Nature’s Trail

Trekking in Himalayas

The Youth Hostel Movement was the brainchild of an eminent German school teacher, Richard Schirrmann, who set up the first Youth Hostel which was opened in 1912 in Altenia, Germany. As a consequence, the Youth Hostels Association was formed in Germany in 1919.

The Youth Hostel Movement had found its way into India before the partition of the country in 1947. The idea was introduced in early forties by the Boy Scouts and Girls Guides of India, Punjab Circle and the first Youth Hostel was formally opened at Tara Devi near Shimla on June 9, 1945 by H E Sir Bertrand Glancy, Chief Scout and Governor of the Punjab.

The Youth Hostels Association of India has organised following programmes for its members during vacation.

National Himalayan Trekking Expedition 2007

  • Sar Pass Trek, Himachal Pradesh (1st May, 2007 - 31st May 2007) (Minimum age 15 years)

  • Saurkundi Pass Trek, Himanchal Pradesh (25th Apr., 2007 – 25th May, 2007) (Minimum age 15 years)

  • Kedarkantha Trek, Uttaranchal (1st May, 2007 -– 31st May, 2007)

  • Nature Study cum Trekking: Kullu – Manali, Himanchal Pradesh (25th Apr., 2007 – 25th May, 2007) (Age between 10 & 15 Years)

  • Nature Study cum Trekking: Dalhousie, Himanchal Pradesh (Between 21st Apr., 2007 & 21st May, 2007) (Age between 10 & 15 Years)

  • Family Adventure Programme, Himanchal Pradesh (Between 24th Apr 2007 & 3rd June 2007)

  • Mountain Biking – Kullu-Manali, Himachal Pradesh (Between 24th Apr 2007 & 29th May 2007)

  • Mountain Biking – Leh-Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir [Between July & August] Schedule will be announced shortly.

SAR PASS is one of the most popular trails in the Shivalik Range of mighty Himalayas. Parvati Valley of Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh abounds in natural beauty with snow-clad mountains, perennial rivulets and streams, waterfalls, picturesque meadows in the midst of dense forests of Devdar and fir trees which beckon the young adventure lover to come and experience the serene and calm atmosphere of all pervading nature. Himachal has been referred to as the land of gods and goddesses, snow-clad mountains and perennial streams with crystal clear water. Its beautiful valleys present extensive forests and picturesque meadows dotted with a variety of flora and fauna. Sar Pass Trail offers an opportunity to enjoy the exquisite beauty of Parvati Valley. Kasol will be the base camp and is famous for its cool and pleasant climate with tall pine trees. The trekker will pass through the first camp Guna Paani (Euden Garden), which is surrounded by snow-clad peaks and looks like melten gold at the time of sunrise and sunset. Ghural Jyot, Unch Dhaar, Hattigarh Top, Nakhthaan Top and Manikaran Valley are visible from here. Himalayan medicinal herbs are organically grown here. The trekker reaches second camp Fual Paani after crossing Poo and Kangchani Thatch. A thatch is a vast ground with varied flora and funa. Fual means shepherd and paani means water . Third camp Zirmi presents the view of Rudra Naag top,Tosh Nullah and Khirganga. Rukhaau Thatch and Bakkar Thatch are good resting points before reaching Ruari Thatch. After crossing Ruari Thatch trekkers come to the fourth camp Tilalotni, The highest point SAR PASS is heaven on earth presenting a spectacular view of Maan Talaai, Bijli Mahadev hills. After descending through Biskeri and Bhandak Thatch one is finally back to civilization at Barshaini.

For Sar Pass trail, the base camp is at Kasol which is linked by road to Kullu via Bhuntar. It is 5 km short of Manikaran, famous for hot water springs. Regular bus service is available from Kullu and Bhuntar to reach Kasol. Direct buses are also available to Manikaran from Chandigarh and other parts of Punjab. Nearest railhead are Joginder Nagar, Pathankot and Chandigarh.

Nearest airport is Bhuntar. Delux, Semi Delux and ordinary night/day buses are available from Delhi, Chandigarh and other parts of Punjab.

Schedule of Programme

Day 1 Report at Base Camp (Youth Hostel Kasol) – ht. 6,500 ft.
Day 2 Acclimatization and Orientation.
Day 3 Rock Climbing
Day 4 By Bus to Unch Dhar (10 kms., 1hr.) and Trek to Youth Hostel Guna Paani – ht. 8,000 ft. 
(5 kms) 5 hrs. Via Shila Village
Day 5 Trek to Youth Hostel Fuaal Pani – ht. 9,500 ft. (5 kms.) 6 hrs.
Day 6 Trek to Youth Hostel Zrimi Thach – ht. 11,000 ft. (6 kms.) 7 hrs.
Day 7 Trek to Youth Hostel Tila Lotni – ht. 12,500 ft. (6 kms.) 6 hrs.
Day 8 Trek to Youth HosteI Biskeri Thatch – ht.11,000 ft. via Sar Pass (ht.13,800 ft.) (9 kms.) 7 hrs.
Day 9 Trek to Youth Hostel Bhandak Thatch – ht. 8,000 ft. (10 kms.) 6 hrs.
Day 10 Trek up to Barsheni road head, transfer by bus to Manikaran and again trek up to Base Camp KASOL. Valedictory function.
Day 11 Group breaks after breakfast

Saurkundi Pass trail is one of the most popular trails in the Pirpanjal Range. SAURKUNDI PASS trail offers an opportunity to enjoy the timeless beauty of Kullu Valley with Segli, Maylee and Longa Thatch as its beauty spots. Base camp Babeli is famous for its cool and pleasant climate with tall pine trees. Doura Thatch can be literally called the little Siachin where one can experience the challenge of nature in full fury during spine chilling cold nights. The splendid views of snowy peaks offer an endless feast to the eyes. Longa Thatch fascinate the trekkers with sweet grasses, wild Flowers and ferns and a variety of birds.

For Saurkundi Pass trail, the base camp is at Babeli which is on Kullu-Manali Highway. It is 7 kms from Kullu Bus stand. Direct bus services are also available from ISBT Delhi,Chandigarh and other parts of Punjab to Kullu-Manali .
Schedule of programme

Day 1 Report at Base Camp (Youth Hostel Babeli)  – ht. 4,000 ft.
Day 2 Acclimatization and Orientation.
Day 3 Rock Climbing
Day 4 Trek to Youth Hostel Segli – ht. 7,100 ft. (8 km) 5 hrs.
Day 5 Trek to Youth Hostel Hora Thatch – ht. 9,000 ft. (10 km)s 7 hrs.
Day 6 Trek to Youth Hostel Maylee Thatch – ht. 10,500 ft. (6 kms) 9 hrs.
Day 7 Trek to Youth Hostel Doura – ht. 11,300 ft. (10 km) 7 hrs.
Day 8 Trek to Youth HosteI Longa Thatch – ht.10,800 ft. (12 kms) 8hrs. via Saurkundi Pass (12,900 ft.).
Day 9 Trek to Youth Hostel Lekhni – ht. 8,100 ft. (10 kms) 4 hrs.
Day 10 Trek up to Manali Town (Aalloo Ground) road head, transfer by bus to Babeli Base Camp, Valedictory function.
Day 11 Group breaks after breakfast

For the convenience of the trekkers coming to Kedarkanth from all over the country, the Reporting Camp is at Mussoorie, “Queen of  hills” a picturous hill station of Uttaranchal. The nearest railway station is Dehradun, which is well connected with other parts of the country. Buses are available in plenty from Dehradun Bus Stand/Railway Station to Mussoorie.

Schedule of Programme

Day 1 Report at Reporting Camp Mussoorie (6000 ft.)
Day 2 Transfer to Base Camp, Youth Hostel Sankri by bus (5800 ft.) 175 kms-8 hours
Day 3 Acclimatization and Orientation.
Day 4 Trek to Youth Hostel Juda Talao (8000 ft.) – 4kms – (4 hrs)
Day 5 Trek to Youth Hostel Kedarkantha (10000 ft.) – 7kms – (5 hrs)
Day 6 Trek to Kedarkantha Peak(12500 ft.) & Return back to Juda Talao (11 Kms.) 
Day 7 Trek to Youth Hostel Dhundha (10000 ft.) – 8 kms (6 hrs)
Day 8 Trek to Youth Hostel Talhouti (11500 ft.) – 11 kms (7 hrs.)
Day 9 Trek to Youth Hostel Taluka (7500 ft.) – 12 kms (4 hrs.)
Day 10 Trek to Base Camp Youth Hostel Sankri (5800 ft.) – 12 kms (4 hrs.).
Day 11 Transfer by bus to Reporting Camp Mussoorie -– 175 kms (8 hrs.)
Day 12 Group breaks after breakfast.

For further information please log on to www.yhaindia.org.