Drive: 190 km, 8-9 hrs
Altitude Gain: 2,100 ft – 6,500 ft
Today is going to be the first day of the adventurous Maldaru Trek. Early in the morning, you will depart for Sankri; a small village in Uttarakhand. Dehradun to Sankri is a beautiful road trip passing through curvy Himalayan mountain roads. Sankri village is considered to be the base camp for many famous and offbeat treks like the Kedarkantha Trek, Har ki Dun Trek, Barradsar Lake Trek and Bali Pass Trek
Let’s know some interesting facts about today’s road trip to Sankri. You will witness spectacular views and some ancient heritage sights on the way that represents our country’s rich culture. One such place is Lakhamandal. We will talk about it later though.
Kempty…You must have heard this word right? On the way to Sankri when you leave Mussoorie, you will pass through beautiful Kempty waterfalls also known as Kempty Falls. You will get a chance to witness the beauty of this famous Himalayan waterfall.
When you start riding on the Mussoorie – Yamunotri road, you will come across another beautiful place named Lakhamandal. It is not exactly on our way but If the time allows, you can pay a visit to this temple. While passing the town you will realize why Uttarakhand is called Devbhumi. Lakhamandal is mentioned in the ancient Indian scripture, the epic Mahabharata. This temple is famous not only because it is mentioned in Mahabharat, but also because of its significant architecture. The temple is dedicated to lord Shiva.
Let’s move a little further, and you will reach Ganganani, famous for its natural hot springs. Ganganani is a small village in Uttarakhand near Harshil Village. Here, you will take a break by the riverbank. All Indian rivers are considered sacred as they sustain countless lives. Sit down, dip your legs in the water, and listen to the soothing music of the river. You will reach Sankri by the evening and check into the beautiful cosy guest house.
Drive: 15 km, 1 hr
Trek: 12-14 km, 6 hrs
Altitude Gain: 6,500 ft – 8,398 ft
After a hearty breakfast, we will be transported to Taluka by car. The drive is a bit bumpy. The trek commences from Taluka on a stony path. The motorable road in Govind Pashu National Park ends here. With the river Supin gushing through rapids beside us, under the shade of walnut, pine and other trees, the walk is quite pleasant. Often the passing villagers greet us on the way. We also see plantations of the red-coloured Himalayan crop amaranth, locally known as cholai.
A few hours and crossing over a few streams later, we see the village of Gangad across the river on the left. We continue our hike and after about an hour, the quaint village of Osla unfolds itself. Osla is a household name among trekkers. Home to about 200 families, it gives us a peek into Garwahli culture. Seema is a tiny settlement opposite to Osla on the other side of the river. We set camp here or stay in a hut with a local family in the village.
Trek: 12-13 km, 7 hrs
Altitude Gain: 8,398 ft – 11,515 ft
From Osla the trail gradually rises higher and passes through bushes of flowers like orchids, fleece flowers and sunflowers. The ascending path climbs high above the confluence of Supin river and the river from Ruinsara valley.
After traversing higher up along the left side of the river, we camp at a very panoramic spot in Har ki Dun, located at the junction of two valleys – one originating from Jaundhar glacier and the other from beyond Hata glacier.
Trek: 5-6 km, 3-4 hrs
Altitude Gain: 11,515 ft – 13,779 ft
Today we trek at moderate pace to reach Ratha Tho. On the wasy, we pass by Morinda Tal, a small lake. A part of the trek is a bit over boulders but with the views of snow covered peaks and wide valleys, it is a beautiful walk.
Trek: 6-7 km, 5-6 hrs
Altitude Gain: 13,779 ft – 16,076 ft
On this day, we walk higher up. The path is over boulders and quite often snow-covered. The campsite at upper Lamjung is also on snow mostly. From here one gets a beautiful view of the valley behind.
Trek: 10-12 km, 7 hrs
Altitude Gain and loss: 16,076 ft – 17,583 ft – 13,123 ft
We start before sunrise for this day’s trek. As we keep moving higher up, the views open up behind us. After crossing two glaciers and a final ascent over boulders, the cradle shaped Borasu pass lies before us. We descend towards the Himachal side of the pass into a large glacier usually glissading over the initial slope. The trek further is along a tributary of Baspa river. We may find shepherds near the campsite.
Trek: 15 km, 6-7 hrs
Altitude loss: 13,123 ft – 11,253 ft
Today’s trek takes about 8 h. This is an easy walk through flower fields and forests. Overnight in Chitkul Village. The trek ends here. One can get public or private transport from Chitkul or Sangla to Shimla.
Beautiful Himalayan Blue Poppy flowers. In the high altitude treks of Uttrakhand, you may ofter find them; especially in the season of flower blooming.
High Altitude Himalayan Mountain Peaks appearing from the Borasu Pass Trek
Specacular views of Valley. In the Borasu Pass Trek, you will have to walk through challenging terrains full of boulders/Moraines.
Streep Climbs through snow capped mountains. The spectacular views of the Himalayan mountain range will take away all the exhaustion of trek.
The best time for the Borasu Pass trek is either before or after the monsoon season. In May-June and September-October, the weather is good with clear skies and pretty snow-capped mountains.
In May-June: It’s nice because you’ll see greenery mixed with snow, which looks really nice. The weather is good for walking. In the daytime, it’s about 5°C to 10°C, and at night, it can get as cold as -1°C to -5°C.
In September-October: There’s less snow, but it’s still beautiful. The weather is good for trekking. In the daytime, it’s about 6°C to 13°C, and at night, it’s around 3°C to -4°C.
It’s best to avoid July and August because there’s a lot of rain, and the paths can be slippery and tough. Also, November to April isn’t ideal because there’s heavy snow and it’s really, really cold.”
The Borasu Pass trek is a bit tough. You should have a good level of fitness and some trekking experience before trying it. It’s not recommended for beginners or people who haven’t hiked much before.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s needed for the trek:
Endurance: You’ll be walking for long hours, sometimes over steep hills. It’s good to be able to comfortably walk for 5-6 hours a day with a backpack.
Cardio Fitness: The high altitude and steep climbs ask for good cardiovascular fitness. It’s a good goal to be able to jog or run 5 kilometers in 30 minutes or less.
Strength: Strong legs and core muscles are super important for handling the uneven ground and carrying a backpack. Regular strength exercises can help.
Mental Strength: The trek can be mentally tough because of the altitude and long walking days. Staying positive and mentally strong is really important.
The difficulty of the Borasu Pass is moderate to difficult but can be safely done with proper preparation and guidance from experienced organizers. Here are safety tips:
The Borasu Pass trek usually welcomes participants between the ages of 14 and 16 as the youngest, while the upper limit is typically around 60 years old.
These age boundaries are set for safety reasons. The trek is demanding, with high altitudes and potential risks. Younger participants might not have the necessary physical and mental strength, and they may be more vulnerable to altitude-related issues.
As for the upper age limit, it’s primarily a precaution for safety. Older participants may have underlying health concerns or reduced physical capacities, which could make the trek more challenging and increase the likelihood of complications.
The Borasu Pass trek is in the Western Himalayas, stretching between Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh states. It begins in Sankri village, Uttarakhand, and finishes in Chitkul village, Himachal Pradesh. The journey covers Govind National Park, Rupin Pass, and reaches Borasu Pass at 5,360 meters (17,585 feet) high.
The trek offers a mix of scenery like green valleys, snowy peaks, glaciers, and pretty meadows. It’s a bit tough but totally worth it for the amazing views of the Himalayas and the chance to experience the wild beauty.
The Borasu Pass trek has different temperatures depending on the time and how high up you are. It’s best to go in May-June or September-October when the weather is good for trekking.
In May-June: In lower places, it’s about 15°C to 20°C in the day, but higher up it can get as cold as 5°C to 10°C. At night, especially up high, it can go below freezing.
In September-October: In lower places, it’s about 10°C to 15°C in the day, and higher up it can get to 5°C to 10°C. At night, it’s about 2°C to 8°C in lower areas, and -2°C to 4°C up high.
July and August: It’s not a good time because there’s lots of rain and the weather is unpredictable. It can be between 15°C to 25°C in the day and 10°C to 15°C at night.
November to April: It’s too cold and snowy for most people. In the day, it’s between -5°C to 5°C, and at night, it can go below -10°C.
Using your mobile phone during the Borasu Pass trek can be tricky. Sometimes you might get a signal, especially in lower spots or near villages, but it’s not reliable.
Because of the mountains and the remote areas, it’s hard for mobile signals to reach everywhere. When you go higher up, it’s even tougher to get a signal.
If you need to talk to family or friends, tell them your plan before you start. You can also bring a special phone or locator just for emergencies.
The Borasu Pass trek is considered a moderate to difficult trek, requiring a good level of physical fitness and prior trekking experience. It is not recommended for beginners or individuals with limited hiking experience.
If you’re new to trekking, it’s a good idea to start with easier treks to get used to it before trying Borasu Pass. Make sure to check with your doctor to be sure you’re fit for high-altitude trekking.
Here’s a plan to get ready for Borasu Pass:
Cardio: Do 3-4 cardio sessions each week. Start slow and then go longer and faster. Activities like jogging, running, swimming, and cycling are good.
Strength Training: 2-3 times a week, work on strength. Focus on your legs, core, and upper body. Exercises like squats, lunges, planks, and push-ups are good.
Hiking: Practice with a backpack to get used to how it feels. Begin with shorter hikes and then do longer ones with more uphill.
Altitude Practice: Spend a few days at a place with medium height (2500-3000 meters) before the trek. This helps your body get used to the thinner air.
Always listen to your body, take it easy when you need to, and rest when you feel tired. Getting ready like this will make your trek more enjoyable and lower the chances of getting sick or hurt.