Garhwal Archives | Raacho Trekkers

Borasu Pass Trek Log [Har-ki-Dun to Chitkul Traverse]

Gargantuan mountains of Baspa valley

On June 30th Kamal and I took a bus from Mussoorie to reach Sankri. We reached Sankri by 4PM. No jeep was available to Taluka village — the last village before Borasu pass — because of the rains. So we walked from Sankri — the last village having electricity supply — to Taluka for a… Continue reading Borasu Pass Trek Log [Har-ki-Dun to Chitkul Traverse]

Crossing the Himalayas: From Leh To Kathmandu

The 28-year-old French adventurer Eliott Schonfeld, winner of the GEO Adventure contest, crossed the Himalayan chains on foot and on horseback from August to December 2017. After four and a half months of trudging in trans-Himalaya, he gradually got rid of the modern comforts & paraphernalia. The aim was to replace the products of modern… Continue reading Crossing the Himalayas: From Leh To Kathmandu

Kedartal Lake – A Trekker’s Dream

Kedartal, as the name indicates its Lord Shiva’s lake. The legend says Shiva created this lake as a contribution to River Bhagirathi. The lake is believed to be the origin of Kedar Ganga, a tributary to Bhagirathi which joins the river at Gangotri. But, in that landscape, you happen to see Kedar Ganga originating from… Continue reading Kedartal Lake – A Trekker’s Dream

Why Auden’s Col Trek Should Be On #1 Expedition Trek List?

This picture was taken while crossing the infamous Khatling Glacier after (safely) descending from Auden's Col. We got a clear window of couple of days to safely negotiate glacier in relatively good weather.

Last 25 days I have been to the most exotic yet most secluded corners of Indian Himalayas. I have hiked and climbed one of the most challenging and dangerous regions during this expedition. I was extremely lucky to witness some incredible landscapes and was lucky to see it’s fascinating yet unique wildlife. Auden’s Col Expedition… Continue reading Why Auden’s Col Trek Should Be On #1 Expedition Trek List?

Lamkhaga photostory: The Chitkul-Harsil Trek

Witnessing the onset of autumn in the Himalayas! Lovely contrast of fall colors against the snowy summits with clear blue skies, something I didn't expect before the trek.

Lamkhaga photoblog Lamkhaga Pass (5284m) is one of the most beautiful and challenging treks I’ve done so far. This 8-day trek connects the beautiful village of Chitkul in Sangla or Baspa valley of Kinnaur, Himachal to Harshil (Gangotri region, Uttarakhand) through some of the remote regions, usually not accessible for the civilians. The amount of… Continue reading Lamkhaga photostory: The Chitkul-Harsil Trek

Lamkhaga Pass Trek – May 2018 Expedition Blog

Jalandhari Gad amphitheater

Chitkul to Gangotri/Harsil Trek Lamkhaga Pass (5282m) (Chitkul to Harsil), May 2018This Himalayan high pass divides Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh from Uttarakhand in India. We followed the following route:–Chitkul to Rani Kanda-Rani Kanda to Dhumti-Dhumti to Gundar-Gundar to Lamkhaga advance base camp (Kinnaur side) (One may break this climb till base camp 1 and next day… Continue reading Lamkhaga Pass Trek – May 2018 Expedition Blog

Auden’s Col Expedition & Khatling Glacier Trek Blog

The day after Auden's Col on khatling glacier

Patangini>Auden’s Col>Khatling Glacier Trek Expedition Auden’s Col is a mountain pass, it is approachable from Gangotri and one can trek up to Kedarnath following Auden’s Col and Khatling glacier. Auden’s Col gets its name from J B Auden, a famous British geologist. He first explored the region in the year 1939. It connects the mountain… Continue reading Auden’s Col Expedition & Khatling Glacier Trek Blog

Auden’s Col Trek : Via Khatling Glacier & Mayali Pass

Bhrigupanth - Thalay Sagar - Jogin towering over Kedar Tal

Auden’s Col is a pass in the Gangotri Group of mountains that connects Jogin I (6465m) and Gangotri III (6580m) and is reportedly situated at an altitude of around 5400m. It also binds two glaciers on the opposite sides. One is Khatling glacier and the other one looks like the glacier belonging to Jogin I.… Continue reading Auden’s Col Trek : Via Khatling Glacier & Mayali Pass

Recent FAQs

Which cellular network works in Spiti valley?

BSNL works in all regions of Spiti valley and Kinnaur. Reliance Jio has started expanding its network in Spiti valley. It is expected to get functional by the summer of 2021.

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What to pack for Spiti valley?

In summers, the maximum temperature crosses the 20 degrees Celcius mark in Spiti valley. During sunny daytime, you’ll feel comfortable just by wearing a t-shirt and trousers. It is always good to get wrapped in layers of clothes as the weather can change anytime in the Himalayas. Even if the sun starts shining again, you can always get rid of the outer layers of clothing.

Here is the packing list (summers) for Spiti valley:

T-shirts.
A windcheater/ rain jacket.
Jeans/trousers.
Light woolen.
A cap/hat.
Sunglasses.
A pair of hiking shoes.
3/4 pairs of regular socks.
A water purifier and filtration bottle (avoid plastic bottle).
Personal hygiene essentials.
Sunscreen sunblock cream.

Spiti valley packing list (for winters):

A pair of good quality waterproof trekking boots.
Three pairs of cotton socks.
Two pairs of waterproof hiking pants.
One pair of shorts
Two pairs of fleece jumpers.
Two pairs of thermal tops and bottoms
One down jacket.
Headgear (1 beanie/skull cap, 1 buff, and 1 trekking cap).
A pair of thick gloves
Personal hygiene essentials(alcohol-based gel hand sanitizer, soap, towels, toilet papers, baby wipes, etc.).
UV-block sunglasses.
First aid kit.
A water purifier and filtration bottle.

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What is Spiti valley famous for?

Spiti valley is acclaimed for its distinctive Moon-esque landscapes and interesting landforms. 5 entities that define the Spiti valley are:

Chandratal —.the lake of moon.
Buddhist monasteries of Ki, Kaza, Kungri, and Tabo.
Snow leopards of Kibber — the grey ghost of the Himalayas.
Fascinating Tibetan culture and customs.
Fossils — dating back to the Triassic period (252-201 million years ago) — of Langza village.

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How to reach Spiti valley from Shimla?

Shimla to Narkanda-Rampur Bushahr-Powari-Pooh-Dubling village drive is on National Highway 5 (NH5). The Dubling village to Nako-Tabo-Kaza drive is on NH505. Kaza is the headquarters of Spiti valley. During winters, Shimla-Narkanda-Rampur road gets closed for a day or two whenever there is a long spell of snowfall. During such events, take the Shimla-Suni-Rampur Bushahr route along the Satluj river. This route stays open for all 365 days of the year.

It takes longer — when compared from Manali to Spiti valley (Via Atal tunnel) route — to reach Kaza from Shimla.

Shimla is one of the two places (second is Manali town) to start the Spiti valley circuit tour.

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How to reach Spiti valley from Manali (via Atal tunnel)?

The road from Manali follows the Solang Valley-Atal tunnel-Gramphu-Batal-Kunzum Pass-Losar-Kaza route. The distance from Manali to Kaza is 183 km and it takes about 4-5 hours to reach Kaza. Manali-Kaza is a shorter route than the Shimla-Kaza route.

Though the Atal Tunnel has hardly reduced the road distance between Manali and Spiti valley by nearly 20km, the drive time between the two places has now been reduced by over 2 hours.

Manali town is one of the two — the second is Shimla — places to start the Spiti valley circuit tour.

Is it possible to drive to Spiti valley from Manali in winter (via Atal tunnel)?

No. Not until BRO (Border Road Organisation) punches another hole under Kunzum-La — a pass that keeps Spiti valley closed to vehicular traffic from November to May from Manali’s side.

What precautions do you need to take while driving through the Atal (Rohtang) tunnel?

If you are coming from any city located on the plains (like from Delhi/Chandigarh), do take a break in Manali — or a place located at a similar altitude.

Driving straight from a place located at 200m altitude to a place at 3000m can take a toll on your body. Moreover, the temperature difference between the two places is enormous — from temperatures above 40 degrees celsius to subzero temperatures at the north portal of the Atal tunnel (during winters).

The second thing you need to consider is the speed limit. As the Atal tunnel is built under the Seri Nallah stream. Water ingressing into the tunnel walls from Seri Nallah could cause the formation of black ice on tunnel tarmac during the winters as the tunnel will act as a venturi for icy winds blowing in through the North portal.

If you drive above the speed limits on a slippery surface, your car can easily go into a slide causing a major accident!

Category: Spiti valley tour FAQs

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