|
Expert Speak
- There is very little of Organised trekking where 4 people could just
plug in. There are either camping fixed departure groups that either dates
are not convenient or where accommodation is bare basic. At Sangla guests
not only can enjoy Banjara hospitality and "at home" feel but
also enjoy treking and soft adventure from trained instructors. Another
plus with Banjara is the kind of guests it attracts, there is a very good
chance to make some friends here !! |
Itinerary
(Can be changed a bit as per weather conditions)
-
Day 01: Delhi- Chandigarh- Thanedar- 4 hrs by train and 6 on road
Leave from New Delhi railway station by Kalka Shatabdi. Reach Chandigarh at 1050 hrs and drive to Thanedar. Reach Thanedar in the evening. Rest of the evening at leisure.
-
Day 02: Thanedar- Sangla- 6 hrs
Wake up early in the morning and go for a walk in Saroga forest. This is lovely hike for a couple of hours in the woods. After breakfast at retreat in Thanedar, drive to Sangla. Packed lunch en route. Reach Sangla in the evening and check in. Night stay in camp.
-
Day 03: Sangla- Chitkul visit and Nagasthi walk-
Acclimatization
There is not a better conception of a day picnic than a short drive to Chitkul, walk to Nagasthi and opening the lunch hamper under the pine trees next to a rivulet on green grass looking at the beautiful expanse of the valley. We start the day after breakfast. It takes 45 minutes to reach Chitkul. The drive is a fascinating one through pine forest that slowly gives way to ‘Bhojpatra’/Birch trees and then the tree line disappears. The valley opens up and you find yourself facing the snow capped Great Himalayas beyond which lies Tibet. Perched on the one side of the valley, below one of the ridges is the quaint Chitkul village. One look at it and image of ‘Shangri- La’ crosses the mind. Chitkul falls in what once used to be the ‘Silk Route’. Nagasthi is the last border outpost (bordering Tibet) and a short walk from Chitkul. Civilians are not allowed beyond this point. The walk is a level one and slightly going down the path through a pastureland and fields overlooking the freely flowing Baspa. Walk back and open your lunch hamper at an idyllic spot. Back in the camp by early afternoon.
Freshen up and try your hand at rappelling. Evening around a bonfire. Night stay in tents.
-
Day 04: Sangla- Rakcham walk and River crossing- 4-5 hrs
A signature walk of the valley, it is a fascinating walk through a wide variety of flora. We start early after breakfast and arrive back at camp by noon for a hot shower and lunch. A level-cum-gradually climbing path first takes one to Batseri Village across the Baspa River. A ‘dekko’ at the temple and one is quickly out of the village into the forest. After about half an hour the path takes a sharp climb and goes on for thirty minutes where one hits the first ‘glacier’. That can be the first 'chota' halt. Across the glacier one quickly melts into the forest and here the path goes gradually up. Half an hour and many fascinating views later the path takes a sudden descent and opens out into the valley. Lo and behold! Another small glacier walk (only till early June) and a balance walking across a few streams later one comes to a plain flat ground. This is generally the mid way break point where we stop briefly for refreshments. Resume the walk after a short break. A big tract of Poplar forest welcomes you as you walk on. The path from here takes a gradual ascent and goes on for 30-40 minutes to level in a forest which gives way to the fields of Rackcham village. The Valley opens up here revealing the snow-clad mountains across which lies Uttaranchal and Tibet depending on which direction one is looking at. Here one has the option to either take the vehicle back to the camp or else walk back on the road to the camp (7 kms/1.5 hrs). On this walk, one gets to see most of the tree and plant variety the valley has to offer.
After lunch at camp, try your hand at river crossing. Evening around a bonfire. Night stay in tents.
-
Day 05: Sangla (2700m) - Sangla meadows (3600m)- 4-5 hrs
Sangla meadow is a perfect place to see the Kinner Kailash massif in its full glory. The locals have their fields in the Sangla meadows (or Sangla Kanda as they call it). As going up and down every day is inconvenient, so lot of people have made their temporary huts here called 'dogris'. When it starts to get cold in the valley, the shepherds often take their sheep and goat herds across Rupin Pass (visible in the distance) to the meadows near Dehra Dun. The magnificent 180 degree panoramic view of the snow-clad Kinner Kailash range is a just reward for all the huffing and puffing one need to do to reach here. Night stay in tents.
-
Day 06: Sangla meadows- Base of Rupin pass (about 3500m) - 4-5 hrs
-
Day 07: Base of Rupin pass- Rupin pass (4750m) - Base of Rupin pass- 5-7 hrs
-
Day 08: Base of Rupin pass- Sangla- 7-8 hrs
- Hike all the way down to camp in Sangla. Rest of the evening at leisure.
-
Day 09: Sangla- Thanedar
- Leave for Thanedar early so as to reach in time for lunch. After lunch, hike down to St. Mary’s church.
-
Day 10: Drop at Kalka railway station to take Shatabdi back- 5-6 hrs
Notes
and Comments - Guests arriving from elsewhere may require to do a stopover
at Chandigarh at the end before
flying off or proceeding to further destinations.
|
