Treks in the Churah valley

The Gadasaru lake trek can be completed in 4 days, but you can extend it to 5 days if you want to make it more relaxed.

The Gadasaru lake lies at an altitude of around 4250 m.

The Gadasaru lake trek does not pose any major technical difficulties, but you need to have a very good physical fitness as you have steep climbs and reach altitudes above 4000 m.

From Tissa, you need to drive for about 35 km to the village of Devi Kothi, starting point of the trek, where one can visit the grand Chamunda Berawali temple. Devi Kothi is only 11 km away from Bairagarh. You can also start the trek from the village Teppa, a few kilometers further than Devi Kothi.

First day. The trek begins about 1 km ahead of Devi Kothi. After an hour’s journey, the last village, Chandru, is reached. From Chandru, a steep ascent of 45 degrees leads to a ridge called Kaonot in about one and a half to two hours. Travelers can pitch their tents here to stay overnight, and network connectivity is available at this point.

On the second day, the trek resumes, passing through mesmerizing landscapes and enjoying the beauty of small streams. In about four hours, one reaches a spot called Gugalala, where a wide snowy waterfall and a beautiful lake can be seen together. This spot has flat, pleasant areas for resting. Sometimes, community kitchens (langar) are arranged here, but not every year, as transporting supplies through difficult paths can be challenging. However, for trekkers, the path is generally easy except for a few sections.

On the third day, the journey continues from Gugalala with a three-hour ascent leading straight to Gaurikund. Here lies a sacred lake of Mother Gauri, surrounded by incredible beauty. Travelers can rest here or continue for just 15 more minutes to visit mesmerizing Gadasaru Lake. A little above this is another Kali Mata lake or the Bhero lake, which is often covered with snow.

The return journey from here can be completed in one or two days.

Although you can do this trek in one day (3 to 4 hours climb and 2 hours descent), we recommend you to do it in 2 days to enjoy camping high in the mountains.

You can also use Akinder Dhar as a base camp to go further towards Gadasaru Mahadev. Enquire with us for more details.

Akinder Dhar is a large meadow lying on a ridge at 2850 m.

The Akinder Dhar trek is relatively easy, but you still need to be in good shape as you need to ascent around 900 m to reach.

From Tissa, there is a link road that goes towards Bhanjraru village. Drive on this road, cross Bhanjraru and continue on a the small road till you reach the small village called Chanwas. Leave your vehicle there and start hiking straight towards the top of the mountain ridge where is located Akinder Dhar. Around mid-way you will cross the beautiful Chamunda Devi temple.

The difference of altitude is around 930 m.

The Khundi Mata Lake Trek is a 4-day adventure through rich Himalayan ecosystems. In average, you will take 3 days to climb and 1 day to descent.

The trek reaches an altitude of approximately 3780 meters (12,401 feet) above sea level. It offers eye-catching views of the surrounding mountains and grassland.

The Khundi Mata Lake Trek requires a good physical fitness, as the route includes some steep slopes and paths exposed to the void.

The journey begins at Chanju, home to the main temple of Khundi Mata. Trekking for approximately 4 hours along an easy trail, you will reach Riyali, a picturesque stop where pilgrims rest for the night. The facilities are available only during pilgrimage season, and include community meals (Langar) and devotional singing (Bhajan-Kirtan), creating a relaxed atmosphere for the overnight stay amidst nature.

On the second day, you have a 3-hour trek to reach your next camp site near an old hut that is still in use by the local shepherds.

On the third day, You need to trek fore a couple of hours to reach the sacred Khundi Mata Lake. Surrounded by the majestic Himalayan peaks and pasture lands (Bugyal), the lake offers a truly heavenly experience. You can return to the same camp for the night.

On the fourth day, the return trek takes about 4 to 5 hours. From Chanju, you can continue your journey towards Nakroda, located 23 km away, which connects to the Chamba-Bairagarh main road.

The Mehal Naag Lake trek typically takes 2 days to complete, whereas visiting both the lake takes 3 days.

The Mehal Naag Lake trek reaches an altitude of approximately 3260 meters (13,953 feet) above sea level. The Janu Tala lake is situated at 3510 m which is reached from a top at 3670 m.

The easiest place to start the trek is the village Majur (on the way to Mangli) where is located the Mehal Naag temple.

One need to have a good physicall fitness for this trek. The climb on the first day adds up to 1000 m in difference of altitude. There will some more difficult streches on the way to the Janu Tala lake, but no technical skills are required.

Day 1 : Majur to Mehal Naag Lake

The trek begins from the village of Majur, the starting point for this adventure. A moderate four-hour trek through dense forests of Himalayan Cedar (Deodar) leads to the sacred Mehal Naag Lake. The tranquil surroundings and the cultural significance of the lake create an enriching experience. During the annual pilgrimage, overnight accommodations and community meals (langar) are provided. For other times, trekkers can rely on camping arrangements.

Day 2 : Mehal Naag Lake to Janu Tala Lake

The second day involves a shorter trek of just two to three hours in the morning, ascending to a mountain ridge at an altitude of approximately 3670 meters. The ridge offers panoramic views of the Sach Pass, Gadasru, Darati Jot, and other stunning landscapes of the region.

From the ridge, it’s a brief 10-minute descent to the Janu Tala Lake, a serene and historic spot surrounded by captivating natural beauty. Camp overnight by the lake, enjoying the peaceful ambiance under the starlit sky.

Day 3 : Janu Tala Lake to Mansa Village

The third day marks the descent back to the valley. The trail takes you through dense Himalayan Cedar forests, offering a refreshing and scenic route. With an altitude drop of around 1000 meters, this segment takes 2 to 3 hours to complete, ending at Mansa Village.

This trek offers an exceptional blend of cultural immersion, breathtaking views, and an opportunity to explore the natural heritage of the Churah Valley.