The Bara Bhangal Trek In the Remote Trails of the Himalayas

Note: This trek is for those who are experienced hikers and have some knowledge of trekking in mountains. Due to the high altitudes and rough terrain that this trek covers, often on indistinct trails, crossing snow patches and glaciers, it is advisable that people who have experienced high mountain travel take part for the safety of themselves. We therefore recommend that all participants of this trek have some level of high altitude trekking and mountaineering experience and are physically fit to endure the roughness of the trail.

The Bara Bhangal Trek In the Remote Trails of the Himalayas: Complete Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi airport, meet & greet with our office representative, assistance and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Delhi - Manali
Breakfast at hotel, Half day city tour of Delhi.

Drive past Red Fort & Chandni Chowk. Visit Jama Masjid (Mosque). Shah Jahan (King of the World) founded the city of Shahjanabad, now referred to as Old Delhi, in 1648. Opposite the fort is the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in the world, built by Shah Jahan to dominate his city. Raj Gath: The memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination. Qutab Minar: The building complex dated back on the onset of Muslim rule in India and are fine examples of Afghan architecture. Himayun’s Tomb: Build by wife of Humayun, the second mughal king. It is an early example of Mughal architecture. India Gate: The 42m high stone "Arch of Triumph", erected in the memory of Indian soldiers who died in the First World War; Drive through Rajpath "Kingsway" a VVIP area of Delhi including Rashtrapati Bhawan. Evening overnight drive to Manali.

Day 03: Manali (1990 m/6,527 ft)
Arrive Manali, transfer to hotel check-in. Relax at the hotel all morning after overnight drive and later go on a local tour of this beautiful hill station visiting the Hadimba Devi Temple, Vashist Hot Water Spring & Temple and Tibetan Monastery.

Manali in the local dialect means “Queen of the Mountain”. Situated on the west bank of the River Beas at an altitude of 1990 m/6,527 ft, Manali is a major trading centre, connecting the Kullu Valley with Lahaul and the Indus Valley.

This hill station is well known to mountaineers and trekkers who rest here for acclimatization before heading over the Rohtang Pass to Leh, Ladakh and Zanskar and the main Himalayan Range of mountains beyond.

Hadimba Devi Temple: Manali has many attractions but the chief centre of interest, historically and archeologically, is undoubtedly the Dhoongri temple dedicated to goddess Hdimba, the Bhim of Mahabharat fame. It has four tired Pagoda shaped roof and the doorway is carved with legendary figures and symbols. Vashist Hot Water Spring & Temple: Vashist, a small village located on the left bank of river Beas towards rohtang pass Hot water from the nearby spring is provide for bathing.

Tebetan Monastery: 2 newly constructed colorful monasteries, where visitors can buy carpets and other Tibetan handicrafts. Two are located in the town. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Manali - Lamadugh (2500 mts/8200 ft)
After having rested and acclimatized in this beautiful hill station for a day, we meet our trekking crew this morning and set off on the trail. The town is surrounded by dense forests of giant cedars and pine and our trail climbs gently through the Manalsu valley to the alpine meadow of Lamadugh where we camp for the night. As the trail climbs higher you get spectacular views of some prominent peaks in this range like Deo Tibba (6,001 m/ 19,683 ft) and Indersan (6,220 m/20,401 ft). Overnight in tents.

Day 05: Lama Dugh - Rani Sui (4100m/13,448 ft)
As we leave camp this morning you immediately become aware of the change in the countryside. The forests give way to alpine meadows with beautiful flowers. The trail rises steeply from our campsite and is mostly up hill till we reach the ridge below the Thanpri Tibba Peak(4000 m/13,120 ft). From this ridge if you look to the south you will see the town of Manali and the River Beas flowing on the outskirts of the town. To the north you will see the upper Kullu Valley with towering snow covered peaks all around. We continue along the ridge for another two hours and reach our campsite by evening at Rani Sui. Overnight in tents.

Day 06: Rani Sui - Over Manali Pass (5070 mts/16,629 ft) – Taintagiri Glacier (4917 mts/16,127 ft)
From our campsite the trail starts to ascend the Manali Pass. The trail is steep to the summit and we take it easy as we walk. At many places we will walk over glacial debris and encounter snow. It is important that we rest as often as we can to avoid mountain sickness. It will take us a good part of the day to reach the summit of the pass but at the summit we are rewarded with spectacular views of the Dhauladhar range with its many prominent peaks. We descend the pass on the eastern side on a steep trail. The descent is easy and we reach our campsite at the base of the pass near the Taintagiri Glacier by early evening. Overnight in tents.

Day 07: Taintagiri Glacier - Phulan Got (4064 mts/13,329 ft)
The Taintagiri Glacier above our camp is a wonderful site with its long snout reaching down the valley. Our trail follows the ridge below the glacier to the Taintiagiri Nullah which is a small mountain river originating above the glacier. This is a very fast flowing river and we need to take precaution in crossing. Our trek leader will organise this crossing at a safe place. The trail after crossing the Nullah continues to the River Ravi and the small hamlet of Phulan Got where we camp for the night. Overnight in tents.

Day 08: Phulan Got - Koari Got Spring (3253 mts/10,670 ft)
From our camp at Phulan Got the trail follows the river up to the Karu Glacier. This is a relatively small glacier but nevertheless, a difficult one to cross due to the moraine and ice we encounter. Crossing the glacier, we continue on the trail down the valley. We have now left the snow and ice and are back in the tree line. It is a short day’s trek and we reach our camp site at Koara Got Spring early. Overnight in tents.

Day 09: Koari Got Spring - Bara Bhangal (2582 mts/7,746 ft)
You will notice now that we have left the snow line and our trail is mostly downhill beside the River Ravi. The trail passes through dense oak and cedar forests and birds and small animals are now seen all around us. We are now descending from the higher altitude and the trail is well laid out on the shoulder of the hill. The temperature is now higher from what we have been experiencing the last few days.

Our trail follows the contour of the hill with the River Ravi below us and heads towards the bottom of the valley. Towards mid-afternoon we get glimpses of houses through the trees down in the valley. This is Bara Bhangal village where we will camp for the night.

The inhabitants of this village are the Gaddi shepherds who still follow the traditional lifestyle of seasonal migration through the mountains with their flocks of sheep and goats. During the warmer summer months they cross over the high passes to reach the alpine meadows and grazing pastures for their animals and migrate to the lower altitudes during the cold and harsh winter months.

Day 10: Rest day at Bara Bhangal
After the last few strenuous days we take a break today and rest. This will give our trek crew a chance to check and dry out our gear and also rest the pack animals. Bara Bhangal is the only populated village in this region and is one of the most remote villages in the Himalayas.

This region known as Bara Bhangal, has unique and untouched Himalayan forests with an unparalleled floral and herbal reserve of alpine and sub-alpine species of plants and trees. The only inhabitants here are the nomadic Gaddi shepherds who still follow their traditional lifestyle of seasonal migration through the mountains with their flocks of sheep and goats. During the warmer summer months they move across the high passes to reach the grazing pastures and alpine meadows and come down to the lower altitudes in the winter months. These people have authentic knowledge of this area, and are remarkable guides and superb mountaineers.

Today you can explore the village and the surrounding areas. Bara Bhangal is isolated and seldom visited by other trekkers. Overnight in tents.

Day 11: Bara Bhangal - Koari Got Spring (3253 mts/10,670 ft)
We break camp this morning and follow our tracks back to Kaori Got Spring where we had camped two days ago. As you pass through the cedar and pine forests you get to see many species of birds who come to these forests during the nesting season. The Bara Bhangal region is a birdwatcher’s paradise. We spend the night in Koari Got Spring. Overnight in tents.

Day 12: : Koari Got Spring - Balu Got (3917 mts/12,847 ft)
This morning we take the trail going north from our camp to cross over the Taintu pass and into Balu Got where we camp for the night. We are now encircling the route from where we started in Manali in the east. The trail is mainly through evergreen forests of cedar and pine and all along the trail the panoramic view of the mountains is all around us. Overnight in tents in Balu Got.

Day 13: Balu Got - Base of Taintu Pass (4 hrs)
From Balu Got the trail heads for the base of the pass and though the pass looks very near from our camp due to its height, it will take us the entire day to reach the base where we camp for the night. Overnight in tents.

Day 14: Taintu Pass - Beas Kund (4207 mts/13,790 ft/ 2 hrs)
This morning we ascend to the summit of the pass. Though the trail is not very steep but it is strenuous due to the frequent crossings of ice gullies and moraine. This slows us down but gives us plenty of time to see the scenery unfolding as we reach closer to the summit. As you look back over your shoulder you will see the distant valleys of Kullu and Bara Bhangal where we had trekked a few days back. Descending from the pass is much easier and we reach the base and our campsite at Beas Kund by evening. Overnight in tents.

Day 15: Beas Kund - Solang Nallah - Manali
We are now on the last stretch of our trail. A short distance from our campsite we encounter moraine and glacial debris and then onto beautiful alpine meadows. The trail now follows the Beas River upto Solang Nullah which is the road head. Here our vehicles will be waiting to drive us back to Manali and our hotel for a hot bath and dinner. Overnight in hotel.

Day 16: Manali - Delhi
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Delhi. On arrival, check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 17: Delhi - Departure
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport to board flight for your home country.