Thinking of an adventure? An affordable, scenic, tiring yet peaceful experience? The Himalayas have a lot of those to offer. As we know, Himachal Pradesh is abundant in scenic sights and beautiful landscapes. But what the high-altitude region offers the most, compared to any other state in India, are the breath-taking treks with unimaginable views. A Trek is an escape for anyone living in the chaos of the city. Detoxing your soul of stressful thoughts and negative feelings. Here are a few treks in Himachal, easy on the pocket and adventurous enough to pump up your adrenaline:
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Kheerganga :
Located two hours away from Kasol market, this is a trek every traveller and backpacker should go on. The trek takes approximately four hours to ascend and around three hours to descend. Staying overnight at the Kheerganga trek is highly recommended as there are a lot of things to do at the mountain top.
Kheerganga is famous for having a hot spring bath at the top of the mountain. A dip in the hot water after a long and tiring trek makes the whole experience worth all the effort. The trek is long but isn’t tough to conquer. Even for a first timer, it is easy to ascend and even easier to descend.
At Kheerganga, the sun sets beautifully behind a range of mountains at a time you wouldn’t expect. The usual sunset time during June-September is 8.15-8.25pm. The enchanting late sunset just gets you started for the night, as the starry skies are a speciality of the Kheerganga trek. Zero air and light pollution makes the stargazing experience even better as the sky is completely clear.
The Kheerganga trek is a perfect opportunity to have a surreal and enchanting experience, as it is adventurous as well as has elements of nature that are rare to find in the cities and crowded areas.
Difficulty : Moderate
Capacity : 20 Seats
Max Altitude : 13,100 FT.
Trek Highlights Here : Trekking, Parvati valley, Buni Buni pass, oak forest
Best Time to Visit : MAY – NOVEMBER.
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The Sar pass trek is moderately challenging, as it covers multiple terrains and gives a rather versatile experience of trekking. Ranging from meadows, forests, villages, and snow-clad mountain tops, it includes all the terrains.
The starting point of this trek is same as Kheerganga, Barshaini is the name of the bus stop, till where transport takes you. It is a 6-day trek starting from Kasol. The real trek beings from the Kasolnallah, where it leads too Grahan village. This part of the trek isn’t very uphill and is easy to climb.
The next part needs the trekker to go from Grahan to Min thach, Min Thach to Nagaru, and then from Nagaru to Biskeri via Sar Pass. The final part of the trek comprises of walking through the snow-clad mountains on a steeper slope. This trek guarantees adrenaline rushes and a lot of adventurous moments as it is packed with different terrain, snow, steep slopes and long routes.
Both beginners and professional trekkers enjoy this trek because it is easy but physically challenging at the same time. The descend does not demand much physical endurance or fitness, it is very easy to climb down and rather completes the experience of the trek on a non-tiring, and enthusiastic note.
Difficulty : Moderate
Capacity : 20 Seats
Max Altitude : 4,220 m (13,850 ft)
Trek Highlights Here : Trekking, Base Camp, frozen lake
Best Time to Visit : PRE & POST MANSOON
Prashar Lake Trek is located within Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. It is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and looks down on the fast-flowing river Beas.
At the top of the mountain, besides Prashar lake, there’s a temple which is said to be made by a single deodar tree which took over 10 years to build. With its legend, this place is not only one of the best treks, but it also has history which makes the trek even more exciting. The lake is said to be found by Pandavas. The lake here is popular as wish-completing-lake & that’s why people throw money, silver coins and gold into the water. It is a two-day trek, which can be climbed by number of different trails.
The trek follows different trails through the forest and different rivulets. This trek is peaceful, a visual treat, and a trek which is a MUST if you want to enjoy nature at its best. Visitors from all over the world love this trek & it is one of the best treks in Himachal. Walking besides the lake with the temple in the vicinity grants a spiritual experience that can be remembered for a lifetime.
Difficulty : Moderate
Capacity : 20 Seats
Max Altitude : 2,730 m (8,960 ft)
Trek Highlights Here : Trekking, Lakes, green pastures, gigantic mountains
Best Time to Visit : April to July and September to November
4) Bhrigu Lake Trek
The Bhrigu lake trek begins from Manali, the first campsite is located at Gulaba which is a 22km drive from Manali. It is a 4 days 3 nights trek, which is good for beginners as the trek isn’t physically demanding.
The first checkpoint after Gulaba is Rola Kholi. While trekking to Rola Kholi, beautiful views of Mt. Hanuman Tibba and the seven sister peaks are seen. The Rola Kholi campsite is also known to be one of the ideal camping spots as it is surrounded by mountains on three sides, restricting the cold breezy winds.
The next checkpoint of the trek is Pandu Ropa, while trekking to which we visit our destination, that is Bhrigu lake. In summers, the lake is surrounded by lush green grass and flowers. As the lake is frozen most of the year except the summer season, it is advisable to visit Bhrigu lake in summers as it offers an experience that is very pristine and pure.
After soaking in the beauty of Bhrigu lake, the descent from Pandu Ropa begins, as we trek to Vashisht, where the trek ends. After the descent, the trekker can indulge in a bath at the hot water spring at Vashisht.
Difficulty : Moderate
Capacity : 20 Seats
Max Altitude : 4,235 m (13,894 ft)
Trek Highlights Here : Trekking, Vashisht Village, Temples
Best Time to Visit : Mid May – October
The Triund trek is visually stunning as it has a large land of green grass and the view of the Dhauladhar range. Another experience worth having at this trek is the city of Mcleoadganj, which offers a great opportunity to experience the vibrant Tibetan culture.
The trek is of moderate difficulty and can be enjoyed by beginners too. An overnight trek is suggested at Triund as the view of the starry sky behind the mountain ranges is a visual treat to the eyes.
Trekking through some of the most alpine forests of Fir, Rhododendron and Oak is also a splendid experience, as both terrain and flora/fauna of this place are rare. The descend of the trek also allows us to grasp a look at the stunning Bhagsu falls.
These serene treks can leave an impact on your life and can be very refreshing. The soothing atmosphere of the Himalayas gives a spiritual experience. For people who stay in busy cities and those who have a hectic lifestyle, this is surely a calming experience and it cleanses both body and soul of the routine stress.
Difficulty : Moderate
Capacity : 20 Seats
Max Altitude : 4,235 m (13,894 ft)
Trek Highlights Here : Trekking, Vashisht Village, Temples
Best Time to Visit : March to June
Author, Advait Gharat
