GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK: A Trekker’s Paradise
GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK: A Trekker’s Paradise
Located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, the Great Himalayan National Park has been described as undoubtedly the most pristine mountain landscape and perhaps the planet. From the Andes to Nepal and Tibet, to the mountains of Eastern Europe and Western China – the pressures of a growing human population have left the landscape – even so-called “national parks’ – overgrazed, denuded of timber, devoid of wildlife and covered with signs of animals and their shepherds. Ironically, here in India, home to over a billion people, it is still possible to find vast virgin forests and endless fields of wildflowers and ranges of unnamed, unclimbed summits.
Born at the turn of the millennium, The Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) is one of India’s newest national parks, situated in a remote corner of the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh. Amongst many valleys that Kullu has, the GHNP consists of the pristine parts of the Tirthan, Sainj, Jiwanal and Parvati valleys named on the four rivers that originate in the park.
Spread in an area of over 754 square kilometers, the GHNP is next to the Pin Valley National Park, Rupi-Bhaba Wildlife Sanctuary and the Tirthan and Sainj Wildlife Sanctuaries making it one of the biggest areas for wildlife conservation in the whole Himalayan range. This jewel in the crown of the Himalayas consists of luxuriant oak forests, flaming rhododendron trees, crystal clear sparkling rivers, jagged virgin peaks and some of the rarest of animals, birds & medicinal herbs found nowhere else in the whole world.
Its home to about 215 species of birds with pheasants like the Western Tragopan, Cheer, Monal, Koklash and Kaleej along with other birds like the white throated tit & the Lammergeyer. GHNP is home to the elusive snow leopard along with having other mammals like the Himalayan Brown & black bears, Common Leopard, blue sheep, musk and barking Deer, Ghoral , Serow & the omnipresent Redfox. It’s also a repository of rare medicinal herb like Jatamansi, Kadoo, Patish and the recently found Nag Chatri along with & hundreds more which continue to be the main source of income for local population. However conscious efforts are being made both by the park authorities to minimize human impact and provide alternative income generation methods to locals such as ecotourism.
In June 2014, the Great Himalayan National Park was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.The Unesco World Heritage Site Committee granted the status to the park under the criteria of “outstanding significance for biodiversity conservation.
There are several treks conducted around here. Here are some of the lesser known treks in the Sainj valley area. All the treks as follows start from Shanghar.
ABOUT SHANGHAR:
It is a remote & exotic Himalayan hamlet at an altitude of around 2050 mts (6700 feet) ASL situated in Sainj valley surrounded by GHNP and is home to beautiful golf ground like natural meadow which said to be belonging to local devta (god) hidden from onslaught of regular party tourists. Shanghar is basically 55 kms while coming from Mandi (Chandigarh side) and 45 kms while coming from Kullu (Manali side).
In this moderate trek we climb the Thini Top (10,500 Ft ASL) starting from Shanghar (6300 Ft ASL) spending one night two days in the lush green wilds of Great Himalayan National Park exploring the virgin trails of Sainj valley in depth.
Region
Shanghar, Sainj Valley, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India, Earth
- Duration
2 NIGHTS & 3 DAYS
- Level
Beginner
In this moderately tough trek, one reaches the Shumga Top (12,500 Ft ASL) starting from Shanghar (6300 Ft ASL) via beautiful and sacred Sara Lake spending three nights four days in the lush green wilds of Great Himalayan National Park ecozone exploring the virgin trails of Sainj valley in depth.
Region
Shanghar, Sainj Valley, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India, Earth
- Duration
3 NIGHTS & 4 DAYS
- Level
Moderately TougH
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Raktisar Glacier: The Enchanting Himalayan Trek In GHNP
Raktisar Glacier: The Enchanting Himalayan Trek In GHNP
In the heart of Great Himalayan National Park lies a point of paradise, where several glaciers meet- Raktisar. Located in Sainj Wildlife Sanctuary area, it is the source of the Sainj River. It is the meeting point of two large glaciers. However, they have retreated due to global warming. Their impressive crevices can be seen in both the converging valleys.
A tributary to Beas, Sainj is one of the four rivers that flows in the Great Himalayan National Park, others being Parbati (Parvati), Tirthan and Jiwanal. Raktisar, the glacier point gives an incredible view of the river as well as other peaks around. Those who have been there, know exactly how enchanting their beauty is. When atop, the lush greenery, sunshine, and lively atmosphere drives away all the stress and fears. A not so difficult trek, this is a must for anyone who loves nature and life.
RAKTISAR literally means, ‘a head covered with blood’. According to the local myth, centuries ago, a demon named “Raktibeej” used to live here. He was blessed with the power to regenerate from each drop of his blood that fell on ground! Well, this practically made him immortal and, secured in the confidence of his invincibility, he began to rival all the Gods. The Gods, helpless with no trace of defeating him, requested Goddess Mahakali or Shakti to vanquish Raktibeej.
Mahakali caught hold of the demon with two hands, chopped off his head with the third and in the fourth hand held a vessel into which blood from the severed head dropped and was collected. Since no blood dropped on the ground, Raktibeej could not resurrect himself and died. As a proof, locals point to a small stretch of stream which emerges from under a rocky outcrop, red in color!
This epic battle was supposed to have taken place in a rectangular depression, and this is how the little stream gets its name, just one of the incredible myths that this land abounds in, connecting man, nature and God!
Shanghar. from where the trek starts, is a remote and exotic Himalayan hamlet at an altitude of around 2050 mts (6700 feet) ASL situated in Sainj valley in GHNP ECOZONE and is home to a beautiful golf ground-like natural meadow which is said to be the personal belonging of local deity (God) and remains hidden from onslaught of regular party tourists.
Shanghar is about 55 kms while coming from Mandi (Chandigarh side) and 45 kms while coming from Kullu (Manali side). To know more about Shanghar click here
From Shanghar we hike towards Parkachi Meadow and then to Raktisar basecamp near glacier point, through wild trails of GHNP and along the serene Sainj river.
There are several amazing waterfalls along the way with lots of wild bio diversity to observe.
This is a long walk along the river with not much of hiking.
In June 2014, the Great Himalayan National Park was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.The Unesco World Heritage Site Committee granted the status to the park under the criteria of “outstanding significance for biodiversity conservation”.
Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) is India’s youngest national park located in Kullu district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India.
The park was established in 1984 and is spread over an area of 1,171 km2 at an altitude of between 1500 to 6000 meters above sea level.
The Great Himalayan National Park is habitat to numerous flora and more than 375 fauna species, including approximately 31 mammals, 181 birds, 3 reptiles, 9 amphibians, 11 annelids, 17 mollusks and 127 insects including some very rare species like Western Tragopan (Jijurana) and of course lots and lots of virgin adventure staying really close to raw nature.
The Raktisar glacier trek is one of the best Himalayan treks. Any mountain lover must sign up for this today! Besides, the best time for the trek is April-June or September to November. The maximum temperature there is 15 to -5 degree Celsius and it is a moderate to tough expedition/trek. So, pull out your warm clothes and those trekking shoes and head out for it today!
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SHANGHAR – A HIDDEN HIMALAYAN PARADISE OF NATURE IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
SHANGHAR – A HIDDEN HIMALAYAN PARADISE OF NATURE IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
HIMACHAL, a word which needs no definition, explanation, or introduction.
A travel junkie or any mountain lover from India or abroad would most definitely know about the Himachal Pradesh.
Almost the size of Scotland, India’s eighteenth largest state, Himachal Pradesh is home to middle and trans Himalayan ranges.
The land attracts tourists in large numbers to the various popular towns like Manali, Shimla, Kaza, Dharamshala, Kasol to name a few.
However, there are a few places quite remote, not connected well via roads or are way too far from the main roads that they had remain hidden surprisingly from the the tourism map.
One such place, nestled in the lap of nature, is the serene and scenic SHANGHAR located in the eco-zone of world heritage site GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK
Abode of local diety Shangachul Mahadev, unexplored and unknown, in the Sainj valley of Kullu district, the small gram panchayat Shanghar is nature in its full, eternal glory, as if the goddess of nature has taken her utmost superior form, smiling and showering blessings.
A seeker of solitude or of self discovery or a hardcore adventure, Shanghar is a full-fledged NATURE’S HUB that caters to the needs of everyone in almost all the seasons.
Till 2013, there were no motorable road to Shanghar, it was accessible through a 3-4 hours hike from the town of Neuli in Sainj valley.
By 2014 a motorable road came up under the Pradhanmantri Gram Sadak Yojna which is still under construction, however a daily bus has also been started by HRTC to Shanghar from Kullu at 2:00 PM to reach Shanghar usually by 6 PM. It doesn’t come if it rains as last 7 kms stretch from Ropa to Shanghar is still non-tarmac.
BY AIR
Nearest airport from Shanghar is Kullu Manali Airport located in Bhuntar. It is around 49 kms from Shanghar, one can either take a direct taxi from Bhuntar to Shanghar or the HRTC bus from bus stand at 2:00 PM which usually reach Shanghar by 6 PM via Larji & Sainj
BY TRAIN
Nearest railway station from Shanghar is Joginder Nagar in Mandi. It is around 118 kms from Shanghar, one can either take a direct taxi from Joginder Nagar or the HRTC bus from bus to Mandi/Aut and then to Shanghar/Sainj. From Sainj one can also get shared taxis to Shanghar if lucky.
BY ROAD
From New Delhi Shanghar is around 540 kms via Karnal-Ambala-Chandigarh-Bilaspur-Mandi-Larji-Sainj Bypass-Ropa road, one can either take a direct taxi from from Delhi to Shanghar which will take around 10-12 hours minimum drive or can take a bus from either ISBT or Majnu Ka Tila in Delhi to Thalaut/Aut (before tunnel), from Mandi/Aut one can take either direct taxi or bus to Sainj/Shanghar. From Sainj one can also get shared taxis to Shanghar if lucky.
If you plan on taking a personal vehicle from Delhi, drive/ride through the road on the right before Aut Tunnel on Chandigarh-Manali Highway. Drive through Larji to Sainj bypass (upper road) to reach Ropa on Neuli road. From Ropa, take the 7 kms road on the right going upwards that will take you to Shanghar through one of the best scenic trips you will ever have experienced. It will be a long journey and a night halt at Bilaspur or Mandi is recommended if you feel tired.
If coming from Manali Shanghar is around 95 kms via Naggar-Bhuntar-Aut-Larji-Sainj bypass-Ropa road.
If coming from Shimla Shanghar is around 203 kms via Ghaghas-Aut-Larji-Sainj bypass-Ropa road and around 265 via Narkanda-Luhri-Jalori Pass-Banjar-Larji-Sainj Bypass-Ropa
SHANGHAR IN GREEN
Once you reach Shanghar and witness the Devta Ground which is hardly much walk from the main road, you immediately get over the hangover of the treacherous long journey till Shanghar and get surprised by the eternal bliss of the holy land and extraordinary peace & vistas around in the midst of wilderness of Great Himalayan National Park.
Words can not do justice to the incredible beauty of Shanghar Devta Graound located at a height of 6700 feet (2050 meters) above sea level which is probably the most scenic Himalayan meadow with Pine backdrop reachable by a road.
Shanghar Devta Ground is the legal property of Shangchul Mahadev who governs the land there. According to local belief, he is the protector there ,who came from Kinnaur region of Himachal Pradesh and protected the land & it’s residents from the demons living, who carves rules and regulations for every living creature visiting the meadow. Only cows are allowed to enter and graze that also helps keeping the growth and length of grasses in control. Bringing or consuming alcohol, wearing an uniform, urinating or excreting, quarrelling/fighting, harassing anyone, shouting, digging or putting up tents are all prohibited.
An interesting and endearing story here is that since no one can harass or force someone to do something here, most of the lovers who elope from home, take shelter in this land where Shanghachul Mahadev protects them. According to the popular Epic Mahabharata, this field was created within a night by the Pandavas for agriculture purposes during their exile. Even today, you will not find a single pebble or stone in the field, making it the perfect and unique experience to walk, play or gazing the mindblowing vistas around.
On one side of the field, there is a small temple and on the other side is an enormous tower temple that stands as a stunning structural example of Himachali wooden architecture. All around and across the field is the magnificent view of the Himalayas that are covered with dense forest, filling an onlookers’ heart with joy. The overwhelming beauty of Shanghar mesmerises the visitors.
Shanghar, in a way, is the entrance to the Sainj Wildlife Sanctuary of Great Himalayan National Park which is India’s youngest national park, listed under UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2014 for its inexplicable natural beauty, wild species like Western Trapogan (Jijurana), Monal, Himalayan Tahr etc and various exclusive flora & fauna.
You can make a trip to Shanghar in any season as every season in Shangar is wrapped in uniquely wondrous beauty and painted with different colours.
During winters, it is painted white with snow and in summers, a lush green blanket covers this magical land.
The best thing about Shanghar is, you will always have a convenient means of travel and stay.
Shanghar is a small place with no actual market and very few places to stay in.
As of now there are no hotels or resorts in Shanghar to stay but there are few beautiful home stays run by local families which provide tourists a chance to live the local way of living along with basic comforts.
As Shanghar panchayat is a group of small villages, one should not get confused and can fix the stay in any village nearby.
Road from Shanghar goes till Barshanghar village (4 kms from Madana) via Hurcha, Madana, Shashni and Dharali villages in GHNP ecozone. Devta ground is near Madana and there are home stays available in all these villages including Dagara which is the highest point in Shanghar Panchayat.
All the home stays in Shanghar provide meals however there are also few very basic roadside dhabas in Madana where you can get things like momos, noodles, maggi and tea/coffee.
Shanghar comes under the eco zone of Great Himalayan National Park where one can go for wishful trekking from 1 to 10 days.
Apart from Shanghar, Barshanghar, Lapah, Shakti and Maruar are other significant villages which fall under this park which one has to walk to reach. The land beyond them, is the main park area and filled with dwellers.
Many mountain peaks in the Great Himalayan National Park are still untouched and the wonderful opportunity to summit them and name them is still open.
Apart from hiking there are many other serene spots by the Shanghar road which can make your vacation memorable without much an effort.
Following are the main places not to miss if visiting Shanghar
1) Shanghar Meadow or Devta Ground
2) Shangchul Mahadev Temple
3) Tandidhar
4) Barshanghar Waterfall
Following are the amazing short beginner treks from Shanghar
1) Sara Lake
2) Ganjau Thatch
3) Thini Thatch
4) Bunga Thatch
5) Pundrik Lake
6) Lapah
Following are the moderate and long treks from Shanghar into GHNP
1) Shumga Top
2) Dhel Pass
3) Shakti Maraur
4) Raktisar Glacier
5) Naina Thatch
6) Munda Tapra
And, if you wish to do absolutely nothing, you are still welcome to live in the calm & peace of Shanghar in some beautiful pine cottage away from hustle & bustle of city life.
To sum it up, Shanghar is equipped with everything that an eco-friendly and nature-lover tourist would want. The most beautiful thing is that people in Shanghar understand the importance of tourists and their responsibility towards the same. All that is needed now is a similar attitude and understanding from the government, you, and us, and our responsibility towards environment to take necessary steps for the tourists visiting Shanghar.
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DHEL PASS – A GHNP GATEWAY FROM SAINJ TO THEERTHAN
DHEL PASS – A GHNP GATEWAY FROM SAINJ TO THEERTHAN
Experience a high altitude trek to a mountain much away from humanity which provides the way of transition between two magnificent valleys; the Sainj and Tirthan Valley in Great Himalayan National Park!.
Dhel thatch is one of the jewel of the GHNP in Sainj Wildlife Sanctuary area and provides a pass to go to Teerthan valley from Sainj via foot. It also provides spectacular 360 degrees views of higher peaks around along with opportunity to observe variety of raw wild life. The forest is thicker, and the temperature goes below 0 degree celcius at night. One can spot sheep, bears, musk deers, Eurasian cuckoo, and snow-capped mountains all around.
- Region
SAINJ WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK, KULLU, HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIA, EARTH
- Duration
7 NIGHTS & 8 DAYS
- Level
EXPEDITION/TOUGH
- Maximum Altitude
3737 Meters | 12260 Feets ASL
- Trekking Distance
60 KMS / 37 MILES
- Temperature
15 To Minus 5 Degrees Celsius
in June 2014, the Great Himalayan National Park was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.The Unesco World Heritage Site Committee granted the status to the park under the criteria of “outstanding significance for biodiversity conservation.
Dhel Pass trek is conducted around here and starts from Shanghar.
ABOUT SHANGHAR:
It is a remote & exotic Himalayan hamlet at an altitude of around 2050 mts (6700 feet) ASL situated in Sainj valley surrounded by GHNP and is home to beautiful golf ground like natural meadow which said to be belonging to local devta (god) hidden from onslaught of regular party tourists. Shanghar is basically 55 kms while coming from Mandi (Chandigarh side) and 45 kms while coming from Kullu (Manali side).
Shanghar to Shakti | 2260 Mts/7415 Ft ASL
We usually start from Shanghar early after breakfast. We reach Niharini a in taxi. Niharini is where we start the trek from. After trekking for around 4 to 6 hours along the beautiful Sainj River to reach the Shakti trekker huts, we have lunch. The walk through beautiful forests with amazing biodiversity remains in the memory for years. We trek to reach Shakti which is a small village where resides a very powerful local god. We rest there and wrap up the day with good food, bon fire, and conversations.
Shakti to Humkhani Thatch | 3000 Mts/9843 Ft ASL
We start from Shakti after breakfast towards lower meadow in Humkhani forest via Maraur. We trek for around 4 to 6 hours with mild hike to reach the Humkhani camp site. The sight is breath taking all through. Lush greenery, rivers, clouds, village life and what not. After reaching, we take rest followed by refreshments & bonfire. Overnight stay in Humkhani in tents is another beautiful experience as there are million stars in the night sky!
Humkhani to Dhel Thatch | 4000 Mts/13124 Ft ASL
As usual, after breakfast, we start from Humkhani. The trek from there is for around 4 to 6 hours with some steep hike to reach Dhel Thatch. Upon reaching the thatch, one forgets everything else in life! All that remains is the beautiful scenery, the freshness, the thrilling moment. We follow the same route to return to Niharini and back to Shanghar.
BY AIR
Nearest airport from Shanghar is Kullu Manali Airport located in Bhuntar. It is around 49 kms from Shanghar, one can either take a direct taxi from Bhuntar to Shanghar or the HRTC bus from bus stand at 2:00 PM which usually reach Shanghar by 6 PM via Larji & Sainj
BY TRAIN
Nearest railway station from Shanghar is Joginder Nagar in Mandi. It is around 118 kms from Shanghar, one can either take a direct taxi from Joginder Nagar or the HRTC bus from bus to Mandi/Aut and then to Shanghar/Sainj. From Sainj one can also get shared taxis to Shanghar if lucky.
BY ROAD
From New Delhi Shanghar is around 540 kms via Karnal-Ambala-Chandigarh-Bilaspur-Mandi-Larji-Sainj Bypass-Ropa road, one can either take a direct taxi from from Delhi to Shanghar which will take around 10-12 hours minimum drive or can take a bus from either ISBT or Majnu Ka Tila in Delhi to Thalaut/Aut (before tunnel), from Mandi/Aut one can take either direct taxi or bus to Sainj/Shanghar. From Sainj one can also get shared taxis to Shanghar if lucky.
If you plan on taking a personal vehicle from Delhi, drive/ride through the road on the right before Aut Tunnel on Chandigarh-Manali Highway. Drive through Larji to Sainj bypass (upper road) to reach Ropa on Neuli road. From Ropa, take the 7 kms road on the right going upwards that will take you to Shanghar through one of the best scenic trips you will ever have experienced. It will be a long journey and a night halt at Bilaspur or Mandi is recommended if you feel tired.
If coming from Manali Shanghar is around 95 kms via Naggar-Bhuntar-Aut-Larji-Sainj bypass-Ropa road.
If coming from Shimla Shanghar is around 203 kms via Ghaghas-Aut-Larji-Sainj bypass-Ropa road and around 265 via Narkanda-Luhri-Jalori Pass-Banjar-Larji-Sainj Bypass-Ropa
In this moderately tough trek, one reaches the Shumga Top (12,500 Ft ASL) starting from Shanghar (6300 Ft ASL) via beautiful and sacred Sara Lake spending three nights four days in the lush green wilds of Great Himalayan National Park ecozone exploring the virgin trails of Sainj valley in depth.
Region
Shanghar, Sainj Valley, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India, Earth
- Duration
3 NIGHTS & 4 DAYS
- Level
Moderately TougH
Recent Posts
-
GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK: A Trekker’s Paradise
Located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, the G... -
Raktisar Glacier: The Enchanting Himalayan Trek In GHNP
In the heart of Great Himalayan National Park l... -
SHANGHAR – A HIDDEN HIMALAYAN PARADISE OF NATURE IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
HIMACHAL, a word which needs no definition, exp... -
DHEL PASS – A GHNP GATEWAY FROM SAINJ TO THEERTHAN
Experience a high altitude trek to a mountain m...
- Published in Uncategorized
