Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Delhi. A single group transfer is provided. KE group package services begin with lunch at the hotel. The afternoon is free for sightseeing or relaxing.
Day 2: We take the early morning train from Delhi to Kalka and from there drive northwards to our hotel in the old market town of Mandi.
Day 3: Continue our drive north into the Kulu Valley and on to Manali. We have an afternoon walk around the streets of this thriving bazaar town. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 4: Our first morning of trekking takes us through woodland of oak and pine to our first camp on the grazing area of Sanghchur (2650m / 8695ft). Afternoon free.
Day 5: A full day of trekking takes us across a high pasture area, with views of the Pir Panjal peaks to the north-east. We camp in a meadow beyond Railli.
Day 6: Descending to the valley floor, we climb again towards the Kaliheni Pass and make our camp above the tree line at around 3600 metres (11,800 feet).
Day 7: A tough day, as we climb to cross the Kaliheni Pass, which involves moraine, snow and bare glacier ice, with views of the Bara Bhangal. Descend to camp on a meadow site.
Day 8: We follow a path above the tree line, through the Kaliheni Valley, crossing several tributary streams and with great mountain views. Camp is in a grassy clearing overlooking the valley.
Day 9: Still heading towards the west, we make the long and at times steep descent to the Gaddi village of Bara Bhangal (2550m / 8370ft). We camp just beyond the stone-built houses.
Day 10: A welcome opportunity to take it easy for a day and explore this settlement of 60 or so houses. A chance to meet the Gaddi people who spend the summer months here.
Day 11: Crossing the Kaliheni River, we ascend the Thamser Nullah, passing a number of Gaddi encampments en route. We camp on a flat knoll below the Thamser Pass.
Day 12: Another early start, crossing scree and moraine and then snow and ice at the Thamser Pass (4930m / 16,175ft). Then a long, long descent to Palachak where we set up camp.
Day 13: Our final day of trekking takes us through the pleasant foothills of the Dhaula Dhar. At Billing, we meet our transport and drive to the Kangra village of Andretta, where we camp.
Day 14: We enjoy a morning's visit the Tibetan exiles town of McLeodganj, home of the Dalai Lama, before driving to Pathankot to catch the overnight Sleeper Train back to Delhi.
Day 15: Arriving in Delhi in the early hours of the morning, we use shared day rooms at the group hotel. After dinner, we transfer to Delhi Airport, where KE group package services end.
