Beyond Kulu
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Delhi. Transfers are provided. KE Land Only 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 Chandigarh 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 (2050m). 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 Lamadug (2950m). 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 (3500m).
Day 6: Descending to the valley floor, we climb again towards the Kaliheni Pass and make our camp above the tree line at around 3900 metres.
Day 7: A tough day, as we climb to cross the Kaliheni Pass (4650m), which involves moraine, snow and bare glacier ice, with views of the Bara Bhangal. Descend to a camp below the pass on the Kaliheni Nullah (3550m).
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 (3700m).
Day 9: Still heading towards the west, we make the long and at times steep descent to the Gaddi village of Bara Bhangal (2550m). 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 (3800m).
Day 12: Another early start, crossing scree and moraine and then snow and ice at the Thamser Pass (4750m). Great views of the Himalaya from the top and then we descend to the meadows of Panattu (3450m) where we set up camp.
Day 13: Walk easily on a glacier, then descend through mixed woodland to the village of Rajgunda (2450m) where we make camp.
Day 14: 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 enjoy a night in a homestay.
Day 15: 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 16: Arriving in Delhi in the early hours of the morning, we have breakfast at our hotel. Transfer to the airport where KE Land Only package services end.
Altitude
This holiday involves going to very high altitude. During the course of your trip you will be spending at least one night above 4000 metres and/or trekking to 5000 metres or above. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully. Before coming on this holiday you should read the advice on trekking at high altitude.
