Tirthan Valley Trek

Tirthan Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys of our country. This beautiful valley is situated in the Kullu distance of Himachal Pradesh. Tirthan Valley is the entry point to the Great Himalayan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The valley is known for its dense forests and alpine meadows. The Tirthan Valley trek begins from Gushini which is home to the Tirthan River. You can witness a crystal-clear river flowing gently alongside your trek. It is an easy-rated trek as all the ascends and descends on the trek are smooth. The trails are well-marked and have photogenic landscapes. 

Trekkers can start the trek from various locations. Most trekkers start trekking from Mashyar. This trek can range from 2-10 days depending on the route and remoteness. Beginners usually plan for a 4-5 day trek. Experienced trekkers often opt for expeditions that can take 8-10 days. People can spot various unique flora and fauna on the trek. They can spot Monals, Musk Deer, and various other wildlife. This trek is also home to a variety of fauna with good medicinal value. Tirthan Valley lies inside the protected zone; trekkers will need a permit to enter the valley. Tirthan Valley Trek is for the people who seek raw nature and culture.

History of Tirthan Valley Trek

Tirthan Valley Trek is a trail to God. The word “Tirthan” comes from “Tirath” which means sacred place. This is a spiritually and culturally rich valley of Himachal Pradesh. The name of the valley is after the Tirthan River which originates from Tirath Glacier. The locals of the valley consider it a holy destination. Some of the local stories say that yogis and sages used to travel to Tirthan Valley for meditation. 

Today, Tirthan Valley has become a famous destination for tourists. However, not many people know about the trek. The Tirthan Valley Trek is a culturally rich trek followed by beautiful rivers, streams, forests, and meadows. It is an isolated area and the locals have preserved their language, traditions, and old customs. Today the valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that helps the locals to protect the flora and fauna. The trek is very famous among people who like bird watching, wildlife/nature photography, etc. Tirthan Valley Trek is a culturally rich and less-crowded trek. You will be walking on a living heritage site.

Highlights of Tirthan Valley Trek

Arch to the Great Himalayan National Park: Tirthan Valley is the gateway for GHNP and the trek is the trail to one of the most beautiful valleys in our country. Tirthan Valley Trek covers various protected biodiversity zones. Trekkers can witness big alpine meadows, high-altitude landscapes, and dense forests.

Flora And Fauna: Your Tirthan Valley trek passes from various protected zones. These zones are home to various unique flora and fauna. While walking in these sensitive zones, trekkers can witness wildlife like Monal, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Tahr, etc. You can find countless species of fauna and wildflowers.

Beautiful Himalayan Villages: Himalayan villages are very difficult. They are not only culturally rich but the people are also very nice and friendly. You will start your trek from Gushaini village where you can experience the warmth of locals. The hospitality is very exceptional and you can also find lots of homestays with local cuisine. These villages will aid the bliss of your trek.

Scenic valleys and rivers: The valleys and villages are very beautiful. When you trek Tirthan Valley, a beautiful Tirthan river will follow you. You will see natural pools, and hidden waterfalls on the trek. You might pass small bridges to cross the river. The small river and waterfall crossing make the trail more scenic. 

Difficulty Level of Tirthan Valley Trek

Tirthan Valley Trek is rated as an easy trek. It is a beginner-friendly trek and you can complete your trek without any difficulty. Meanwhile, the trekkers should be fit to walk long hours. Trekking to Tirath requires good physical and mental strength.

• Easy to moderate trails: You start your trail from Mashyar and trek to Asurbag which has an altitude of 12,470 ft. The trail is not very difficult but you have to walk for long hours. Most trails are easy but you should always prepare yourself for moderate trails.
• High-altitude sickness: People who are not used to thin air can face AMS problems. While walking in high-altitude areas, the low oxygen level often causes symptoms like nausea, headache, etc. Trekkers should stay at Gushaini for a day for acclimatization and start the trek the next day.
• Unpredictable weather: The weather in high-altitude locations is unpredictable. Trekkers may experience sunny, rainy, or even snowfall on the same day. The days can be hot and the nights can be extremely cold. The trekkers should always carry rain gear for the Tirthan Valley trek. If you are equipped with all essential gear, you can complete your trek without any worry.

Best Time To Visit Tirthan Valley Trek

The best time to plan your Tirthan Valley Trek depends on what you want to experience. For easy treks, you can plan your trek during spring or autumn. But, if you like snow then you can plan your Tirthan Valley Trek in the winter.

• Tirthan Valley Trek from March To April

People who love cool weather, dense forests, and beautiful meadows should plan the trek during spring. The snow starts melting and the meadows start turning green. The valley looks very vibrant and lively.

• Tirthan Valley Trek from May To June

Trekkers who want to escape the harsh summer of their city can plan a trek from May to June. The weather will be good and the trail will be lush green. Trekkers can witness the calm flowing Tirthan River with clear skies.

• Tirthan Valley Trek from July To September

Monsoon in the Himalayas can be risky. You can trek to the lower parts of the Tirthan valley but high-altitude treks are not recommended. Clouds will cover your Himalayan views and camping will also become difficult. Getting leeches and other wild insects is very common. But you can witness big meadows covered with wildflowers.

• Tirthan Valley Trek from Mid September to November

Autumn is also a good time to plan the Tirthan Valley trek. The temperature will start dropping and views become clearer. This is the best time to plan high-altitude treks.

• Tirthan Valley Trek from December To February

This season is only for snow lovers. You can experience heavy snowfall in high-altitude areas. In winter, Tirthan Valley becomes a paradise for snow lovers. But you can only trek to the low-altitude areas.

How To Reach Tirthan Valley Trek?

Tirthan Valley is situated in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. This valley is the entry point to the Great Himalayan National Park. To reach Tirthan Valley, you need to reach Gushaini or Mahsyar. 

• Route 1: Delhi to Aut

You can take a bus, flight, or train to reach Delhi from your hometown. Now you can ride a bus directly to Aut. The distance is about 500 km and will take about 12-14 hours. Aut is a small town near the Chandigarh-Manali highway. After reaching Aut, you can take a shared taxi to Gushaini.

• Route 2: Chandigarh to Aut

Chandigarh is also a good option to reach Aut. This city has good train, road, and air connectivity. After reaching Chandigarh, look for the direct buses to Aut. The distance is 250 km and will take about 7-8 hours.

You can find local taxis from Aut to Gushaini. A few local bus services are also available for Aut to Banjar and then Banjar to Gushaini. The nearest airport is Bhuntar Airport which is 20 km from Aut. The nearest railway station is Joginder Nagar Railway Station but it has limited trains. Chandigarh or Ambala stations are better options for railway connectivity.