Manali Trip Overview
One of the most beautiful and versatile treks in India. It leads us over two high mountain passes from the Valley of the Gods, the Kullu Valley, into the Kangra Valley.
Wild mountain flowers, beautiful views, evergreen forest and lush pastures will delight us on this trek. In addition, it goes over mighty glaciers and again and again we will meet shepherds with their herds. Maybe we are lucky and can see deer or even bears. This trek is challenging and takes us to the remote village of Bara Banghal. It can only be reached after a two-day walk and has no road connection. Very few trekkers find their way here, as it can only be reached via two 4700 meter high passes.
This gives us a wonderful insight into the traditional way of life of the mountain people. During the summer months, the village community thrives on growing vegetables and taking care of their sheep.There is even a school here.
The trek ends in Dharamshala, the place where the Dalai Lama has his exiled government.
Additional Info
Duration: 12 days
Starts: Manali, India
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Manali Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India
One of the most beautiful and versatile treks in India. It leads us over two high mountain passes from the Valley of the Gods, the Kullu Valley, into the Kangra Valley.
Wild mountain flowers, beautiful views, evergreen forest and lush pastures will delight us on this trek. In addition, it goes over mighty glaciers and again and again we will meet shepherds with their herds. Maybe we are lucky and can see deer or even bears. This trek is challenging and takes us to the remote village of Bara Banghal. It can only be reached after a two-day walk and has no road connection. Very few trekkers find their way here, as it can only be reached via two 4700 meter high passes.
This gives us a wonderful insight into the traditional way of life of the mountain people. During the summer months, the village community thrives on growing vegetables and taking care of their sheep.There is even a school here.
The trek ends in Dharamshala, the place where the Dalai Lama has his exiled government.
Itinerary
Day 1: Trekking Day 1
Pass By: Kullu District, Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh
Manali (2050 m)- Lamadug (3300 m) 4/5 hours
Today our twelve-day trekking tour starts with a steep climb. It starts from the famous Hadimba temple, first through green coniferous forests, then over meadows full of flowers to the pasture Lamadug at 3300 m. From here we have a magnificent view of the Inderasan (6220 m) and the Deo Tibba (6001 m).
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: We stay in tents
Day 2: Trekking Day 2
Pass By: Kullu District, Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh
Lamadug- Riyali Thach (3600 m) 5/6 hours
It goes up high, so we have a spectacular view of the entire Kullu Valley. We pass Lake Ranisui and can make a small detour to the 4100 meter high Khanpari Tibba. The route continues on the ridge until we reach our camp near a shepherd’s hut in the afternoon.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: We stay in tents
Day 3: Trekking Day 3
Pass By: Kullu District, Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh
Riyali – Shangor (3800 m) 5 hours
Today we go through alpine forest until we reach the tree line and then continue to follow the river, high into the valley. Finally, we go to the base camp of Kalihani Pass a little higher uphill.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: We stay in tents
Day 4: Trekking Day 4
Pass By: Kalihani Dhar, Himachal Pradesh, India
Shangor – KALIHANI PASS (4640 m) Dhanko Thach 6 hours
On rocky rubble we follow a path along a snow-covered glacier. We climb over the glacier, an interesting experience, until we finally reach the top of Kalihani Pass. From here we can enjoy a gigantic view of the mountain peaks of the Kullu and Lahaul valleys. We cross the pass. During the descent it is necessary to get safely over the large glacier and its crevices. The Panorama into the next valley with the many glacial lakes is indescribable.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: We stay in tents
Day 5: Trekking Day 5
Pass By: Chamba District, Chamba District, Himachal Pradesh
DhankoThach – Lamba Parao (3150 m), 6/7 hours
Without major ascents or descents, it always goes along the Kalihani River. We meet shepherds in their temporary huts and follow the path along the river to our camp. It is also important to cross one or the other stream.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: We stay in tents
Day 6: Trekking Day 6
Pass By: Bara Bhangal, Himachal Pradesh 176125, India
Lamba Parao – BARA BANGAHAL (2540 m) 6-7 hours
A beautiful tour along the river to the secluded village of Bara Banghal. it goes up and down again and again, even over smaller mountain ridges. Before we reach the village, we walk through the corn and vegetable fields of the inhabitants. This village, surrounded by mountains, is only accessible on foot and is inhabited by the Gaddis (shepherds) during the summer months. Camping is on the school grounds.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: We stay in tents
Day 7: Rest Day 7
Pass By: Bara Bhangal, Himachal Pradesh 176125, India
Day of Recreation in Bara Banghal
Today we use today to rest and visit the village. It is easy to get into a friendly exchange with the open-minded villagers.
Or how about a refreshing dip in the river?
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: We stay in tents
Day 8: Trekking Day 8
Pass By: Chamba District, Chamba District, Himachal Pradesh
Bara Banghal – Marh (3850 m) Basecamp by THAMSAR PASS, 6/7 hours
It goes up to the next valley. First quite steep through forests, then it goes a little flatter over lush meadows. We camp near a stream.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: We stay in tents
Day 9: Trekking Day 9
Pass By: Thamsar Pass, Thamsar Dhar, Himachal Pradesh 176125
Base Camp – THAMSAR PASS (4700 m) -Panihartu (3600 m) 14 Km 5/6 hours
Over snow it goes up to the glacier. At 4700 meters we cross the Thamsar Pass and enjoy the panoramic view of the Dhauladhar mountain range. After a 5 km descent we reach our camp in a small idyllic side valley.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: We stay in tents
Day 10: Trekking Day 10
Pass By: Kangra Valley, Dhauladhar Ranges, Dharamsala India
Panihartu – Palachak Deota (2850 m) 16 Km 4/5 hours
We follow the Uhr stream, where we cross it again and again over unmelted snow bridges, then we continue through forests. The path gets better and better until we reach a beautiful hiking trail. Load horses come to meet us, transporting provisions to Bara Banghal.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: We stay in tents
Day 11: Trekking Day 11
Pass By: Kangra, Kangra, Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh
Palachak Deota – Billing (2600 m) 4/5 hours
Another relaxing hiking day. We meet women with their cows, men order their cabbage fields and it is clearly noticeable that we are reaching civilization again. In fact, it’s just under 2 hours to the first settlement of Rajgunda A flat path takes us to Billing, a famous place for paragliding with a beautiful view of the Kangra Valley. This is where we set up our last camp.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: We stay in tents
Day 12: Trekking Day 12 and transfer to Mcleod Ganj
Pass By: Bir, Bir, Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh
Billing–Bir (2000 m) 3 hours trek, 65 km drive to Dharamshala
We continue down to Bir. It is a pleasant and short descent through flowering rhododendron and dense moss-covered forest. From here we drive the 65 km by jeep to Dharamshala. It is the place where the Dalai Lama has his government in exile and which many Tibetan refugees have chosen as their new home.
Pass By: McLeod Ganj, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh
From Bir we have a 3 hour transfer by car to Mcleod Ganj. Here lives the Dalai Lama and his Tibetan community.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.
