Tarikhang peak on the way to Tabo

Know that, by which all this(universe) is prevaded, to be indestructible.

No one can destroy the undestructible(Atma).

Bhagavad Gita (Ch. 2-text 17)

Incredible Himalayas....................

A window to heaven, The Oberoi Wildflower Hall, Mashobra hills, Shimla (H.P.) India.

Shali tibba ascent (3126mts from mean sea level)

Dear reader,

Greetings from Himalayas.

This time I would like to give you an introduction of Shali just an hour and half of drive from north of Shimla.

The Shali Tibba (3208m) is one of the highest peak in the vicinity of Shimla. It is a magnificent isolated pinnacle with a Kali temple on the top. The ascent up to Shali is an ancient trail through dense pine forest and rolling alpine pastures. It is a steep and steady climb to the often mist enveloped peak. The peak commands an unforgettable view of endless snow covered Great Himalayan ranges along with the Sutlej valley and the densely forested hills of Shimla, Fagu and Narkanda. For the avid photographer and nature lover, this trek offers the experience of a lifetime.

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 01: Shimla –Mashobra - Sipur - Thaila - Gulthani - Deola.
In the morning after breakfast depart Shimla at 9 A.M. by jeep. Reach Mashobra which is the starting point of the trek. Mashobra is a small village which holds a magnificent view of the valley.
From Mashobra descend into woods and after walking for 2 km you are in a thick pine forest and nearby to it is about 500 yrs old Shiva temple (Sipur). Continue descending down through villages to the river Thaila.
From Thaila the uphill journey through lush green pastures will take you to village Deola. Have lunch. In the evening visit the local deity temple in the village, walk through terraced fields. Overnight camp with bonfire.

Day 02: Around Deola.
After breakfast, in the morning walk down a small rivulet through small terraces to explore the rich flora of Himalayas. Walk back to guest house for lunch. For evening walk up to the to of a hill near the guest house which offers rewarding views of Sunsets. Walk back with bundle of woods for a bonfire. After dinner know about the bygone history from the elderly people.

Day 03: Deola - Khatnol - Shali.
Start early in the morning to Shali . Stop at Khatnol, a small hamlet, offering nice views of Shali. Walk for here takes a turn and we get into a very beautiful forest of Himalayan Cedar, Himalayan Spruce and endless wild flowers. Stop for lunch on the way. Walking more takes us towards the Shali peak and on can see the deep valleys down. Enjoy evening tea at Shali. Overnight camp Shali.

Day 04: Shali – Karyali Lake.
Start late after having breakfast to Karyali down through thick oak and pine forest. Reach Karyali late afternoon for lunch. Later explore the village. Overnight camp at lake.

Day 05: Karyali – Tattapani – Shimla.
Drive to Tattapani for lunch, enjoy hot sulphur bath. Later in the evening drive back to Shimla.

To book this tour please mail to wildernessinhimalayas@gmail.com or Call 0911 - 9816366111.

Dear reader,

Greetings from Himalayas.

This season we have planned a very special adventurous journy, in the Himalayas for you.

Check this:

HAMPTA PASS - CHANDERTAL - BARALACHA LA



One of the most scenic high altitude treks in Himachal Pradesh, it takes one to the crystal clear waters of Chandertal and then through the high passes of Baralacha-La. Culturally, it's the threshold to the mystical Buddhism practiced in Spiti, Lahaul, Ladakh and Tibet. The barren landscape in the upper regions and the green valleys below, make the trail awe-inspiring and one of the must-experience ones in this part of the Himalayas.

SEASON: July - Mid September

MAX. ALTITUDE: 4830m

NUMBER OF DAYS: 11 days

HIGH PASSES: Hampta Pass, Rohtang Pass and Baralacha La

TREK GRADIENT: Moderately challenging

Detailed itinerary:

Day 01: The participants arrive in Manali.

Day 02: Manali - Panduropa / Setan (2700m) via Chhalet & Hampta villages

Duration: 4 hoursThe steepest part of the trail takes about 2 hours to negotiate. It passes through apple orchards and forests of blue pine, cedar, oak, fir and chestnut. The villages that the trail passes through - Chhalet, Hampta and Ghoratbari - have an interesting legend. They lie on the way to heaven and when people die, their souls have to pass these villages. It is said that people here hear sounds of crying if the soul is condemned to hell and sounds of a trumpet if it is ascending to heaven.

Day 03: Panduropa / Setan - Juara (3530m)Duration: 5 hours The path to Juara is through Chhika. The trek passes through some spectacular landscape to just below the Hamta Pass, on a grassy bank sloping down from the cliffs. The impressive grandeur of immediate surroundings, the nearness of the Tokru-Shakru peaks, the wonderful coloring of the rocks and mountainside, all make this one of the best campsite on the route. Chikka also has the river, Alain Nullah, which has its snout in the Hamta Pass.

Day 04: Juara - Shea Gahru (3200m) via Hampta Pass (4270m)Duration: 6 hours The trail now begins to ascend towards Hamta Pass and one can have close views of Deo Tibba and Indrasan peaks. After that, it is a descent all the way right to the campsite at Shea Gahru. "Shea Gahru" means a very cold place in the Spiti dialect because it is adjacent to a glacier snout. During summer, it's a grazing pasture or halting place for the shepherds on the way to the Lahaul valley.

Day 05: Shea Gahru - Chhatru (3360m)Duration: 3 hours The fourth day's walk is quite easy, along the river up to a boulder field, which is hard to cross during the monsoons. The river has to be forded at one point from where one can see the valleys of Lahaul and Spiti. The massive mountains of the Pir Panjal and Spiti ranges dominate the entire landscape till the campsite at Chhatru. Chhatru is a confluence point of paths from Rohtang Pass, Hamta Pass and Spiti.

Day 06: Chhatru - Batal (3960m)Duration: 2 hours Take a local transport to go from Chhatru to Batal.

Day 07: Batal - Chandertal (4270m)Duration: 4 hours The trail starts off as a pleasant walk along the pastures bordering Chandra River. The path then leads over the rubble-strewn plateau, crosses a small stream and continues traversing the slope. The track is almost level, with a few ups and downs up to Chadertal. This high altitude lake is a majestic sight, surrounded as it is by the mighty Himalayan peaks. A vast flowerbed meadow is the camping site on the banks of the lake.

Day 08: Rest day at Chandertal (4270m)

Day 09: Chandertal - Tokpoyongma (4320m)Duration: 7 hours This is a gradual walk as the trail rises and falls several times, but mostly continues beside the river. Approaching Tokpoyongma, the trail ascends from the mountainside and crosses a stream. A little before the campsite, a river has to be negotiated.

Day 10: Tokpoyongma - Tokpogongma (4640m)Duration: 5 hours The next day starts early to facilitate crossing a two mountain streams before the water level rises during the day. Mules don't take this route, as they will find it difficult to negotiate the steep ascent that starts immediately after the streams. The track then ascends steeply across the rock face and up a hill to the campsite.

Day 11: Tokpogongma - Baralacha-La (4833m) - ManaliDuration: 6 hours The day starts off with a half-hour steep ascent to the top of the ridge. After that, the trail proceeds through a boulder field with great views of the Koa Range peaks to the Southwest. Before reaching Baralacha-La one has to cross a stream. In ancient times, Baralacha-La was an important part of the trade route as roads from Spiti, Ladakh, Zanskar and Lahaul meet here. On the Northwest lies the Bhaga River while the Chandra flows to the Southeast. Near Baralacha-La is the beautiful emerald lake, Suraj Tal, the source of the Bhaga River. From Baralacha-La, a jeep will take the team to Manali.