Hampta Pass Trek

Hampta Pass

Hampta Pass is the most delightful treks in the Manali region, located in Himachal. It is a moderate trek with a scope for varying the duration to suit ones time. Hampta Pass Trek takes us over the majestic foothills of the Himalaya, the Pir Panjal Range, crossing at Hampta Pass (14100 Ft.) –

 

See more at: http://renokadventures.com/558/hampta-pass-trek/#sthash.XZJIXucd.dpuf

Here goes the itinerary for Hampta Pass Trek

Itinerary Detail

Manali

Day 0         Departure

Meet up at Janpath (near Connaught Place) and leave for Manali by Volvo bus. Overnight Journey.

Chika  Day 1

Drive from Manali to Jobra than start trek to Chika (10100 ft)

After breakfast we drive from Manali to Jobra and start our trek to Chika(10,100 feet). While trekking we can see the Rani river on one side and a big rocky hill on the other. Overnight stay at Chika.

Balu Ka Ghera Day 2

Chika (10100 ft) to Balu ka Ghera (11900 ft) .5 hrs easy ascent.

The third day trek is a gradual ascent. While trekking we will be able to see the spectacular Dauladar range. We have lunch in Balu Ka Gera.

Siagoru   Day 3

Balu ka Gera (11900 ft) to Siagoru (12900 ft) Crossing Hampta Pass (14100 ft).

This is the most spectacular part of the trek as we cross the Hampta Pass and then descend to our camp site in Siagoru. It will take us approximately 8hrs to reach Siagoru. The ascent on this part of the trek will be moderate.

Chandra Tal  Day 4

 Siagoru (12900 ft) to Chatru (11000 ft) 4 hrs. Drive to Chandra Tal.

This day we have an easy descent through the Hampta Valley. The massive mountains of the Pir Panjal and Spiti ranges dominate the entire landscape till the camp site at Chatru. Chatru is a confluence point of paths from Rohtang Pass, Hamta Pass and Spiti. From Chatru if road and weather condition permit we head to the Chandra Tal camp site.

Manali

Day 5

Drive from Chandra tal to Manali via the Rohtang Pass

In the morning after breakfast we leave for Manali via the Rohtang Pass. Trek ends

– See more at: http://renokadventures.com/558/hampta-pass-trek/#sthash.XZJIXucd.dpuf

 

Dayara Bugyal – Simple yet Beautiful

Dayara Bugyal – The biggest meadow of Uttarakhand

Bugyal in the local mountain dialect means “High Altitude Meadow”. Trekking to Dayara Bugyal is one of the most beautiful places in Uttaranchal, situated at an elevation ranging from 10,000 – 12,000 ft. This vast meadow is second to none in natural beauty in Uttarakhand trekking circuit. The possibility of Nordic as well as Alpine skiing are immense here, since during winter it provides one of the best ski slopes in India spread over an area of 28 sq/kms, one can combine a trek and ski during winter trekking season.

Dayara Bugyal trek starts from two places Barsu and Raithal. The road to Dayara Bugyal branches off near Bhatwari- a little township on Uttarkashi Gangotri road about 35 kms. From Uttarkashi, Vehicles can go up to the village of Raithal from where one has to trek a steep incline covering a distance of about 7 kms to reach Dayara and the other route is via village Barsu, 10 kms from Bhatwari from where one has to trek about 8kms to Dayara Bugyal.

Gray langurs or Hanuman langurs, the most widespread langurs of South Asia, are a group of Old World monkeys constituting the entirety of the genus Semnopithecus.

Monal – State Bird of Uttarakhand

This is the best time for birding as all the birds descends from high altitude to lower altitudes due to drop in temperatures.

If some one wants to do this trek here is the ideal itinerary

Day 1 Dehradun to Guest House at Barsu

Arrive at Dehradun/Haridwar in the morning, freshen up, have breakfast and leave for Barsu village Lunch on the way. Arrive at Camp by late afternoon and relax with a hot cup of tea and prepare yourself for trekking in Himalayas. The camp overlooks the Himalayan peaks of Gangotri I, II and III, Jaunli, Draupdi ka Danda and Srikanth.

Days 2 Barsu – Barnala (2700 m) 4 km / 4 hr

Have an early breakfast and get ready for a trekking to Barnala lake (2700 m) about 5 hours away. Trek through the dense forest of Pine and Oak trees. Lunch enroute. Reach Barnala by late afternoon. Explore the forest around the lake and do some bird watching. Barnala is great for bird watching, the most common birds here Whistling Thrush, Red Finch, Monal Pheasant, Koklas etc. Overnight stay in tents.

Day 3 Barnala – Dayara (3250 m) 5 km / 4 hr

Have breakfast and prepare to trek to Dayara. Hot lunch on arrival. The bugyals (meadows), spread over 28 sq kms, are grazing grounds for sheep and cattle and have a 360 degree view of the Himalayas. Spend rest of day walking around the meadows. Overnight stay in tents

Day 4 Dayara – Raithal 7 km / 4 hr

Wake up to a lovely sunrise and walk a little higher for a nice view of Bandarpoonch (6500 mtrs). After breakfast, we will start trekking to village Raithal. Reach camp by early evening. Relax with a hot cup of tea and sumptuous dinner with bonfire. Overnight stay in tents.

Days 5 Raithal – Dehradun / Haridwar

After breakfast leave for Dehradun/Haridwar. Lunch on way, arrive by late afternoon and catch train to go home..

Renok Adventures is having a fixed departure on various dates 3rd November, 10th November and 29th December. For more details please follow the link  www.renokadventures.com

 

I Support Green Hiker !! Green Hiking Tips

Green Hiker tips

HIKING

• Hike in a single file in the middle of the track to avoid further erosion.
• Keep noise levels low, especially when traveling through a forest
• Minimise the use of automobiles wherever possible

CAMPING

• Choose a homestay or a community-run camping site wherever possible
• Set camp 30m away from lakes and streams
• Set up a temporary dustbin to dispose of waste by all campers. Make sure to carry it away

FIRE

• Never leave a fire unattended this will rule out chances of a devastating forest fire
• Minimize the use of growing vegetation as firewood. Opt for kerosene or fuel efficient stoves
• Avoid burning plastic or other toxic substances

COOKING

• Carry food that cooks faster and more easily, to reduce fuel consumption
• A small solar cooker will serve the purpose keeping the environs clean too

WATER

• Never discard rubbish into water bodies.
• For washing, carry water 30 m away from the lake
• Use biodegradable organic soaps for washing and cleaning. These will minimize water pollution

WILDLIFE

• Do not feed wild animals since human food may be damaging to them
• Avoid flash photography. Take pictures from a distance
• Observe wildlife from a distance, especially at sensitive times like mating, nesting and raising young

WASTE

• Never leave behind litter while hiking or camping. Stuff the rubbish into your pocket/backpack/garbage bag to take back with you
• Try and sort your garbage into biodegradable and non-biodegradable at the base camp itself. Ensure that the mouths of the bags are tightly fastened. This will prevent the contents from scattering and emitting foul odour
• Use toilet facilities and where not available, dispose of solid human waste like this – Dig a 15cm hole in the ground, more than 30m away from the lake, campsite and track. Cover it up with soil when finished
• Opt for light, unbreakable utensils instead of plastic or Styrofoam

PEOPLE

• Respect the local people, culture and customs
• Get local guides or choose homestays so that the economic benefits remain in the region
• Help your guides/porters to follow the rules as well. They will then be mindful of them in the future

 

source:http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/critical_regions/high_altitude_wetlands/green_hiker/what_you_can_do/green_hiker_tips/

 

Trekking in Indian Himalayas – Valley of Flowers

Valley of Flowers – The Paradise on Earth

Himalayas are the youngest and tallest mountains on earth. Indian Himalayas spread from northern most part of  India i.e. Jammu and Kashmir to Eastern most part Assam. The design or spread of Indian Himalayas makes them home to variety of flora and fauna. Northern most part is barren land and known as cold desert while eastern Himalayas receives highest rainfall and are kind of humid subtropical. The lower Himalayas called Shivaliks fall in the category of subtropical climatic zone.

Valley of Flowers trek is located in Chamoli Garhwal in the state of Uttarakhand, in NDBR region (Nanda Devi Bioshpere reserve). About 595 kilometres from Delhi, the altitude of valley of flowers Uttaranchal varies from 3,200 m to 6,600 m.

The stunning landscape of The Valley of Flowers National Park in northern India’s state of Uttarakhand, bordered by Nepal and Tibet, comes alive with the monsoon rain. This high-altitude Himalayan valley has around 300 different varieties of alpine flowers, which appear as a bright carpet of color against a mountainous snow capped background.

Here are the pictures from my last visit.

White Flowers

Golden Drops

Flower in Valley of Flowers

Yellow FlowersOur GroupRoute MapMaple Leaf

 

Cobra Lily

Amazing red flowers

Valley and Flowers