The Sar Pass Hike
Sar Pass has an elevation of 14,000 feet above sea level. This Himachal trek requires no prior experience. The Sar Pass trek begins in Kasol and ends in the Kullu valley at Barshaini.
Sar Pass is a 48-kilometre trek in Himachal Pradesh. Hiking trails wind through pine forests, snow-capped mountains, magnificent meadows, and some of the most breathtaking scenery on the planet. The Sar Pass trek allows you to explore the wild and exotic vegetation of the Himalayas. Pink rhododendrons can be found at various points along the trails and should not be overlooked.
The Sar Pass trek is ideal for first-time hikers.
Sar means “Lake” in the local language. it is is named after a glacial lake through which hikers must pass. Sar Pass trek is located in the Parvati valley of Himachal Pradesh. The Sar Pass hiking trail winds through forests, charming villages, meadows, and snow-capped mountains.
The Sar Pass trek provides stunning views of the snow-capped peaks. Kasol, a beautiful coniferous forest with mountain streams, is where the journey to Sar begins.
Itinerary for a Short Trek to Sar Pass
- Day 1-
Arrival in Kasol
- Day 2-
Travel from Kasol to Grahan Village (2350 metres, 8 kilometres).
- Day 3-
Grahan – Min Thach (3400 metres, 7 kilometres)
- Day 4-
Nagaru – Min Thach (3800 metres, 9 kilometres)
- Day 5-
Nagaru – Sar Pass – Bishkeri (4178 m, 13 hours)
- Day 6-
Barshaini, Manikaran, and Kasol, or Bishkeri (10 kms Trek)
Day 1: Arrival in Kasol
When you arrive in Kasol, make a reservation for a hotel/homestay or a campsite. You can take a walk, go shopping, plan a trek, or go to Manikaran. Stay in Kasol for the night.
On Day 2, travel from Kasol to Grahan Village. (8 kilometres, 2350 metres).
You can start your trek from Kasol after an early breakfast. The path takes you through a dense green forest, streams, and waterfalls. The trail is easy at first, but obstacles like a rocky and steep path and crossing the Grahan Nallah make it difficult quickly. The trail steepens as we get closer to Grahan Village, which is visible. Close to the village, the Grahan campsite is surrounded by Rhododendron trees. Grahan has been in existence for hundreds of years. Evenings can be spent photographing locals and charming traditional houses nearby.
Grahan – Min Thach Day 3 (3400 mts, 7 kms Trek)
We will leave Grahan after breakfast for a 7-hour trek to Min Thach (our next campsite). The trail to Min Thach is commonly used by locals to transport their livestock to higher pastures. The trail’s flora and fauna are diverse, including birds, insects, and other insects. As we ascend, the trail becomes steeper and deeper into the woods. The path through the forest leads to meadows, which are grassy areas. The Min Thach is a flat rock hill surrounded by other flat rocks. The sunsets and sunrises at this camp are breathtaking.
Day 4: Nagaru – Min Thach (3800 mts, 9 kms Trek)
We will resume our journey to Nagaru after an early breakfast. The journey to Nagaru is difficult and time-consuming because the path is mostly steep and ascends through pastoral forests to snow-covered meadows. As you ascend, the air becomes thinner, and you may experience mild altitude sickness symptoms such as headaches and dizziness. Follow the instructions of your trek leader or guide and drink plenty of water to avoid altitude sickness.
As you get closer to the camp, the chilling winds hit your face, revealing one of the altitude gains. At these altitudes, the surroundings become more open and broad. Due to the strong winds, it is the coldest campsite on the entire trek. When you arrive at the Nagaru campsite, you will be greeted with breathtaking views of the Parvati Valley’s majestic mountains. At this beautiful campsite, enjoy the sunset painting the sky with different colours and the night full of stars.
Day 5: Bishkeri – Sar Pass – Nagaru (4182 mts, 13 kms Trek)
The most important and longest day of the Sar Pass Trek is today. Following an early morning breakfast, we will begin our steep and snow-covered trek. After ascending the Nagaru ridge, the trail becomes more difficult. Climbing higher to the pass offers spectacular views of the Parvati valley’s beautiful meadows and towering peaks. As you gaze out at the mighty Himalayan snow-capped peaks, green meadows, and trail below, reaching the top of the Sar pass provides a sense of accomplishment. One can eat his packed lunch while photographing the scenery at the Sar pass.
Following the pass is a fantastic slope ideal for sliding that takes one kilometre in minutes; this is the highlight of the trek. Then, descend through rhododendron forests to Bishkeri Thach. After a long day, the lush green meadows, wildflowers, and variety of birds at Bishkeri can recharge your body and mind. At Bishkeri, we’ll spend the night camping.
Day 6: Bishkeri – Barshaini – Manikaran/Kasol (10 kms Trek)
Between Bishkeri and Barshaini, the road has both uphill and downhill sections. Each step up the slope on this route must be taken with caution. If you walk slowly and steadily, you can easily return to the roadhead. Several small streams will be crossed on the trail. You will arrive at Pulga village after a few hours of enthralling forest trekking. Tulga village is a short distance away. Then cross the Parvati River and keep climbing until you reach Barshaini. From Barshaini, you can take a bus or a taxi to Manikaran/Kasol.
What is the best time of year to visit Sar Pass?
The Sar Pass trek is best visited between May and October when the sky is clear and you can enjoy an incredible panoramic view. From October to December, the weather is unpredictable, and the roads are covered in heavy snow. As a result, most treks are not organised by companies during this time.
