4.6 / 5

Indrahar Pass

📍 Indrahar Pass Trail, Himachal PradeshView map ›

🗓 Best Time To Visit:May to October

⏰ Open Hours:Open 24 hours, but best explored during daylight

🎒 Things To Do:Trekking, camping, photography, explore local flora and fauna

💰 Budget:N/A, as it is a natural trekking path, no entry fees required

🧳 Traveller Types:Adventure seekers, nature lovers, photographers

🔍 Known For:Stunning panoramic views, diverse flora and fauna, trekking trails

📍 Distances:Nearest railway station - Pathankot Railway Station (88 km), nearest airport - Kangra Airport (32 km)

⛺ Camping:Allowed, but travellers must bring their own gear

🥾 Trek Difficulty:Moderate to Difficult

🌦 Weather:Summers (10-30°C), Winters (-10 to 10°C)

💡 Tips:Carry adequate water and food supplies, warm clothing, and trekking equipment. Be prepared for altitude sickness.

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Indrahar Pass Trek: A Complete Guide to the Ultimate Himalayan Adventure

Are you looking for a thrilling, scenic and rewarding trekking experience in the Himalayas? Do you want to witness the stunning contrast between the lush green Kangra valley and the barren Chamba valley, as well as the majestic views of the snow-capped peaks, glaciers, lakes and meadows of the Dhauladhar range? Do you want to explore the rich and diverse culture and heritage of Himachal Pradesh, as you pass through charming villages, temples, monasteries and markets? If yes, then the indrahar pass trek is the perfect choice for you!

The indrahar pass trek is a popular trekking destination in Himachal Pradesh, India, that takes you to the indrahar pass, the border between Kangra and Chamba districts, at an altitude of 4342 meters. The trek offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and diversity of the Himalayan landscape, as well as the culture and history of the region. The trek is suitable for both beginners and experienced trekkers, as it has a moderate difficulty level and a flexible duration of 8 to 10 days, depending on the route and pace.

In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to the indrahar pass trek, covering all the essential aspects such as itinerary, difficulty, best time, attractions, inclusions, exclusions and booking options. We will also share some tips and advice on how to plan and prepare for the trek, what to expect from the trek, and how to enjoy the trek to the fullest. By the end of this article, you will have all the information and inspiration you need to embark on the ultimate Himalayan adventure!

Why Choose the Indrahar Pass Trek?

The indrahar pass trek is one of the most rewarding and satisfying treks in Himachal Pradesh, as it offers a variety of benefits and advantages over other treks in the region, such as:

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The indrahar pass trek offers a unique opportunity to witness the stunning contrast between the lush green Kangra valley and the barren Chamba valley, as well as the majestic views of the snow-capped peaks, glaciers, lakes and meadows of the Dhauladhar range. The trek takes you through diverse and scenic terrain, such as forests, grasslands, rocky slopes, snowfields, streams and waterfalls, where you can admire the beauty and diversity of nature.

The indrahar pass trek is suitable for both beginners and experienced trekkers, as it has a moderate difficulty level and a flexible duration of 8 to 10 days, depending on the route and pace. The trek does not require any technical skills or equipment, and can be done by anyone with a reasonable level of fitness and stamina. The trek also allows you to customize your itinerary and pace, according to your preferences and goals.

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The indrahar pass trek is a great way to explore the rich and diverse culture and heritage of Himachal Pradesh, as it passes through several charming villages, temples, monasteries and markets, where you can interact with the locals and learn about their traditions, customs and cuisine. The trek also gives you a glimpse of the history and legends of the region, as you visit ancient monuments and sites, such as the Galu Devi temple, the Lahesh Cave, the Kuarsi temple, the Chamba fort and the Dalhousie church.

Getting There

The travel time from Delhi to McLeodganj depends on the mode of transport and the route you choose. Here are some of the possible options and their approximate durations:

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By plane:

The fastest way to reach McLeodganj from Delhi is by taking a flight from Delhi to Dharamsala, which takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. From Dharamsala, you can take a taxi or a bus to McLeodganj, which takes another 30 to 45 minutes. The total travel time by plane is about 3 hours and 15 minutes.

By bus:

The cheapest way to reach McLeodganj from Delhi is by taking a bus from Delhi ISBT Kashmeere Gate or Majnu Ka Tila to McLeodganj, which takes about 10 to 11 hours. The buses are operated by HRTC, Northern Travels, Asians Shina Tours & Travel and other private companies. The total travel time by bus is about 10 hours and 45 minutes.

By train and taxi:

Another way to reach McLeodganj from Delhi is by taking a train from New Delhi to Amb Andaura, which takes about 5 hours and 15 minutes. From Amb Andaura, you can take a taxi to McLeodganj, which takes another 3 hours and 45 minutes. The total travel time by train and taxi is about 9 hours and 15 minutes.

By car:

The most convenient way to reach McLeodganj from Delhi is by driving your own car or hiring a cab, which takes about 7 to 8 hours. The shortest and fastest driving route is via NH 44 and NH 503, which covers a distance of 477 km. The total travel time by car is about 7 hours and 50 minutes.

As you can see, the indrahar pass trek is a truly amazing and unique trekking experience, that you should not miss out on. If you are ready to take on the challenge and the adventure, read on to find out how to plan and prepare for the trek, what to expect from the trek, and how to book and enjoy the trek.

Indrahar Pass Reviews

The Indrahar Pass is located at the altitude of 4,342 meters. Here I describe my trip to the Indrahar Pass. Last summer I went to the most difficult trek ever-The Indrahar Pass. This destination is off-beat because many people only trek to Triund only select few thrill-seeking chaps go to Indrahar Pass. The Beginning My trip began from Delhi, I was with my four friends. It was a budget backpacking trip just under 5K. We boarded the train to Pathankot at the night and reached the following day. We wanted to go to Kangra by toy train which was supposedly very slow-it took six hours and for comparison the bus would have taken only 1.5 hours; but it wasn't all that bad. We met a young fellow in his twenties and he was going back to his home in Kangra and he started to chat with us. We are still beginners as trekkers so he helped us with many basic things like what kind of food we should eat and advised us to stay hydrated. It was really good to befriend a complete stranger and later on he invited us to his house to have dinner. We decided to stay the night at his house after local sightseeing. We were very grateful to him and his family. The next day we took a bus to McLeod Ganj and thus began our trekking adventure. The moment we reached McLeod Ganj we decided to find a hotel, so instead of staying at McLeod Ganj we decided to stay at Bhagshu. The hotels were bit cheaper there. We decided to go for local sightseeing and planned to trek to Indrahar Pass the next day. The next day came-the weather was good and we started our trek to Indrahar Pass at five in the morning. From Bhagshu we decided to go on foot to the Glu Temple (Glu Temple is the place where trek to Triund starts). We started-off in high spirits and by twelve we reached Triund. The trek was not an easy one and we skipped the breakfast so we were all hungry. Food in the mountains is an expensive commodity-so we spent around thousand bucks on food. We stayed at Triund for two hours and began trekking to the Snowline Café. The trek is very steep and the rocks are slippery. We were not using professional equipment so we were concerned about safety and we were trekking slowly. It took us six hours to reach the snowline café and we were really tired. The day was over for us. The sun was about to set with only faint light visible and we joined the bon-fire that was lit by the café owners. The food choices that we get only include Maggie, eggs and rice. Final Leg We hired a guide to take us to the Indrahar Pass because navigation is difficult and very few people go there. Our journey began at the dawn. Each of us carried five water bottles and three Gatorade energy drink. There was no snow since we were trekking in summers so it was bit safer. The trek was incredibly difficult because our group was tired from the trekking of previous day somehow, we all continued walking. We took breaks-many breaks. It took us seven hours to reach the Indrahar Pass. We were above the clouds-literally. The trek not only breaks you physically it also breaks you mentally, so you need thrill-seekers with you-the one who do-not give up until they achieve what they desired. I wanted to quit many times when my legs won’t listen to me, my body didn’t want to move an inch but my incredibly motivated adventure junkies didn’t allow me to give up. I completed trek because of their motivation. The trek was really satisfying. I could see myself on top of the Great Himalayas. Later on, we met few-fellow trekkers who were climbing from the other side of the mountain. I only saw one more group while trekking down to the snowline café. That’s how rare it is. I want to trek it again-this time in winters when it is all covered in snow. For more content follow me: Instagram : hd_vlogs_ Main account : choraa_on_road
We started our day around 7am after having breakfast. As I started my trek after 15 minutes, I started feeling dizzy and I thought maybe I was trying harder. I rested a bit and fortunately it was getting better but the route was getting much difficult. I literally have to crawl my way even though one can find distorted steps made of rocks by the Gaddi shepherds. (A local tribe who travels each day across Indrahar pass over the snow and reach Chamba district on the other side). Halway through the trek, we have to cross a frozen waterfall which was very difficult because it is very steep and we have to made our way with axes to fir our shoes. One have to very careful because one wrong step and you can slide down almost 500m through the broken and slippery snow. Once we cross the snow, the rocky terrain continued. You can spot different species of ferns and flora (beautiful small yellow flowers surrounded our way). After bruising my elbow, slipping a lot more times than I expected I reached the top and the breathtakingly stunning from the top just worth every pain. Soon I traversed a bit sideways and reached the small mountain goddess placed at the top. It had taken 3.5 hours for me to reach the top from Lhasa caves. The other side was full of snow and there are no traces of any human as far as my eyes could see. I cherished the moment for some time and imbibed the fresh Himalayan air. One will literally feel above cloud nine here. The scenic view engulfed me and made me speechless. After some clicks I started descending downwards and it was not that easy as I expected. You need to have strong knees because it gets very strenuous to control your descent.
Indrahara Pass is one of the most stunning treks situated at an altitude of approx. 4350 meters over the snowbound Dhauladhar range entices trekkers from across the globe. Indrahar pass forms the border between Kangra and Chamba districts. Trek to Indrahara Pass This astounding trek will take trekkers through dense Deodar and Rhododendron forests. They get panoramic views of Mani Mahesh Kailash peak and the snow-covered Pir Panjal Range. Trekkers will also witness the amazing Indian plains till the far horizon. Initially, this trek begins with a steady climb through the Himalayan region and turns into a steep climb. You will experience walking through rich wildlife areas and witness wild goats, leopard and Monal bird. Trekking on this route will offer an ultimate adventurous experience as this trek comprises of continuous climbing often over boulders. While the trekkers get an opportunity to explore and discover the natural beauty and the fascinating charm of the high Indrahar Pass, they also get to enjoy camping around the Lahesh Caves on their way. Then there are those who pass the cross over to Chamba or Bharmour. The entire trek duration is five days. When to Visit The best season to visit this trek is between May to June and September to October. If you want to enjoy snow trekking, ideal time is to visit is before May where you will be trekking through snow glaciers How to Reach: By Air: Gaggal airport is the nearest airport which is approx. 12 km from Dharamshala By Train: There are no direct trains for Kangra & Dharamshala. Multiple trains ply till nearest towns like Jalandhar & Pathankhot By Road: The nearest town linked via public and private transport is Dharamshala/ Mc. Leodganj. You can then drive to Dharamkot and start your trek
Today is the summit day, our final destination was in front of us. You can see the top when sunrises because we started early morning around 4am. Indrahar pass is the straight climb which is exhosting. But the views when u turn back and watch the magnificient valley. It takes away all tiredness and you feel refresh. Its good to start early morning because snow is hard in the mornind and its easy to walk. It took us 8 hours to reach the summit. it was mid of the day. The view was the best vie of my life. All high mountains including moon peak seems very close to us. We stayed there for 20 minutes than starts decend to the camp. Decend takes half of the time of climb. We reached at camp by 5pm. Day4: Snow Line to Mcleodganj- After breakfast we said good bie to the high altitude himalayas and started trek back to mcleodganj via triund. It was a wonderful walk through the pine and oak forest. There are plenty of cafe on trek back. we rested at some and enjoyed maggi coffee with breathtaking view. We reached at the mcleodganj by 3pm. Our bus was from 6pm to delhi. we reached delhi in the early morning. It was a wonderful experienec. Trekking teach us a lot. you must trek its good for health and peace of mind too. no doubt its ultimate fun. thanks for ur precious time.
We spent some 10 minutes at Lahesh caves and yeah as the name suggests it is a proper huge cave. Then we were off again and the ordeal seemed never ending. We walk and walk and walk and the top looks no closer. I would say about halfway we got to know that the trekkers who were ahead of us reached some 400 mts close to the summit, gave up and were on the way back. Our guide kept on reassuring us that we could get to the top and as the day is bright and sunny, the weather too is on our side. As we moved up, the trail got trickier and now there were patches of snow here and there from the previous days snowfall. I was delighted to see all that snow, not knowing that soon I'll be dreading and crying about it.
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