Trekking in Indian Himalayas

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Beaskund & Tentu Pass trek, Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Day 1 : Solang Nala-Dhundi (7 km) walking alongside river Beas.

Day 2 : Dhundi-Bakar Thatch (4 km)

Day 3 : Bakar Thatch- Beas Kund (3 km), gradual ascending to 14300 ft.

Day 4 : Return to Bakar Thatch

Day 5 : Return to Solang Nala.

Tentu Pass (4996 m) : Manali to Solang Nala (14 km) by bus. Trek to Dhundi (2480 m, 7 km, river crossing, jeepable route), to Beaskund (6 km) via Bakar Thatch and to Tentu Pass (3.5 km, steep climb over boulders) : 4 days. Pass is windy and temperature drop substantially at night. Start early morning to avoid high winds. Season : Mid June to Sept. Friendship peak (5200 m) is nearby and is frequented by fresh mountaineers.

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Mountaineering : Sitidhar 5150 m, Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Day 1 : Trek to Beas Kund

Day 2 : Rest Day

Day 3 : Hight gaining and establishing ABC

Day 4,5 : Summit attempt of Shitidhar

Day 6 : Back to Beas Kund

Day 7 : Back to Dhundi

Day 8 : Back to Solang Nala/Manali.

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Mountaineering : Ladakhi 5345 m, Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Day 1 : Trek to Beas Kund

Day 2 : Rest day

Day 3 : Crossing Shitidhar col and establishing ABC

Day 4 : Camp1

Day 5,6 : Summit attempt

Day 7 : Back to Beas Kund

Day 8 : Back to Dhundi

Day 9 : Back to Solang Nala/Manali.

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Malana village trek over Chanderkhani pass, Himachal Pradesh.

Day 1 : Manali-Rumsu Thach (2,677 m) via Naggar in 4-5 hour.

Day 2 : Rumsu Thach-Chanderkhani Base (3,450 m in 3-4 hour) - Walk is through the coniferous forest, meadow carpeted by variety of alpine flowers and offers superb panorama of the valley and the snow clad mountains all around. The camping site is splendid, offering the birds eyeview down to the Kullu valley.

Day 3 : Chanderkhani Base-Nagruni (2900 m, 4-5 hour). A short, steep climb to the pass. This climb is harder in mid May and June, when the pass and upper meadows are under snow. The Chandrakani Pass (3650m) is marked by prayer flags and cairns. The trail then continues along the ridge, with views of the upper Malana valley and the high peaks in the upper Tosh valley, including White Sail (6446 m) and Papsura (6451 m). After completing the traverse, a descend of half an hour to Nagruni, amidst the forest.

Day 4 : Nagruni-Chhota Grahan Thach (3350 m, 5 hour). First we descend to the valley floor then all along the stream (Malana Nalla). A pleasant walk with a broad trail meandering through dense forest and meadows, the valley widens at the camp ground. Ideal camping site with variety of alpine flowers all around.

Day 5 : Chhota Grahan Thach-Khiksa Thach (3,660 m)-Malana Glacier (4000 m, 6-7 hour)
The path ascends to a ridge, further descends to the stream again and resumes upward afterwards reach the small glen of Khiksa Thach. Leaving the main stream the trail veers left onto a ridge and continues with several ups and downs for next 3-4 hour, and finally down onto the Malana Glacier. Many high peaks towering all around.

Day 6 : Trek to Malana village in 5 hour. Trek all the way back till the point where the Nagruni trail meets the valley floor then further 3 hour all along the valley till Malana Village.

Day 7 : Malana to Jari in 5-6 hour. From Jari to Manikaran and then to Manali by local bus.

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Mountaineering : Stok kangri 6153 m, Leh, Jammu Kashmir.

Day 01 : Drive from Leh to Stok village & trek up to Manokarmo - a shepherd encampment in 3 hour.

Day 02 : Trek to Base Camp in 5 hour.

Day 03 : Trek to Advance Base Camp.

Day 04 : Summit attempt & back to ABC.

Day 05 : Back to Stok village (6 hour) over night stay in Leh.

Ladakh photo Gallery

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Markha valley trek, Jammu Kashmir

The popular trek in Ladakh is Markha valley trek via Kongumaru la (5300 m). Travel by road from Leh to Hemis monastery (3760 m). Hemis is the richest monastery in Ladakh and an annual festival attracts lots of tourists. Large 'tankas' - painting on long cloths are displayed only during the festival. Hemis has accomodation facility. JKSRTC buses operate twice daily on this route. Trek to Chhogdo via Martselong (4100 m, 5 hour). Trek to the base of Kongumaru la (4710 m, 4 hour). On the next day trek through the gorges to top of Kongumaru la and then to Nimaling village (4900 m, 3 hour).

At Nimaling village, Markha valley one will find nomads and their small huts. You will not be welcomed, if you want to stay in their huts. So just camp in the open. It snows even in summer at Nimaling. Kagyash peak (6200 m) can be climbed in a day from Nimaling. Nimaling to Shang Sumdo over Kongumaru la (14 km, 7 hour trek). Trek to Martselang and then to Hemis (16 km, 5 hour). Start the trek early morning for an easy crossing of streams. Use rope as anchor for river crossing. As you become late snow melts and the river water level begins to increase quickly.

Due to high altitude and lack of oxygen, one has to be calm and take more time to climb. Bleeding through nose, breathlessness, reduced physical performance are common due to the altitude.

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Nun (7135 m) & Kun (7017 m) peaks are within 150 km from Kargil.

The 240 km road to Zanskar (Padam, 14 hour by jeep) goes from Kargil via Suru valley, Rangdum, Penzi la (4450 m, 160 km from Kargil) and Sani. A 3 hour road travel from Kargil takes one to Parkachik via Panikhar. A one hour trek takes one to Parkachik glacier. Trek to Shafat (20 km, BC for Nun). Mt. Nun is the closest peak from a road in India.

Zanskar gets isolated during the winter months, as the only road link is via Penzi la get closed due to heavy snow fall. Road condition is very poor due to flowing of a number of streams over the road.

[anoop1483]

You have well said about Himalayas. I wish if I could have your entire entries printed when I visit Himalayas

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Valley of flowers national Park, Uttarakhand

One kilometre north of the Gobind ghat - Badrinath road, a beautiful Gurudwara is located. It can accommodate 800 pilgrims. Beds are also provided. Free food is served to all. The track from Govind ghat crosses the Vishnu Ganga over a suspension bridge and enters the valley of the Lakshman Ganga river. After a few kilometres of walk we reach the pretty village of Bhyunder.

The trek to Bhyunder takes 3 to 4 hours. The routes to Hathi Parbat and lake Karnakul Kagbhusandi start from this village. The 250 m high Lakshman Dhara waterfall is nearby. A number of flowers and flowering bushes is encountered all along the Bhyunder valley.

Vegetation changes from Oak to pine to cedar on the route. During 'janmashtami', people of Bhyunder performs a nine day trek to nearby lake Karnakul Kagbhusandi with the golden icon of the goddess Nanda Devi. The lake is 18 km from the village. The banks of the lake has a variety of flowers.

If you want to enjoy nature, rise early and start before sunrise. Doteyal will be a better guide and a good companion for you to explore the area.

Trek to Ghanjhira (3048 m, 15 km, 7 h, Gurudwara/Rest house) via Bhyunder (2439 m). It is recommended to take one day rest at Ghanjhira for acclimatisation. The Gurudwara can accommodate more than 800 pilgrims. A Guru ka langar (free kitchen) functions all the time.

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Valley of flowers - Lakshman Pass (5135 m) - Niti trek

A few hundred yards beyond Ghanjhira, we cross the Hem Ganga over a log bridge. The banks of the river are carpetted with numerous flowers. After a gradual climb, we enter a thick jungle of the Bhojpatra trees (4150 m). The stone paved path ascends in an interminable series of steps, a wonderland of rugged peaks all around. Lower down are glaciers and green forest clad slopes and huge chunks of ice are encountered in shady nooks and corners. The route to the Lakshman pass goes along the river, first along the river of water and then along the river of ice, the Lakshman Ganga and Lakshman Ganga glacier respectively.

The lateral moraine of this glacier is most difficult to tread on. Huge unbalanced boulders and steep route makes climb difficult. Lakshman pass is in between Nilgiri and Arjun parvat. It is 50 m wide and 20 m long. If you have the time and will, make an ascent of the Arjun peak. If one is lucky, can get a glimpse of Mt Kailash (6716 m) in Tibet. From the pass one can see Neelkantha, Chaukamba, Kamet, Abi Gamin, Mana, Nilgiri Parvat, Rataban, Ghori parvat, Nandakana, Uja Tirchhe, Lampak, Hanuman, Drona Giri, Changbang, Bethartoli Himal, Nanda Ghunti, Nanad Gond, Nanadkhat, Nanda Kot, Trishul and Nanada Devi.

You are now walking at high altitude. Every step makes you pant. Do not be in hurry. Move slowly and steadily. One step, then the other. Test the ground with your walking stick.

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Niti trek

Day 1 : Explore valley of flowers and camp high in the valley, if permitted.
Day 2 : Climb to the base of Lakshman pass and camp there (5 hour trek).
Day 3 : Start the climb early and reach the pass in 4 hour, climb down to Thum Udiar and camp.
Day 4 : Trek to Ghamsali over Bhim pul and then to Niti village.
Day 5 : Trek to Malari and travel to Joshimath by jeep.

Do not over exert yourself. Acclimatisation is needed for high altitude trek. Be at slow pace to enjoy the nature.

The Tolchha Bhotia women of Niti performs an arduous trek over an exceedingly difficult route over Lakshman pass to Valley of flowers and then to Lakshman kund for a bath on 'Janmashtami' day.

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History of VOF

Ghanjira camp

Trek 5 km to Valley of flowers (3658 to 3962 m) - A world heritage centre and the only flower national park in India with variety of flowers, discovered by Frank Smythe. Season - July to August. Brahm Kamals are found in large number in the valley flowers near the Kunti Khal area.

Lord Brahma showered lotus flowers which also took root and are called Brahm Kamal or the lotus flower of Brahma. Flowers will carpet your way and is a valley of tremendous floral beauty.

In this valley, the Botanical garden of Edinburgh sent Miss Joan Margaret Legge in 1939 to collect seeds.She had lost her life in fatal fall on 4 July 1939 and was cremated by the people of Bhyunder. Her sister got her grave constructed at the exact spot of her death with the tombstone reading :

IN LOVING MEMORY
OF
JOAN MARGARET LEGGE
FEB 21 ST 1885
JULY 4 TH 1939
"I WILL LIFT UP MINE EYES UNTO THE HILLS
FROM WHENCE COMETH MY HELP"

The grave of this brave lady who is referred to as the 'Queen of flowers' by the villagers lies in this valley and can be visited on the way. A well marked route leads to the grave near a campsite.

The valley has thick mixed jungles, variety of flora and fauna. When climb higher beyond the tree line , we get an enchantingly beautiful view of the Zanskar range. With an early rise one can enjoy the beauty of snow peaks in it full.

The full beauty of the Valley of flowers cannot be enjoyed by a casual visitor coming for a day or two.

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World's highest trekking route - Kalindi Khal pass (5950 m), 12 days trek.

Inner line permit from DM Joshimath is required for the trek due to the proximity of the route to China border. It is a difficult trek and the best season is from August to September. GMVN organises this trek for adventurers - a group of 8 - at an all inclusive package costing Rs 2.5
lakh !.

The Arwa tal area near Mana will be a valley of flowers during this season and is nice to spend a few days there.

Gangotri (3048 m) - Chirbasa (3600, 9 km) - Gaumukh via Bhoj basa (3892, 9 km) - Nandavan (4500, 6 km) - Vasuki tal (4798, 7 km) - Khara pathar (5160, 6 km) - Sweta glacier (5 km) - Kalindi base (4 km) - Kalindi pass (5950, 4 km) - Raj Paraw (4880, 6 km) - Arwa Tal (3910, 14 km) - via Arwa nala to Ghastoli (15 km) - Mana (14 km) - Badrinath (3 km, road).

Badrinath and Gangotri are directly connected by daily buses from Rishikesh.

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Indian Peaks Open for ClimbingJAMMU & KASHMIR

S. NO.	Peaks and Height in meter	Longitude	Altitude
1.	Nun (7135)	76 01’	33 59’
2.	Kun (7077)	76 03’	34 01’
3.	Pinnacle (6955)	76 05’	34 01’
4.	White needle (6420)	76 04’	33 59’
5.	Bobang (5971)	76 08’	33 25’
6.	Z-2 Peak (6152)	76 12’	33 47’
7.	Z-3 Hill (6270)	76 19’	33 42’
8.	Z-1 (6155)	76 08’	33 56’
9.	Z-8 (6050)	76 20’	33 50’
10.	Kangri (5508)	77 28’	34 03’
11.	Kangri (5900)	77 29’	33 57’
12.	Tanak Peak (5948)	76 06’	33 48’
13.	Shingrugo	76 58’	33 28’
14.	Yan (6230)	76 04’	33 00’

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Mountaineering in HIMACHAL PRADESH

S. NO.	Peaks and Height in meter	Longitude	Altitude
1.	CB-9 (6108)	77 27'	32 34'
2.	CB-10 (Tara Pahar, 6227)	77 28'	32 36'
3.	CB-11 (5955)	77 31'	32 22'
4.	CB-12 (6258)	77 33'	32 20'
5.	CB-13 (6164)	77 33’	32 21’
6.	CB-13A (6240)	77 33’	32 21’
7.	CB-14 (6078)	77 34’	32 32’
8.	CB-16 (5825)	77 31’	32 19’
9.	CB-20 (5695)	77 31’	32 24’
10.	CB-22 (5720)	77 33’	32 24’
11.	CB-26 (5840)	77 29’	32 20’
12.	CB-31 (6096)	77 28’	32 25’
13.	CB-32 (5639)	77 27’	32 26’
14.	CB-33 (Minar, 6185)	77 29'	32 28’
15.	CB-34 (5635)	77 31’	32 28’
16.	CB-35 (5568)	77 30’	32 29’
17.	Unnamed Peak (5510)	77 17’	32 28’
18.	Unnamed Peak (5852)	77 14’	32 28’
19.	Unnamed Peak (5765)	77 09’	32 33’
20.	Unnamed Peak (5860)	77 38’	32 15’
21.	Devachan (6265)	77 33’	32 14’
22.	Papsura (6440)	77 33’	32 12’
23.	White Sail(Dharamsura, 6420)	77 34’	32 12’
24.	Unnamed Peak (5790)	77 38’	32 14’
25.	Tiger Toth (5980)	77 36’	32 18’
26.	Unnamed Peak (5360)	77 47’	32 08’
27.	Unnamed Peak (6090)	77 42’	32 14’
28.	Indra San (6223)	77 24’	31 12’
29.	Deo Tibba (6001)	77 23’	31 11’
30.	Aligrathni Tibba (5470)	77 26’	32 05’
31.	Hanuman Tibba-I (5932)	77 02’	32 20’
32.	Manali (5640)	77 03’	32 24’
33.	Makerbeh (6069)	77 04’	32 25’
34.	Shikarbeh (6200)	77 03’	32 23’
35.	Behali Jot (6365)	76 35’	32 50’
36.	Menthosa (6443)	76 42’	32 55’
37.	Phabrang (6172)	76 47’	32 44’
38.	Unnamed Peak (5472)	76 47’	31 44’
39.	Unnamed Peak (5598)	76 48’	32 46’
40.	Unnamed Peak (5666)	76 50’	32 45’
41.	Kharcha Parbat (6270)	77 43’	32 21’
42.	Consolation Peak	77 23’	32 12’
43.	Hanuman Tibba-II (5366)	77 02’	32 21’