best time for trekking in India is May - October to early December and March/April. It is not very good trekking during the monsoon season from July to August.
21. What is the weather & temperature like?
Weather in the mountains is notoriously difficult and hard to predict. Of course, it is generally cold at night, and in winter, the days can be quite beautiful if the sun is out. There can be snow or rain storms any time of the year. Trekking in spring (March – April) is particularly lovely and beautiful as the rhododendrons are in full bloom. The mountains still have plenty of high snow to snap your photos. You need to be aware that it can get pretty hot and sunstroke can be a risk. Good polarizing sunglasses or glacier glasses (not trendy fashion ones) for high altitudes/winter treks, and a large brimmed hat are a necessity. It is also important to make sure that you can stay warm and dry in just about any conditions. Expect the unexpected! Between 1000m and 3500m the temperature could be as high as 20 deg C to 5 deg C low. At higher altitude, the temperature ranges from 20 deg C to -10 deg C. During winter it is around 10 deg colder.
22. What if I take more or less time on my trek than I had planned and paid for?
A trekking holiday should never be about making it to the final point quickly. In fact, most of the time, it isn’t even about the end point. Walking in the mountains is about enjoying the beauty of the places and learning the lifestyle of the natives. You pay the porter/guide per day, and any differences can be made up on your return. Remember, it’s your holiday and so long as you enjoy your trip the time taken is mostly irrelevant. You may find that weather or illness means you have to turn back, sit it out or take another alternative route. No problem!
SEASON: July to Mid September
MAX. ALTITUDE: 4830m
NUMBER OF DAYS: 11 days
HIGH PASSES: Rohtang Pass and Baralacha La
TREK GRADIENT: Moderately challenging
Chandra Tal (Moon Lake); This famous crystal clear water lake with its radius of about 2 km is situated opposite of the C.B. range. It forms the house of the famous Himalayan shepherds from the Chamba and Kangra valley. They come over with their flocks to these high altitude pastures because the graze in these pastures is considered to be the most energetic.