Pack your bags and let’s live the Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani trek life for a while. Himachal Pradesh is a one-stop for all kinds of niche travelers. Be it leisure , adventure,or religion the mountains in Himachal caters to all of it. This time set your foot on the Pir Panjal ranges to hike the majestic and surreal Chandrakhani Pass.
How To Get There
- Chanderkhani pass is located in Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges of Himachal Pradesh with an elevation of 3660m.
- The mountain pass is located in Kullu Valley which allows you to explore the raw and primal culture of the village en route.
- The base of the trek is Naggar which is 23 km from Manali via road. Local taxis, buses, and private vehicles can drop you at Naggar.
- The nearest airport is Bhuntar Airport which is 50 km from Manali.
The Trek
Your journey will begin from Naggar. Marching forward, you will trek for 4-5 km and set up an overnight camp in Rumsu village. Rumsu is a cute little village surrounded by dense oak forest. It would be viable to camp in Rumsu and explore the village as trekking during the night in the forest is not a good option. End your day one trekking with a cold, fulfilling night in the camp by the bonfire.
For the next day, start your day with a warm refreshing cup of chai admiring the snow-clad mountains. Gear up and start climbing towards Chaklani, one step closer to Chanderkhani Pass. The trail is filled with captivating meadows, flowers, and the purest air you will ever breathe. Make sure you cover the trail with not more than 5-6 hours of hiking per day. As you ascend towards the Chanderkhani Pass, the altitude increases. It is advised to carry a first aid kit, proper medications one might require during the hike. Enjoy your tent stay in Chaklani and recharge your body for the final stretch of the trek.
Start your day early and start hiking towards the majestic Chanderkhani Pass with a stunning view of Dhauladhar Ranges along the way. Chaklani base is not so far from Chanderkhani’s pass as it would take approximately 2-3 hours if you keep the pace consistent. Once you reach the summit, the pass is covered with snow. With an astonishing view of the peaks like Deo Tibba, Parbati Valley and Panjal ranges. The breath-taking view from the summit will fill your mind and soul with the eternal beauty of the Himalayas. Bless your eyes with the panoramic view of mighty peaks of the Himalayas all around you on an open ridge.
When you are done after admiring the summit view, start your ascent towards the Malana village at the foothills. You can either go back to Chaklani base and mirror the trail till Naggar or ascend to Malana village and complete the pathway from Naggar to Malana.
Travel requirements :
- Pack thermal wear
- Consume dry food or food that doesn’t require a lot of pieces of equipment
- Hydrate yourself regularly
- Torch
- Multi-layered Tent
- Insect repellent
- Appropriate Footwear
- Hiking stick
The availability of water is not that frequent as you hike upwards hence utilize water carefully. The locals of the village en route are friendly and hospitable people who promote eco-friendly ways of tourism. Kindly avoid using plastic or littering during your trek. The place holds religious importance in people’s minds, hence consumption of alcohol or illegal substances is frowned upon.
There is also another camping site called Naya Tapru where you can choose to stay while returning from Chanderkhani Pass. This is a 4-5 day trek depending on whether you complete it by coming to Naggar or carry forward to Malana. The trek trail is moderate as it requires some standard health requirements to complete.
The best time to visit Chanderkhani Pass is between March-October. The summit and trails are covered in snow till May end. The temperatures vary from 5 degrees to 15 degrees.
Do not forget to explore Pulag, another small village covered with snow trail enroute Chanderkhani Pass.
The reason you should do this trek is because the altitude of Chanderkhani Pass is lower compared to other Himalayan peaks in Himachal Pradesh. Your body needs to be physically fit to overcome the steep phases and climb rocky paths. The Chanderkhani Pass trek takes you through a geographical and cultural journey as well. You hike from Naggar and directly jump to 3660 m above sea level. Enroute, you come across villages each being unique from the other. And eventually end up in the place of the oldest democracy in the world!
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