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INDIA: Himalaya: Ladakh & Kashmir
Dhauladhar Trekking in Northern Himachal Pradesh near Dharamsala, India
• 4 - 12 days • 3 - 6 hours walking time per day • easy - moderate • trekking path, open terrain • overnights in tents • max. altitude 3200 - 4200 m above sea level • Accompanied by: trekking guide, kitchen staff / porters / pack animals (mules) •
Untouched nature and an insight into the fascinating culture of the indigenous peoples and into Buddhism offers this trekking tour at the foothills of the Dhauladhar mountain range in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Set against the backdrop of the Himalayas, the mountain chain of the Dhauladhars rises to a maximum altitude of 5180 m above sea level at the top of the Hanuman ji Ka Tiba.
The trekking paths, which we follow on this journey, lead through pristine forests of oak, rhododendron and fir trees, meander along river banks, through fertile valleys and lead over wide meadows and hill tops to picturesque lakes. The pristine nature of the region evokes an adventure and pioneering spirit, but the tours are well to cope with physically, and easy to moderately challenging, and are leading with sufficient acclimation times to a maximum height of 3200 m above sea level.
For adventurous travelers we will be happy to customize the tour, and enable you to experience spectacular views of 3765 or even 4200 m above sea level. On the way, encounters with indigenous people are taking place, who lead a frugal but happy life in small settlements in the mountains, and welcome you friendly as visitors. But one encounters also signs of the British occupation in the colonial era again and again. So reminds not only the special architecture in the tea garden of Kangra about this historical epoch, also in Dharamshala and especially in Upper Dharamshala, which is called "McLeodganj," after a former governor of the province, the past is still present as a military base of the Europeans.
There however prevails today the legacy of the Tibetans, among others because since his expulsion from Tibet itself, since 1959, His Holiness the Dalai Lama resides here and spreads the peaceful teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. Of particular interest therefore, is not only a tour of his temple, but also a visit to the Norbulingka Institute, which was founded to preserve Tibetan culture and traditions, and offers visitors many opportunities to obtain information on various topics, or even to test their own skill in creating Tibetan handicrafts. A stay in this unique region of India completes the picture of this fascinating Republic, and creates a bridge to the pristine world in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Highlights
- Beautiful views of the Dhauladhar Himalayas
- Impressive mountain vistas and untouched nature
- Trek along the riverbank, past waterfalls and through mystical forests
- Fascinating country life: visit to semi-nomadic tribal communities‘ villages
- Sightseeing in Dharamshala: Dalai Lama Temple, Norbulingka Institute
- Tea garden of Kangra
Travel Itinerary
Day 1 : For example coming from Travel Module "Delhi" or from one of our Travel Modules "Himachal Pradesh": Arrival in Pathankot (350 m above sea level), transfer to the camp near the village of Kotharna (1250 m above sea level.) Overnight in camp.
Day 2 : 10 km trek through the village of Salli to the camp at Daled (2500 m above sea level). Overnight in camp.
Day 3 : 5 km trek to the Kareri Lake (3100 m above sea level). Overnight in camp.
Day 4 : 7 km trek to the village of Harnala (1600 m above sea level). Overnight in camp.
Day 5 : 6 km trek - drive to Dharamshala / McLeodganj (1500 m above sea level). Overnight in a mountain cabin.
Day 6 : Sightseeing in Dharamshala / McLeodganj, transfer to Pathankot and continue with another Travel Module or return to Delhi.
Best Travel Period
This trekking tour offers in the period from April to June and from mid-September to late November ideal travel conditions, because in these weeks relatively little rainfall and moderate temperatures can be expected.
Our Dhauladhar winter trekking takes place in lower situated areas, and can be ideally done also during the winter months.
Options
Your Dhauladhar Trekking can be of course combined with various Travel Modules and conducted in different versions, totally according to your wishes. Select for example from the following alternatives:
- Trekking to the Baleni mountain pass: 8 days with 6 days of trekking, 3 - 4 hours walking time per day, max. altitude 3765 m above sea level.
- Trekking to Truni Taal: 8 days 6 days of trekking, 3 - 4 hours walking time per day, max. altitude of 3330 m above sea level.
- Trekking to Lake Kareri: 8 days with 6 days of trekking, 3 - 4 hours walking time per day, max.. 3,300 meters above sea level.
- Trekking Seven Lakes & Lam Dal: 7 days with 6 days of trekking, 3 - 5 hours walking time / day, max.. altitude of 4200 m above sea level.
- Winter trekking Dhauladhar: 5 days with 4 days trekking, 1 - 4 hours walking time / day, max. altitude of 1900 m above sea level.
Tags: northern india, himachal pradesh, trekking, dharamshala, mountain passes, himalayas, buddhism