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Shrikhand Mahadev Trek Overview
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Quick Facts of Shrikhand Mahadev Trek
Maximum Altitude: Shrikhand top, which is 18,570 ft from the sea level.
Temperature: Ranges from 10°Celsius - 30°Celsius during the daytime and falls to around 2°Celsius - 10°Celsius after sunset.
Shrikhand Mahadev Trek Distance: 32 km
Trek Duration: 8 days/ 7 nights
Terrain Type: Steep slopes on uneven glacier
Trek Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult
Starting Point of the Trek: The trek starts at Jaon Village.
Finishing Point of the Trek: Jaon Village
Nearest Railway Station: Shimla is the nearest railway station.
Nearest Airport: Bhuntar Airport in Kullu
Shrikhand Mahadev Trek Base Camp: Jaon Village
Snow Season: The region experiences heavy snowfall from December-January.
Best Time for Shrikhand Mahadev Trek: The perfect time to embark on this trek is between the full moon day in July to the full moon day in August.
Short Itinerary for Shrikhand Mahadev Trek
Shrikhand Mahadev Trek Detailed Itinerary
Jaon Village – Singhad Village
The journey of the Shrikhand Mahadev Trek starts from the quaint village of Jaon, which is located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. The journey from Jaon to Singhgad is a short 3 km trek; if done at a moderate speed, it takes about one and a half hours to complete. The first day of trekking is easy with a straight 3km stretch in a route that runs parallel to a picturesque rivulet.
Once you reach Singhgad village, you can explore it a little as it is considered one holy place where the devotees offer their prayers before setting out for the Srikhand Mahadev yatra.
Singhad Vilage – Barhati Nala
The next day, you will begin early to start the journey towards Barhati Nala. Here you will observe that the straight path cuts down to a steep walking path surrounded by a beautiful stretch of lush green forests. During this journey, you will come across a sudden ascent leading up to Barathi Nala, which is at the height of 7,283 ft. From this point, you will witness the stunning view of two rivulets coming together to form Kurpan.
After covering a distance of 2.5 km, you will reach a small settlement town owned by a hermit named Giri. This hermit will serve free food and accommodation to all the pilgrims and trekkers in his "Langar Sthal."
Barhati Nala – Thachru
The next stop is Thachru which is at 11,318 ft. To reach Thachru from Barhati Nala, you must cross a series of steep paths with sharp turns through dense forests. While you are on the way to Thachru, you will get a clear glimpse of the Kullu Himalayas. It will take around 1-2 hours to reach Tharchu. On reaching Tharchu, you will notice a small open space with a temple.
You can enjoy the fresh food here provided by the locals. Also, it is interesting to know that the stay options in this village are reasonable in price. You also must note that the mobile signals are feeble in the area.
Thachru – Kali Ghati
The next destination after Thachru is Kaali Ghat. To reach the place, you must perform a vertical climb that stretches for about 3 km. The entire journey takes around one and a half hours to complete.
After walking a small distance from Thachur, you will reach a starting point called Danda Dhar. From Danda Dhar, the path will become steeper and more challenging with sharp trenches. The terrain here is mainly covered with shrubs, bushes, giant boulders, and small peaks. Also, you must be careful while walking as the soil is quite loose and dry in this stretch.
Once you reach Kaali Ghat, you reward your hard work by marvelling at the 360-degree view of the Himalayas from 12,778 feet above sea level.
Kali Ghati – Bheem Duari
From Kaali ghat, you will begin a slight descent to reach Bheem Duari, which is the entry point to Parvati Bagicha. This is one of the most enjoyable parts of the trek, as you will come across several roaring waterfalls and small hills through the beautiful terrains.
Bheem Duari – Parvati Bagicha
Parvati Bagicha, at an elevation of 13,622 feet and is 3 km away from Bheem Duari. It will take around 2 hours to get there. The trek will have a steep climb section of 2.5 km up to Parvati Bagh. Nestled in the middle of the heartwarming mountain ranges, this spot is just below Shrikhand Mahadev. The rare flora in Parvati Bagh is one of the main attractions of the area. If you are lucky, you might spot the rare Brahma Kamal.
Parvati Bagicha- Nayan Sarovar
The part of the Shrikhand Mahadev Trek route is to reach Nayan Sarovar. You must note that from beyond Parvati Bagh, there is no grassland. The final stretch of this trek goes through giant boulders and endless snow. On your way to Nain Sarovar, you will come across a pristine Alpine lake created from the melting waters of several nearby glaciers. The Nayan Sarovar is also a lake that is situated 14,527 ft high. It takes around one and a half hours from Parvati Bagh.
Nayan Sarovar – Shrikhand Mahadev Peak
After setting out from Nayan Sarovar, you will make a left turn that will present a mesmerizing and majestic view of the Shrikhand Mahadev Peak. The climb to the peak is the most challenging part of the trek. The path is steep, with a few glaciers on the way, and is low on the oxygen level.
Take your time to complete the climb, do not rush, and try to adjust to changing surroundings before moving ahead. After you have successfully reached the Shrikhand Mahadev Peak, you can sit back and take you to soak in the moment of being literally on "the top of the world." This particular moment will mark the conclusion of your Srikhand Mahadev Yatra.
After spending a few moments at the top, you will cross the famous "Bheem Ki Sidhiyan" that takes you back to the base camp at Jaon Village.
What to pack for Shrikhand Mahadev Trek?
Water bottles of food-grade quality. Since it is a long and tiresome trek you will need to constantly keep hydrating yourself to avoid being tired. You can also carry a hydrating pack to keep your hands free while walking to make the trek easy.
Some sachets of ORS and glucose as trekking for hours under the sun will suck a good chunk of your energy, these sachets will help you replenish that energy effectively.
Trekking shoes for snowy, rocky, and rugged terrains as the trek is filled with steep climbing and loose soil. A pair of good shoes will avoid you from slipping. Thus, keeping injuries at the bay.
Two pairs of good quality anti-smell sports socks to keep recycling throughout the trek.
Special UV sunglasses to save your eyes from the sunlight and sun glare at high altitudes and snowy terrain.
A waterproof backpack with a sweat protection layer on the back. This will save your belongings from getting wet during rain or during any other encounter with water.
Light raincoat with cap for protection against rain. It must be of a size that can be worn over your backpack.
Adequate clothing, including a pair of warm clothes and quick dry T-shirts, thermals as the temperature drops drastically at night in the areas of higher altitudes.
Waterproof pouch to carry phones, cameras, and other electronic gadgets to keep them safe from coming in contact with water.
Your trekking guide will have a top-notch first aid kit ready, but they might not have the medications that your doctor prescribed. Therefore you must carry your personal medicine and first aid kit according to your doctor's prescriptions. Make sure to include medicines for mountain sickness, fever, nausea, injury of cuts, body ache/ headache, diarrhea/ amoebic infections, injury of cuts, crape, and regular bandage rolls.
Know Before You Go to Shrikhand Mahadev Trek
Since the trek includes areas of high altitudes, the trekkers may experience harsh and cold climatic conditions, especially during the 2nd half of the Shrikhand Mahadev Trekking interval. It is advisable to wear warm clothes, especially after crossing the Nayan Sarovar Lake.
The weather might keep fluctuating due to the changes in altitude. Every trekker must take sufficient time to slow down and adjust their body to these weather changes. Not taking enough rest will only cause physical discomfort.
Since this particular trek is a little advanced, everyone must pay complete attention to the professional guide assigned for the expedition. Remember to strictly follow his instructions to complete the journey safely and successfully.
If you have any medical condition, you must consult your doctor before registering for the trek. Make sure that you are physically fit to complete this tiresome 8-day long journey.
Although the travel guide will have the standard medication and a first aid kit. But you must carry your medicines along with a mini first aid kit in case of emergencies.
Keep the surroundings clean and avoid littering on campsites as well as local sites. Be respectful towards nature and the locals.
Make sure you do not drink alcohol or consume any other intoxicants before or during the trek.
Do not carry any unnecessary luggage for the trek, as it will only make your bag heavier. Thus, making you slow and fatigued quickly.
This trek can be undertaken through two paths. The first is the one is Starting from the Jaon village as a base camp.
The second is starting from the village of Arsu, but mostly the one from Jaon village side trek is highly preferred due to the immensely beautiful vision of the valleys and the cherish worthy experience it offers.
By Air:Bhuntar Airport in Kullu is the nearest airport. From Bhuntar Airport you can take a private cab to reach Jaon village. It will take approximately 6 hours to get to Jaon village from Bhuntar.
By Train:Shimla is the nearest railway station to Jaon Village. The village is 170 km from the railway station. You can take a cab from the station for the journey.
By Bus:
From Shimla: A highly functional network of Buses covers the route from Shimla to Jaon village. It takes five hours to complete the journey on the road via Shimla.
From Kullu: The journey to Jaon through Kullu is a little complicated but adventurous. From Kullu, you must travel to Bathad, which is the last village connected via road. The bus or the cab will drop you here. From Bathad, you must complete a small trek through a steep track to reach Bashelu pass, which paves the way to the beautiful village of Saharan. From here, you will get a direct cab or taxi to Jaon village, where the trek to Shrikhand Mahadev begins.
July - August
The best time to visit is between the full moon day in July to the full moon day in August. During this time, the weather is perfect for witnessing the mighty Himalayas standing tall in their full glory from the Srikhand Mahadev peak.
The scenic route throughout the journey is one of the main highlights of the Srikhand Mahadev Trek. It will be a pity to finish the journey without enjoying a clear view of the celestial charm of the Himalayas due to bad weather and low visibility. Since it is the pilgrimage season, the government arranges certain safety measures for the tourists and pilgrims visiting Shrikhand Mahadev.
Also, the clear weather gives you the green signal to go ahead and enjoy the wonders of scenic waterfalls and crystal clear lakes without worrying about the rain.
General Trivia About Shrikhand Mahadev Trek
Situated at a height of 18,570 ft. above sea level, the Shrikhand Mahadev is considered to be one of the holiest spots in the country. People count as one of the Five Kailash, which include Kinnar Kailash, Mani Mahesh, Kailash Mansarovar, Adi Kailash, and Srikhand Mahadev.
The main highlight of the trek is the Shivling-shaped peak is the most sacred place for Hindus across the world. It attracts swarms of Hindu pilgrims every year as they believe the peak to be the abode of the highly worshipped deity in Hindu mythology - Lord Shiva. At 18,570 ft, on the mountain top boldly stands the shiv ling-shaped rock.
The place also holds relevance with the Mahabharata. According to Hindu folklore, it is believed that Pandavas also took a pilgrimage up there.
This trek will give you a chance to witness some of the rarest flora and fauna in the country, including the 'Brahma Kamal'.
Throughout the trek, you will get to meet the local villagers of the Kullu valley and spend quality time with them to learn about their local culture. This is also a great opportunity to enjoy the unique flavors of the local cuisines of the nearby villages.
Why to Go for Shrikhand Mahadev Trek?
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FAQ's for Shrikhand Mahadev Trek
How Difficult is the Shrikhand Mahadev Trek?
Throughout the world, Shrikhand Mahadev is considered to be a challenging trek. It is filled with steep paths, sharp trenches, and dense jungles. The terrain is mainly covered with shrubs, bushes, giant boulders, and small peaks. Also, one of the challenging parts will be reaching Kaali Ghaati by climbing 4 hills that are 75 degrees steep. You must wear a pair of good hiking shoes to avoid slipping as the soil is quite loose and dry in certain areas with the absence of forests. Since the peak is at a staggering elevation of 18,570 ft from sea level, you might experience extreme levels of fatigue, due to lower oxygen levels. You must have good cardiovascular endurance to complete this long journey of 8 days. While the path is challenging, the views are equally rewarding; You get to marvel at the beauty of serene valleys, ravines, glaciers, and lakes that accompany you while you make your way up to the peak of Shrikhand Mahadev.
What is the height of Shrikhand Mahadev?
The Shrikhand Mahadev peak is at a staggering height of 18,570 ft above sea level.
Where is Shrikhand Mahadev located?
The Shrikhand Mahadev Trek is located in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, and requires you to trek for around 32 KM from its base camp of Joan Village.
What kind of fitness is required for Shrikhand Mahadev Trek?
Since the trek is physically demanding, a moderate to a high fitness level is required to successfully complete the Shrikhand Mahadev Trek. In order to cover a distance of 32 KM to reach an altitude of 18,570 ft, you will need high cardiovascular endurance.
Is Shrikhand Mahadev worth to go for trekking?
The Shrikhand Mahadev journey is perfect for rejuvenating the adventurer in you. The trek is a classic combination of divine and adrenaline-pumping moments. The majestic blue hills, the sweet smell of the wildflowers, and the clear rippling rivers will leave you spellbound as you trek towards the peak.
How long is the Shrikhand Mahadev Trek?
It will take a total of 8 days to complete the Shrikhand Mahadev Trek. Throughout the trek, you will cover a distance of 32 KM, which is well divided into 8 days. The whole trek is considered to be moderate to highly difficult. Hence, you must take the proper time to cover each section and not rush into anything.
Treks in Ladakh & Kashmir