India

country:	India
location:	Indian Himalayas
trip type:	Moderate trekking holidays
price:	£775 (15 days) excluding flights. Single supplement £110. Tailormade and small group adventures available, for group departure dates see below

India holidays

Indian Himalayas holidays

Wilderness trekking

the amazing things you'll be doing

Group departures: 2006: 3 Apr, 22 Oct, 4 Nov

Overlooking Dharmsala and the Kangra valley in Himachal Pradesh lies Dharamkot (7,200ft/2,195m).

Dharamkot is a protected wildlife sanctuary and the base from which this trek is organised.

Besides leopards, there exist black bears, porcupine, various types of deer and mountain goats, langur and rhesus monkeys, jackals, pine marten, and the local equivalent of the yeti known as a Gye.

Home to the Gaddi people who live a semi-nomadic lifestyle, the Valley of the Goddess lies between the Dhaula Dhar range of mountains and the Kangra valley.

It is an enchanting region of wooded glades of pine, oak and rhododendron trees, green meadows and shrines dedicated to the Goddess Durga. The Gaddi shepherds migrate annually with their small flocks of sheep and goats in search of grazing areas, a search that will entail covering mountainous terrain and crossing high passes for six months of the year. During the trek we camp close to Gaddi hamlets and sometimes share a campsite; visitors are always welcome. This trek also encompasses a visit to the Dalai Lama’s present town of exile, an Indian rail journey (a fascinating experience in its own right!) and some time to glimpse a little of Delhi, India’s teeming capital.

This is a very pretty trek in an unspoilt part of the Himalaya. You are unlikely to see any other Europeans. The village children do not beg and locals generally love having their photo taken. The spring trek enjoys a wealth of rhododendron: the locals collect the petals to make jam.

Please note: The above itinerary is intended as a guideline only. Due to the nature of this kind of trip, and conditions beyond our control it may be necessary to make changes to the itinerary. The trek leader / Sirdar will do everything in his/her power to make sure you are inconvenienced as little as possible in such events.

Best time to travel
The best weather in this part of Himachal Pradesh is from late Autumn to Spring with warm sunny days and pleasant nights. It can be quite hot during the day (up to 25°C) at lower altitudes and at higher altitudes (over 10,000ft) the temprature can drop to -1°C at night. In late March/April there is the added attraction to many of rhododendron in bloom.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Arrive Delhi. Sightseeing then transfer to overnight train. Transfer to your Delhi hotel. You check out at midday and in the afternoon we provide transport and an English-speaking guide to take you on a sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. The heat, dust, sights and sounds of India’s frenetic capital are quite an initial culture shock! This is followed by an evening (approx. 19.00 hours) transfer to the railway station to board the express train to Pathankot, travelling in air-conditioned sleeper compartments. The express is due to depart at 21.00 hours.
Day 2:	Arrive Pathankot drive to Mcleod Ganj. The train arrives at 07.20 hrs. A two and a half hour taxi ride takes us to McLeod Ganj (6,200ft/1,890m). You break your journey to have breakfast at Kotla. McLeod Ganj is home to a thriving Tibetan community, who settled here with the Dalai Lama in 1959. In the afternoon there is a sightseeing tour laid on for those that wish, otherwise the time is yours to explore the town or relax at the Hotel. Overnight at the Hotel Tibet. Dharamsala and Mcleod Ganj: Population approx. 16,000. Founded in 1855, it has one of the most spectacular settings for a Hill Station. It is built along a spur of the Dhauladhar range and varies in height from 4,500ft at the bazaar to 5,900ft at McLeod Ganj. It is surrounded by trees and is set against a backdrop of peaks rising to over 15,600ft/4,755m on three sides. The great granite mountains almost overhang the town. Views are superb, not only of the mountains but also over the Kangra Valley and Siwaliks. There are two sections to the town, the upper part is McLeod Ganj and the lower is called Dharmsala. The distance between them is almost 10km by road from centre to centre but there is a shorter, steeper path that takes about 40 minutes to cover. In both there is a strong Tibetan influence. The Dalai Lama settled here after his flight across the Himalaya following the Chinese invasion of Tibet in October 1959. There is a monastery at McLeod Ganj, a short distance along from the Dalai Lama’s residence, and a Library. Dharmsala was one of the 80 hill stations established by the British between 1815 and 1847 though it was not on a par with Shimla, Nainital and Mussoorie in terms of popularity and size. The Church of St John-in-the-Wilderness (1860) is a short distance below McLeod Ganj on the way to Forsythganj. Along with other buildings in the area it was destroyed by the earthquake of 1905 but has been rebuilt. The 8th Lord of Elgin, one of the few Viceroys to die in office, is buried here. Apparently, it was his wish as it reminded him of his beloved native Scotland. There are some very attractive stained glass windows.
Day 3:	On trek to Gehra (6,000ft/1,829m). Approx. 5 hours walk. After breakfast you leave Mcleod Ganj behind and ascend into pine and rhododendron forest before reaching Dal Lake. The highest point of today’s walk is just before Dal Lake at around 6,700ft/2,042m (not to be confused with the Kashmir lake!) for an early lunch. To continue our journey you pass several hamlets before descending towards Gehra, your first campsite. There is a chance to swim and rest tired feet in the nearby river. You may well see monkeys in this area.
Day 4:	Gehra - Noli (7,000ft/2,134m). Approx. 5 hours walk. Morning tea is brought to you first thing. After a leisurely breakfast, you make your way along winding shepherd trails, through a valley dotted with villages and cultivated terraces until you reach Kereri, a small village inhabited by Gaddi shepherds where you have lunch. Here there is a one hundred year old Forest Officer’s bungalow. Built by the British, it was part of a system of local administration. Many villages have Water Buffalo and you may well see the men and women spinning and weaving wool. In the afternoon you have a gradual ascent through pine, oak and rhododendron forest to reach Noli, gateway to the domain of the Gaddi shepherds. Camp beside wooden bridge at Noli.
Day 5:	Noli - Near Belani River. (8,000ft/2,438m). Approx. 6 hours walk. You strike camp at 8.30 am and continue deeper into the valley along a river bed that leads you towards the Daula-Dhar mountains, having lunch beside the river. In the morning you also pass through a lot more rhododendron and walk down a stepped path built by the British. Many such paths exist through the mountains hereabouts. In the afternoon you continue your gradual ascent along the Belani river, past Gaddi encampments with their flocks of sheep, until you reach the campsite. There are many aquamarine pools for anyone who fancies a cold swim. Camp near Belani river.
Day 6:	Belani River - Kereri Lake. (10,500ft/3,200m). Approx. 3 hours walk. You follow a forest trail up a steep ridge through thick pine and bearded oak forest until you reach Kereri lake situated at the base of the Minkiani pass. This is a long, tiring climb. Camp at Kereri Lake. The afternoon is free to explore the surrounding high ridges that offer spectacular views of both the Kangra valley below and the Dhaula-Dhar mountain range. There is a temple here just near the lakeside.
Day 7:	Rest day or day trek to Minkiani Pass. (14,200ft/4,328m). Approx. 6 hours walk. There is an optional day trek for those who are feeling energetic. This involves an early morning start (6.30am). After a hot breakfast you climb up to the Minkianni pass to be rewarded with wonderful views of the Chamba valley and the high Pir Panjal range of peaks. If this does not attract you, you can rest and relax around camp.
Day 8:	Kereri Lake - Rhella. (8,000ft/2,438m). Approx. 5 hours walk. There is a leisurely start to the day as you continue your journey by crossing a ridge and descending into unspoilt valleys of rhododendron and wild chestnut trees, green meadows with alpine flowers and clear mountain streams, before reaching Rhella, your next camping area. Lunch along the way. Camp at Rhella.
Day 9:	Rhella - Forest Glade. (7,500ft/2,286m) Approx. 5 hours walk. You follow in the footsteps of the Gaddi shepherds, winding your way up to a high plateau 8,500ft/2,591m, for the lunch break. Afternoon descent into heavily-wooded forest, following intermediate ridges until your next campsite. Camp in a forest glade.
Day 10:	Forest Glade - Laka River. (6,500ft/1,981m). Approx. 6 hours walk. This is quite a demanding day as you walk through heavily wooded forest along intermediate ridges, before descending towards Guna temple, 7,000ft/2,134m, a pilgrimage centre for the Gaddi shepherds. Sightings of the Goddess have been reported in this area and pilgrims travel great distances to offer their respects. Lunch at Guna Temple. Afternoon walk to camp at Laka river.
Day 11:	Laka River - Triund. (9,000ft/2,743m). Approx. 5 hours walk. A gradual climb past cultivated terraced fields and village hamlets brings us to Gullu ridge 7,500ft/2,286m, where you have lunch. A long afternoon walk takes you to Triund, situated at the foot of the Dhaula-Dhar range. You camp on a meadow with views of the peaks above and the Kangra valley below.
Day 12:	Triund - Laka and Dharamkot. (7,200ft/2,195m). Morning tea is served at 7.30 a.m. After breakfast a rocky trail leads you through pine forest in a steady ascent to Lake Got (11,000ft/3,353m), at the base of the Indra-Har pass (14,100ft/4,298m). You make your way onto the Laka ridge and descend towards Dharamkot, a protected nature reserve and home to the Butterworth family. This lies on a wooded ridge, with views up to the craggy peaks of the Dhaula Dhar ridge - the most beautiful perhaps being Mon Peak (15,100ft/4,604m). There are also very fine views across the Kangra valley. The protected status of the woods means that much of the wildlife is relatively tame; some very fine pheasants can be seen, including chir pheasant and Khalij pheasant. Accommodation will be in stone cottages or tents.
Day 13:	Return to Mcleod Ganj, visit Tibetan centres, then drive to Pathankot for train to Delhi. There is a 1 hour walk down through the woods from Dharamkot to McLeod Ganj. The day is spent exploring the Tibetan handicrafts centre run by the Dalai Lama’s sister. You will also visit the Tibetan children’ s’ village, a refugee centre for homeless Tibetan children. You then drive back to Pathankot to catch the overnight train back to Delhi.
Day 14:	Arrive Delhi Early morning and transfer to your Delhi hotel. After breakfast at the hotel your bags will be left with the bell-captain and the morning is free to finish off any souvenir hunting. Rooms are available at the hotel from midday onwards allowing you time to rest before your flight. Transfer to airport.
Day 15:	Arrive UK. Early morning flight to UK.

how this holiday makes a difference

This trek is in the area of the Indian Himalaya around Dharamsala, home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile and includes an opportunity to visit the local Tibetan communities. Our Indian partners grew up in this region and have very strong ties with the area and its people. They speak the local language and most of the treks we run in this area were developed by talking to the local Gaddi shepherds who use the trails for the migration of their flocks.

Campsites are often shared with the shepherds giving an insight into their way of life. Porters and Sirdars are from the local communities and given appropriate training and career progression. They are paid a fair wage, are properly equipped and are properly cared for in the event of injury or illness. Care for the environment in these remote valleys is also a priority with all rubbish being portered out and Kerosene used for cooking so that no wood is felled for fire making.

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