Sar Pass
First we decide to visit Nek Chand's Rock Garden. It has man-made interlinked waterfalls and many other sculptures that have been made of scrap and other kinds of wastes (bottles, glasses, bangles, tiles, ceramic pots, sinks, electrical waste, broken pipes, etc.). We had snacks over there then decide to visit Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, is a botanical garden. The garden has not only roses, but also trees of medicinal value. Some of the medicinal plants that can be spotted here are bel, bahera, harar and yellow gulmohar. The rose plants have been planted in carved-out lawns and flower beds. But our bad luck we didn’t find any rose over there as we were there in month of May but took many more photos in the garden.
Try Israeli Food
By 11 AM we done with reporting procedure and then had breakfast of idli & boiled eggs at camp site. We went to allocated tent, there were total 9 tent, 3 for girl & rest were for boys. Equipments like blanket n sleeping bag with sleeping sheet for hygiene purpose is provided by YHAI. We took rest for a while in the tent. Water was too cold, seeming like a freezer water. In the afternoon we roamed Kasol, did trek related shopping like poncho and medicines. We had lunch at Hotel Evergreen one of the hotels you must try if you are staying in Kasol.
By 6:30 came back to base camp. At 7:30 had dinner followed by camp ceremony where SP16 batch performed cultural activities for SP15 batch. At the basecamp 9:30 is the bournvita time and after that 10PM switched off the light.
After exercise every tent mate has to clean tent so we did that, 8 was the breakfast time, YHAI provide nourished and healthy breakfast at basecamp but don't expect the same at higher camp though they try to provide. At 8:30 we had formal see off for the final climber i.e SP 15 batch.
We woke up at 6AM then by 7 had breakfast, after that we took packed lunch. By 8:15AM we started trek to higher camp. We reached to lunch point at 12:30PM had lunch, we took rest for 1hr then climbed two mountains while climbing last mountain rain started.
We reached to Mingtach. Ushered by welcome drink then at 6PM had manchow soup followed by pakoda. We took photographs there. Around at 7PM had dinner then had coffee at canteen. Near about 9PM went to bed. From Mingtach one can see Nagaru camp site.
AM then had breakfast at 3AM took packed lunch. At 4:30 we departed for final climb, my brother in law and me were suffering from high altitude sickness, we were just supporting each other while climbing. Finally we reached Sar pass at 7AM, took photographs on top then passed two icy mountains. We reached to slide spot nearly at 12:30 PM then did ice slide of nearly 1000 meter followed by 1hr of walk. At 2 reached to lunch point we both were totally exhausted. At canteen we had maggi and packed lunch, took rest of 1hr, then again started to walk. At 5:30PM reached to Biskeri, we were welcome by Biskeri camp leader with welcome drink followed by soup. We played dumbsheraj, did dinner at 7PM then went to bed at 8. That was the very tiredly day.
We woke at 6AM then had breakfast. At 8:30 off to next camp. We had crossed 3 mountains followed by rapelling. Around 1PM had lunch at lunch point with maggi wafers. Lunch point was really very awesome. There took rest for 1 hr. Again stared walk from dense forest with huge devdar & pine trees. Last patch was very stiffed, after reaching at tapoo took photos with horse. By 500meter walk reached to camp site. Usher by camp leader followed by welcome drink then soup. Had wonderful photoshoot. The place was like mini Switzerland. In the evening we played dumbsheraj. For dinner we had dal khichdi with Papad & that was too tasty. In the night had campfire with Antakshari. By 9:30 went to bed.
We left Kasol at 9:30. Had breakfast at 11 in Bhuntar. Reached to Bangar village at 12. At 12:30 reached to Gibhi. Did general survey in Gibhi then visited Gibhi camp property, went for Gibhi Waterfall visit. Did photo & video shoot at waterfall point. Had lunch at Gibhi camp. At 3PM left for Jalori Pass, reached Jalori pass around 4:30, roamed there , missed budhi nagin & lake view 5 km walk from Jalori pass. At 5:30 left Jalori Pass. Met with rain , reach Gibhi Camp by 7PM, got freshen up did timepass, played carrom had dinner at 8:30.
had lunch overthere. Had local food & that was too tasty. Return to Naggar main road at 6, had tea over there, left for Manali. By 8 reached to Manali, searched for hotel, dar dar ghoomein for hotel room. Finally didi booked OYO rooms. But address mislead us. Finally successfully reached to hotel at 11PM, after that had dinner.
We left Manali at 10 then halt at kullu for refreshment, reached kasol by 1PM, after having lunch did shopping. We left Kasol at 5 for Bhuntar, catched Bhuntar bus. At interesting part is we got same bus by which we has arrived to Kasol with same driver. We reached Bhuntar at 7:15 & then catched Chandigarh bus at 7:30, had dinner at hotel in the ghat section beside bias river. Reached Chandigarh at 2AM in the night. That day we stayed at bus stand’s dormitory.
Trek to Sarpass
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| Kasol |
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| Bandktach |
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| Sar Pass |
Traveller Blog
National Himalayan Trekking Expedition
I had dreamt of Himalayan trek 2 years back when my brother in law went for the same trek . So I had planned it 1 year later, we (I & my brother in law) booked tickets in the month of December 2016 for the Sarpass trek.
About Sar Pass trek
Sar Pass is a moderately challenging trek in the Parvati Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Situated at an altitude of 4270m, it can be considered as a great introduction to high altitude trekking. While trekking, across the path from Tila Lotni to Biskeri Ridge, one has to pass by a small, (normally) frozen lake (Sar) and hence the name Sar Pass Trek. It consider as a paradise for birdwatchers & stargazers.
Day 1 [20th May, 2017] Pune to Chandigarh
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| Pune Airport |
We started journey from Pune, left home around 5:30AM for Pune Airport. We were having 7:30 AM flight from Pune to Delhi. We had breakfast at airport. Reached to Delhi airport by 9:45AM. Then again fled from Delhi airport at 11:30AM to Chandigarh Airport. Around 12:45 PM we reached to Chandigarh, the climate was hell, it was around 46 degrees! So we decided to do pass time somewhere nearby & treated ourselves with food of airport canteen. Then we took bus for ISBT sector 17, found lock room there to dump our luggage and we started to explore Chandigarh city, one of the best planned cities in India.
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| Rock Garden |
First we decide to visit Nek Chand's Rock Garden. It has man-made interlinked waterfalls and many other sculptures that have been made of scrap and other kinds of wastes (bottles, glasses, bangles, tiles, ceramic pots, sinks, electrical waste, broken pipes, etc.). We had snacks over there then decide to visit Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, is a botanical garden. The garden has not only roses, but also trees of medicinal value. Some of the medicinal plants that can be spotted here are bel, bahera, harar and yellow gulmohar. The rose plants have been planted in carved-out lawns and flower beds. But our bad luck we didn’t find any rose over there as we were there in month of May but took many more photos in the garden.  |
| Pan Papadi |
Around 6PM visited Sukhna Lake, is a sanctuary for many exotic migratory birds like the Siberian duck, storks and cranes. It also has facilities for other water sports like water surfing, skiing and sculling. At the canteen of lake we had very tempting chaat dish Pan Papadi. Then we visited Elante Mall did trekking related shopping & we had punjabi cuisine dinner at the mall, around 11PM came back to ISBT bus stop, took baggages & got freshen up. We caught bus at 1AM, had night journey from Chandigarh to Bhuntar.
Day 2 [21st May, 2017] Chandigarh to Kasol
We reached Bhuntar at 8 in the morning, caught bus for Kasol. By 10 reached to Kasol.
About Kasol
Kasol is fast emerging as a hub for backpackers, trekkers and nature lovers. It is flocked by young Israelis. Hence the name Mini Israel. It is yet to be ruined by commercialization. However, it is also one of those places you want to strike off your bucket list before you have children. Even if you are not into either of those, there are many other things to do in Kasol. Like walk by the Parvati River,
Nothing like a nice cackling and churning Parvati river on one side and looming pine trees on the other. All this is framed with snow capped peaks piercing the happy blue sky at the horizon. A great site to take those pictures you could show off on your wall.
Try Israeli Food
Kasol is also a haven for great food. When in Kasol don’t hunt for fancy. Street side cafes serve excellent food. Eat outdoors if you can. There is no dirt threatening to get into your food in this pristine valley. Do try ‘The Evergreen’ for a taste of Israeli food.
Shopping
The flea market of Kasol sells items like semi precious stones, pendants, Bob Marley T-shirts. Winter clothing like pullovers, caps and coats can be bought at low prices.
Day 3 [22nd May, 2017] Acclimatization and Orientation
We all trekkers woke up at 5:30AM followed by 6:00AM tea. Then we went to open ground for exercise. 6:30 to 7:30 AM were exercise time.
After that all trekkers from my batch taken for walk to gain height for proper acclimatisation. During the walk we enjoyed greenery, scenic view of Parvati river & pine trees. By 12:30 we came back to basecamp. By 1 we had lunch then went to the market had coffee in german coffee shop.
You will get very good coffee at each and every coffee shop in Kasol. We came back to basecamp by 3:30 followed by orientation session in which camp leader briefed about YHAI, trek route, high altitude sickness, do's and don'ts in mountains etc. By 5:30 session got over. 6PM was the tea and snacks time. We had dinner at 8. In between we did dance practice. In the camp fire ceremony we performed dance after that had bournvita and went to the respective tents before lights off.
Day 4 [23rd May, 2017] Rock climbing and rappelling
On day 4, we followed the same routine as per the Day 3 till the formal see off of SP16 batch. So that day instead of walk we did rock climbing. We had lunch at 1PM, after lunch rappelling session was scheduled but due to the rain our guide drop that session and we roamed in Kasol market, did window shopping. After that Made rucksack ready for the next day, final climbing. By 7:30 had dinner followed by 8:30 ceremony where SP18 performed for SP17. At 9:30 we had bournvita and went for bed.
Day 5 [24th May, 2017] Trek to Grahan Village - 7700FT
We woke up at 6AM then by 7 had breakfast, after that we took packed lunch. By 8:15AM we started trek to higher camp. We reached to lunch point at 12:30PM had lunch, we took rest for 1hr then climbed two mountains while climbing last mountain rain started.
We reached to camp at 4:00PM, had welcome drink followed by soup. After that we roamed Grahan village for 1hr very lovely and scenic village it is, we had “Siddu” there, it’s a local dish of Himachal Pradesh then returned to camp. We had dinner at 7PM followed by antakshari and did star gazing, after that went to bed at 10 PM.
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| Grahan Village |
Day 6 [25th May, 2017] Trek to Padari - 9300FT
We woke up at 6AM, got freshen up then had poha and kheer for breakfast. Took packed lunch. At 9:30 departed for Padari camp. That day we crossed very stiff & slippery patches, climbed two mountains, nearly at 1 o'clock reached to lunch point, we had lunch with boiled eggs. After taking 1hr of rest again started walk. By 4:30PM reached to Padari. At camp site had soup, roamed in open land. In the evening rain started & we got the chance to watch rainbows over there. After having dinner followed by bournvita went to bed.
Day 7 [26th May, 2017] Trek to Mingtach - 11200ft
We woke up at 5AM, got freshen up then had breakfast. Took packed lunch, at 8:15 AM departed for Mingtach higher camp. Descended mountain that was really very slippery then climbed twomountain. Around 2PM rain started and that was too heavy, reached to lunch point in further 10min, had photographs over there. For lunch we had packed lunch with egg maggi and that was too tasty, simply amazing. Then took rest for 40min again started to walk. By 4:30PM.
Day 8 [27th May, 2017] Trek to Nagaru - 12500 ft
We woke up early at 5AM, got freshen up then had breakfast, then took packed lunch. At 10:30AM departed for Nagaru camp. Around 1PM reached to lunch point had lunch with boiled egg in canteen. Again walked for 2hr, took photograph in way to Nagaru. At 3:30 reached to Nagaru camp site, had welcome drink followed by soup. We had gulab jamun with khichadi kadi for dinner and that was so surprising as they were giving us really nice food in adverse condition. At 7:30 went to bed.
Day 9 [28th May, 2017] Trek to Sar Pass [13500 ft]
That was the day for which we all were very excited. We woke up at 2
Day 10 [29th May, 2017] Trek to Bandaktach
We woke at 6AM then had breakfast. At 8:30 off to next camp. We had crossed 3 mountains followed by rapelling. Around 1PM had lunch at lunch point with maggi wafers. Lunch point was really very awesome. There took rest for 1 hr. Again stared walk from dense forest with huge devdar & pine trees. Last patch was very stiffed, after reaching at tapoo took photos with horse. By 500meter walk reached to camp site. Usher by camp leader followed by welcome drink then soup. Had wonderful photoshoot. The place was like mini Switzerland. In the evening we played dumbsheraj. For dinner we had dal khichdi with Papad & that was too tasty. In the night had campfire with Antakshari. By 9:30 went to bed.
Day 11 [30th May, 2017]off to Base Camp
After having breakfast at 7AM by 8 we off for basecamp, visited Pulga village. Nearly at 12 PM reached to Barsheni village, by 12:30 catched bus for Kasol via Manikaran. Bus journey was awesome we listened awesome song with the company of wafers. At 1 reached to base camp. Got freshen up at basecamp, did timepass till 4PM. After that went for hotel enquiry. Booked room, came back to base camp and collected bags and went to hotel rooms at 7. At 10 went for dinner with tent mates in Evergreen Hotel. At 12 came back to hotel room.
Day 12 [31st May, 2017] Stay at Parvati Valley
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| Tosh Village |
That day we hired Royal Enfield from Kasol, had breakfast with trekking friends, At 1 went for Tosh village visit. By 2 reached there. Had black tea there as weather is too cold & we both were suffering from stomach infection, hang out there for 1 hr, started return journey by 3:30. Visited Manikaran Gurudwara, Ram Mandir and Shiv Mandir, took photos over there. By 6 reached to Kasol, had momos there for snacks, went to cyber cafe for ticket booking, roamed in Kasol, by 9 return to room, did packing for next trip.
Day 13 [1st June, 2017] off for Tirthan Valley
Day 14 [2nd June, 2017] off for Manali [Naggar]
We left for Manali at 9AM after having breakfast. We had fresh plum & almond from road side farm during journey. Reached to Bhuntar by 11:30 had snacks & took rest, left Bhuntar at 12, reached to naggar at 2PM, had coffee & chitchatting with Tirthu (Friend of brother in law). Then we visited Naggar Castle & Museum at Naggar,
Day 15 [3rd June, 2017] Manali
At 10:30AM we left for the Solang Valley. We visited tourist places with catchy nature. Enrolled for Paragliding 3000ft, took ropeway and did Paragliding for 20 min, view was amazing. Around 2PM left for the Manali, had lunch in between route and reached to Manali around 3. Then we visited Hidimba temple, then went to Ram temple, did shopping. Then visited old Manali, in club house did shopping, did timepass at Mall road with window shopping. After having dinner came back to room.
Day 16 [4th June, 2017] Off to Chandigarh
We left Manali at 10 then halt at kullu for refreshment, reached kasol by 1PM, after having lunch did shopping. We left Kasol at 5 for Bhuntar, catched Bhuntar bus. At interesting part is we got same bus by which we has arrived to Kasol with same driver. We reached Bhuntar at 7:15 & then catched Chandigarh bus at 7:30, had dinner at hotel in the ghat section beside bias river. Reached Chandigarh at 2AM in the night. That day we stayed at bus stand’s dormitory.
Day 17 [4th June, 2017] Off to Pune
After freshen up we catched 10:45 airport bus. We reached to airport by 12 PM.
After baggage checking had breakfast at airport, then catched flight at 1, reached to delhi airport by 2 then had lunch there. Did timepass at airport as we were having 4:30PM flight for Pune. Reached to Pune at 6PM
