Planethimalayas

• Drive distance: ~200 km | Duration: 7–8 hours.
• The journey to Janglik begins from Shimla, winding through the lush valleys and pine-clad hills of Kinnaur. The Pabbar River flows alongside most of the route, its clear blue waters reflecting the surrounding mountains. The road meanders past small villages, traditional Himachali wooden houses, and terraced wheat fields, offering a glimpse of rural life untouched by time.
After crossing Tikri, the smooth motorable road turns into a rugged dirt track, climbing through switchbacks and forested slopes. You pass through Tangnu, descend to the river, and gradually ascend to Diude. From here, Janglik is a short stroll, nestled quietly among pine forests and gentle hills.
Janglik is a serene base camp — a peaceful village where wooden houses cluster along sloping terrain, prayer flags flutter, and the murmur of the Pabbar River fills the air. Check into a homestay or guesthouse for the night, savor local Himachali food, and let the calm Himalayan atmosphere set the tone for the trek ahead.

• Trek distance: ~10 km | Duration: 6–7 hours | Altitude gain: ~1,800 ft.
• Today’s trek begins with a gradual climb out of Janglik, passing beautifully crafted wheat fields lined with traditional Himachali wooden farmhouses, some adorned with red and green roofs. The early ascent is steep but scenic, offering constant views of the surrounding hills and river below.
A ledge beneath a solitary pine tree makes for a perfect first rest stop. Soon after, the trail rises into an oak and pine forest. As you move deeper into the woods, the climb eases into a gentle gradient. Streams crisscross the path here, adding a refreshing rhythm to each step. The forest trail, shaded and serene, provides a peaceful contrast to the morning’s sunlit fields.
Emerging from the tree line, you are greeted by vast alpine meadows stretching up the hillside to your left. The sudden expanse is breathtaking — the green of the grass, the dark shadow of the pine forest to your right, and the lingering white snow patches on the cliffs across the Pabbar Valley create a panorama that feels almost surreal.
The trail skirts the edge of the meadows, descending slightly while remaining well-defined and broad. After nearly an hour, you enter another dense pine and oak forest, where the soft, brown carpet of leaves and the moist earth beneath your feet make the walk almost meditative. The forest climb is gentle but persistent, preparing your legs for the final stretch.
Eventually, the trees give way once more, revealing Dayara — a stunning campsite set amidst expansive grasslands. The site is wide and peaceful, with soft ground, gentle winds, and panoramic views of ridges and distant peaks. Dayara is where the trek’s high-altitude beauty truly begins to unfold, offering tranquility and a sense of grandeur for the days ahead.

• Trek distance: ~8 km | Duration: 5–6 hours | Altitude gain: ~737 ft.
• The day begins early with a walk through the golden glow of Dayara’s meadows. As the morning sun kisses the grass, every step across the soft, rolling meadows feels magical. This is a moment to savour — the calm, the light, and the vastness of high-altitude beauty setting the tone for the day ahead.
Leaving the meadow behind, the trail gently ascends into a patch of pine forest about fifteen minutes out of camp. Here, the scent of pine mingles with the crisp mountain air, and the rhythmic gurgle of streams crossing your path adds a natural melody to your walk. A small stream requires a leap to continue on the trail, a playful challenge that refreshes both body and spirit.
Exiting the forest, the trail curves wide, revealing expansive views of the snow-capped Dhauladhar range and the distant Gunas Pass. Below, green grasslands slope into dark pine forests about 300 feet down, while towering snow-lined cliffs rise behind — a scene of perfect harmony and a visual feast that rewards the morning’s climb.
A half hour later, the trail enters another forest — this one dominated by gnarled Silver Birch (Bhoj). The old trees, their twisted trunks and silvery bark, create a quiet, almost sacred atmosphere. Descending gently through this forest brings you to a perennial stream tucked in the fold of the mountain. Take a moment to refresh, then climb out of the fold to catch your first clear sight of Litham.
Crossing the final Chandranahan stream, you reach the Litham campsite. The site is surrounded by brooks and small streams, with plenty of flat ground to pitch your tent. Litham offers breathtaking views in all directions: to the left, the snout of Chandranahan waterfall and the lake beyond; ahead, towering snow-clad peaks guarding Buran Ghati; to the right, snow-patched cliffs hiding the Rupin Valley. This dramatic meadow — the last of the great high-altitude grasslands on the trek — is a perfect place to rest, reflect, and prepare for the challenging days ahead.

• Trek distance: ~10 km | Duration: 6–7 hours | Altitude gain: ~2,000 ft.
• The day begins early as trekkers leave Litham, crossing the stream just before the campsite to begin the acclimatization excursion. The path follows a shepherd’s trail upstream, gradually climbing toward a ridge top. Along the way, the forest thins and alpine meadows emerge, offering glimpses of snow patches that linger on shaded slopes depending on the season. The air grows thinner with each step, reminding trekkers of the high altitude they are approaching.
After roughly an hour and a half, you arrive at the snout of the Chandranahan waterfall, marked by carefully placed stone cairns. Many assume the lake is nearby, but the trail continues for another hour into the closed glacial valley. Here, snowfields, grassy patches, and small brooks create a dynamic landscape. The valley is encircled by towering mountains whose snow-fed flanks pour meltwater into streams that eventually feed the lake.
The Chandranahan Lake itself is modest in size, but its setting is extraordinary. Nestled in a bowl-like amphitheatre, the lake reflects surrounding snowfields and rugged peaks. Tiny waterfalls and trickling brooks add a delicate soundtrack to the scene, while stone cairns dot the edges, guiding trekkers and marking paths. The combination of pristine water, high-altitude flora, and dramatic mountain scenery makes this a truly rewarding destination.
After soaking in the serene beauty, trekkers retrace their steps along the same trail. The descent from the lake is steep and requires careful footing. Early morning departure ensures a return to Litham by lunch, allowing time to rest and prepare for the challenging days ahead. This excursion not only rewards the senses but also helps the body acclimatize to higher altitudes, building strength and confidence for the crossing of Buran Ghati.

• Trek distance: ~9 km | Duration: 6–7 hours | Altitude gain: ~1,500 ft.
• Leaving Litham, the trail begins a sharper ascent, gradually leaving behind the wide meadows and moving into rocky ridges. The Pabbar River, once a gentle stream, now rushes vigorously below, carving its way through the narrowing valley. To the left lie the green grasslands of Litham, while to the right, the cliffs of the Rupin Valley rise steeply, framing the trail. Ahead, the Buran Ghati Pass is visible, its snowy saddle inspiring anticipation for the day ahead.
The path follows a well-marked shepherd’s trail along the left bank, climbing steadily through scattered boulders, alpine vegetation, and intermittent snow patches. After roughly an hour, the trail reaches a ridge top, where the valley below stretches dramatically and the first full view of the U-shaped gorge leading to Buran Ghati unfolds. The grey and white tones of the Dhauladhar range dominate the horizon, contrasting beautifully with the greenery of the lower slopes.
Continuing toward Dhunda, the trail enters an alpine zone where snow patches are common even in late June. The ascent rewards trekkers with panoramic views of the pass and the surrounding peaks. Dunda itself is a high plateau, framed by towering snow-capped mountains, and offers an extraordinary setting for the final camp before the pass. Here, the air is crisp, the silence profound, and the sense of scale overwhelming — a perfect place to rest, acclimatize, and prepare mentally for the challenge of Buran Ghati the next day.

• Trek distance: ~12 km | Duration: 9–10 hours | Altitude gain: ~1,700 ft ascent, ~2,700 ft descent.
• The day begins early at Dhunda, as trekkers set out along the ridge toward the base of Buran Ghati Pass. The initial stretch is a mix of hopping over boulders and navigating rocky ridges, with the pass steadily drawing closer in the distance. From the base, the ascent to the pass takes about an hour, mostly over snowfields, demanding careful footwork and concentration. The final stretch to the narrow ledge at the top — perched at exactly 15,000 ft — is thrilling and dramatic, with a steep drop on the Kinnaur side that commands respect and focus.
From the pass, the descent begins rapelling down on fixed ropes onto the first snowfield about 100 metres below. Later carefully slide down or pick their steps across a series of smaller ledges, gradually losing the altitude gained in the morning climb. This technical section continues for roughly two hours, shedding nearly 3,000 ft and transitioning from snowfields to rocky ridges dotted with junipers and flower-strewn shrubs.
As the terrain softens, the valley below opens up in lush green expanses, a stark contrast to the barren high pass. Streams crisscross the trail, requiring nimble hops and pauses to soak in the surroundings. Soon, the first farmer huts of Munirang appear, signalling the end of the wilderness crossing. The campsite sits beside a gentle river, framed by alpine meadows and the towering mountains of the backdrop, providing a serene and rewarding conclusion to a day defined by exhilaration, challenge, and the grandeur of the Himalayas.

• Trek distance: ~16 km | Duration: 6–7 hours | Altitude loss: ~2,300 ft.
• The final day begins with a remarkable descent from Munirang, offering an extraordinary variety of vegetation and landscapes. The trail follows the Barua Khud, initially winding through high-altitude pine forests before giving way to mixed forests of oak, apricot, and peach trees. Streams cross the path, including a large gushing one that meets the Barua Khud, where a makeshift bridge lined with junipers allows passage. Along the trail, late June brings splashes of purple shrubs, while fruit-laden trees and apple orchards hint at civilization approaching.
About halfway down, an overhanging rock provides a breathtaking view of Barua village perched on the ridge below. Entering the village through a traditional arch, trekkers meander along lanes where locals greet them warmly, sometimes inviting them for tea. Look out for the grand temple on the right and the orchards that line the trail, adding colour and life to the descent. The trail eventually emerges onto the road bridge over Barua Khud, where vehicles await. From here, the drive to Shimla retraces the diverse landscapes of the trek — from lush forests to fertile valleys, past apple orchards and river gorges — concluding the expedition. The journey offers quiet reflection on the trek’s challenges, triumphs, and the beauty of the Himalayas.