Buran Ghati Trek

The Buran Ghati Trek is the ultimate crossover masterpiece of the Himalayas which takes you on a high-speed, adrenaline-pumping excursion from the lush greenery of Pabbar Valley to the rocky and wind-swept heights of Sangla Valley. You begin this 38 km trekking at 9,200 feet in the heritage village of Janglik and continue to a maximum elevation of 15,000 feet throughout the course of your trek. It is often considered as the most beautiful alpine meadow in India, along with the seven sacred glacial lakes that make up Chandranahan Lake. The highlight of the trek will be the actual pass crossing which is a vertical 70-degree snow face that creates an epic sequence of extreme technical rappels and sliding over ice which will drop you almost 3,000 feet in one afternoon. The trek is classified as moderate-difficult level and is a 7 day trek that requires peak cardiovascular fitness to complete more than 6,000 feet of vertical gain. You can choose to do the trek in June when large snow bridges make for easier crossings or in September and October for clearer views of the Kinnaur-Kailash Mountain Range. This trek will provide an unparalleled and mind-blowing 360-degree sensory overload and unparalleled trekking experience.

Why is the Buran Ghati Trek so special?

The Buran Ghati Trek usually refers to it as being the Giant Buffet of Himalayan trekking due to how much different topography it covers over seven days, making it seem like a lifetime's worth of geography condensed into one trek. Below is a detailed overview of all the reasons why this trail is viewed by many as - The Apex Adventure Trail.

1. A Masterclass on Landscape Variety: Most treks only show one side of the view (e.g. in a wooded area versus at the top of a ridge); however, the Buran Ghati trek is known for showing you the different faces of itself every day. For example, you start the trek in Janglik (an old style town with its wooden homes) before going into a forest made up of thick moss-covered oak and pine trees. Shortly thereafter, though, the trees are gone, and you arrive at the Dayara Meadows—known by many as the most picturesque high-altitude meadows found anywhere in India—vast and green rolling meadows that look to have been finished by a gardener. By the time you get to the Dhunda campsite, the greenery has disappeared completely; you find yourself in a world of only black rocks and white snow.

2. The Adrenaline Fueled Pass Crossing: The Ghati Pass is about 15,000 ft and provides an exhilarating experience that no traditional trek could deliver. You'll experience the trek up to the summit as a true test of strength as you ascend a sharply steep grade (over snow and boulders) and get to experience panoramic views (360 degrees) of the Kinnaur Kailash mountain range. However, you’ll find out that the wall descent is what truly exemplifies the character of the trek. The descent on the other side is almost a vertical drop, and therefore, you will not be trekking down the slope, instead you will be rappelling down via ropes and/or doing a series of long, fun-filled slides down the steep snow slopes. This takes the trek from being a typical trek to a mini-mountaineering adventure.

3. The Seven Lakes (Chandranahan): Among the greatest highlights of this trek is the diversion to the Chandranahan Lake circuit which is really considered a geographic marvel as opposed to just a small body of water. Nestled in a high alpine bowl below the summit of Chandranahan, there are five glacial tarns fed by a large waterfall that crashes from the cliffs above. As the water sits in perfect stillness it reflects the surrounding peaks like a dark mirror. This area is an important pilgrimage site for the local villagers, as it is where they come to carry their lord and deity, Shikru, to be deified before bathing, and thus carries a heavy, dense, spiritual energy that is apparent to all who trek to it.

4. The Most Beautiful Finish to a Trek in the Himalayas: Treks typically end with a knee jarring descent down a dusty, boring road, but not so in the Buran Ghati trek; In fact, Buran Ghati saves its most beautiful scenery for this part of the treks exit. After coming down from the high pass, you will descend into the Barua Valley which is filled with colourful wildflowers and lots of birds. As you approach Barua Village the trail will start with the darkly shaded apple, apricot ,and peach orchards. The change from the freezing, thin air of the pass to the warm, sweet-smelling, fruit filled air of the valley is an incredible sensory reward for all your hard work and makes the final couple of miles seem like a big celebration.

5. Exploring Kath-Kuni Culture: Many trekking routes are solely focused on wilderness areas; however, Buran Ghati begins and ends in active cultural museums. The villages of Janglik and Barua have Kath-Kuni architecture, which is an ancient building technique using interlocking wood and stone to create buildings that will remain standing after an earthquake and that doesn't use mortar. Trekking through these villages allows trekkers to experience the traditional way of life for local shepherds and farmers. Understanding the culture of the area brings additional meaning or soul to trekking in this region because these mountains have stood as a place of sacredness for a strong culture for thousands of years, rather than just as an opportunity for physical challenge.