Thatharana Top: Unexplored alternative of Triund

Tripoto
Photo of Thatharana Top: Unexplored alternative of Triund by Sidharth Jain

The thatharana trek starts from the Kharota village. It is an easy moderate climb of 5.5 kilometers. I would consider it a better option than Triund. Camping has been banned in Triund due to excess pollution and it is really crowded. Thatharana is a totally new route (shorter distance). It is practically the next hill of the Triund. So lets dive into the trek!

Day 1

During the drive from Khanyara to Kharota

Photo of Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sidharth Jain

The forest section was quite dense with no trail at some places.

Photo of Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sidharth Jain

The trail is nothing but slates all around the place.

Photo of Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sidharth Jain

Steep trail during the first few hundred meters.

Photo of Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India by Sidharth Jain

We arrived in Dharamshala at 8:30am in the morning and we decided to have a good meal at Mcleodganj. There is no direct bus from Dharamshala to Kharota. After all the freshening stuff, we took a shared taxi from the Mudrika Bus stand( Dharamshala) to Khanyara. It costs 20 rupees per person. Kharota is 2 kilometers from Khanyara but it is quite a steep and damaged road. There are taxis available in Khanyara which will charge 150 rupees till the starting point of the trail (Kharota).

The full trail is a moderate ascent. It is definitely harder than Triund but the overall distance is less. There is no trail in the starting section of the trek because it is totally unexplored. One has to work on his/her fitness for this trek. It is a 3 hour climb (average) from Kharota to Thatharana Top.

The view point gives a great view of the Rising Star peak.

Photo of Thatharana Top: Unexplored alternative of Triund by Sidharth Jain

There were many Rhododendron trees on this trail and it was great to see them bloom in February.

Photo of Thatharana Top: Unexplored alternative of Triund by Sidharth Jain

The forest section is really dense with a change in the trail. The steepness is consistent throughout the trek. There is a single water source (a pipe) on the trail. There are a couple of shops on the top from where you can have Maggi and tea. I would highly recommend to have a guide along with you on this trek. 

The top view is just magnificent. You get to see the Indrahar pass, Mun peak, Kundli Pass, Gauri Junda ( Matterhorn) and the Rising Star peak right up your forehead. Goosebumps guaranteed!

The pahadi Maggi

Photo of Thatharana Top: Unexplored alternative of Triund by Sidharth Jain

The little dots on the left are Dharamshala and the on the right are Mcleodganj.

Photo of Thatharana Top: Unexplored alternative of Triund by Sidharth Jain

The Mun peak

Photo of Thatharana Top: Unexplored alternative of Triund by Sidharth Jain

The Kundli Pass

Photo of Thatharana Top: Unexplored alternative of Triund by Sidharth Jain

The Matterhorn peak

Photo of Thatharana Top: Unexplored alternative of Triund by Sidharth Jain

View from the Thatharana Top

Photo of Thatharana Top: Unexplored alternative of Triund by Sidharth Jain

One side you get to see these big Peaks and on the opposite side, you have Dharamshala and Mcleodganj from and eagle's view. The Triund top is just on the left of view and you can easily spot it. It is a great weekend hike/trip but need good fitness to enjoy the hike.