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SOLANG VALLEY CAMP RETREAT
TO
CHANDRATAL LAKE CAMP RETREAT

Suggested trek routes :
 
* Same Day Retun Treks ( Max. 4 hours duration )                 
Solang Waterfall Trek
Anjani Mahadev Natural Snow Shivling Trek
 
* Short Treks ( 3-7 Days)
Solang Valley - Dhundi-Beas Kund
( Moderate, April - October)
Hamta Pass
( Moderate, April - October)
Brighu Lake
( Moderate, April - October)
Chandrakhani - Malana
( Moderate, June - October)
Jagatsukh-Seri-Deo Tibba Base
( High Altitude, June - October)
 
* Medium Treks ( 8-14 Days)
Chandratal Lake
(Moderate, June - October)
Solang-Taintu Pass
( High Altitude, June - October)
Manali-Barabangal-Dharamshala
( Moderate, June - October)
 
* Long Treks ( 15 -21 Days)
Pin Parbati - Spiti Valley
Darcha -Padum-Lamayuru
Baralacha La - Hemis Monastery

DAY 01 SOLANG VALLEY CAMP RETREAT - PANDUROPA
The steepest part of the trail takes about 2 hours to negotiate, passing through apple orchards and forests of blue pine, cedar, oak, fir and chestnut. An interesting legend surrounds the villages of Chhalet, Hampta and Ghoratbari, through which we pass - it is said that they lie on the route to heaven and when people die, their souls have to pass these villages. The sound of a trumpet is said to be heard should a soul pass to heaven, and sobbing should a soul be condemned to hell. A further two hours brings us to our camp at Panduropa (2700m) and we settle in for our first night outdoors.

DAY 02 PANDUROPA - JUARA
The path to Juara is through the tiny village of Chhika, where the Alain Nullah River flows from the Hamta Pass. We journey into spectacular country just below the Hamta Pass, on a grassy bank sloping down from the cliffs. Five hours steady walking brings us to Juara (3530m), where our campsite is simply magical - the nearness of the Tokru-Shakru peaks is palpable and the brilliant mountain light at dusk bouncing off the rocky mountainside is stunning.

DAY 03 JUARA - SHEA GAURU
Today is a long day of seven hours - we begin our ascent up to Hamta Pass at 4275m, stopping to appreciate the close views of Deo Tibba and Indrasan peaks. A long descent follows, the trail taking us right to the campsite at Shea Gahru (3200m). In the local dialect, "Shea Gahru" means "a very cold place" - it is adjacent to the source of a glacier. During summer, it's a cool grazing pasture and halting place for shepherds on the way to the Lahaul Valley.

DAY 04 SHEA GAURU - CHHATRU
This three hour walk is quite easy, a welcome relief after the hard walk across Hamta pass. We follow the river up to a rock-field, a difficult section during the monsoon season. The river is folded at a point from where you can see right across the beautiful valleys of Lahaul and Spiti. The enormous mountains of the Pir Panjal and Spiti ranges dominate the entire landscape until we reach the campsite at Chhatru (3360m). Chhatru is a confluence point of trekking routes from Rohtang Pass, Hamta Pass and Spiti, and is a pleasant place to camp, meeting other trekkers on different expeditions.

DAY 05 CHHATRU - CHHOTA DRARA
Today sees the trail winding through a narrow valley as the terrain becomes gradually more rugged, and the colours more stark. The gushing of the River Chandra is our constant companion and becomes a roar as it rushed to join the Bhaga at Tandi near Keylong. We reach Chhota Dhara (3760m) after five hours, and settle down to enjoy the changed landscape of our surroundings.

DAY 06 CHHOTA DRARA - BATAL
The trail finds its feet on the unmetalled road to Batal, reaching the confluence of the paths to Chantertal and the Kunzam-La pass into the Spiti Valley. Breath-taking glimpses of the majestic Bara Shigri glacier and White Sail Peak are a photographers' reverie. We reach Batal (3990m) after a steady six hours' walking and relax in the camp.

DAY 07 BATAL - CHANDRATAL LAKE
Eight hours' trekking begins on a pleasant route along the alpine meadows that embrace the Chandra River. The path then leads over the rocky plateau, crossing a small stream and traversing the incline. From here, the track is a series of gentle ups and downs until we reach Chandratal Lake, or Moon Lake (4270m). This high altitude lake is a majestic sight, surrounded as it is by the mighty Himalayan peaks. A vast meadow of flowers is the location of the camp site, positioned on the banks of the lake.

DAY 8 CHANDRATAL LAKE
We spend the whole day at leisure at Chandratal Lake, resting and simply enjoying the unrivalled beauty and peace of the surroundings, complete in their remoteness and splendour. OPTIONAL : BACK TO SOLANG VALLEY CAMP RETREAT BY JEEP.

DAY 9 CHANDRATAL LAKE - TOKPO YONGMA
We set off again, following the Chandra River as the trail rises and falls several times. As we approach Tokpo Yongma (4320m), the trail ascends from the mountainside and crosses a stream. Nearing the camp site, we ford a river in a beautifully scenic location, and reach camp at Tokpo Yongma after a total of seven hours walking.

DAY 10 TOKPO YONGMA - TOKPO GONGMA
We make an early start today, crossing two gushing mountain tributaries before beginning a steep ascent across the rock-face. From here, its an uphill walk to the camp site at Tokpo Gongma (4640m), which we reach in around five hours.

DAY 11 TOKPO GONGMA - BARA LACHA LA
The day starts off with a steep ascent to the top of the ridge above Tokpa Gongma, which takes around half and hour. The trail then negotiates a rock-field offering the most fantastic views of the Koa Range peaks to the southwest. We cross another mountain stream before reaching Baralacha-La (4891m) after five hours challenging walking. In times gone by, the twin passes of Baralacha-La were an important spot on the trade route, as roads from Spiti, Ladakh, Zanskar and Lahul all meet here. On the north-west side lies the Bhaga River, while the Chandra flows to the south-east. Nearby to our campsite at Baralacha-La is the beautiful emerald lake, Suraj Tal, and the source of the Bhaga River. We stop here for our last night in the mountains, reminiscing on our achievements.

DAY 12 BARA LACHA LA - MANALI or LEH
Today we set off by road, either to Manali (170 kms away), or to Leh (300 kms away). On arrival, we settle into your hotel for a well-earned rest.

Package Cost per person for a minimum of 6 pax:
9 days : RS 13000
12 days:RS 18000

Includes :
Porters, Mules, Trekking Guides, English Speaking Escort, All Meals, Accommodation In trekking tents & private transportation back to Manali.

           

      

PATALSU PEAK & BEAS KUND TREK

Starting from Manali, this trek winds through the famous Solang Valley. Set 13 km from Manali, Solang has good skiing slopes equipped with an excellent lift. A splendid valley between Manali and Kothi, it also offers views of the glaciers and snow-capped mountain peaks. The trail then goes back Bakartach and Bhoj Patr to enter the Beas Kund glacier, the birthplace of the River Beas.

SEASON: Mid April - November end

MAX. ALTITUDE: 4471m

NUMBER OF DAYS: 5 days

TREK GRADIENT: Moderately challenging

Day 01: The participants arrive at  Solang Valley Camp Retreat. Day at leisure to explore the picturesque surroundings. In the evening, they will get a briefing about the trek, followed by a medical check up.

 
Day 02: Acclimatization Trek to Patalsu Peak (3963m)
Duration: 5 hours

A short acclimatization trek takes one to the Patalsu Peak, which offers a fabulous view of the mountains, including Hanuman Tibba and Seven Sisters, on the ringside of the Solang Valley.

Day 03: Solang - Dhundi - Bhakarthach (3300m)
Duration: 5 hours

Gradually ascending from the valley, the trail now passes through the small hamlet of Dhundi and continues to the scenic campsite at Bakarthach.

Day 04: Bhakarthach - Bhoj Patr - Beas kund - Bhakarthach
Duration: 6 hours

On day 5, the team treks to Beas Kund via Bhoj Patr. The place Bhoj Patr gets its name from the fact that the area has a lot of Bhoj Patr (Birch) trees, whose barks were used to write on in ancient times.

Day 05: Bhakarthach - Dhundi - Solang Nullah - Manali
Duration: 5 hours

The trek back ends at the Solang Valley Camp Retreat.

Package Cost per person  for a minimum of 6 pax: Rs 7500

Includes :

Porters, Mules, Trekking Guides, English Speaking Escort, All Meals, Accommodation In trekking tents
 

BHRIGU LAKE TREK


Close enough to habitation, yet in a secluded, lush green dale, the Bhirgu Lake is at an altitude of 4235 metres. It lies east of the Rohtang Pass and is about 6 km from the village of Gulaba. The shores of this clear water lake are visited regularly by the people of the area and are held sacred to 'rishi' Brighu.

SEASON: Mid April - November end

MAX. ALTITUDE: 4235m

NUMBER OF DAYS: 2 days

TREK GRADIENT: Easy

Day 01: Solang Valley Camp Retreat - Kothi (by car) - Bhrigu Lake (4235m)
Duration: 5 hours

The participants will be transferred from the Base Camp by car to Kothi from which the trek will commence to Bhrigu Lake. The trail is interspersed cedar and silver birch forests. Climbing steadily, it leads to the lake set in a high-altitude meadow.

Day 02: Bhrigu Lake - Vashisht Village – Solang Valley Camp Retreat
Duration: 5 hours

On the second day, the trail descends to Vashisht Village where the participants can take a much-anticipated bath at the sulfur springs. From there, it's a short hour's walk back to Solang Valley

Package Cost per person  for a minimum of 6 pax: Rs 3200

Includes :

Car Transport, Porters, Mules, Trekking Guides, English Speaking Escort, All Meals, Accommodation In trekking tents
 

The Solang Waterfall Trek :
Total Duration : 4 hours

The most popular trekking option, uses the comfortable base of swiss cottage camp Retreat of the Camp People yet exploring the undiscovered !


Commence at leisure from The Solang Valley Camp Retreat post breakfast.Crossing over the gushing Beas from the 2 old bridges, traversing the forest & then uphill towards the Solang Village.A tea break at one of the houses of the village headman. Observe the local customs & traditions & interact with the family members.
The path beyond the village becomes more narrow & the views of the Valley below more stunning. Passing through women folk working on lush green fields, children going to school & vegetables & fruits growing here & there we stumble upon a more narrow path now & suddenly realize the roar of the waterfall. The passerbys become sparse & the deafening sound increase in pitch as we finally land up on the bed of the massive waterfall.
Its time for a refreshing bath in natural spring water ( imagine the luxury !) .
On the way back we trek more uphill , as close , as we can get to the imposing Patalsu Peak.A hot packed lunch which the escort deftly arranges tastes even more sumptuous in the heavenly environs of this picturebook meadow.....

Simlar Day Return Trek Options are available from the Solang Valley Camp Retreat to :

Fatru Peak : Take off point for high grade paragliding & a lovely meadow with commanding views of the valley.

Anjani Mahadev Shivling : Natural Shivling made from snow.The expanse you can enjoy on this trek & the peace of mind you get after taking the " Parikrama" of the Shivling right under the waterfall is an experience beyond belief.

The villages of Kothi & further to Gulaba : Enjoy the stunning views of the cascading Beas & the valley in all its magnificience. Interaction with village elders in a tradional house of the village.The highlight is the range of flora at Gulaba.

Package Cost for a minimum of 6 pax :

Rs 250 per person with hot packed lunch & a fully trained escort.

Note : Boarding & lodging at Solang Valley Camp Retreat extra.