Bara Bhangal Trek

Day 1: Delhi You will arrive at Delhi and check into your hotel. You can freshen up and take the day at ease. Later we will have a group discussion about the travel and trek plans.  

Day 2:  Delhi – Mandi (400 km, driving time 8 hours)   After an early breakfast we will depart for Mandi. We will be driving through the grand trunk road entering the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh. We will arrive at your hotel and check in.  

Day 3: Manali – Acclimatisation walk (2 – 3 hours)  Manali is a hill station nestled in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, near the northern end of the Kullu Valley on the banks of the river Beas. Manali is located in the Kullu district, about 270 km north of the state capital, Shimla, 309 km north east of Chandigarh and 544 km northeast of Delhi. This small town, with a population of 8096, is where the ancient trade route to Ladakh starts and it continues from there over the Karakoram Pass, to Yarkand and Khotan in the Tarim Basin. It is a popular tourist destination and serves as the gateway to Lahaul, Spiti district and Leh.  After breakfast we will join your guides for a short acclimatisation walk around Manali. Later we will visit the mall road for any last bit of shopping for your trek.  Later you can return to your hotel and prepare for your trek. In the evening we will have an orientation talk and introduction to the team (Cook, Helpers, Guides & Horseman).  

Day 4: Manali – Lama Dugh (3017m) Duration: 5-6 hours  After breakfast you will depart for your trek. The hike is through thick forests, and as we gain height in this steep climb, the distinct views of different faces of Indrasan (6110 m), Deo Tibba (6001 m) peaks of Bara Shigri glacier can be seen. A packed lunch will be provided, and we will stop midway for a break and refill of water. We will continue our hike to Lama Dugh through the pine forest and arrive at the campsite on an alpine plateau studded with thick growth of alpine flowers. Your first day of hiking ends with a campfire and sharing your experience of the day, followed by dinner.  

Day 5- Lama Dugh – Riyali Thach (3400 m) Duration: 6-7 hours  The height gain on this day is approximately 2 km. The trek is through steep ridge below Khanpri Tibba (4000 m). From this point, you have a magnificent glimpse of Manali, situated on the left bank of River Beas and the whole upper Kullu valley, which appears swathed in the different colours of the season. We will arrive at our campsite for dinner and overnight stay.    

Day 6- Riyali Thach - Base of Kalihani Pass (4010 m) Duration: 4-5 hours  After breakfast we will start our hike on the trail that proceeds over open meadows, initially followed by a steep descent to a stream. After crossing it, the path continues in a steep climb forabout three hours until we arrive at the camp at the base of the Kalihani Pass. Make sure you catch the views of Deo Tibba and Indrasan peaks from the campsite.  

Day 7 - Base of Kalihani - Devi ki Marhi (3850 m) via Kalihani Pass (4725 m) Duration: 8 hours  Today will be a long, arduous day with a steep climb to the pass crossing a stretch of scree, moraine and the Kalihani glacier. At the pass, we will have an amazing 360-degree view of hanging glaciers, the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar mountain ranges of the Himalayas. A steep descent across another glacier and four beautiful glacial lakes will bring you to the camp at the gaddi campsite of Devi ki Marhi.  

Day 8 - Devi Ki Marhi - Dal Marhi (3900 m) Duration: 6 hours  Our walk will cross over the Kalihani Nullah first and will then descend into the oak and birch forests. Most of the path afterwards is flat with a few ups and downs. Just before the end of day there will be a steep climb before, we arrive at the Dal Marhi campsite.  

Day 9 - Dal Marhi - Bara Bhangal (2882 m) Duration: 6 hours  Today’s walk will lead us down the Ravi river into the Deodar forest, to the only large village in the valley, Bara Bhangal. Bara Bhangal is isolated and seldom visited. Members of the Gaddi tribe inhabit it.  

Day 10–Rest Day at Bara Bhangal  Today is a rest day and you can explore Bara Bhangal.  

Day 11- Bara Bhangal - Mardh (3830 m) Duration: 5-6 hours  After your rest day, we will start today’s climb towards the next big pass, Thamsar. The trail winds up through pine, deodar and birch forests with several mountain streams. The campsite at Mardh is near the base of the Thamsar glacier.  

Day 12- Mardh- Panhartu (3300 m) via Thamsar Pass (4878 m) Duration: 7-8 hours  Today is another day of steep ascent over moraine, scree and glacier. The climb is broken by a small lake just below the pass. From on top of Thamsar, you will get your first glimpse of the lush Kangra valley. On the other side of the pass, it's a steep, long descent till we reach the campsite at Panhartu, just above the tree line.  

Day 13 - Panhartu - Rajgundha (2440 m) - Billing (2310 m) – Dharamshala. Duration: 8 -9 hours 

Day 14 – Bir – Dharamshala (50 km, driving time 1 hour 30 mins)  After our breakfast we will depart for Dharamshala, the home of Dalai Lama and his famous monasteries. On the way we will stop over at Baijnath Shiva temple, Norbulingka Institute and we will visit the in-house art and craft work, followed by a Tibetan lunch. We will continue our drive to Dharamshala, where we will check into your hotel. You can freshen up and afterwards we will take a local sightseeing tour of Dharamshala, visiting the Dalai Lama Temple, McLeod Ganj & the traditional markets. Later in the evening we will celebrate on a successful trek, followed by campfire & dinner.  Day 15: Dharamshala – Delhi (Transfer to Gaggal airport driving time 40 mins, flight time 1 hour)  After an early breakfast we will depart for Gaggal Airport where we will board our flight to Delhi.   You will take your connecting flight to your home destination.