Peaks Himachal Pradesh, Mountaineering Tours, Trekking, Climbing, Adventure Sports Activities

Himachal the land of snow, is one of the most beautiful states of the Union. Landscape is rich and varied: from the fertile plains to lush green meadows, from thick forest to barren Mountains cape. Himachal has a lot to offer to both first time trekkers and experienced mountaineers. Its valleys, passes and landscapes are still unknown, waiting to be explored and experienced. Sixty-Five treks mentioned in the book cover more than hundred destinations but these are just the tip of an iceberg, there are hundreds others.

Principal Peaks & Passes Himachal Pradesh

Himachal is a paradise for walkers, trekkers, hikers, skiers, rafters, climbers and mountaineers. Innumerable treks originate or culminate in the beautiful valleys of Kullu and Manali. There are several peaks in Himachal Pradesh that challenge the mountaineers. Main peaks in Dhauladhar range are Mun (4610 m), Toral (4686 m), Dromedary (4553 m) and Rifle horn (4400 m). Kinnaur & Spiti Region has Leo Pargial (6791 m). Trekkers can leave the technical part to mountaineers while they can enjoy walking on the trails in these hills.

The thrill of crossing a mountain pass is comparable to climbing a peak. In Fact many travelers prefer simple walking than technical climbing. There are innumerable passes in Himachal that connect different regions. These passes are frequented by local shepherds who cross these at least twice in a year with their flock. Gaddis, the nomadic tribe of Bharmour in Chamba, are regular travelers in the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar. They travel to higher reaches in the summer with their sheep and goats as far as Zanskar and Ladakh in the Northern State of Kashmir.

Crossing a Mountain Pass

Crossing a mountain pass is a life-time experience. The journey is quite testing but the feeling of achievement is overwhelming. Care Courage and determination are required to undertake journey across a mountain pass. The landscape is always interesting with endless variety and limitless charm and the rugged beauty and sheer grandeur of high passes has no parallel.

Generally, the last villages in the valleys are located at an average height of about 8000 feet. From these villages the trail rises through forests or curls upward alongside narrow ravine or Winds up over steep grassy slopes. After gradual ascent tree line is crossed and the forest clears. Trail then leads to the bare mountainside going up steadily towards the Mountain Pass.

Kangra Valley Treks

Kangra Valley Treks - All the treks which commence from Kangra Valley cross the Dhauladhar from Range and teminate in the adjoining Chamba Valley at one one point or another. Of the five treks mentioned here, Laka Pass (also called Inderhar or Inderhara) trek and the Minkiani Pass trek are the most popularowing to their commencement at Dharamsala / McLeodgunj.

Kullu Valley Treks

Kullu Valley Treks is the most popular amongst trekkers in Himachal Pradesh. Treks in the Solang sub-valley and Kullu-Jogindernagar are easy and short. Hamta Pass, Chandra Tal, Chanderkhani and Tos Nala are hard treks while the trek to Pin-Parbati Pass is long and strenuous.

Lahaul Valley Treks

Lahaul is part of Lahaul & Spiti district. In fact both Lahaul and Spiti are two distinct geographical regions separated by high rising Kunzum pass. Not only this, these two regions are entirely different units socially and culturally also. Lahaul offers a few very rewarding high altitude trekking trails along the Chandra and Bhaga rivers and over high passes full of ice and snow.

Shimla Valley Treks

Though Shimla is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh and a very popular hill resort, it offers very few trekking opportunities. Two trails over Jalori Pass and Bashleo Pass, which lead to the adjoining Kullu Valley, provide easy and pleasant walks. Buran Ghati trek, though not very common amongst trekkers, is an adventurous trek which leads to the adjoining Kalpa Valley.

The main trekking areas in Himachal are the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges, routes over the passes between the Shimla region and the Kullu valley, the numerous treks out of Kullu and select tracks in the Trans-Himalyan regions of Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti. Most trekking areas are between 1500 metres and 6000 metres.

Spiti Valley Treks

Recently opened to foreigners, the trails in Spiti Valley provide a very different experience. The trails are tough and pass through very rugged and isolated regions.

Adopted as an exit route from the Spiti region, fairly long and arduous but not difficult, joining the Shimla road near Wangtu at the Kinnaur district boundary. Easier and shorter than the more scenic Shakarof Pass (5022m) further W. As for the Pin-Parbati Pass route to Ghurguru, two days from Sangam.

The S side descent is steep and trends L (SE) to cross a glacial stream which is followed S into the Bhabha Valley at the Phodal Thach camping ground. An improving path down the E bank of the Bhabha stream passes through yuchrung and Muling camp grounds, then to the hamlets of Musrang, Kat and Bain (on W bank) before reaching Wangtu on the Hindustan-Tibet Road between Rakong Peo and Rampur.

Principal Peaks & Passes in the Indian Himalaya
Peaks	Height (m)	Passes	Height (m)
Kangchenzonga	8598	Meade's Col	7178
Nanga Parbat	8125	Lungser Pass	6240
Nanda Devi	7816	Ibex Col	6200
Mt. Kamet	7756	Jongsang La	6115
Saltoro Kangri	7742	Saltoro Pass	5900
Jongsang	7459	Bilafond La	5647
Rimo I	7385	Mana Pass	5608
Tent Peak	7365	Khardung La	5602
Abi Gamin	7355	Manirang Pass	5550
Mana	7274	Lipu Lekh	5450
Mukut	7242	Pin Parvati Pass	5319
Hardeol	7151	Saser La	5330
Nun	7135	Lamkhaga Pass	5282
Trisul	7120	Baralacha La	4939
Nanda Kot	6861	Hamta	4885
Leo Pargial	6791	Chobu	4750
Devtoli	6788	Kunzum La	4550
Lungser Kangri	6666	Sach Pass	4414
Shigri Parvat	6645	Inderhara	4350
Manirang	6693	Nathu La	4310
Chiring We	6559	Rohtang	4116
Parvati Parvat	6632	Chandrakhani Pass	3500