Trekking in Himalayas

Lahaul lies 51 km north of Manali, where the road crosses the Rohtang Pass and enters the Tibetan regions. The region is bound by Ladakh to the north, Tibet to the East, and Kullu to the south-east. Spiti is a cold desert whereas Lahaul is stark and forbidding and yet an ethereal beauty. It boasts of some beautiful remote villages oh high peaks and enchanting Buddhist monasteries. South of Spiti is Kinnaur, accessible from Shimla. Kinnaur is a beautiful but lesser known districts of Himachal Pradesh. Garhwal is to the South, Spiti valley to the north and Kullu to the West. All these destinations are located in the dizzying heights of the Himalayas with exclusive passes that remain closed for six months. This area offers travelers, a thrilling, exciting and adventurous trek and a prefect way to explore the hidden fascinations.

There are many trekking possibilities in these areas, a popular one being the well marked trek from Darcha to Padum, the capital of the Zanskar region via the Shingo La (5090 mt). The magnificent peaks, glaciers, awe inspiring gorges, blue water lakes, refreshingly valleys, alpine-Himalayan flora and fauna, monasteries, the monks and a totally different tribal culture represent an alluring fascination and charm for the travelers.

The best trekking season in the Lahaul valley is between July and October. The changes and variations in the climatic and geographical factors of these valleys requires careful planning for the trek.

Some of the fascinating treks that can be undertaken in Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti are:
» Bapsa valley
» Bhabha valley
» Sarahan trek
» Chandertal Lake
» Pin Parvati Pass
» Bhaba Pass
» Darcha Lamayuru
» Baralacha Lamayuru

How to Reach
A) Kinnaur
Air: The nearest airport is Shimla at about 224 kms from Kalpa (in Kinnaur).

Rail: The nearest railhead Kalka, 314 kms from Kalpa in Kinnaur, is connected with the major places in India.

Road: Kalpa is one of the main places in the district of Kinnaur. Some of the road-distances from Kalpa are:- Shimla 224 kms, Rampur 108 kms, Pooh 94 kms, Moorang 22 kms, Nichar 39 kms, Wangtu 34 kms, Narkanda 160 kms, Chakrata 248 kms, Kufri 210 kms, Sarahan 77 kms, Chaura 63 kms, Karcham 35 kms, Chitkul 102 kms, Tashigang 116 kms, Shipki La 126 kms etc.

B) Lahaul & Spiti
Air: Keylong is one of the main places in the district of Lahaul & Spiti. Kullu and Shimla are the nearest airports and Keylong is 158 kms from Shimla by road.

Rail: Shimla and Pathankot are nearest railheads and Keylong is 436 kms from Pathankot by rail.

Road: National Highway No.21 connects Manali to Lahaul & Spiti and Leh. Some of the road-distances from Keylong:-, Kullu 158 kms, Manali 118 kms, Pathankot 436 kms, Jogindarnagar 284 kms, Rahla 102 kms, Rohtang Pass 67 kms, Khoksar 46 kms, Gondhla 18 kms, Udaipur 48 kms etc.