Bara Bhangal Trek

Quick Facts

2024 - September 06-18 | 13 Days

INR 91,400 + 5% GST

Single Supplement: INR 27,000 + 5% GST

Highest Altitude: 4000 M

Difficulty: DemandingHiking and trekking to elevations exceeding 4000-5000 meters, away from vehicular access, over multiple days. Encompasses demanding whitewater with Class IV rapids.

Group Size: 8-16 persons

The Bara Bhangal trek, also known as the Shepherds trail trek takes you over Kalihani and Thamsar passes and is a traverse from the popular tourist town of Manali to the Himalayan Paragliding hub, Bir. This long trek does not go too high and camps at below 4000m on all days. The consistent ups and downs of this trail are what brings the challenge to this one. Beautiful campsites, luscious meadows filled with wildflowers, gree lakes, and sheep everywhere you look. This trip is definitely one for the trekker looking to delve into harde and longer trips without the challenge of altitude.
The village of Bara Bhangal – one of the most isolated villages in Asia is a relic of times past. The shepherds and the village make this trek as much of a cultural experience as it is an adventurous one.

DAYS 1-4

  • Day 1: Delhi – Manali (2050 M)

Arrive at ISBT Kashmiri Gate by 8pm to board the bus to Manali. The Volvo Semi –Sleeper bus takes 13 hours to reach our destination. Board waiting vehicles to drive to our lodge away from the bustle of the city at Haripur – 15km away.

  • Day 2: Manali (2050 M)

Meet with your guide and staff for the trip. Acclimatisation and last minute shopping. Take a few short walks around the village to keep yourself active.

  • Day 3: Manali – Lamadugh (3000 M)

We start our trek through thick forest. As one gains height in this steep climb, the distinct views of different faces of Indrasan, Deo Tibba and peaks of Bara Shigri glacier open up. In the last lag, the path turns to the right and one traverses the ridge horizontally and enters the campsite on an alpine plateau studded with thick growth of alpine flowers.

  • Day 4: Lamadugh – Riyali Thach (3400 M)

The height gain on this day is approximately 1 km. The trek is through steep a ridge below Khand Pari Tibba (4000m). From this point, one can have a magnificent glimpse of Manali, situated on the left bank of River Beas and the whole upper Kullu valley, which appears swathed in the different colors of the season.

DAYS 5-8

  • Day 5: Riyali Thach – Kalihani Base (4000 M)

A longish day. The trail proceeds over open meadows initially followed by a steep descent to a stream. Crossing it, the path continues in a steep climb for about three hours till you arrive at the camp at the base of the Kalihani Pass. Make sure you catch the views of Deo Tibba and Indrasan peaks from the campsite.

  • Day 6: Kalihani Base – Kalihani Top – Devi Ki Marhi (3800 M)

Today will be a long, arduous day with a steep climb to the pass crossing a stretch of scree, a moraine and the Kalihani glacier (4725M). Take time off at the pass to get a splendid 360 degree view of hanging glaciers, the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar Ranges. A steep descent across another glacier and four beautiful glacial lakes will bring you to the camp at the gaddi campsite of Devi ki Marhi.

  • Day 7: Devi Ki Marhi – Jal Marhi (3900 M)

The trail first crosses over the Kalihani Nullah and descends into the oak and birch forests. Most of path then is flat with few ups and downs. Just before the end of the day though is a steep climb before you arrive at the Jal Marhi campsite, right next to a stream.

  • Day 8: Jal Marhi – Bara Bhangal (2800 M)

The trail now continues down the Ravi river into the deodar forest, to the only large village in the valley, Bara Bhangal.

DAYS 9-13

  • Day 9: Bara Bhangal

We spend a day at the Bara Bhangal village, meeting the locals and exploring this village stuck in time. One of the most remote villages in Asia – it can only be reached either via one of the passes we cross or through narrow gorge on the Ravi river. A day to rest, bathe, take short walks and interact with the locals.

  • Day 10: Bara Bhangal – Mardh (3800 M)

Today we will start climbing towards the next big pass, Thamsar. The trail winds up through pine, deodar and birch forests with mountain streams to break the monotony. The campsite at Mardh is near the base of the Thamsar glacier.

  • Day 11: Mardh – Palachak (2700 M)

Another day of steep ascent over morraine, scree and glacier. The climb is broken by a small lake just below the pass. From on top of Thamsar, you will get your first glimpse of the lush Kangra valley. On the other side of the pass, it’s a steep, long descent till you reach the campsite at Plachak, well below the tree line.

  • Day 12: Palachak – Bir/Dharamshala (2300 M)

The easiest day of the trek so far. The path is flat and easy, passing through pine forests with many mountain streams. The valley widens and you get great views of the open Kangra valley. A vehicle will pick us up at Billing and drop us at Bir or Dharamshala.

  • Day 13: Bir/Dharamshala – Delhi

We spend the day at leisure in Bir or Dharamshala and take the overnight Volvo bus to Delhi. You can also choose to fly out of the Dharamshala airport anytime in the day.

Inclusions:
  • Travel from Delhi to Dharamshala/Bir and back by road (non ac suv / ac coach)
  • All arrangements for staying and camping while on trip
  • Accommodation on twin sharing basis in tents / hotel
  • All meals as mentioned in itinerary & safe drinking water
  • All trip arrangements with India’s most experienced guiding team, camp staff and cooks
  • Porterage upto 15kg/person
  • Peak fee / sanctuary fee / royalty / permits where applicable
Exclusions:
  • Sleeping bag
  • Flights not included in the above-mentioned cost
  • Any transfers or meals outside of itinerary
  • Bottled water
  • Items of personal clothing
  • Expenses of any personal nature (laundry / phone calls / alcohol / cigarettes / insurance / camera fee / etc.)
  • Any expense incurred due to force of nature such as landslides, bad weather or reasons beyond our control
  • Tips & gratuities (we recommend 5-10% of your trip cost- to be distributed among the team) – personal choice
  • Travel & cancellation insurance

WHY GO WITH AQUATERRA ADVENTURES

A question easy to answer, you may wonder, in an age where adventure travel is apparently booming. Varying costs are available and there is no shortage of operators willing to run your trip. This is possibly the most important decision for you to make, after you have chosen to take on an adventure trip.

An Experienced Team

Our team of guides has years of experience of travel throughout the Indian Himalaya, from running rivers to leading treks – from the barren Zanskar to the tropical rainforest of Arunachal Pradesh. They speak English, have completed graduate school, are current with First Aid and CPR certification and form the most experienced guiding team in the country today.

Value for Money

The prices of our trips provide a high value for money returns. They are priced to keep our standards high and your trip, smooth. Cost usually is a deciding factor for many a trip, but for an adventure trip, the deciding factor should be confidence in your operator. We combine high operator confidence with a pricing balanced to give you a trip to remember.

Best Equipment

Equipment on all our adventure travel trips matches worldwide standards. On treks, we use 4 season 2-person tents, which can withstand the harshest weather conditions, and keep you dry and protected from the elements. Outfitter wings accompany all mountain trips for dining under.

Great Food

Our staff is trained in hygienic preparation of meals and offers a great variety of food on an outdoor trip. Good equipment, food and guides is what makes an outdoor trip an experience to savour.

FROM PREVIOUS EXPEDITIONS

Take a look at photos & videos from previous journeys. Read testimonials from our new & regular clients.
AdrenalineByAquaterra - Video Preview

Aquaterra Promo Video

#AdrenalinebyAquaterra
Life on an Aquaterra Trek

Life on an Aquaterra Trek

Video Preview

WHAT TRAVELLERS SAY ABOUT US

GET IN TOUCH TO BOOK!

Join us for a trip of a lifetime, if you crave for some high end adventure!

info@aquaterra.in

Mon to Fri: 0930-1730 hrs | Sat: 0930-1300 hrs

We strive to create the best trips possible for you, with uncommon professionalism, unsurpassed personal service and a commitment to protect and preserve the cultures and environments through which we travel. Get in touch with us to plan your next holiday

CAPTCHA image

This helps us prevent spam

SIMILAR EXPEDITIONS