Sar Pass Trek

Sar Pass Trek Overview

One of the most recommended treks for beginners, the Sar Pass trek is a heaven for people who love to be amidst snow and mountains. This beautiful trek will take you through lush green forests, meadows, beautiful small villages, and the most beautiful snow-covered mountains. This will help first-time trekkers to experience all kinds of terrain and be prepared for their next adventure. The Sar pass trek gets its name from a beautiful small frozen lake where the trekkers will pass to reach their destination.

Located in the Parvati valley, the trek starts from Kasol for five days where trekkers also get a chance to explore the Himalayan vegetation. You can go through many streams, riverlets and witness the spectacular panoramic view of the Himalayas. Trekkers will also pass many small villages where they can get an opportunity to interact with them and learn more about the Himalayan culture. The campsites of the trek are also some of the most beautiful places where expeditioners can get a chance to experience a beautiful sunset and sunrise before heading out for their next day.

Quick Facts of Sar Pass Trek

Maximum altitude: 13,580 ft

Duration: 5 days

Trekking distance: 48 kms

Trail type: Easy to Moderate

Rail head: Chandigarh Railway Station

Airport: Bhuntar Airport, 31 km away

Snow Season: April and May

Service from: Kasol

Base camp: Kasol

Best season: Mid-April to June

Region: Parvati Valley of Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh

Who can participate: Beginners or First timers can participate in the trek

Short Itinerary for Sar Pass Trek

Day 1: The trek starts from Kasol where you will be headed to the Grahan Village

Day 2: Head to Min Thach from Grahan.

Day 3: Min Thach to Nagaru.

Day 4: Nagaru to Sar Pass and then Bishkeri

Day 5: Bishkeri to Barshaini and then back to Kasol

Sar Pass Trek Detailed Itinerary

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

Kasol to Grahan village

Altitude: 2350 metres

Distance: 8 km trek

Duration: 4-5 hours

  • The Sar Pass trek starts from Kasol and you have to head left towards Grahan Nallah.

  • This 8 km trek will last 4-5 hours and you will be following the Grahan Nalah route.

  • This is one of the most frequently used trails by the villagers and localities and trekkers will pass the beautiful pine forests before the trail becomes uphill.

  • This trail is known to be surrounded by some beautiful Rhododendrons trees.

  • Trekkers will have a steep climb for an hour and then reach Grahan village which is the last village of this trek.

  • Grahan is located on the top of the hill and trekkers will camp here at night.

Grahan to Min Thach

Altitude: 3400 metres

Distance: 7 km trek

Duration: 4-5 hours

  • Enjoy the beautiful snow covered mountains once you wake up on the second day of your trek.

  • Min Thach is one of the most used trials for villagers for their sheep and cattle. You will be heading north from the Grahan village and covering 7 km in about 4-5 hours.

  • As you head towards Min Thach, your way will become steep and you can also look at Min Thach, Nagaru, and also the Sar pass top towards your right on the mountain.

  • Trekkers will also go through a dense forest for a few hours before entering the meadows, where they will then soon find Min Thach surrounded by flat rocks on the hillock.

  • Once you reach Min Thach you can spot the Chandrakhani stretch and other Himalayan ranges.

  • Trekkers will spend the night at the forest campsite in Mung Thach.

Min Thach to Nagaru

Altitude: 3800 metres

Distance: 9 km trek

Duration: 7 hours

  • Enjoy the most beautiful sunrise at Min Thach and head over to Nagaru. Most of the trail towards Nagaru is steep as trekkers will climb through pastoral forests.

  • The trail is 9 km with an altitude of 3800 mts and it is very important for trekkers to follow instructions from the trek guide and stay hydrated as the air becomes thinner as you climb higher.

  • This is one of the difficult parts of the trek as the slope is steep to the valley below and the snow can get slippery.

  • Here you will reach the most beautiful snow-covered meadows and experience the majestic mountains across the Parvati valley.

  • This is also the coldest camping site on the trek and the temperature can drop below zero degrees at night.

  • Overnight stay at Nagaru.

Nagaru to Sar Pass and then Bishkeri

Altitude: 4182 metres

Distance: 13 km trek

Duration: 6-8 hours

  • Start early for the longest trekking day of your trip, the trek towards Sar Pass and Bishkeri is 13 kms and will take you at least 6-8 hours to complete.

  • Trekkers can enjoy the beautiful view of the Sar Pass and other elevated peaks of Tosh Valley.

  • The trek from here is steep and covered in snow. Once you climb the Nagaru ridge, the trail becomes easier and trekkers can witness some of the most spectacular views of the beautiful meadows and Parvati valley.

  • Trekkers can rest and have lunch at the Sar Pass and head towards the great slope which is the best part of the trek.

  • This slide covers one kilometer within just a few minutes. Trekkers can then trek down gentle slopes to reach the Bishkeri Thatch.

  • Stay overnight at Biskeri Thatch.

Bishkeri to Barshaini and then back to Kasol

Altitude: 3350 metres

Distance: 10 km trek

Duration: 4- 5 hours

  • On the last day of your trek, you can climb down while witnessing some of the beautiful views of grasslands, pine forests, and the Himalayas.

  • Trekkers can witness the beautiful pine forests, mountains, and the Biskeri grasslands.

  • This is a downhill trail and trekkers need to be careful while walking down the slope. You will pass through some beautiful little streams and a forest which will take you to the Pulga village.

  • You can then walk towards Tulga village and cross the Parvati river, where you will then need to climb to reach Barshaini which is the last destination.

  • From here trekkers can easily take a cab/bus back to Kasol or take a jeep ride to Kasol base camp.

Know Before You Go to Sar Pass Trek

Important Tips for Sar Pass Trek
How to Reach
Best Time to Go
Trekking Essentials
  • One of the most important tips for trekkers is to avoid sports shoes and opt for shoes or boots which are recommended for trekking. They are advised to use their shoes before the trek to avoid shoe bites or blisters.

  • Always carry synthetic quick-dry pants which are lightweight. You can wear these pants in layers at night when the temperature drops and avoid packing jeans or shorts.

  • Always carry full-sleeved t-shirts and lightweight sweaters. These will help prevent sunburn on your arms and neck.

  • If you are sensitive to cold, do not forget to carry a thermal inner.

  • If you wear spectacles, you can either wear contact lenses or photo chromatic glasses. You can also wear big sunglasses on top of your spectacles if either of them is not possible.

  • Always carry your own cutlery as this helps in keeping things hygienic.

  • Carry your government-issued original or photocopy of your identity cards with you.

  • Do not forget to carry your personal medical kit with first aid bands, cotton, gauze, antiseptic cream, pain relief spray, and also crocin.

By Air: One of the easiest ways to reach the base camp of the Sar Pass Trek, Kasol is by Air. Visitors can land at the Air terminal of Kullu-Manali. The other closest airport is Chandigarh airport. Once you reach the airport, visitors can take a bus or taxi to drop you at the Kasol Market.

By Train: The closest railway station to Kasol is the Pathankot railway station. Once you reach the railway station, you can take a bus or taxi to reach the Kasol Market. Visitors can also take a train to New Delhi or Chandigarh and take a bus or taxi to reach Kasol.

By Bus: Visitors can take a bus to Bhuntar. If you are visiting from Delhi, then there are buses twice a day which leaves for Bhuntar. Once you reach Bhuntar, you can take a taxi to reach Kasol.

April to June: Visitors can experience more snow early in the season when compared to later months. As this is the beginning of the season, there will be less crowd and you can find many professional guides to take you through the trek.

May to October: Visitors can also visit between May to October. During this time the sky is clear and trekkers will have an opportunity to look at the beautiful panoramic views of the mountain.

Backpack: It's necessary to carry a good backpack with sturdy straps which also has a rain cover

Trekking shoes: One of the most important items for your trek is your trekking shoes. You are advised to avoid sports shoes and opt for shoes that have good grip and ankle support. Go for Non-skid, deep-treaded, high-ankle trekking shoes.

Socks: Do not forget to pack cotton and woolen socks. The temperature drops at night and it is necessary to keep your feet warm.

Trek pants: Trekkers are advised to have 3 trek pants that are synthetic and quick dry.

Collared t-shirts: Take a pair of collared t-shirts. Trekkers are advised to get full-sleeved to prevent sunburns on the arms and neck.

Thick jacket and thermal inners: Make sure that your jacket is full-sleeved and windproof.

Woolen cap/scarves: The cap needs to cover your neck and ears from the wind.

Toiletries: Make sure to pack your sunscreen, lip balm, moisturizer, soap, toilet paper, repair kit, and wet wipes.

Cutlery: Carry your own plate, spoon, and mug for sanitary reasons. Also, carry 2 water bottles.

Camera: If you would like to capture all of the beautiful views, do not forget to carry your camera.

Other mandatory items: Carry a pair of warm gloves, and an LED torch.

General Trivia About Sar Pass Trek

  • Located in the Kullu region of Himachal Pradesh, the word "Sar" comes from a neighborhood tongue, which means a lake.

  • The Kanwar wildlife sanctuary situated in the Parvati valley is home to the Sar pass and trekkers can get a chance to spot some rare and exotic species here.

  • Trekkers can also spot colorful birds such as the White-cheeked Tit and the Cheer Pheasant among 200 species of birds.

  • Along with the beautiful scenic route, trekkers can also get a chance to observe many villagers and their unique customs on their way.

  • Another beautiful part of the trek is the Rhododendrons trees you can find in the forest which will take your breath away.

  • Trekkers can have an incredible experience of camping in the clear night sky illuminated by stars.

Why to Go for Sar Pass Trek?

One of the most beautiful treks in India, the Sar Pass trek is very popular among beginners who are trying to dive into the culture of trekking. One of the best parts about this trek is the fact that even a beginner can enjoy the beautiful scenic route. The trek will take you through quaint villagers and will also give you a chance to observe and learn more about their village life. You will go through beautiful pine forests, a frozen lake, and the most beautiful snow-covered mountains. The trek is a haven for people who would love to capture these moments. The sunset and sunrise at the campsites is absolutely breathtaking.

FAQ's of Sar Pass Trek

How difficult is the Sar Pass trek?

The Sar Pass trek is one of the best choices if you are a beginner and want to start your journey in trekking. The difficulty level of the trek is easy to moderate. The trek level might be moderate to first-timers as the trail has all kinds of terrain from the forest, uphill, meadows, and mountains. This will also help beginners to sharpen their trekking skills. The trail perches at an altitude of 14000 ft. which is considered to be easy if one is looking at starting high-altitude trekking.

Called a decent trekking site, Sar pass trek is a 5-day trek that gives plenty of time for trekkers to acclimatize while climbing higher. The treks most of the days are just 5-6 hours except for the 4th day of the trek where you will need to trek for 6-8 hours. However, beginners are advised to train for a couple of weeks before the trek just to get to the basic level of fitness.The scenic route and the majestic mountains are known to uplift the spirits of the trekkers making it easy for you to go on the trek.

Can trekkers start the trek as soon as they reach Kasol?

No, visitors need to spend a minimum of one day at Kasol to get acclimatized to the weather before starting their trekking journey. This will help trekkers prevent getting sick from Acute mountain sickness on the trek.

How long is the Sar Pass trek?

The Sar pass trek starts at Kasol and for the next 5 days, the trekkers will cover 48 kms. The trek is filled with beautiful landscapes, meadows, forests, and snow-covered mountains.

Is the Sar Pass trek a safe trek?

The Sar Pass trek is absolutely safe. As visitors will be acclimatized before the trek, trekkers should not have any problems with the weather and the campsites are also very equipped and safe.

Is there network connectivity during the Sar Pass trek?

As the altitude of the trek is around 14,000 ft, there will be connectivity issues on the trek. Trekkers will also not be able to find any ATM machines and are advised to collect cash at kasol.

What is the age limit to go on the Sar Pass trek?

The minimum age to go on this trek is 14 years and minors need to be accompanied by an adult. Trekkers should have a basic level of fitness before starting the trek and if not they are advised to train at least a few weeks before the trek starts.

Why is the Sar Pass trek famous among tourists?

Sar Pass trek is one of the most famous treks as it has a high altitude and covers many terrains such as forests, rivers, meadows, and snow-covered mountains. The scenic view of the mountains attracts many tourists.

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