Dhel trek
The Dhel trek is one of the most beautiful trek into the GHNP along with Tirth and Raktisar. Dhel is a large meadow located near a pass that connects the Tirthan or the Sainj valley. And so the trek can start from either side.
If your purpose is to reach Dhel only, you can start from Niharni in the Sainj valley, get there in 2 or 3 days and come back in 2 days. So the minimum time for this trek would be 4 days, probably 5, in total.
But if reaching Dhel is a great achievement, it would be sad to just reach and then go. Dhel in itself can be considered as your basecamp. And at your basecamp you can either rest and enjoy the wilderness and the landscape, or you could explore the area, reach the nearby mountain edges above 4000 m, observe wildlife, and so on.
Dhel is so peaceful that you consider it for yoga and meditation. Ask us if you want our instructor to go along with you.
This goes with saying, the best option is to reach Dhel, rest for a day and then continue to the Tirthan valley by crossing the pass giving way to Gumtrao and Rakhundi. We give you all the details of this trek on this page. Let’s go !
Dhel trek features
Duration of your trek
Day-min : The minimum number of days required for the trek
Day-max : The maximum number of days you can spend on this trek. Prolonged itineraries can be discussed with our team.
Average walking time : Average walking time per day (<3 : easy, 3 to 5 : moderate, >5 : strenuous)
Altitudes of your trek
Min : Minimum altitude of your trek.
Max : Maximum altitude of your trek.
Ascent : An estimate of the total climb during your trek.
Descent : An estimate of the total descent during your trek.
Difficulty of your trek
Stamina : The physical effort involved during your trek. Rated from 0 (easiest) to 100 (most strenuous). If you have an average fitness you can consider all the treks up to 50. See here for more details
Technical : Difficulty of your trek in terms of exposure to danger and required experience.
0 to 20 : No difficulties,
20 to 40 : Walk on good mountain trails,
40 to 60 : Some walks on difficult mountain trails (steep slope, rocks, etc.),
60 to 80: You are exposed to some dangers (void, snow, falling rocks, etc.),
80 to 100 : Experience required (please inquire).
Overall : Average between Stamina and Technical rating.
Sainj to Tirthan trek
Duration
Altitudes
Difficulty
Dhel meadow trek
Duration
Altitudes
Difficulty
Sainj to Tirthan trek map – Dhel map
Dhel trek itinerary in short
The Dhel trek starts from the road end Niharni. The first day you follow the stunning Sainj river up to the village of Shakti. Then you have a quite steep climb through a dense forest that you can do in two days. In case you want to cross the pass, the overall difficulty of the trek increases substantially as you have to cross high altitude, steep and rocky terrains.
Sainj to Tirthan trek elevation profile
Sainj to Tirthan trek ascent and descent
The most challenging part of the trek is after crossing the pass, going down towards Gumtrao as you are exposed to void and falling rocks.
Dhel trek best time to go
Best time to trek to Ookhal is April, May, June, and then October and November.
You may also consider July and September. As the pass is often covered by snow, we can update you about the snow conditions before you decide on your departure date.
JAN
Avoid
FEB
Avoid
MAR
Avoid
APR
Good to go
MAY
Best time to go
JUN
Best time to go
JUL
You may go
AUG
Avoid
SEP
You may go
OCT
Best time to go
NOV
Good to go
DEC
You may go
Contact us for Booking the Sainj to Tirthan trek
Trekking in GHNP
The Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh, offers the trekker a wide-ranging experience encompassing stunning vistas, varied terrain, and biodiversity.
Himalayan Ecotourism hosts multiple treks in GHNP. Our treks in the Great Himalayan National Park, a World Heritage Site, are for short and long durations and scale from beginner’s to more challenging treks. Whether you are looking for weekend treks in Himachal, treks in Himachal for beginners, or longer and more challenging treks, you will find it on our curated list of treks.
Each trek page has all the information you may need about the trek along with itineraries that are flexible. For more information on trekking holidays in the Himalayas and upcoming treks in Himachal, contact us.
Other treks by Himalayan Ecotourism
From our gallery
Photos of the Sainj to Tirthan trek
Itinerary
Day One : From Niharni to Shakti
| Timing | Details |
|---|---|
| Morning | The road creeping in the Sainj valley ends in Niharni. It is a small village that has been mutilated by an hydro-electric project. It is located 1 hour drive from Sainj, and 2 and half hours from Banjar. You escape the starting point by a small path frequented by the local villagers. Shortly after you start you enjoy a peaceful environment in the company of the Sainj river. |
| Afternoon | You follow the river for about 4 to 5 hours. Surely you won't miss the beautiful forest, the amazing colors of the river stream, the waterfalls and the small colorful sacred places where the natural forces of the Himalayas dwell. Stay under tent near the huts made by the Park. |
Day Two : From Shakti to Bheral nala
| Timing | Details |
|---|---|
| Morning | You start comfortably the ascent towards Dhel considering that you have 2 days to do it. Before Dhel you have two options for a night stay : the first one is Humkani and the second one is Bheralnala. You decide with your guide which one is the best for you according to your fitness and the weather conditions. |
| Afternoon | As you climb the forest become denser and the feeling of being in the realm of the wilderness increases. The view of the surrounding mountains also get gradually better. Have your second camp under the stars ! |
Day Three : From Bheral nala to Dhel
| Timing | Details |
|---|---|
| Morning | After a good breakfast enjoying the first light on the lower side of the valley, you continue on your way to Dhel. |
| Afternoon | After crossing small streams, going through small landslides, stepping over fallen tree, you finally come out of the forest to step on mountain grasses. You have reached Dhel. Continue up to the small hut where you will have your camp. |
Day Four : Day rest at Dhel.
Day Five : From Dhel to Gumtrao
| Timing | Details |
|---|---|
| Morning | Today is the most exciting day of your trek as you are going to go through the pass. Leave the camp and follow the ridge that is overhanging the meadow. Then you need to turn towards the pass that is well visible now. You are at around 4050 m when suddenly discover the other side : the Tirthan valley. |
| Afternoon | After crossing the pass you have a steep descent, be careful, especially in case of bad weather. After around 800 m the slope gets milder and you then have a comfortable walk up to another meadow called Gumtrao. Camping at Gumtrao. |
Day Six : From Gumtrao to Shilt
| Timing | Details |
|---|---|
| Morning | Another very nice day. You will be walking on the top of the hill that goes down from the Suka Sar mountain. You will have a great view on your left (Tirth side) and on your right (Marahni side) up to Rakhundi top at around 3600 m. Have your lunch. |
| Afternoon | Enjoy the peak it has a unique view of the Tirthan valley. From Rakhundi you have around 2 to 3 hours of descent towards Shilt hut. Camp at Shilt. |
Day Seven : From Shilt to Gushhaini
| Timing | Details |
|---|---|
| Morning | To end your trek you will have the company of the Tirthan river. From Shilt you have a steep and fast descent to Rolla (1 and half hour). Have your lunch by the riverside. |
| Afternoon | A gentle 3 hour hike will take you to Gushaini. End of your trek. |
Dhel trek in 5 days
Day 1 : Shakti
The road creeping in the Sainj valley ends in Niharni. It is a small village that has been mutilated by an hydro-electric project. It is located 1 hour drive from Sainj, and 2 and half hours from Banjar.
You escape the starting point by a small path frequented by the local villagers. Shortly after you start you enjoy a peaceful environment in the company of the Sainj river.
You follow the river for about 4 to 5 hours. Surely you won’t miss the beautiful forest, the amazing colors of the river stream, the waterfalls and the small colorful sacred places where the natural forces of the Himalayas dwell. Stay under tent near the huts made by the Park.
Day 2 : Bheral Nala
Those who want to do the trek in 4 days only will have to reach Dhel today. But it is around 1300 m difference of altitude ! Not for everyone …
Otherwise you start comfortably the ascent towards Dhel considering that you have 2 days to do it. Before Dhel you have two options for a night stay : the first one is Humkani and the second one is Bheralnala. You decide with your guide which one is the best for you according to your fitness and the weather conditions.
As you climb the forest become denser and the feeling of being in the realm of the wilderness increases. The view of the surrounding mountains also get gradually better. Have your second camp under the stars !
Day 3 : Dhel
After a good breakfast enjoying the first light on the lower side of the valley, you continue on your way to Dhel.
After crossing small streams, going through small landslides, stepping over fallen tree, you finally come out of the forest to step on mountain grasses. You have reached Dhel. Continue up to the small hut where you will have your camp.
Day 4 : Lapah
The difference of altitude between Dhel and Lapah is quite serious.
But it is only a descent ! So you can do it in 3 hours. Enjoy your time at Dhel today morning and leave for Lapah 12ish.
Ask your guide to tell you all about the visible peaks in the background, the flora and fauna of the area. You will learn a lot !
At Lapah you can either sleep under tent or ask your guide to arrange the forest restroom.
Day Five : Niharni
The descent from Lapah to Niharni has no difficulty. You go down to the Sainj river again where you meet again the path that you have taken the first day.
You should reach in two hours.
Gallery
Photos of the Sainj to Tirthan trek
Share your feedback
Thank you for sharing your experience! Your feedback is invaluable and inspires fellow travelers to choose responsible tourism when they journey with us.
Aurelie Leblois
A fantastic experience that will be remembered for a long time. Excellent and personalized logistical organization, good quality equipment, competent and smiling staff, and a special mention for the attention paid to the kitchen during the trek: we had a great time!
May 4, 2021 at 4:12 pm
Daniel
Outstanding service, knowledgeable crew that makes every effort to help you have a great experience and very professional. Did the Dhel trek in November. I highly recommend!
June 25, 2024 at 11:00 am
Pranav Shah
The Dhel trek was absolutely beautiful. We were very happy to have chosen Himalayan Ecotourism as the guides were polite and adept to attend to all our needs. The equipment was top notch and there was no compromise on hygiene.
August 11, 2024 at 10:25 am