Buran Ghati Trek

Basic details for the day: On the first day of your trek, you'll navigate through a 7 Km route from Janglik to the high-altitude pasture of Dayara Thatch, which will usually take 5 - 6 hours. Along the way, you'll ascend 1,950 feet, with a final altitude of 11,150 feet. This portion of your itinerary includes breakfast at your guesthouse, a packed lunch during your trek, snacks and dinner at the Dayara Thatch campsite, which will mark the first night you'll spend sleeping in a tent.

Trail Description and Terrain Insights: Starting the trail will be a sharp ascent out of Janglik's village, which will quickly become a well-defined path through an ancient forest; the terrain will consist predominantly of moderate ascents and gradual slopes, with a soft forest floor consisting of pine needles and some occasional areas of exposed rock, until your exit from the treeline, whereupon the trail opens into large rolling pastures (thatch) that will all require an easy but steady march up to your campsite.

Natural and Scenic Highlights: Today will provide a striking change in scenery, with you transitioning from the Kath-Kuni wooden structures of Janglik into a vibrant wilderness. The trek begins with the massive canopy created by the towering full-growth Himalayan Cedar and the Blue Pine trees of the area, which at some point will make way for the more majestic and colorful Oak and Rhododendron tree forests. The highlight of the day will be when you reach the Dayara Meadows, which is a vast expanse of lush green grass surrounded by snow topped mountains that finally appear to be very close to you.

Cultural and Local Touchpoints: As you leave Janglik, you will be able to see the local "Pahari" way of life at its finest; you will be passing local villagers tending to their high-altitude farms. The trail on today's trek is also used by local shepherds (Gaddis) and you will notice small stone huts (dogris) where local shepherds stay during summer months. These stone huts represent the ancient transhumance customs of the Pabbar Valley.

Safety and Acclimatization Guidelines: With an elevation gain of nearly 2,000 feet on this day, this trek is particularly important to establish a proper pace for your journey. Take your time and take deep breaths to allow your lungs time to acclimate to the higher elevation (11,000+ feet). Once you pass the 10,000-foot-mark be mindful of any headache or nausea symptoms. Be sure to drink the available water along the way.

Experience Notes by our trekkers who completed this trek: You will have some unique opportunities to interact with the team helping you on your trek: your guides and muleteers will be traversing these slopes effortlessly and by sharing the trails with them you will allow yourself to gain insight into their long-held, extensive knowledge of the area. You may see local shepherds tending their flocks in the pastures and by simply saying Namaste or Jhule, you may receive a warm smile and a friendly exchange.

Camp Information & Logistics: The Dayara Thatch campsite is considered by many to be one of the most stunning campsites in the entire Himalayas. Your tents will be pitched on a flat, plush green grass lawn and you will enjoy a full 360° view of the mountains around you. The trekking staff will manage all logistics for you and will have a kitchen tent and dining tent set up for you. There is also a good source of water located nearby, making this site perfect for your first experience of high-altitude wilderness camping.

Practical tips for trekkers: Fill up your 2L water containers regularly, using the many available water sources along the trail, instead of packing extra weight with you on the trail. The evening can bring strong winds to this area due to the large open area.  So, carry either your wind breaker or light fleece in your day pack, in case of cool evening temperatures due to the winds. You will need to make sure that your camera/phone's batteries are fully charged since this area has some of the best sunrise and sunset photographs of your entire trek.

Basic details for the day: Day 3 is a relatively easy-paced transition of just 5 km (3-4 hours) with a total elevation gain of only 650 feet and is taken into consideration as an active recovery day. Breakfast will be provided at Dayara followed by a hot lunch at the new campsite (where you will be camping overnight), with snacks available in the evening.

Trail Description and Terrain Insights: Compared to yesterday, today will be noticeably easier in terms of trail conditions. There will be a mix of flat and uphill sections consisting of mostly flat and sloping Himalayan terrain. You will pass through areas of dense Bhojpatra (Birch) trees while crossing multiple small, sparkling streams; trail conditions are very good and there will be very little physical strain, so you can maintain a consistent rhythm as the valley widens into a classic glacial U shaped valley.

Natural and Scenic Highlights: Today's scenery gradually transitions from the wide open meadows of Dayara to a rugged alpine environment. Upon emerging from the silver birch trees at the eastern end of the valley, you will be rewarded with an incredible panoramic view of the Chandranahan range and the distant Gunas Pass. The confluence of the streams from the melting snow and the location of the hidden glacier will provide one of the most dramatic viewpoints throughout your trek at Litham.

Cultural and Local Touchpoints: The village of Litham is an essential way-finding point for local Gaddi shepherds , who rely on this valley as a route into the high-altitude pastures . There are ruins of old enclosures made of stone and used for livestock reflecting the way these nomadic people have lived throughout history. There is a very spiritual element to the location, as one is always in close proximity to the holy temples and lakes (Chandranahan) in this valley .

Safety and Acclimatization Guidelines: Acclimatization to 11,800 ft is critical to one’s physical performance . This is considered to be a short day so your body will have adapted to the thinning air at this elevation without the added stress of heavy physical effort. Use every water source along your trek so you are well-hydrated today before you begin the more vertical ascent and higher altitudes in the coming days .

Experience Notes by our trekkers who completed this trek: The slower pace on Day 3 allows the group to develop a strong sense of community within the group and provides ample opportunity to interact with your local guides who will frequently discuss and share information regarding the Devtas associated with the peaks/landscapes around you. You will also have excellent opportunities to observe the local muleteers manage their mules while crossing the streams.

Camp Information & Logistics: Located at the junction of two river valleys, the Litham campsite is situated in a grand flat-area that is perfect for pitching tents and is your base for the next day's excursion. There are several reliable sources of water in the vicinity that provide sufficient water for all of your camp needs. The logistics have been backed-up here to allow trekkers time to rest prior to facing the technical features at Buran Ghati Pass.

Practical tips for trekkers: Some practical tips for trekkers include carrying only moderate amounts of water through your day pack, as there will frequently be plenty of water spots along the way, to keep your pack light. When you arrive at the campsite early, take advantage of the chance to dry your socks and shoes in the sun, as moisture in higher altitudes will cause blisters. Additionally, bring along your binoculars or zoom lens, as the topography of the ridgelines around Litham offers plenty of opportunities to view the Himalayan monal or distant mountain goats.

Basic details for the day: On day six is a 7 km round trek ascent to the sacred Chandranahan Lake, with an elevation gain of 1,400 feet to an altitude of 13,200 feet, and you'll then return back to the same camp. Typically this trek takes 5 to 6 hours, with breakfast served at camp and a hot lunch or a packed lunch depending on your pace when you return, in addition to evening snacks and dinner at the Litham campsite.

Trail Description and Terrain Insights: The terrain is a steep and strenuous uphill today compared to previous days. There will be a variety of terrains including rocky moraines, grassy slopes & possible snow patches, depending on the season of your trek. The trail will generally follow the flow of the stream from the lake downstream as you ascend. The trail will challenge your endurance level by requiring you to concentrate on keeping your balance while trekking on rocky, uneven ground, as you trek up and down the ridge.

Natural and Scenic Highlights: The main attraction is Chandranahan Lake — a magnificent glacier fed lake bordered by picturesque snow-capped mountains, often partially frozen.  An incredible bird's eye view of the entire Litham valley below can be seen from the Chandranahan Lake, as well as the enormous waterfall cascading towards your campsite in the valley below.  From the height of 13,200 ft, the entire Dhauladhar and Pabbar mountain ranges can be seen in all directions; the view from here is one of the most magnificent of this trek.

Cultural and Local Touchpoints: The Pabbar Valley's residents regard Chandranahan as a sacred place; it is where the local god, Lord Shikru, was said to have bathed in ritual. At the lake, there is a sense of peace, and there are piles of stones (cairns) set up by local people that they have made as an offering to the spirits of the mountains. 

Safety and Acclimatization Guidelines: This day is based on the trek high, sleep low philosophy, which is the best way to help prevent AMS. You will ascend to a height of 13,200 feet and then sleep at an elevation of 11,800 feet. This should set your body up for the pass at 15,000 feet. The ascent is steep – be sure to use your trekking poles to help maintain balance. Take advantage of the opportunity to refill your water supply at the water sources on your way; at 13,000+ feet, the loss of air means you will lose body fluid at a much higher rate than at lower elevations, so it's easy to become dehydrated. 

Experience Notes by our trekkers who completed this trek: You will get an opportunity to see your local guides' spiritual side today. Many local people pray or simply remain quiet when arriving at the lake. It's a good day to see the physical and spiritual sides of the local people. When you sit quietly by the lake with your group, it often becomes the most memorable time of the day.

Camp Information & Logistics: Due to your extended stay at the Litham campsite, you are not required to take apart your tents or re-pack your main bags; as such, you'll be able to trek with less weight in your daypack, thus giving yourself time to relax and enjoy the evening. The logistics of your return are designed to ensure you have a hot, good for your lunch directly after arriving back from the 1,400 ft ascent and descent, so you can refuel your muscles.

Practical tips for trekkers: Because you will be returning to your tents in the same location you are camping today, you won't need to carry much. You will also want to take some pictures of the reflection on the lake as soon as you arrive so that you can get those reflections still; because by the afternoon, once the wind starts blowing, you won't get good reflections. You will also want to make sure your boots are laced properly when going down; if you don’t, you could injure your toes by hitting a rock on the steep rocky terrain.

Basic details for the day: The final approach to the trailhead from Litham to Dhunda is a 4 km trek. Although the distance may be short, the ascent of the Litham Valley has both a steep incline and high elevation. This section of the trail is at an altitude of 13,100 feet; there will be a total altitude gain of 1,300 feet. You will need 5 - 6 hours to reach your destination because of the steepness of the trail and thinner air. Provided logistics for the day include breakfast at Litham, hot lunch at the new campsite, and evening snacks and an early dinner to prepare for the pass crossing.

Trail Description and Terrain Insights: The trail description and terrain will be different from your experiences just prior to Litham, as you will not be trekking through gentle meadows, but rather trekking steeply, continuously upwards. In fact, after departing the Litham Valley, you will ascend directly up to a high-altitude ridge. The terrain at this part of the trail will have a lot of rocky moraines and boulder fields, making careful foot placement and a slow and steady pace a priority as you trek higher you will also see the U-shaped valley below disappearing behind you, while the rest of the landscape turns into a harsh, alpine wilderness with little vegetation and extreme winds.

Natural and Scenic Highlights: The trek's most breathtaking scenery is found on this day as you reach the ridge and see the monstrous, snow-covered Buran Ghati Pass looming over you like a giant notch in the horizon. You are surrounded by a vast theater of towering mountains, and you will surely be stunned by the view of the Pabbar Valley from the altitude at which you are standing. Gone is the green of the valley; instead, you are enveloped by the stark beauty of the rocks and the ice.

Cultural and Local Touchpoints: At this elevation, man-made civilization disappears, and the mountains are present in their purest form. Dhunda is a legendary place for generations of shepherds who have successfully traversed these high altitudes. There is an air of quiet tension in the camp as it is the last staging area for the trekkers and local guides to mentally prepare themselves for the technical difficulties of crossing the pass.

Safety and Acclimatization Guidelines: When you arrive at Dhunda, high altitude trekking is dangerous so don't exceed your heartbeat per minute limit. If you are already in the high altitude zone, pay attention to the signs of AMS. Use small rivers and streams as drinking water to fill your thermoflasks. Drinking warm water will help keep your core body temperature and circulation up in the freezing cold of Dhunda.

Experience Notes by our trekkers who completed this trek: When you arrive at Dhunda, you will notice that everyone is in a focused state of excitement. The technical guides, who will assist in crossing glaciers, as well as the porters who will carry the supplies, will be checking their equipment for the next day's trek. You should take the opportunity to hear stories of previous uphills from the technical staff. There will be a great deal of camaraderie this evening in the dining tent; the group will be coming together to share their excitement and accomplishments from the past day.

Camp Information & Logistics: The Dhunda campsite is situated at a high altitude on a rocky outcrop in the alpine. Because of its high-altitude position and its exposed location, it is also quite cold. The kitchen and dining tents will be your primary source of warmth due to the coolness of the surrounding air. The temperature will drop significantly from sunset until 2am; therefore, the team will prepare and serve a hot, high-carbohydrate dinner in preparation for this drop in temperature. There are flowing waters in small streams near this campsite, but they will likely freeze during the night.

Practical tips for trekkers: You should fill your thermoflasks with water while passing by streams so you can have thawed water available to drink at camp and have your heavier clothes accessible in case there is a sudden temperature drop after sunset. As a final gear check before you finish the trek, do one last check of your gaiters and poles in the afternoon, and stay well hydrated to help your body adjust to the elevation of over 13,000 feet.

Basic details for the day: Day six of the trek is perhaps the most strenuous and rewarding, lasting for approximately 10 -11 hours and involving navigation over boulder fields and glacier ice. The total distance to trek on this day is 7.9 km from Dhunda to the Munirang (river camp), and we will cross the highest point in this trek, which is 15,000 ft, gaining 1,900 ft in elevation. Breakfast will be provided at 7:00 a.m.; there will be a packed lunch to eat at the top of the pass sometime before descending, and tonight we will have a celebratory dinner at our camp in Munirang.

Trail Description and Terrain Insights: The trail will begin climatically with a series of very tough ascents over a mix of boulders and glacier ice until we arrive at the base of the Buran Ghati Pass. The last push to get to the top of the Ghati is through a very steep, narrow, and most of the time very hard-packed glacial gully. The defining feature of this day will be the technical descent: from the Ghati there will be a near-vertical drop; you will need to use a rappel or some other form of controlled descent (i.e., sliding down the snow). After getting off of the snow wall, the terrain will transition to long, rocky moraine fields and then become a scree path leading to the river.

Natural and Scenic Highlights: When you stand at the narrow notch of Buran Ghati, the impressive 360-degree view in front of you includes the well-knowned Pabbar Valley of Shimla behind you, and the starkly different Barua Valley of Kinnaur in front of you. The Kinnaur Kailash range of mountains and the several 6,000-meter peaks in that range dominate your field of vision from this location. You will also be struck with the jaw dropping visual difference between the stark white, glacial world of the pass and the many rushing glacial streams of the Kinnaur side. 

Cultural and Local Touchpoints: When you cross the pass, you will be creating a symbolic bridge between two very separate regions of the Himalayas. Historically, this pass is important as a trade route between the Shimla hills and the Kinnaur district. You will feel a shift in the feeling of the two sides of Buran Ghati as the Kinnaur side of the pass is much steeper and rugged than the exposed motion of the Shimla side of the pass.

Safety and Acclimatization Guidelines: Day 1 is a critical safety day due to your elevation of 15,000 feet, which has significantly less oxygen than lower elevations. Expert Guidance: During your descent down the snow wall, please listen to the technical guide's advice. There are few places to get water while ascending Buran Ghati so please fill your thermoflasks at the Dhunda campsite before you leave. At altitudes as high as 15,000 feet, dehydration increases the risk of becoming exhausted and suffering from frostbite.

Experience Notes by our trekkers who completed this trek: Today you’ll see your team in full expert mode. The harmony between the two groups is incredible—the guides are fixing the ropes and the porters are hauling heavy loads through the snow, all while working closely together. When all the last trekkers have safely made it over the last snow wall, the spirit of accomplishment that is felt by everyone involved (crew and trekkers alike) is an incredible bond that will be remembered for many years.

Camp Information & Logistics: The Munirang Campsite (River Camp), sits on a flat piece of ground adjacent to the rushing waters of the Barua stream. After the intensity of the high altitude pass, the lower elevation (approximately 11,800 feet) allows for much better sleep. The logistics of camp set-up will focus on recovery and the kitchen team will usually prepare a warm celebratory meal to mark the successful crossing.

Practical tips for trekkers: Refill all water bottles at Dhunda because once you start your descent into the Kinnaur side there are very few places to find reliable water sources. Make sure your sunglasses are easily accessible at all times to avoid snow blindness. Be sure to secure your microspikes and gaiters properly before starting the final pass, and maintain your mental focus when descending as snow slides can be a great deal of fun, but it's important that you adhere strictly to your guides' posture instruction when doing so in order to maintain safety.

Basic details for the day: On the last day you'll be trekking downhill for 7 km from Munirang to Barua Village, which will take 4-5 hours, allowing for a significant gain of over 7,700 feet going from a high alpine environment to giant orchards. After arriving at the end of the trekking trail (road head) your group will drive back to Shimla, which will be approximately 210 km and will take 10 -11 hours. There will be breakfast at camp and lunch at your own expense either in Barua Village or on route back.

Trail Description and Terrain Insights: Today the terrain will continue to be a steep, continuous descent with a wide array of landscapes. The first part of the trail will take you from rocky, glacial moraines close to the river camp into mature, dense, old growth, pine and oak forests. After the trail levels out, it will meander through what can only be described as exceptionally beautiful landscaped, apple, apricot and peach orchards. The path is well marked but it may be somewhat difficult on your knees due to the very quick elevation changing.

Natural and Scenic Highlights: Barua Village has a rich cultural heritage. You will trek through the centre of the village and pass numerous traditional homes, as well as greet local residents who rely on farming and the mountains for their livelihood. Exploring the remote heights of Buran Ghati to the bustling atmosphere found in a Kinnauri Village provides an incredible cultural experience and signifies your return to a large population centre.

Cultural and Local Touchpoints: Barua Village is an area of cultural significance. You will trek through the centre of the Village, surrounded by traditional homes and people who primarily rely on agriculture and their mountainous environment. The cultural experience can be explored through the remote heights of Buran Ghati to the busy atmosphere of a Kinnauri Village is a very fulfilling way to complete your journey and return to civilization.

Safety and Acclimatization Guidelines: The most significant current safety issue is the potential impact of your knees and toes as you descend 7,700 feet. You should always use your trekking poles to help absorb the impact from the descent and maintain proper control during your descent. You will also benefit from being able to breathe more easily, but it is extremely important for you to remain well-hydrated while your body adjusts to the pressure and temperature changes that accompany lower-valued altitude.

Experience Notes by our trekkers who completed this trek: When you finally arrive at Barua, you may feel like you just arrived home after being away for a long time. The relief, happiness, and pride exhibited by your fellow trekkers and support staff will greatly enhance your sense of accomplishment. The villagers of Barua are well-known for their hospitality and warmth, and you can expect to be greeted by friendly faces and curious questions as you conclude your trekking. You should also take the opportunity to thank your guides and porters for supporting you throughout this adventure.

Camp Information & Logistics: Tonight doesn't include an overnight stay, as this trek is finishing and logistics will move toward the pickup by road head. Your transportation will be ready for the long drive back to Shimla when you arrive in Barua Village. Before you begin your drive, make sure you have packed and accounted for all of your gear. There are plenty of places to get something to drink along the way back. You'll encounter many tea stops and restaurants on the highway, where you can refill your water supply.

Practical tips for trekkers: To keep your joints safe, use trekking poles along with knee pads to cushion the impact of the steep down hills, make sure your boots are well laced so you don’t have any toes jamming into the toe box while going down, and bring fresh clothes for the road because temperatures will be much warmer on the way down from the pass than they were up there. You should also be able to get service on your cell phone as soon as you arrive at Barua, which is the first time you will be able to communicate with your family since leaving.