Thamsar Pass Chamba Valley, Destinations Himachal Pradesh, Tours Indian Himalayas

Nearly perpendicular cliffs in the Ravi Valley between Holi and Bara Banghal have to be negotiated with great care. The people of Bara Banghal prefer to cross the high Thamsar Pass (4624m) and go Baijnath for their daily needs rather than go towards Holi and Chamba. Though a part of Chamba Valley, Bara Banghal is administratively linked with Kangra Valley. Many streams rising on slopes of the Bara Banghal Range unite here to form the Ravi River. This trail provides an insight into the life of Gaddi People living in the valley.

From Bara Banghal to Thamsar Pass is one of the most pleasant and scenic treks in the Dhauladhar region, and because of the gradual, graded slopes on the northern side of the Dhauladhar no great exertion is needed. Rock shelters can also be found all along the way.

Holi (1980m) is 82Km SW of Chamba towards Brahmaur and can be reached by bus, either directly or by changing at Kharamukh. The road beyond Holi has now been extended for another 3Km to Deol and is expected to reach Nayagram by the end of 2001. At Nayagram either camp on the outskirts or stay in the school one kilometer beyond. Provisions and eating shops at Nayagram. Porters can be hired here or from nearby villages. Porters usually do not go further than Dharadi. There, one can get new porters for Bara Banghal. Mules can be hired to cross the pass.

DAY-1

Nayagram-Dharadi (2550m) 13Km - Beyond Nayagram the trail continuous over rocks and boulders for 2Km, then turns left to cross the gushing Ravi river by a bridge. After that it traverses round a ridge and goes up and down for 5Km. The Ravi river lies below to the right in a deep george. There are no trees and no high rocks to provide shade for rest. Suddenly, after 5Km, the trail disappears completely and the way is blocked by a cliff some 350m wide at an angle of 60 degree, descending 400m into the river. At first sight it looks impassable but careful examination reveals cracks, stances, foot and hand holds. With care and maybe the protection of a rope one can cross the cliff without much difficulty. The trail then descends to the Manimahesh Nala whose stream roars down with great ferocity. During the Manimahesh fair, people living on this side follow a steep path upstream along the Nala and cross two passes to reach the Manimahesh Lake. After crossing the Nala by a log bridge (called Trandi) the path climbs steeply for 1Km over a spur to reach the remote village of Dharadi; rough accommodation.

DAY-2

Dharadi-Lake Camp (2410m) 15Km - The trail onwards E crosses precipitous rock faces high above the N side of the river; many tricky sections that need care. A short rope will prove handy. While cliffs dominate this side of the river, the other (S) side is covered with thick forest. In 4-5h the hamlet of Khinar is reached. Then following a 2-3Km stretch, the path climbs steeply through wooded slopes to reach the crest of a spur where huge conifer trees are seen; a traditional resting place for travelers. The path is now well-defined and leads down through the trees to a small lake surrounded by green slopes; this is a Gaddi shepherds' encampment, a soothing place after two days of tough trekking through this rocky defile. Though Bara Banghal is only about 7-8Km from here, it is advisable to camp overnight beside the lake.

DAY-3

Lake Camp-Bara Banghal (2554m) 8Km - The wooded area ends here. From the lake the path climbs for some time and heads over grassy meadows. Continuing NE along the Ravi river, an almost level walk ensues to Bara Banghal which comes into view after 7Km. The old village is situated a little above the river while the newer one is seen on the right bank. A few forest contractors, employees stay in the new part and are engaged in wood loging. The logs are thrown in the river and are collected near Kharamukh, 75Km downstream.

Bara Bangahal lies in a bowl at the base of three high ranges, and many glacier torrents join near the village to form the Ravi river. Shepherds' trails wind upwards in all directions. Nikora Pass (4745m) crosses the Manimahesh N to Kugti in Budhil Valley; Ash Jot (5033m) and Laluni Pass (5438m) cross the Bara Bangahal NE to Tindi in Lahaul Valley. Two passes lead E to the Kullu Valley. Two passes lead E to the Kullu Valley. The Dhauladhar can be crossed to Kangra Valley by Makori Pass (4605m), Gairu Jot (4664m) and Thamsar Pass (4624m). A forest resthouse is situated a short distance from the village. Comfortable camping outside the new village along the Ravi river.

DAY-4

Bara Bangahal-Marhu (3656m) 8Km - Mules can be hired at Bara Bangahal and some basic foodstuff can be bought to replenish provisions. Cross the river by a bridge about 200m upstream then turn S to cross the Thamsar Nala by a log bridge. The path climbs steadily over rocky ground along the left bank of the Nala; the slopes are the covered with tall conifer trees. After 5 Km. the path re crosses Thamsar and continues climbing through ahead and meadows. In 2Km the path becomes level and slopes nearby are carpeted with deep green grass and wild spinach dotted with rock and boulders. Snow covered slopes and a V-shaped glaciated valley are seen in the background. A few Gaddi shepherds camp in this vicinity, an ideal campsite.

DAY-5

Marhu-Base of Thamsar Pass (3960m) 8Km - This stage takes 4-5h over rocks and snow slopes. As the pass is a long way ahead and the ascent steep, it is better to camp further on, nearer to the pass. There is a traditional camp place about 8Km from Marhu where a huge rock shelter is found. Up to late June the surroundings of this site are snow covered, but after the monsoons, between mid August and early October, the snows melt though the higher glacier remains.

DAY-6

Base of Pass-Thamsar Pass-Panhartu (3250m) 19Km It is roughly 10Km, to the top of the Pass-Panhartu. At first the path goes down on to the glacier then up the latter gradually. In the early morning frozen snow makes for better walking on a well troden trace. The ascent between two parallel ridges becomes difficult as height is gained over snow slopes to enter an upper glacier. About 3Km. from the camp ground pass a glacial lake. Poor snow conditions higher up will make progress quite hard. Large rocks and boulders litter the top of the pass, and a cairn with many trinkets symbolizes the goddess of Thamsar Jot.

Two small peaks, Lantern (5067m) and Thamsar (5078m) can be seen on either side of the pass. The S side is steeper than the N; head down usually on soft snow and work across to a ridge on the right, with the glacier on the left. Descend the ridge steeply for about 3Km to where the path crosses the glacier to its left and goes up to a huge rock shelter called Bharpal Got (4050m). [A halt can be made here for the night]. From here a rocky path makes a steep descent for 3Km to where the path crosses the glacier to its left and goes up to a hudge rock shelter called Bharpal Got (4050m). [A halt can be made here for the night]. From here a rocky path makes a steep descent for 3Km to panhartu; tea shop in a rock shelterand a campsite among the rocks.

DAY-7

Panhartu - Bir Khas (1525m) 30Km a long section, mostly downwards; the path is well defined for 16Km as far as Rajgundha, from where a local bus can be taken to Bir Khas. The trail from Panhartu follows the left side of the glaciated valley and the glacier continue down for several Km. A comfortable walk in the narrow valley leads to Palachak in 8Km; forest rest house and an eating shop.

Uhl river originates from the glacier above Palachak. Cross the river immediately after this place, then the trail climbs to a ridge above the W side of the river to reach in 8Km Rajgundha (2625m), a sizeable village. From here either take the bus or walk the last 14Km of track down to Bir Khas. This small town has a school, a Buddhist Monastery and many eating shops; has a newly constructed PWD resthouse; a dormitory is also being added to the resthouse. Otherwise, a few inexpensive hotels and a pilgrims inn in the main bazar. Dharamsala is 40Km, Pathankot 145Km, Kullu 150Km.

Another Treks in Chamba Valley, Himachal Pradesh

|Trek -I| Chamba-Sach Pass-Pangi Valley (hard)|

|Trek -II| Kilar-Cheni Pass-Chamba (hard)

|Trek -III| Chamba-Marwa Pass; to Pangi Valley (strenuous)

|Trek -IV| A few side treks in Pangi Valley (easy)

|Trek -V| Brahmaur-Chobia Pass; to Lahaul Valley (strenuous)

|Trek -VI| Brahmaur-Kugti Pass; to Lahaul Valley (strenuous)

|Trek -VII| Brahmaur-Manimahesh Lake; in Chamba Valley (easy)

|Trek -VIII| Holi-Bara Bangahal-Thamsar Pass; to Kangra Valley

|Trek -IX| Bara Bangahal-Kaliheni (Sagor) Pass-Manali (strenuous)

Principal Peaks & Passes in 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 Riflehorn (4400 m). Kinnaur & Spiti Region has Leo Pargial (6791 m.)

Hotels in Himachal Pradesh +Tours To Himachal Pradesh