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Some
of the following GHNP routes have been trekked by Park staff with foreign
visitors. Other routes may be explored, but visitors must check with Park
officials for entry and route permits for obvious safety reasons.
Sainj
Valley
A five day trek crossing through the Sainj river valley.
General Route
Day 1: Neuli (1500 m altitude) to Shakti (2100 m altitude).
Night at Shakti Trekkers' Camp. Moderate ascent. Distance: 22 km
Day 2: Shakti to campsite at Lower Meadow Bridge in Homkhani Forest
(2800 m). Moderate through dense forest, walnut trees, medicinal herbs,
etc.
Distance: 6 kms.
Day 3: Rest Day at lower Meadow. Day excursions.
Day 4: Return to Shakti.
Day 5: Return to Neuli.
Total Distance: 56 km (round trip).
To Dhel (3737 m)- heavy moderate through dense forest up to beautiful
high and wide meadow. Great vistas and opportunities for observing wildlife.
Distance: Neuli to Dhel round-trip: 66 kms.
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Sainj-Tirthan
Valleys
A eight-day trek crossing two valleys. Moderate to strenuous. Experience
the transitions between two magnificent valleys.
General
Route
Day 1: Neuli (1500 m) to Shakti (2100 m).
Night at Park accommodation. Moderate ascent. Distance: 22 km
Day 2: Shakti to Dhel (3737 m)
Heavy-moderate ascent through dense forest, walnut trees, medicinal herbs,
etc.
Distance: 11 kms.
Day 3 and 4: Rest days at Dehl. Day hikes to Jogni (outdoor prayer
sites). Fabulous sunrises and sunsets. Early morning hikes with opportunities
to observe wildlife (Red Fox, Himalayan Tahrs)
Distance: 4 to 6 kms.
Day 5: Dehl to Guntrao (3500 m): Strenuous. Moving to higher elevations
(4120 meters). Difficult trail for more than one hour through very narrow
path with sheer drops of 200 meters. Good chance of seeing Himalayan Tahr.
A long day on the trail. Must be in very good shape, but worth the effort.
Distance: 15 kms.
Day 6: Rest Day at Guntrao: Early morning opportunities for observing
Himalayan Tahr and Musk deer.
Day 7: Guntrao to Shilt (3100 m). Moderate up and down. Lush bamboo
forests, streams and waterfalls. Shilt campsite offers opportunities for
evening wildlife.
Distance: 16 kms.
Day 8: Shilt to Gushaini. Steep descent through dense forests.
Exiting GHNP into Ecozone. Distance: 15 kms.
Note: A reverse route of the above trek is also popular.
Distance from Neuli to Gushaini: About 85 kms.
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Gushaini to
Shilt Hut
Easy to Moderate three day hike from Ecozone into Park.
Day 1: Gushaini (1500 m) to Rolla (2100 m). Entry into Park. Easy
day.
Distance: 9 kms.
Day 2: Rolla to Shilt Hut (3100 m): side trip to Chhordwari waterfall
and bamboo forest. Distance: 7 kms.
Day 3: Shilt to Gushaini: Return.
Total Distance: 30 kms.
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Jiwa Nala to Parvarti
River Valley
A seven-day, very strenuous, dramatic hike crossing the mountain passes
at Kandi Galu (3627m), and Phangchi Galu (4636m). Incredible vistas. Must
be in excellent physical condition as very demanding with elevation ascent
of 2000 meters and 1500 meters descent in one day (total up-down, 3,500
m in one day!).
Day 1: Neuli (1650m) to Bhagi Kashahri (2600m). Morning visit to
Manu Temple
(2200 m). Evening at village school site. Moderate ascent. Distance: 23
kms.
Day 2: Bhagi Kashahri to Subli (3300m). Strenuous ascent in early
morning (3600 m). Pass through Kandi Galu notch (3627m). Distance 17 kms.
Day 3: Subli to Dwada (3150m). Relatively easy hike passing through
birch forests and meadows. Distance 6 kms.
Day 4: Rest Day at Dwada: Beautiful meadow surrounded by steep
mountain valleys and flowing Jiwanal River. Peaceful and good place to
rest after long hike from Subli.
Day 5: Rest Day Dwada: Day hike up to Surtu Glacial Pond in Khandedhar
with dramatic mountain backdrops. Opportunities for wildlife observation
including Brown Bear, Snow Leopard, etc. Distance: 20 kms. round trip.
Day 6: Dwada to Chippi (3550m): Very strenuous day. Crossing Phangchi
Galu Pass (4636 m) below Khandedhar into Parvarti Valley. Continuous steep
ascent over rock scree, boulders, and very narrow paths into high alpine
meadows, then higher lichen environments. Can be cold and windy. Descent
from Phangchi Galu can have deep snow pack and should be done with great
care as steep drops and potentially very dangerous. Sublime peace at the
higher elevations. Stressful on knees coming down! Distance: 23 kms.
Day 7: Chippi to Pulga: Easier descent back into forests and meadows,
ending at village of Pulga. Distance: 18 kms.
Total Distance: 110 kms.
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Up To Tirath/Tirthan
Valley
Day 1: Gushaini (1500m) to Rolla (2100m): Walk through Ecozone
of GHNP. Gentle gradient at the beginning of trek. Distance: 10 kms.
Day 2: Rolla to Nada (3300m) Thach: Moderate to strenuous climb
through oak and conifer forests. A prominent tree god near Chalocha (2450
m) from where the climb starts. Possible sightings of Himalayan Tahr or
Black Bear. Nada thatch (meadow) very good for bird watching. Distance:
12 kms.
Day 3: Nada Thach to Majhoni (3800m): Gradual to steep descent
through forests. Distance: 12 kms.
Day 4: Majhoni to Tirath (4000m) and back Majhoni: Moderate gradient
leading into the vast meadow of Tirath Offering views of magnificent mountain
panoramas. Tirath, the origin of Tirthan river has a glacial lake which
is sacred to the villagers of Tirthan valley. Vegetation is stunted showing
influence of extreme cold temperatures. Distance: 8 kms.
Day 5: Trek from Majhoni to Nada Thach. Distance: 12 kms.
Day 6: Rest day at Nada. Bird watching.
Day 7: Nada Thatch to Rolla-descent. Distance: 12 km.
Day 8: Rolla to Gushaini. Distance: 10 km.
Total Distance: 76 kms.
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Raktisar in
Sainj Valley
Day 1: Neuli (1500 m) to Shakti (2100 m) village. Night at Park
accommodation. Moderate ascent. Distance: 22 Km
Day 2: Shakti to Parkachi (3000m) thach. Trek along the Sainj river.
Gradual ascent. Distance: 10 kms.
Day 3: Parkachi thatch to Rakti Sar (4500 m): Along the river,
quite a strenuous ascent through rocky portions. Crossing of streams along
the route is tricky. Distance: 14 kms.
Day 4: Trek from Rakti Sar to Parkachi thatch. Strenuous descent.
Distance: 14 kms.
Day 5: Rest day at Parkachi. Bird watching. Medicinal herbs.
Day 6: Parkachi thatch to Shakti village. Gradual descent. Distance:
10 kms.
Day 7: Shakti village to Neuli. Distance: 22 kms.
Total Distance: 92 kms.
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Crossing the
Pin Parvati Pass (5319 meters altitude)
Main attractions: Village house architecture; tree deities; old Forest
Rest House at Pulga; panoramic views; alpine and sub-alpine pastures;
huge glacial structures at Man-Talai onwards; about 7 to 8 kms. long stretch
of snow fields on the Pass; changing vegetation and distinct bird, mammal,
butterfly life.
Day 1: Shamshi (1100 m) to Barsheni (2150 m): by road
Trek from Barsheni to Khirganga (2960 m) Distance: 10 kms.
A busy trekking route. The sulfur springs at Khirganga are very famous
in the area. A number of Sadhus (holy men, hermits) can be seen camping
in the vicinity of the springs.
Day 2: Khirganga-Tunda Bhuj (3285 m) to Thakur Kuan: Trek is less
disturbed, goes through conifer forests, open meadows and birch forests.
The journey may be broken in two days, up to Tunda Bhuj (area with high
altitude birch forests) in one day and then from there to Thakur Kuan,
the next day. Distance: 19 kms
Day 3: Thakur Kuan to Pandupul (3700 m) to Mantalai (4200 m): This
part of trek is above tree line in high altitude meadows full of medicinal
herbs, alpine grasses, bees and butterflies during summer season. It should
be done in two days: up to Pandupul in one day and next day to Mantalai.
Distance: 20 kms.
Day 4: Mantalai to Pin Parvati Pass (5319 m) to base of the snow
field in Pin Valley (4075 m): This is the most strenuous part of the Pin
Parvati Pass trek. It involves a steep ascent from Mantalai to the Pass
and then a descent into the Pin valley. About six to seven kms trek is
on snow fields filled with potentially dangerous crevices. Weather may
change any time at the Pass. Distance: 14 kms
Day 5: Rest day at the base of Pass in Pin Valley.
Day 6: Base of the snow field in Pin Valley to Tariya or near Mud:
Trek through arid zone of the cold desert in Pin Valley. The arduous part
of the trek is over, but watch out for crossing of streams on the way.
This part of trek can be done in two days with a stopover in between.
Distance: 11 kms.
Day 7: Tariya/Mud to Maling road head onwards by road to Kaza (3600
m): Mud is the first village to come by. The trekker may hire a pony or
one of the famous Chamurti bred Tibetan horses to ride up to the roadhead.
Distance: 15 kms.
Total Distance: 90 kms.
Note: A trained guide is required to cross the pass.
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