BEST TREKKING IN SANGLA VALLEY

TREKKING IN SANGLA VALLEY

SANGLA VALLEY TREK

There is regular bus service between karchham and sangla 2680mts. The road winds its way through a narrow valley and round precipitious bends to arrive at sangla, a fairy large village with a forest rest house the old fort of kamru is situated a few kms north of sangla.

The village of rakcham 2900mts is approached after a level walk of 8kms through dense forests, rakcham to chitkul 3450mts is a gradual climb of 18kms via mastrang. Now chitkul is connected by a motorable road with sangla. There is a forest rest house at chitkul. The region beyond chitkul is a land of rock , snow and glaciers . the trail this route lies in prohibited area from chitkul continues to surthi, turns north – east and crosses yumrang pass 5510mts into Tibet. This also was an old trade route, though not as important as that of shipki –la.

Best period ; may, june and august end to October 15^th

 karchham – sangla via shibaling pass 31’ 24 n, 78 ‘ 13 e .

This is an easy trek of 4 to 5 days, which takes you through the beautiful countryside of baspa valley. The trail from karchham climbs steeply towards the south for 8kms to reach sapni village.  A temple dedicated to the snakes god is situated here. The surroundings of sapni are heavily wooded. Next day the trail  to barua passes through apple orchards and involves many ups and downs. Situated 8kms from sapni, it also has a temple in the centre of the village. From barua, the path decends for 2kms to the barua nala and , after crossing it by a small bridge, goes up and down for another 8kms. From there it is a steep climb  to chasu village 3100mts.

From chasu to dumar 3800mts is a continuous ascent of 5kms through birch forests. Dumar is a camping ground where shepherds graze their sheeps and have built a few temporary shelters. Shibaling pass 3980mts  is a continuous but gradual climb of 3kms from dumar. From the pass one can enjoy a vista of snow peaks all around. The trail then discends for 6kms to reach sangla kanda. One can bypass sangla kanda and continue to sangla, which is 7kms further on from sangla kanda.

 Sangla – harsil trek via  lamkhaga pass 5284mts

From sangla the trail is the same as that for the baspa valley trek as far as surthi. From there the  trail for lamkhaga pass turns south and after a strenuous trek of about 14kms, reaches the pass. The last stretch up to the pass is very steep. After that the trail follows the jalandhri gad down to harsil road – head, near gangotri. One can also cross over another 5151mts high pass located to the east of lamkhaga pass.

 Morang –chitkul trek via charang pass 5266mts

This is a medium trek of 7 to 8 days that follows the north and east sides of the kinner kailash  and phawarang  massifs. The trail passes through the  tirung gad valley and crosses  charang pass to reach chitkul in baspa valley.

The trail starts from morang, ehich can be reached by bus from kalpa. There is a provision store and rest house at morang. The  trail follows  the left bank of the Sutlej river, for a short way until confluence with tirung gad. From there the trail turns south –east and after going through a narrow valley, comes to thangi. The journey from morang to thangi can be done also by jeep. Thangi is a small village where mules can be hired for the trek.

The path leaves thangi and passes through barren mountainscape until it reaches rahtak camping ground. From there the track turns towards the south  -west and climbs steeply to charang pass 5266mts . after descending alongside the rock- strewn stream on the other side, the trail terminates at chitkul in baspa valley. From chitkul to karchham is  the same as described in the baspa valley trek.

 

 Rupa valley – spiti valley trek

This is 7 to 8 days trek  which starts from shi asu 31’43 n , 78 ‘ 32 e situated on the Hindustan – Tibet road; the village can be reached by bus from kalpa . at shi asu there are a few eating shops, a provision store and a pwd rest house.

Best period ;- august 1 to September 30

The track from shi asu to sangnam heads n.w.  and is a  gradual climb of 9kms . sangnam is a large village with a  few shops and a temple. From there to ropa 2925 mts is another gradual ascent of 6kms through apricot orchards. This is the last village on this route. Essential provisions and kerosene oil is  available here. The trail continues up along the ropa gad  crosses a stream before rangbar camping ground about 14kms from ropa village. From rangbar, it is a stiff climb of about 4kms to get to panktil 4010 mts , which stands high up overlooking the confluence of the ropa gad and the chuktanjan gad flowing down from n.w. a few shepherds’ huts are also located there. From panktil the trail follows the shepherds’ track northwards, dropping gradually along the  course of the ropa gad to reach sumdo thatch 3660,mts; this is a beautiful meadow over looked by the peaks of manirang 6593mts and singikang

The trail then leaves the ropa gad and climbs steeply for 300mts on to a rocky ridge, which it traverses; then it descends to the pamchung camping ground 3960mts. A big overhang can  be seen between sumdo thatch and pamchung; it is customary camping site for shepherds during the journey.

The next stage from pamchung to rankali 4420mts is again a stiff climb of about 4kms. Rankali is at the foot of the manirang pass, and from there the trail continues through the centre of a gully . the climb to the manirang pass 5600mts is long and gradual  and takes about 8hrs. the manirang peak 6593mts stands to the north – east of the pass. From the pass the trail drops steeply to sapona in spiti valley, then goes on to mane village, situated on the right bank of the spiti river.

A few kms beyond, the trail crosses the spiti river over a bridge between sichling and puh and meets the main road for manali  and Shimla. From there one can  take a bus either for manali over the kunzam and rothang passes or for  Shimla via wangtu and Rampur.

 

 

KINNER KAILASH PARIKARAMA  CIRCUIT

 TREK

The following 3 routes are used by the devotees for the kailash parikarama. So the exact heights and distances of stages are different. The kinner kailash has religious significance for a huge ‘ rock lingam ‘ of kailashpati mahadev. The circuit  around the whole range attracts many pilgrims every year. The parikarama begins from kalpa via tirung valley and back to kalpa via sangla valley. There is a road upto thangi and the actual trekking begins from here.

    1stday: – kalpa – thangi 2966mts ………50kms

By bus , school building can be used for night

2nd day:- thangi – lambar 2896 mts ………12kms

Slightly going down.

3rd day:- lambar – charang 3506mts ……..12kms

The trek is through different terrain.

4th day:- charang  - chitkul  3450 mts …..14kms

Over charang ghati 5242mts gradual climbing to the pass and then easy descending

5th day:- chitkul  - rakchham 2900mts  ……..12kms

Jeepable road in operation during season

6th day:- rakchham – sangla 2590mts ……….14kms

Along the baspa river in the sangla valley . rest house available

7th day:- sangla – karchham 1980mts …………17kms

Through the sangla valley with good  view of mountain ranges

8th day:- karchham – kalpa 2670mts

By bus. Here the route joins the main Hindustan Tibet road.

 

ALTERNATIVE

1st day:- shong – thangi – ribba 2745mts ……….24kms

School and village for stay.

2nd day:- ribba – thangi 2966mts ………..22kms

It is connected by road. Village and school for stay.

3rd day:- thangi – charang 3506mts …………23kms

Accommodation is available.

4th day:- charang – lalanti 4421mts ………..18kms

Camping place / hut available

5th day:- lalanti – chitkul 3450mts ……20kms

Over the charang ghati 5242mts. Rest house available

6th day:- chitkul – sangla 2590mts ………….26kms

Jeepable road, r.h. available. Sangla is a green and beautiful valley

7th day:- sangla – karchham 1980mts ………….17kms

Through sangla valley with charming view of mountains r.h. available

8th day:- karchham – kalpa 2900mts ………27kms by bus

 

ALTERNATIVE

1st day:- kalpa – thangi 2966mts ………………50kms

By bus. There is a village  where one can stay

2nd day:- thangi – kunnu 3375mts ………..20kms

Can stay in a  school building for the night

3rd day:- kunnu – lalanti 4421mts …………..20kms

School or panchayat room can be used for night halt

4th day:- lalanti – chitkul 3450mts ………….20kms

Rest house is available

5th day:- chitkul – sangla 2590mts ………20kms

Rest house is available

6th day:- sangla – kalpa 2900mts ………..20kms

Via mehbar across baspa river