Where is the Aadi Himani Chamunda trek located?

Aadi Himani Chamunda Devi Temple is located on a hilltop in the Dhauladhar range of the Mountains at an elevation of 2810 meters. The temple lies to the North East of Shri Chamunda Devi Temple in Chandar Bhan, Jia Village, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh.

How difficult is the Aadi Himani Chamunda trek?

The Aadi Himani Chamunda Temple trek ranges from moderate to difficult levels. It is not a beginner-friendly trek and intermediate or experienced trekkers may find it manageable. The reason for the difficulties is the steep stairs for ascending with the trails moving into the slopes. Such a trek requires a great level of endurance and effort for a successful hike.

What is the best time to do an Aadi Himani Chamunda trek?

The best time for Aadi Himani Chamunda Trek is from Mid-June to the end of October. It is because of the pleasant weather and clear skies compared to other months of the year. Moreover, after the end of October, the winter season starts and it snows heavily to make the trek even more difficult. Most of the time this winter trek gets canceled due to safety reasons.

What is there to do in the Aadi Himani Chamunda trek?

There is a lot to do in Aadi Himani Chamunda Trek like crossing the steep stair path, witnessing the prowess of the Aadi Himani Chamunda temple and many more. Rated moderate to difficult, you put in the effort to reach the holy temple 2810 meters above the ground level. Moreover, you can explore the temple, its nearby shops, and green meadows.

Is Aadi Himani Chamunda worth visiting?

Aadi Himani Chamunda Trek is worth your effort and time because you will experience the breathtaking views of the mountains above 2800 meters. You will experience a rush of adrenaline crossing the steep stairs that make your trek as thrilling as possible. Moreover, you get to visit the holy temple with all the good vibes and positivity.

Himani Chamunda Trek, Himachal Pradesh

Himani Chamunda Trek Overview

Aadi Himani Chamunda Trek takes you 2810 meters above the ground to visit the holy temple of Goddess Chamunda. The temple holds the significance of the powerful Hindu mythological Goddess Chamunda killing demons Chand and Mund on the top of the hill. Owing to the popularity of the trek, most devotees climb a little higher from Chamunda Devi Temple to Aadi Himani Chamunda Temple. Starting either from Jia Village, or Jadrangal, the trek takes you through a strenuous journey on the trail surrounded by the lush greenery of the mountains. The difficulty of the Aadi Himani Chamunda Trek is rated from moderate to difficult. The moderate part of the trek involves a well-defined and even partially paved trail while the difficult part is the steep stairs. The ascends of the trek are not difficult with no sudden drops. The slopes of the stairs are gentle with requirements of no technical skills to cross. It can seem a bit difficult for the first timers owing to the grade of the trek and the fact that there are limited accessibilities above. The 3 days- 2 nights trek takes you to the Aadi Himani Chamunda Temple surrounded by Dhauladhar Ranges and the temple above it, The Kharghoshini Temple.

Quick Facts of Himani Chamunda Trek

Maximum Altitude: 3185 meters
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
Trail Type: Moderate to Difficult
Airport: Gaggal airport, Kangra
Base Camp: Kangra
Best Season: Middle of June to the end of October
Region: Himachal Pradesh

Himani Chamunda Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Reach Kangra and admire its beauty

Reach the beautiful town of Himachal Pradesh- Kangra, also known as Nagarkot.
You can reach Kangra from Chamunda very easily as the distance between both towns is 17 kilometers, which is easily coverable by bus or taxi/cab/rental.
Upon reaching Kangra, admire the small mountain town’s lush greenery and explore famous places like Kangra Fort and Rock cut temple.
You can think of paying respect to Jwalaji Chamunda devi Temple.
Post exploration, enjoy your dinner, and stay overnight in the hotel, only to wake up the next day to head to the base camp.

Journey to Base Camp Jia Village

Travel to Jia Village from Kangra via bus. There, you can enjoy a local lunch, and try to pack some of the food items for dinner as there are fewer shops near the temple.
Embark on the trek with the stairs. As you ascend, the stairs become a bit steeper to climb, requiring attention and effort from you.
The breathtaking view of Himachal Pradesh at its best accompanies you throughout the 3-4 hour trek. Then, you reach Aadi Himani Chamunda Temple.
Pay your respects to the temple and notice its architectural beauty that narrates its time through the ages.
For the night, you can rest in temple dormitories but make sure you carry matchsticks as there is a distinct lack of light there.
Have your dinner and relax for the night.

Ascend to Khargoshini Temple and back to Jia Village

Get up the next day in the morning and descend down the trail after breakfast.
Watch the sunrise slowly as you move down amidst the Dhauladhar ranges.
Upon reaching a point, ascend a 2-kilometer-long tricky trail with an expert guide to reach Kharghoshini Temple.
Visit the temple and witness its charm to descend to Aadi Himani Chamunda Temple.
Continue trekking down to reach Jia Village to end your trekking expedition.

What To Pack For Your Himani Chamunda Trek?

Clothing:

Winter hat or wide-brimmed hat, or insulating hat
Waterproof jacket and pants
T-shirt
Sweater
Sun hat or scarf
Polypropylene underwear
Long sleeved shirt
Lightweight gloves
Lightweight cotton pants
Hooded rain jacket
Hiking shirts
Heavyweight winter gloves
Fleece jacket
Down jacket

Personal Accessories:

Watch
UV-protected sunglasses
Notebook and Pen
Money
Extra passport photos and photocopies of passport
Cell phone
Camera
Binoculars

Toiletries:

Toothpaste and toothbrushes
Small mirror
Nail clippers
Medium-sized drying towel
Face or body wipes
Deodorant
Biodegradable bar soap

Medicine and first-aid kit:

Anti-diarrhea pills
Anti-headache pills
Antiseptic ointment for cuts
Bandage
Cough and/or cold medicine
Diamox or Acetylzolamide (for acute mountain sickness)
Skin blister repair kit
Small personal first aid kit
Water filter (optional)

Eatables:

Snacks like biscuits, protein bars, glucose-based chocolates, cup noodles, dry fruits, and quick energy bites must be carried.

Cutlery:

leakproof lunch box, mug, spoon, and disposable plates.

Essentials:

Water purification tablets
Trekking pole
Thermal bottle
Headlight with additional batteries
Backpack or daypack

Know Before You Go To Himani Chamunda Trek

How to Reach

Trekking routes

Important Tips for trekkers

By Air:

You can access the nearest domestic airport to Kangra: The Gaggal airport, which is located at a distance of 13 km from Kangra.
Jammu Airport is the second nearest airport to Kangra at a distance of 200 km.
Amritsar Airport is the third nearest airport to Kangra at a distance of 208 km.
Chandigarh Airport is the fourth nearest airport to Kangra at a distance of 255 km.

By Train:

You can access the railway station of Kangra from many major cities, which is the nearest railway station.

By Bus:

You can travel via State-owned buses that run to Kangra from all major cities of Himachal Pradesh and neighboring states like Dharamsala, Pathankot, Palampur, Jammu, Chandigarh, and Amritsar. From Kangra you have to reach Chamunda which is 17 km away.

Aadi Himani Chamunda Temple is accessible via two routes. One is the trail from Jia Village and another is from Chamunda Devi Temple. Both of the trails are around 12 kilometers long and follow a steep climb.

From Jia Village:

The trail starts near Nagrota Bagwan in Kangra and is 7 kilometers away from Chamunda Devi Temple. It begins close to the Palace of Raja Chander Bhan Chand Katoch ruinsa and the trail passes through lush meadows and steep climbs.

From Chamunda Devi Temple:

The second trekking route from Chamunda Devi Temple meets the most common trail from Jia Village. Furthermore, the journey is similar to difficult ascents to reach Aadi Himani Chamunda Temple.

You must follow all the tips and tricks to make your trek easier and better like carrying cash beyond the base camp as chances of UPI are scarce. Moreover, the trekking journey ranges from moderate to expert, requiring you to get an expert guide to accompany you. It is mandatory to follow all the instructions while trekking to ensure safety and refrain from carrying much weight.

Aadi Himani Chamunda Trek has a scarcity of food and water for the most part. So, please carry an adequate amount of water (10 Liters) and food from the shops near the base camp.
Get dressed according to the temperatures as it gets colder with ascents.
Carry additional thermal wear as you may add or remove layers based on changing temperatures.
Avoid planning to trek during monsoons as rain can make it even more difficult.
Keep cash with yourself as there is no ATM or UPI facility in the entire trekking route from base camp to the top.
Don’t climb too quickly as the steep stairs may tire you or could cause an unfortunate accident.

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FAQ's of Himani Chamunda Trek

Aadi Himani Chamunda Trek is a 3-day- 2 nights trek that happens to be in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. Out of three days, you would trek for 2 days to ascend and descend the temple. The average trekking time for both days is 5-6 hours as there are steep stairs for you to climb with effort.