Introduction
One of the most challenging and unfrequented routes requiring 11-12 days. The trail heads N from Bir Billing (near Baijnath), crosses the beautiful Thamsar pass (4624m), descends to the secluded village of Bara Bhangal range by Kaliheni (sagor) pass (4670m), then reaches Manali in the Kullu valley.
Duration: 12 days
Itinerary
Day 1: Baijnath (1020m) - Bir Billing (1525m)
The small town of Baijnath can be reached from Dharamshala by a 3h bus journey. Bir village is 1h away from here. (famous for paragliding).
Day 2: Bir Billing - Rajgundha (2625m) 15km
Mules can be hired at Bir Khas. Some basic provisions are available as well.
Day 3: Rajgundha - Palachak- Panhartu (3250m) 14km
A gradual ascent to Palachak Forest rest house(2640m), eating shop here. Then another 4km upstream to Panhartu.
Day 4: Panhartu - Bharpal Got (4050m) 3km
A short stiff section to Bharpal Got camping ground.
Day 5: Bharpal Got - Thamsar pass (4624m)- Marhu (3656m) 13km
Climb the glacier for 7km to the pass, often soft snow and ice. The cave shelter of Marhu is some 5km down the other side. Ice axe or ski stick most helpful.
Day 6: Marhu - Bara Bhangal (2554m) 9km
An easy walk downhill along the Thamsar nala. At Bara Bhangal village all the trails of Chamba and Manali start from here. Forest rest house for overnight stay.
Day 7: Bara Bhangal - Sukha Parao (3000m) 10km
The trail runs SE alon the right bank of the Kaliheni nala, ascends gradually , but rising and falling several times, and passes through forests and meadows to reach Sukha Parao camping ground.
Day 8: Sukha Parao- Lamba Parao (3150m) 8km
An easy stretch of 3-4h with many ups and downs and fording several streams. Lamba Parao is a beautiful campsite with a few shepherds huts.
Day 9: Lamba Parao- Gwari (3750m) 14km
The trail climbs gradually along the Kaliheni stream to attain Guwala Got, then more steeply to Garthla Got and further on Gwari camping ground situated near the snout of the Kaliheni glacier.
Day 10: Gwari - Kaliheni pass (4670m) - Sagor Dug Thach (3580m) 15km
There are twin passes, the more northerly is often called Sagor pass (4833m) and is the one generally used by trekkers. Above Gwari a stiff strenuous climb of 6-7 km crosses moraine and crevassed glacier to the col. Descent on the other side is similar with variable snow crevasses. Below the glacier are boulder slopes, then a grassy patch at Alwas, followed by the Sagor Dug Thach camping.
Day 11: Sagor Dug Thach - Kharsu (2900m) 17km
Turning right, the path descends steeply follows a stream and arrives in 7km at Riyali. Continue down, passing through Khud Thach and reach Kharsu camping ground.
Day 12: Kharsu - Patli Kuhl (1400m) 9km
At first the path goes down to Sanghchor in 7km then it passes through several villages to emerge at Patli Kuhl on the Kullu-Manali Highway. Manali (1896m) is just 1h drive N up the road.
