Name: Manali
Rating: 3.5

Bara Bhangal Kalihani Trek, Manali Overview

Bara Bangal Trek, also known as the Shepherds trail trek, takes you from the lush green Kullu valley to the stark landscapes of Bara Bhangal range.

A trekker will cross the Kalihani Pass and move northwest before reaching Bara Bhangal. From here there is a turn southwards to Thamsar Pass and reach Billing in Kangra valley to finish the trek. In the end, one may paraglide to Bir if the trek didn’t offer them a high.

Read More on Bara Bhangal Kalihani Trek

Food Availability

Dhaba food is available up along the way. You can pack essential food for the rest of the climb.

Camping/Shelter

Guest houses are available at all destinations. Camping can also be adopted by trekkers on the trek because of the natural beauty that it boasts of.

Water Availability

Water is available in the guest houses along the way. It is advisable to stock up in reasonable quantities whenever a refilling option is available.

General tips and tricks

1) Make sure you carry warm clothes along with you no matter during whichever season you are travelling in. 2) Be always prepared with your trekking gear and equipment. 3) Carrying your own medication and a good pair of shoes is a must. 4) Make sure you obtain all the permits well in advance required for trekking in the region. Inner line permit is required in the region. 5) Also carry raingear along as weather at higher altitude changes at every moment. 6) Choose a well-qualified and professional guide and fix the rates in order to avoid any misunderstanding. 7) Carry spare batteries and film roll for camera as there maybe no electricity supply.

How to reach Bara Bhangal Trek

Rail: Take New Delhi- Kalka Shatabdi Express at 7:40 AM which reaches Kalka at 11:45 AM. From Kalka, there are regular buses to Manali.
Road: Delhi to Manali is 547 km by road and takes about 12 hours to reach.

More about Bara Bhangal Trek

Base Camp: Manali

Difficulty: Tough

Highest point of trek: 15,500 ft

Nearest Airport: Bhunter Airport

Nearest Railhead: 283 km

Region: Kullu

Snow: Summer and Autumn are the best time for the trek to Adi Kailash.

Starting point of trek: Manali

Itinerary for Bara Bhangal Trek

Day 1: Manali to Lama Dugh

The climb is through thick forests. There is no point to fill fresh drinking water, after departing from Manali. After a steep climb, the distinct views of different faces of Indrasan, Deo Tibba and peaks of Bara Shigri glacier show up. In the last leg, the path turns to the right and one walks through the ridge horizontally and enters the campsite on an alpine plateau studded with thick growth of alpine flowers.

Day 2: Lama Dugh to Riyali Thach

Today's trek is through steep a ridge below Thanpri Tibba (4000m). From this point, one can have a magnificent glimpse of Manali, situated on the left bank of River Beas and the whole upper Kullu valley, which appears swathed in the different colors of the season.

Day 3: Riyali Thach to Kalihani Pass Base

The trail proceeds over open meadows initially followed by a steep descent to a stream. Crossing it, the path continues in a steep climb for about three hours till you arrive at the base camp of Kalihani Pass. Get mesmerized by the views of Deo Tibba and Indrasan peaks from the campsite.

Day 4: Kalihani Pass base to Kalihani Pass to Devi ki Marhi

Today will be a long day with a steep climb to the pass crossing a stretch of scree, a morraine and the Kalihani glacier. Take time off at the pass to get a splendid 360 degree view of hanging glaciers, the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges. A steep descent across another glacier and four beautiful glacial lakes will bring you to the camp at the gaddi campsite of Devi ki Marhi.

Day 5: Devi ki Marhi to Dal Marhi

The trail first crosses over the Kalihani Nullah and descends into the oak and birch forests. Most of path then is flat with few ups and downs. There is a steep climb, just before you arrive at the Dal Marhi campsite.

Day 6: Dal Marhi to Bara Bhangal

The trail now continues down the Ravi river into the deodar forest, to the only large village in the valley, Bara Bhangal.

Day 7: Bara Bhangal to Mardh

Today we will start climbing towards the next big pass, Thamsar. The trail winds up through pine, deodar and birch forests with mountain streams to break the monotony. The campsite at Mardh is near the base of the Thamsar glacier.

Day 8: Mardh to Plachak via Thamsar Pass

Another day of steep ascent over morraine, scree and glacier. The climb is broken by a small lake just below the pass. From on top of Thamsar, you will get your first glimpse of the lush Kangra valley. On the other side of the pass, itÃ•s a steep, long descent till you reach the campsite at Plachak, well below the tree line.

Day 9: Plachak to Rajgundha to Billing

The path is flat and easy, passing through pine forests with many mountain streams. The valley widens and you get great views of the open Kangra valley. You can take a vehicle at Billing and reach Bir or Dharamshala. Or you can choose to paraglide from Billing to Bir.