Mantalai Trek

 

 

Trekkers also come across Lake Mantalai on their way to the Pin Parvati pass. However, the trail upto Mantalai, situated at 4100 m (13,500 ft) is a challenging Trek in itself, involving a significant gain in altitude from the base.

Total Distance: 86k.m Approx
(Challenging, May to Oct)

Day 01: Manali – Manikaran -Barsheni  (100 kms)
Travel by surface from Manali to Manikaran (85 kms)

Day 02:Barsheni  – Khirganga 
Gradual ascent through villages, fields and forest. Khirganga (2960 m) is a holy place with Hot water springs. Overnight in tents.

Day 03: Khirganga – Tunda Bhuj 
Through forest level walking to reach Tunda Bhuj (3285 m). The trail crosses several delightful pastures supporting a variety of wildflowers in the summer. Overnight in tents.

Day 04: Tunda Bhuj – Thakar Kuan 
Through birch forest crossing rocks and dense vegetation. This section of valley is difficult at places as the trail frequently skirts rock faces that are difficult for laden porters. Reach Thakur Kuan (3560 m) above the cliff section. Overnight in tents.

Day 05: Thakar Kuan – Pandu Bridge 
Beyond Thakar Kuan, the trail passes several Gaddi encampments before crossing a side river by a natural rock bridge. Trek for 12 kms to reach Pandu Bridge (3700 m). Overnight in tents.

Day 06: Pandu Bridge – Mantalai Lake 
Trek for 15 kms to reach Mantalai Lake (4116 m), the source of Parbati River.  There is a choice of grassy camp- sites just beyond Mantalai. Overnight in tents.

Day 07: Mantalai Lake – Pandu Bridge 
Trek back the same way from Mantalai to Pandu Bridge. Overnight in Tents

Day 08: Pandu Bridge – Thakar Kuan 
Trek back the same way from Pandu Bridge to Thakur Kuan. Overnight in Tents

Day 09: Thakar Kuan – Khirganga
Trek back from Thakur Kuan to Khirganga. Overnight in Tents

Day 10:Khirganga- Barsheni – Manikaran – Kullu or Manali drop
Return to Barsheni from where a vehicle will pick you up and drop you back at Kullu or Manali where the trek ends.

Kullu Manali

Our Kullu-Manali packages are a combination of must-see sights as well as off the beaten track ones. Adding a trek into this mix helps you experience the mountains to the fullest. A suggested itinerary:

Day 01: Delhi/ Chandigarh to Shimla
Day 02: Shimla sightseeing
Day 03: Shimla to Naggar/Manali (7 hrs)
Day 04: Naggar sightseeing(Jana waterfall, Krishna Temple, Heritage village Jana and Roerich Art gallery)
Day 05 to 07 Treks (Brighu lake or Chanderkhani pass)
Day 08: Manali – Manikaran – Manali
Day 09: Manali- Sightseeing (Hadimba temple,Vashisht temple, Jogni waterfall and Manali mall)
Day 10: Rohtang Pass – Manali.

Shimla Kullu/Manali

 

 

 

Day 01: Chandigarh to Shimla (5/6 hrs)

Drive to Shimla, stopping at the monastery in Solan along the way. Set at an altitude of 2,213m, Shimla was once the summer capital of the British administration in India and is now the capital of Himachal Pradesh. This queen of hill stations still retains its colonial charm in its architecture. Evening walk around The Mall.
Day 02: Shimla sightseeing
Visit Jakhoo, an ancient temple devoted to Lord Hanuman, situated on Jakhoo Hill. This is Shimla’s highest peak and offers panoramic views of the Shivalik Ranges. Go on an excursion to Kufri & Narkanda, popular for their trekking trails, pine-scented air and beautiful views all around. Narkanda is also located close to the prime apple belt and is a ski-resort in winter.
Day 03: Shimla to Manali (8 hrs)
Drive to Manali (2050m) at the Northern end of the Kullu Valley. Manali is surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks and the snowline is never more than a few hours’ drive away. Stop at placid Bilaspur Lake and Hanogi Mata temple set among the mountainous backdrop along the way. Check in to hotel.
Day 04: Manali sightseeing
Visit the Hadimba temple, Vasisht Baths, Manu Temple and Tibetan monastery. Chill in Old Manali, imbibe the local ambience and shop for souvenirs at the Tibetan Market on the Mall. Take a trip to Solang Valley and try your hand at paragliding.
Day 05: Manali-Bijli Mahadev-Manali
Bijli Mahadev is a famous an ancient Shiva temple situated atop a beautiful meadow. It is a 3km walk from Mansari village and offers stunning views of both the Parvati Valley and Kullu Valley.
Day 06: Manali-Naggar-Jana-Manali
On the left bank of the river Beas, Naggar is a pictureque village on the wooded slope. It used to be the capital of the Kullu rajas and you can visit their heritage castle there. Naggar was also home to the Russian artist Roerich, whose house has now been converted into a museum. Visit some of the famous temples in and around Naggar as well and continue on to Jana for authentic and tasty Himachali food. Walk up to the beautiful waterfall there and wind your way back to Manali.
Day 07: Manali – Kasol (trek to Malana and back to Kasol)
This extremely scenic drive takes you from the relatively gentle Beas river to the roaring and angry Parvati. On the way to Kasol, take a detour to Malana. The road goes almost to the village, after which its a easy and picturesque two hour walk. Malana village is a small cluster of around two hundred stone roof houses. Its inimitable culture and the temple of Jamlu distinguish the village whose inhabitants are said to have descended from Alexander The Great. The villagers here, have their own laws and customs, speak a different dialect and dress differently. Drive to Kasol and check-in to hotel.

Day 8: Kasol – Manikaran – Parashar

Continue on from Kasol and reach the famous hot springs of Manikaran, sacred to both Hindus and Sikhs. Walk around this holy town, visit the temples and gurudwara and take a dip in the hot spring baths. Continue on to Parashar lake stopping at the ancient Bajaura temple on the way. This temple is said to have been constructed by the Pandavas when they were in exile. Reach the beautiful lake, in the centre of green hillocks, held sacred to the sage Parashar. A mysterious floating island that keeps changing position throughout the year adds to the charm as does a three-tiered Pagoda-like temple dedicated to the sage. The whole vista is encircled by snow-capped peaks. The lakeside and the nearby villages are sites of various festivals held at different times of the year. Camping overnight at Parashar Lake.

Day 09: Parashar – Rewalsar

Continue on down to the scenic Rewalsar lake, past the town of Mandi. Lying in a mountain hollow, the lake is held sacred to all three communities, evidenced by the three shrines – a Buddhist Monastery, a Sikh Gurudwara and a Hindu Temple. The lake is famous for its floating islands which, according to the myths, can be moved by prayer or breeze. Stay overnight here.

Day 1o: Rewalsar – Chandigarh

Drive down to the plains from Rewalsar. Drop-off at hotel in Chandigarh.

Khirganga Trek

If there is just one trek that you have the time for, then this trek in the Parvati Valley is it. As much as we would wish to keep this place a secret, if we absolutely have to share it, then we would want to be your guides to this magical hot spring. Trek alongside the wild Parvati River, through wooded alpine forests and gushing waterfalls. A 6-7 hour trek takes you to the pristine hot springs on top surrounded by a ring of snow-capped mountains. After a hard day’s trek soak in the hot springs, camp at Kheerganga and return the next day.

Day 1: Manali to Tosh (drive  and camp at Tosh)
Day 2: Start trek at Tosh. Reach Kheerganga. 6-7 hrs. Camp at Kheerganga
Day 3: Come down to Tosh and drive back to Manali

3000m  (Easy, April – October)