Buran Ghati Trek is both, Jack and Master of all the trades. Located deep in the Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh, this particular trek inhabits every possible perk. From large fields of yellow flowers to camping over a cliff on a barren mountain, this trek offers you so much more than any other trek.
If one has to term a trek nearly as perfect, Buran Ghati is the one. It is a journey that accompanies you through peace, natural beauty, exciting challenges, and bumpy adventures.
Also See: Triund Trek
As much of the name suggests, one of the major attractions of the trek is the meadows. Throughout the entire route, you pass from one meadow to another. What’s special to this is that every meadow is distinct from each other. Some are laden with blooming yellow flowers, and others are patched with nut-brown wild horses.
Doesn’t it sound like a paradise? More than the comfort, it is a natural beauty that captivates you. It is a typical Spring and Autumn trek that boasts large open clearings with unimaginable lush green grasslands. Be it Dayara Bugyal or the other bugyals, all of them will keep surprising you throughout the way.
Also See: Hampta Pass Trek
Not to forget the mountains. All along the way, you will also be accompanied by ranges of snow-capped mountains. Imagine it in this way – It’s like you are walking in your lush green garden with blooming flowers, and instead of your home, it is these mountains on your side. Wouldn’t it be a sight to behold forever?
Well, we can’t express to you much of the part. But another thing you should know about this perfectly imperfect trek is the forests. The initial trail ventures through dense forests of oak, pine, and maple. But there is something special about the forests this trail takes you through.
The smell and the feel they exhibit are unparalleled. During the trek, sometimes you want to get lost and wander away in the wild. These forests make you fall in love with the wilderness and you suddenly wish the day to never end. Well, the surprises have just started to come.
Right after the forests, you enter the open lands of meadows and then you realize why this trek is called one of the most perfect treks in entire India.
Chandranahan Lake is another which you cannot miss out on. Nestled quietly amidst the mighty mountains and blooming meadows, Chandranahan lake gives you a view similar to what Kashmir offers you. Unlike other alpine lakes, this lake stays completely silent all around the year and stays astonishingly blue.
With glacial mountains in the backdrop and wildflowers bordering the landscape, you cannot ask for anything more mesmerizing scene ever in your life. As this trek doesn’t see a large community of trekkers on a daily basis, we are sure you might get some time along beside the lake.
Wouldn’t you want to just sit then and there and vanish out all the negativity from yourself?
Last but not least is the special Buran pass trek. Usually, other pass treks do not give you a challenging climb and are too easy to get a feeling of achievement. But Buran Ghati pass trek is something you must have never experienced before.
The moment you reach the top and look down, all you can see is a massive valley ready to swallow you. The views from the top is another thing that is worth mentioning. With great Himalayan peaks around you, trek to the pass is the rarest achievement.
Itinerary
Buran Ghati 7D / 6N
Day 1: Shimla to Janglik
Drive: 150 km
Altitude: 9,200 ft
Meal Included: Dinner
Stay Type: Stay in Guest House on a sharing basis
- Welcome to one of the most popular cities of Himachal Pradesh – Shimla. Buran Ghati trekking starts from Janglik, so you will have to take a cab from Shimla to Janglik.
- The route is well connected with buses and private taxis. So you can also take shared cabs or local government buses to reach your destination. The total journey is for 5 hours in total and you suddenly climb from 7,467 to 9200 ft.
- Once you have reached Janglik base camp, meet our representative and settle yourself in the guesthouse.
- If you wish, you can go around and explore the place. But it is recommended that you report back before the evening falls.
- To excite you further, we will have a musical bonfire set up just for you. Enjoy dinner beside the bonfire and then sleep a good night.
Day 2: Janglik to Dayara Thatch
Trek: 4 km (5-6 hours)
Altitude: 11,075 ft
Meal Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner
Stay Type: Stay in tents on a sharing basis
- Good morning fellow trekkers. Get excited because we are going to start a wonderful journey to Buran Ghati pass. Savor your breakfast and gather outside to the trek leader.
- The initial trail goes through dense forests and wheat fields. You might also find some wooden farmhouses too in their background. Jungle trails here are mesmerizing. We are sure you will enjoy it.
- Just after 50 minutes into the trek, you will cross the tree line and enter into the vast meadows. From here, all you can see is fields and fields of lush green meadows.
- In the last couple of hours to Dayara Thatch, the trail descends to the dense Pine & Oak forest. Keep trekking while taking short snaps of rest on the way.
- After some time, the trail will again pop out of the treeline as the hike ascends and leave you on the vast grounds of Dayara Thatch.
- The best thing about this campsite is that there will be no trees to obstruct your viewpoint. It will be only you, meadows, and the mountains in the background. Isn’t it amazing?
- Devour your steaming dinner, sing a little along with your friends and sleep a good night.
Day 3: Dayara to Litham
Trek: 3 km (3-4 hours)
Altitude: 11,800 ft
Meal Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner
Stay Type: Stay in tents on a sharing basis
- Start your day with a hot breakfast, pack your bags, and start the trek to Litham. The initial trail will pass through the various dense forests, and then keeps going up and down all the way to a river point.
- While you are trekking through, keep exploring the lush green meadows and splendid mountain views.
- As you trek for 40 minutes, the trail enters the Silver Birch trees section and then gradually descends. After a point, you can spot the first view of Litham. But from that point onward, the trail will again dip to Chandranahan stream.
- Apart from ups and downs, you will surely like the beautiful landscape covered with meadows and blooming flowers. Today we are not going to the lake, so find a flat spot where we can pitch our tents.
- After pitching, enjoy some time exploring the nearby fields. Have your dinner and sleep a good night.
Day 4: Litham to Chandranahan Lake and back to Litham
Trek: 6 km (5-6 hours)
Altitude: 13,800 ft, back to 11,800 ft
Meal Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner
Stay Type: Stay in tents on a sharing basis
- Wake up fresh to a peaceful morning. The place where we are pitched always remains absolutely silent, so you can enjoy your breakfast in tranquility.
- You should get excited. Today we are going to do a short trek to the mesmerizing Chandranahan Lake (Also sometimes misspelled as chandernahan lake). Even though it is short, but is going to take effort as the route is full of rocks and boulders. Also, you will find the trail extremely adventurous too!
- The Chandranahan is a small glacial tarn lake and is a group of 7 lakes. To spend time beside this lake is quite a moment. Enjoy the serenity with your friends and capture as many memories as possible.
- After you have had a nice time around the lake, it’s time to move back. Gather with your group and start your trek back to the campsite.
- Devour your dinner and sleep a comfortable night under the stars.
Day 5: Litham to Dhundha
Trek: 4 km (4-5 hours)
Altitude: 13,100 ft
Meal Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner
Stay Type: Stay in tents on a sharing basis
- Good morning trekkers. Today we are going to trek to yet another amazing campsite which is Dhundha. Unclutter yourself, pack your bags, and do your breakfast.
- The trek starts from the well-marked trail of shepherds towards the pass. Just after some time, you will reach the ridge of Dhundha from where you can spot the incredible Buran Ghati.
- The Dhundha campsite is surrounded by snow-capped mountains on the flank and meadows in the middle. This site is one of the best places to settle for the night. You yourself be astonished to witness this perfect piece of land.
- After pitching your tent, have your dinner, and retire for the day.
Day 6: Dhundha to Munirang via Buran Ghati
Trek: 7 km (10-11 hours)
Altitude: 11,800 ft, via 15,000 ft
Meal Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Evening Snacks – Dinner
Stay Type: Stay in tents on a sharing basis
- Today’s day is going to be the longest. So it is important that you wake up early, do your breakfast, and get ready to take on this amazing trek. The trek will be for about 10 – 11 hours long.
- The trail starts after crossing the boulders towards the pass. It usually takes an hour to climb this section. But it’s worth it. When you will reach the top and look around yourself, the view will surprise you.
- The descent from the top is another exciting activity. Because you drop almost 3000 ft together, you can’t just walk like that. So we descend with a help of a rope.
- Our trained guides will help you descending down. Though it is quite an experience.
- After you have come down from the top, descend for another hour and a stream will appear. Hop across this stream and you spot several farmers’ hut there.
- That will be your campsite for today. Pitch your tents and savor your dinner. Post dinner, if you wish you can also play some games and have fun. Then retire for the day.
Day 7: Munirang to Barua
Trek: 5 km (4-5 hours)
Altitude: 6,600 ft
Meal Included: Breakfast
- Today is going to be the last day of the trek. Live it to the best. After waking up, get ready, and do your breakfast.
- Today we will trek to Barua. Just as we said, every day is a surprise on this trek, and today’s day is also going to be a surprise for you.
- As you start, you walk over a well-marked trail and then gradually descend towards the Barua village. The Barua village is also known for the variation in vegetation and diversity.
- Enjoy the field of apple and other fruit orchards on your way back. Just after a few hours of mesmerizing trek, you will be able to spot the road from where you will drive down to Shimla.
- Catch your shared cab and drive back. The drive is again going to be refreshing enough to keep you interested throughout.
Day 8: Buffer Day
- This is a buffer day of the trek which can be consumed on any day as per the respective itinerary. This is decided on a unanimous decision taken by the group at an additional cost, which is to be paid on spot.
Things To Carry
1. Shirts / T-shirts –2/3, Jeans / Trekking Pants -2
2. Windproof jacket of decent quality (no flimsy wind cheaters please!) preferably with a hood
3. Warm and thick Fleece / Full-sleeve Woollensweater
4. Thermal inner wear (upper & lower),Scarf/muffler (optional)
5. Woollen cap, Woollen gloves, Woollen socks & regular socks (3-4 pairs)
6. Comfortable Trekking/Hiking shoes (Waterproof shoes with a thick sole are recommended)
7. Lightweight floaters/sandals/slippers
8. Raincoat / Poncho, Small quick dry towel
9. Water bottle (sturdy ones, no empty Bisleribottles!!)
10. Cap / Hat to keep the strong sun away from your face
11. Sun glasses (polarized/UV Protected), Walking stick / Trekking pole
12. Sunscreen Lotion, Lip Balm, Torch / Flashlight (with extra batteries)
13. Medicines, if requiring any specific medication
14. Personal toiletries
15. Day pack/small bag in case if you are planing to offload your regular backpack
16. Hand Sanitizer
17. Extra face masks