Shrikhand Mahadev Kailash Trek

Wake up to a mesmerising sunrise and engage in a power-yoga session to align your body with nature. After having a hearty breakfast, we set out to move further towards our destination of Shikhand Mahadev. Har Har Mahadev! We will begin with a 3-km ascent towards Barathi Nalah at 7,283 feet, the confluence of two small rivulets that make Kurpan. On the way to Barathi Nalah, you have to cross the Kurpan through a wooden bridge, which creates excitement and thrill among the trekkers for being so near nature. After taking a break at Barathi Nalah to revive our strength, we will continue our trek to Thachru. There is a vertical climb of 6 km at Danda Dhaar that takes around 6–8 hours and requires a good level of stamina. The climb through the dense and misty forests becomes magical with the sound of rivers, streams, and waterfalls. You will find colourful Himalayan birds swinging around towering deodar trees that are centuries old. On the way, there are numerous viewpoints from which you can admire the beauty of dense forests and valleys while taking a breath. As you trek uphill, you can experience the change in vegetation. The tree line ends, and herbs and shrubs remain for the next patch of the trek. After completing a total distance of 9 km, we will arrive at Taacharu for a night's stay. After a quick stretching and cool-down session, enjoy your refreshments. Evenings are very beautiful at this place, with views of the Sarahan and Kotgarh regions on the southern side, the Shrikhand peak on the eastern side, and the Kullu Himalaya on the western side. There is no source of water on the way to Thachru, so it becomes essential to carry more water for the trek up to Thachru.

We will start early from Thachru and hike to Kaali Ghat, the top of Danda Dhaar. The straight climb stretches for about 3 km and takes 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. On the way, you will spot a variety of rare flowers in the Himalayas. Perched at 12,778 feet, Kaali Ghat offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountain ranges. The vertical climb that started from Barathi Nala ends here. Seek blessings at the temple dedicated to Maa Kali and continue the trek towards Bhim Talai, which is just 1.5 kilometres away. It takes only 30 minutes to cover this distance because the trek is gentle. Bhim Talai, at 11,279 feet, is surrounded by towering Himalayan peaks, beautiful meadows, and tiny waterfalls. Take a moment here to immerse yourself in the serenity of the place. You can hear stories of adventures from the shepherds, who travel far and deep into the mountains with their stock. From Bhim Talai to Kunsha, there is a smooth trail, and it takes around 1.5 hours to cover the remaining distance of 3 km. Walk through a vast and lush meadow before encountering the first glacier, which is around 500 metres long and 80 metres wide. From this glacier to Kunsha, there is a vertical climb with rocky terrain. Arrive at Kunsha, a place of breathtaking scenery and big waterfalls. Relax at 12,746 feet and take some rest to rejuvenate.

Today, we will divide the trek into two parts. In the first part, there is an easy walk of 3 km with small ups and downs from Kunsha to Bheem Dwar. It takes about 2 hours to navigate through the trail, which is filled with rare Himalayan flowers and various kinds of shrubs. This scenic route offers a panoramic view of deep valleys, deep gorges, big waterfalls, and some small streams flowing along the way. With gorgeous views of mountains covered with clouds, small patches of snow, and the sweet sound of fast-flowing streams just one after another, Kunsha Valley is like a beautiful scenic dream. After spending 2 hours in the meadow of nature, you reach Bheem Dwar at an altitude of 12175 ft. It is said that the Pandavas, during their exile, stayed here. After having our packed lunch and spending some time in Bheem Dwar, we will continue our journey to Parvati Baag for another 2 hours, covering a distance of 3 km from Bheem Dwar. We will also be crossing the biggest waterfall on this trek. Up to the waterfall, the trek is gentle. Just after crossing the waterfall, there is a vertical climb of 2.5 km up to Parvati Baag. This place is full of rare flowers from the higher Himalayas and is famous for the rarest Brahma Kamal. This place is just below the Holy Shrikhand Mountain. At night, it feels like you can touch the sky with your hand.

Start your day with yoga and meditation to dissolve yourself into the realm of divine energy. After a hearty breakfast, start early to go for an acclimatisation hike to witness the enchanting beauty of Nain Sarovar, an alpine lake at 14,527 ft. The trek up to Nain Sarovar Lake is gentle, with snow and boulders, and takes around 1.5 hours. Nain Sarovar is surrounded by an area of about two football fields. The whole trek to Shrikhand Mahadev is associated with Lord Shiva and Nain Sarovar Lake. It is said that this lake was created with the tears of Maa Parvati when she was worshipping Lord Shiva. Nain Sarovar Lake is dedicated to Maa Parvati as a place of worship. Spend some time here to acclimatise and return to Parvati Baag.

Today is the day we have anticipated for so long. While the stars are still glittering and the sun is yet to shine, we will start our summit push. Without any delay, retrace your way to Nain Sarovar. Shrikhand Peak is just 6 km from Parvati Baag, with glaciers, streams, boulders, and stone tunnels on the way. The first patch of trail is a 200-metre glacier that takes about 45 minutes to complete. It requires a good amount of stamina and endurance. Soon, we will reach the top of a cliff at 14,967 feet, from which you can see the clear view of Nain Sarovar Lake as well as the beauty of the Kinnaur Mountains. The next patch of the route is full of Moraines. There are seven small peaks that you have to climb to reach Shrikhand. On the way, you can feel that you are above the clouds as the sun rises. On the way to Bheem Bailee, you have to cross many small stone tunnels, glaciers, and mountains. Bheem Bailee is a sacred place dedicated to Bheem at an altitude of 15,921 ft. It is said that Bheem once constructed the stairs from here to heaven, but they were not completed due to a lack of time. You will find a number of stones, one on top of another, that appear like a stairway. From Bheem Baiee, you can see the holy Shrikhand Shila. It takes a half hour to reach Shrikhand. You have to cross a big glacier to reach Shrikhand. As we get closer to our final destination, we encounter an endless view of the Himalayas from three sides and, on one side, a magical look towards Rampur Sarahan and Shimla Hills. Shrikhand, at 17,150 feet, is a place where you can feel the fragrance of nature everywhere. This is a place where all things are believed to be part of the almighty Lord Shiva. This is a place from which you can see the Kinnaur Himalaya from one side and the Kullu and Shimla mountains from the other. After our most humble prayers are offered at this magecstic site, it is time to retrace our way down to Bheem Dwaar. Again, the route is a mixture of steep descents and moderate walking on rough terrain. Be careful while you place your feet, as there are loose rocks and big vertical drops on the sides.

We will start the day with a warmup, stretching, and exercise to reactivate our tired muscles, followed by a wholesome breakfast under the blue sky. Take the same route and navigate back to Thachru. Relaxing and reflecting are all there is to do today.

Wake up to a beautiful sunrise and start your day with a round of Shramdaan. We will thank Mother Nature and the Almighty by cleaning the surroundings. Leaving no trash behind, we will bow down to the mountains for giving us the opportunity to cherish the endless bounties of the holy land.

We keep a buffer day for any kind of weather-related issue.