Vaibhav was associated with Indiahikes as a Writer &amp; Chief Explorer. He is an avid traveler with a passion for trekking in Indian Himalayas. With his roots in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh, the love for the mountains is in his blood. When not travelling he likes to spend time interacting with like-minded trek enthusiasts and read books on travel and mountaineering.

Many are of the opinion that the height of Chandrashila peak is around 13000 feet. But GPS tells a different story 

Shiv temple of Tunganath looked divine bathed in rays of the morning sun on the Chandrashila peak. A Griffon vulture encircles the summit every now and then. And a spectacular 360 degrees view of Garhwal and Kumaon mountains can be seen from the summit of Chandrashila. The Exploratory Team of Indiahikes had set off for this summit at 5 am in April 2014 from Bhrujgali camp. And by 8 am they were at the top.

Sunrise from this spot is the best you will get to see in Himalayas. And a walk  past the Tunganath temple will reveal some majestic mountains of Ukttrakhand like Nanda Devi, Trishul, Nandaghunti, Kamet, Dunagiri, Chaukhamba, Kedardome, Thalaysagar, Gangotri ranges and Jahanukut . There are even chances that you spot a Griffon vulture encircling the summit as you stand there.

Quite a few say that Chandrashila stands tall at around 13000 feet. But a look at the GPS reveals something else. Take a look at this video of Chandrashila summit to find out what is the actual height of Chandrashila peak.

To register for the trek, go to Deoriatal Chandrashila Peak Trek

What is the actual height of Chandrashila Peak? Watch this video to find out!

Video: Myth about height of Chandrashila Peak busted!

TREK DIFFICULTY

TREK DURATION

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

TRAIL LENGTH

TREK STARTS FROM

BEST TIME TO TREK

AGE GROUP

FITNESS REQUIRED

WHAT TO CARRY

RENT GEAR

FOOD

CLOAKROOM

QUICK INFORMATION ON BRAMMAH VALLEY

While some of our treks in Jammu & Kashmir are very popular, only a few know that other treks in Jammu & Kashmir are equally exciting, yet the adventure is different.

The new Brammah Valley trek in the Kishtwar National Park blends the beauty of Kashmir with the kind of landscape we have not usually seen on treks.  

First, the Brammah Valley trek offers stunning views of the four prominent peaks of Kishtwar, all above 6,000 m. Getting so close to such big summits on a trek is rare. It’s not just the summit; you see these big mountains from the base to the summit! To compare, at Gaumukh Tapovan, trekkers see the full height of Mt. Shivling and are in complete awe. They get to see around 2,500 metres of the mountain. On the Brammah Valley trek, you see almost 4,000 metres of the big mountains in one go! The impact is nearly two times as much. 

You also camp next to these mountains at Kiddar Maidan, the trek's unique river delta campsite. 

From the Kiddar Maidan campsite, on your left are the Eiger and Tarparan summits. On your right lies Mt. Brammah I, the second-highest peak in Jammu. Right next to it is the prominent Mt. Brammah Wife (surprisingly, that is the name!)

On this trek, you are trekking through the heart of the Kishtwar National Park. Kishtwar is known for its dense forest. You trek through the forests every day of your trek. The gradient of these forests is gently ascending with short steep sections, making it a very pleasant trek. 

These are primarily coniferous, with a heady scent wafting through the woods as you trek along. In between are maples, except for a small patch of beautiful silver birch trees just before Kiddar Maidan. The variety of coniferous trees you find on this trek is unmatched. There are Chir pines, Deodars, Abies pin-drow, and spruces. The trees are sometimes so tall that they almost touch the sky. 

What trekkers will love about these forests is how they are laid out. Every moment in the forest is mesmerising. Now and then, lovely clearings pop out of the forests. At other times, sunlight streams in through the trees in wonderful layers. 

At every turn, there are exciting views. It becomes like a game to see what new surprises the forests have in store for us. 

The Nath river accompanies you throughout the trek. Even while trekking in the deep forests, you constantly hear the river. The river starts to calm down as you trek deeper into the valley and becomes completely silent when you reach Kiddar Maidan. In the extensive grasslands of Kiddar Maidan, beside the silently gliding Nath river, is where we camp. If there were awards for the most beautiful campsites on our treks — this would be one of the top contenders.

Kishtwar is surrounded by high mountains, making it a natural fortress. The steep mountains provide a natural barrier to the outside world. This may be why Kistwar has always been so isolated from the rest of the country. 

The Kistwar valley is also known for its alpine meadows and high-altitude wetlands. Our Brammah Valley trek takes us through each of these wonders. 

Kishtwaris comprise most of the valley's population and are well-known for their distinctive culture, practises, and language. Unlike the rest of Kashmir, we see temples and mosques coexisting. A part of our trek falls on the trek to the Hudh Mata temple. 

Even the architecture of the houses is distinctive. On the trek, we pass through tiny villages hanging on hillsides. Yet, from their precarious perches, the homes display an architecture from a world we rarely see. 

In the Brammah valley, trekkers will find a new world of discovery waiting to be made. Trekkers must take advantage of the few spots we have available on the trek this year.  

Watch these videos to prepare for your Brammah Valley trek.

This fee includes everything from base camp to base camp.

Please note: The insurance has to be claimed within 7 days from the specific incident for it to be deemed valid.

➤Documents required: It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their photo id along with the mandatory documents of the Medical Certificate and Disclaimer form. These documents will be part of the Safety Check-in done by the trek leader when you arrive at the base camp.

➤Stay facility: You will stay at Suid on Day 1 and Day 6. The rest of the days you will stay in tents. Do not bring any packaged food, tags from your new clothes or any waste with you. We follow a Dustbin Free Zone and No Wet Wipes Policy at our base camps in line with our spirit of Green Trails. On the trek, you will be staying 2 in a tent.

➤Cloakroom facility for excess luggage: We have a Cloak Room facility at the base camp for excess luggage. Do not leave behind any valuables in the cloakroom.

You'll love the drive to Suid, especially Kishtwar onwards. It's a scenic drive along the Chenab river. You get to see the remote villages of Jammu including a hanging village!

The return journey takes you through the same places which you had taken during your Onward journey to reach Suid. 

Why I Believe Everyone Must Trek: A Note from the Founder

Trekking transforms lives. It has completely changed my life. When I see my colleagues at Indiahikes, all of them have been significantly impacted. The transformations have been profound and irreversible. 

I see it in our trekkers too. I have seen them change professions, careers or start a new life. I have seen them get in and out of relationships and start new projects. These are life-changing experiences. 

I have seen children building resilience. I have seen families come together. When I see those above 55, I see them rediscover passion and a sense of purpose. These are not small gains.

In the mountains, new professions, economies and businesses have opened up. Our staff no longer go to cities to earn their living. Their income has increased. Above all, they are happiest working in this world. Trekking has been truly transformative.  

Everyone must trek. It transforms lives far more than you imagine. 

Nitesh is the Chief Explorer and one of the Senior-most Trek Leaders at Indiahikes. He has led & explored the most famous treks across our country, like Bodpathri Lakes and Gidara Bugyal. He is also the mastermind behind the design of the Brammah Valley Trek itinerary. Read what he has to say about the trek here.

What I Like About the Brammah Valley Trek

Brammah Valley is Best Discovered Through Photos

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Brammah Valley Trek. It has in-depth information about each trekking day, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

Brammah Valley Trek, which climbs to 11,600 ft, is not too difficult. It is rated as 'Moderate Level 2'. 

A moderate rating refers to marginally longer trekking days at higher altitudes on most of the days. You will be trekking for 7-8 km on average every day. 

But the trek has easy exits, and there are fewer technical sections.

The second factor in rating this trek under Moderate level 2 would be the river crossings. You need to be nimble on your feet and have a sense of control when navigating these sections. Trekkers who are not confident in placing their footing will find crossing the river challenging.

The Brammah valley trek is a safe trek to do. However, there are certain things you need to be aware of in order to prepare well for the trek. 

Firstly about the trail - being mentally prepared for the trek is as important as being physically prepared to stay safe. For this, it is crucial to have a clear mental picture of the trek. Quickly, here it is:

| Trek in a nutshell: On the Brammah Valley Trek, you go up to an altitude of 11,600 ft. The days are divided so that the altitude gain is not too much. However, you could be hit by AMS on any of these days. At Indiahikes, we believe that as long as you are well-informed and well-prepared, you can easily survive at high altitudes.

To do this effectively, let’s break down and examine various aspects of the Brammah Valley Trek from the perspective of safety:

At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty, we consider several factors. These include altitude gained every day, length of a trek every day, highest altitude, nature of the terrain, weather etc. Based on this, we rate a trek as easy, difficult, or somewhere in between.

There is a very short window during the whole year when the Brammah Valley trek is accessible. It is in the months of May, June and then September. 

In the months of May and June, the whole valley is greener and there are patches of snow in the upper reaches. The skies are clearer and you can expect light showers at the end of June. 

September is when the season is transitioning from monsoon to autumn. The valley also starts transitioning from green to the colours of autumn i.e golden brown. As this is still post-monsoon, you can expect showers and weather to be bit gloomy on some days. 

Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medication unless you have consulted your trek leader. 

Diamox (1 Strip): Be on a course of a half tablet of Diamox starting from Delhi every 12 hours (125 mg). Being on a preventive course of Diamox dramatically reduces the chances of Acute Mountain Sickness on the Brammah Valley Trek

Dexamethasone (1 Strip): This is part of the Live Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your trek leader will inform you in case the need arises. 

Nifedipine (5 tablets): Again, part of the Live Saving Drugs kit. Do not take this on your own. Your trek leader will inform you in case the need arises. 

Dolo 650 (5 tablets): This is a paracetamol. It helps to tackle fever and mild pain.

Avomine (4 tablets): Carry this, especially if you are prone to motion sickness. Pop one-half hour before the start of your road journey.

Combiflam (5 tablets): Take a combiflam if you get a sudden twist of the leg or a muscle strain. It is a pain reliever. It also contains paracetamol. 

Digene (4 tablets): Take it if you feel the food you’ve taken is undigested. Alert your trek leader immediately. It could be a sign of AMS. 

ORS (6 packs): Consume a pack of ORS water at least once a day, usually the mid-day when you are in the middle of your trek. It replenishes essential salts lost while trekking. Tip: It also makes cold water easier to drink.

Knee Brace (optional): Carry this if you are prone to knee injury or have known knee pain issues.

Our trek leaders carry a high-altitude medical kit with them which also consist of Life Saving Drugs. If there is an emergency, our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of these medicines.

Pro Tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers are rarely used. But you cannot do away with them. At the end of the trek, please donate unused medication to your trek leader. Some medicines get distributed to villages on the trek, and some are added to the Indiahikes medical kit.  

These are documents required for legal purposes by Indiahikes and the forest department. Without any of these, you will not be allowed to trek.

Original and photocopy of government photo identity card. Anything such as a driver’s license, Aadhar Card, or passport will do. This is required by the forest department for your identification.  

Medical and Disclaimer certificate. There are two sections to this. One is to be filled by a practicing doctor and the second is filled by you. The disclaimer certificate is a legal requirement.
Download the PDF, read carefully, print it back to back, and sign it. This must be handed over to your Trek Leader during the registration at the base camp. This is a requirement by both the forest department and Indiahikes – Download the PDF

Note: Please carry the above document with you. The document needs to be downloaded (PDF), filled in, signed, and handed over to the trek leader at the base camp. Please print these back-to-back on two sheets. Do not print separately and help in reducing paper usage.

Keep essential documents in a clear plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket at the back of your backpack. This keeps them from getting wet. 

Brammah Valley Trek requires sturdy trekking shoes, good grip, ankle support, and can handle snow. You have a long distance to cover every day. Also, there is a bouldery section to cross after the Satsar campsite, along with a few stream crossings. Here is a quick video on how to choose your trekking shoes.  

| Buying Tip: The Trek and MH series are good options by Decathlon. They are tried and tested. There isn’t any necessity to buy the higher-priced models. Here is a list of other budget shoes that trekkers are using.

| Rental: We have the Trek series and the MH series by Decathlon available for rent from the Indiahikes store. They are already broken into and in good condition. Rental shoes are not dirty or unhygienic. This is how they are kept clean.

For a trek like Brammah Valley, you need a 50-60 litre backpack. Make sure your backpack has good hip support, shoulder support and quick access pockets. Here is a guide on how to choose a backpack.

| Buying Tip: Wildcraft, Decathlon and Adventure Worx usually make good backpacks. While Wildcraft has more expensive ones, the other two brands have budget-friendly backpacks to choose from.

| Rental: The 48-litre backpack by Adventure Worx is available for rent from the Indiahikes store. They are custom-made for our Himalayan treks. Rent them if you don’t have a backpack.

Wearing layers is the mantra in the mountains. Layers give you maximum protection from all elements. And when the weather changes in the mountains (as it happens every few hours), you take off or put on layers as required. 

Wear one T-shirt and carry two. Carry full-sleeve dry-fit T-shirts (preferably collared). These prevent your arms and neck from getting sunburnt. In the rarified air on the trek, especially at high altitudes, UV rays can burn you in no time.
Dry-fit T-shirts quickly dry your sweat, they are easy to wash and in case of a rainy day, they dry quicker. Round neck T-shirts are ok, but collared ones are better.

| Cotton or Synthetic? As Indians, we love cotton. Down in the plains when the heat is blistering 40°C it makes sense to wear cotton. But it takes a long time to dry when it gets wet. In the mountains, where it is cooler, synthetic is what you wear. They wick sweat rapidly and keep you dry. (But they do tend to smell quickly, so carry a roll-on deodorant with you.)

| Pro Tip: If you are extra susceptible to cold, you could get a set of thermal inners. In our experience, wearing two T-shirts over another works as a better thermal. And they save you weight and space since you’re already carrying them. 

The highest altitude you reach on this trek is 13,850 ft. At these altitudes, it can get cold even in the middle of summer. You will need at least 3 insulation layers for this trek.
You will need 2 light fleece layers and 1 full-sleeve light sweater. Do not get your grandma-stitched sweaters, which can be very heavy. You need sweaters and fleece jackets that can fold into compact rolls.

A padded jacket serves the purpose here. You don’t need a water-resistant material. But you need an outer padded jacket that keeps the wind and cold out. Ensure your padded jacket has a hood as well.

| Do you need a down/feather jacket? Not really. A regular padded/shell jacket will do. This video here will help you to learn more about the difference.

Note: Down/feather jackets are not available these days. Many jackets masquerade as down/feather jackets. They are essentially fine polyester-filled jackets. They mimic the function of a down jacket but are usually expensive.

| Rental: Padded jackets made by Fort Collins are available for rent at the Indiahikes store. They are custom-made for Indiahikes and trekkers find them terrific, even in winter.

Two pairs of trek pants should suffice for this trek. Wear one pair and carry two just in case it rains. Trek pants with zippered cut-offs at the thighs are very suitable for treks. Also, choose quick-dry pants over cotton. They dry up soon in case of small stream crossings/rain.

| Buying Tip: Go for pants with zippered pockets. They come in handy to keep your phone, handkerchief, or pocket snacks.

| Track Pants or Trek Pants? Stretchable track pants make a good backup and can double up as your thermal bottoms. But track pants are not trekking pants -- so don’t use them as your main outerwear. Keep them only as a backup.

Mandatory Accessories, without these too you won’t be able to do the trek. 

These accessories are mandatory. Don’t go to Brammah Valley without them. Trekkers generally put off purchasing / borrowing the accessories for the last minute. We suggest the opposite. Start gathering these accessories first.

Sunglasses are to prevent snow blindness. On a trek like Brammah Valley, Expect to walk on stretches of snow, especially during July. A small overexposure to direct sunlight on snow can lead to snow blindness (about a half hour’s exposure). That’s because fallen snow is like thousands of mirrors that reflect direct UV rays. So you need sunglasses with UV protection.

| Tip: Try getting sunglasses that wrap around instead of those that have openings on the side. Even peripheral UV ray exposure is not a good idea.

Wear sunglasses if the trekking day is bright and sunny (on open sections, meadows). On a snowy section, you must never take off your sunglasses until the section has been fully crossed.

| If you wear spectacles: If you wear spectacles, you can get oversized sunglasses that you wear over your regular glasses (available at Decathlon). If that is cumbersome, photochromic lenses work equally well. Here’s a quick guide on managing sunglasses with spectacles.

| Contact lens users: If you use contact lenses, you can use them on the trek too. The lens solution will not freeze. You will also not face any problems in changing your lens in your tent. Just carry enough cleaning solution with you to clean your fingers well. Wear your sunglasses over your contact lens.   

A sun cap is mandatory. Trekking without a sun cap can lead to headaches, sunstrokes, quick dehydration and a sharp drop in trekking performance.

| Tip: In the mountains, the general rule is to keep your head covered at all times. During the day a sun cap protects you from the harsh rays of the sun (it is doubly stronger with naked UV rays). A sun cap keeps your body temperature in balance. In the evening/early morning, the reverse is true. Your head loses your body heat quickly. A woollen cap prevents heat from dissipating from your head.

| Pro Tip: Sun caps with flaps are a blessing for trekkers. They cut out almost all UV leaks. They prevent sunburns in every possible way. They are a lot more effective than sunscreen lotion. A wide-brimmed sports hat also helps to prevent sunburn in a big way. 

On a trek like Gure Valley Trek, you are going to be handling snow quite a bit during July. You’ll need gloves to grip something or to steady yourself in snow. More than snow, the evening cold winds through the wide valley will give you the chill. You also want the gloves to keep you warm. Get synthetic hand gloves that have waterproofing on the outside and a padded lining on the inside. If you find the combination difficult to get (not likely), wear a tight-fitting fleece hand glove inside a synthetic hand glove. Hand gloves are mandatory on this trek.  

Ensure these cover your ears. In the cold mountains, you lose maximum heat from your head, not from your hands, feet, or the rest of your body. This is why you need to keep your head protected, especially when the sun is down. Early mornings, late evenings, and a cold trekking day are when you must use your woollen cap.

Your ears are sensitive too, so a woollen head cap that covers your ears is essential. A balaclava is a modern version of the woollen cap. It covers your ears, neck and parts of your face as well. Do not get a woollen cap that only covers your head. 

Apart from two sports socks, take a pair of woollen socks. Sports socks give you cushioning plus warmth. Again the mantra is to wear synthetic socks or at least a synthetic blend. Cotton socks soak in water and sweat. They are very hard to dry. As for woollen socks, they help you to keep warm and snug at the night. If you cannot get woollen socks, wearing two sports socks serves the purpose as well. 

Trekkers are often confused about whether they need to get a headlamp or a handheld torch. You need to get a headlamp because it leaves your hands free to do other activities. On the BrammahValley Trek, you’ll need your hands free to wash dishes, pitch tents and hold your trek poles.

| Buying Tip: Ensure your headlamp covers a wider area and is not too focused as a single beam. On a trek, your headlamp must help you see around you as much as ahead of you. 

Trekking poles give you stability and balance. They reduce your energy consumption by almost 40%. On the Brammah Valley Trek, there are steep ascents and descents. A pair of trekking poles will make the difference between a comfortable and a strenuous trek. In India, we tend to use a single trekking pole. However, two trekking poles give you greater stability and balance. They also increase your walking pace.

| Rental: Imported side-locking trekking poles are available for rent at the Indiahikes store.  

On a trek, the weather can change quickly. A bright sunny day can turn into a downpour in a matter of minutes. Carry a poncho or a rain jacket to tackle this. A poncho is a big rain cover with openings for your arms and your head. It is extremely effective because it covers both you and your backpack. It is extremely light and weighs next to nothing.

Rain jackets are more streamlined and less cumbersome but weigh more. Rain pants are not required. Dry fit trek pants dry quickly even if soaking wet.

| Rental: High-grade ponchos are available for rent at the Indiahikes store.

Backpacks are your life. You carry all your dry clothes and your warm gear in your backpack. Your backpack must stay dry at all times. Modern backpacks usually come with built-in rain-covers. If your backpack does not have a rain cover, ensure you get a rain cover by either (a) buying a rain cover or (b) or cutting a large plastic sheet to the size of your backpack. You can roll the plastic sheet around your backpack and keep it in place with a string or elastic. 

| Pro Tip: It's good practice to compartmentalise your clothes, accessories and other things in plastic covers inside your backpack. That way, even if it rains and your backpack gets wet, your things are water-proof inside the backpack.

In your daypack, you carry essentials like water bottles, rainwear, emergency medicines, a headlamp, some snacks and a warm layer. Your main backpack that carries most of your equipment is accessible only at the campsites.

A day pack is a smaller backpack that is usually of 20-30 ltr capacity. Laptop bags are not day packs. Do not get them.

Keep your toilet kit light. Carry just the basics -- toothbrush, toothpaste, small soap, toilet tissue roll, a small moisturiser, lip balm, and a roll-on deodorant. You will not be able to have a bath on the trek, so don’t overload on soaps and shampoos.

| Pro tip: Carry miniature-sized items. You will not need more than that. If you’re travelling in a group, share one toothpaste for all.

Avoid getting large toilet rolls. The smallest size roll is more than enough for a trek like Brammah Valley

| For women: If you are likely to have your periods on your trek date, don’t worry about it. On the trek, you can use your pads, tampons, or menstrual cups. There will be toilet tents where you can get changed. Make sure you carry ziplock bags to bring back your menstrual waste. Don’t leave behind any waste in the mountains. Watch this video to learn how to dispose of your sanitary waste.

Carry a lunch box, a mug, and a spoon. Your lunch box must be leakproof. You are expected to wash your cutlery. Trekkers often expect Indiahikes to wash their cutlery. When you allow Indiahikes to wash your cutlery, your cutlery becomes part of a mass washing system. You immediately invite germs, and bacteria to settle on your cutlery. The incidence of stomach disorders rises exponentially.

| Pro tip: Carry stainless steel cutlery. Avoid fancy high-grade plastic cutlery. Stainless steel cutlery is infinitely easier to wash in cold water. Grease is easier to remove and hygiene is at its highest. Watch this video on why steel cutlery is better than plastic.

Carry 3-4 old plastic covers to keep your used clothes. You could use them even for wet clothes. Re-use old plastic bags for this and do not buy new ones.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Brammah Valley Trek

Over 20,000 people trek with Indiahikes each year and vouch for our unmatched safety standards.

Click Here For Frequently Asked Questions

We recommend jogging as the best routine to get fit for a trek. It works on the same muscles that you use while trekking — your calves, glutes and hamstrings. It helps increase your stamina day by day. It is also an easy routine that does not require any equipment or tools. 

To do this trek comfortably, you must be able to cover 5 km in under 35 minutes. This is the minimum fitness required for this trek.

If you cannot run 5 km immediately, start with 2 km and increase to 5 km over 2-3 weeks.

Once you’re able to run 5 km, increase your pace day by day. 

Gradually increase your pace and bring it down to 5 km in less than 35 mins.

You must be able to run 5 km in 35 mins consistently for at least 2 weeks before the trek. 

This trek requires at least 6-8 weeks of preparation. The longer, the better. So plan your trek soon and start preparing. 

Here's a complete guide to get you trek fit.

How to get Fitness Approval from the Indiahikes team:

Every trekker needs fitness approval from the Indiahikes team 20 days before the trek date. Without this, you will not be allowed on the trek. 

A minimum of 3 screenshots of your runs/jogs/walks/cycling 

Every high-altitude trek comes with a set of challenges. Steep ascents and descents, uneven terrain, snow walks, stream crossings, pass crossings, and summit climb. Even the easiest of treks have some of these challenges if not all of them. Without fitness, trekkers struggle, get injured easily, lag behind, or simply fail to complete the trek. 

At Indiahikes, we take pride in the fact that our trekkers are among the fittest in the country. Those who do not meet the fitness requirements are often sent back. Our philosophy is that trekking and fitness go hand in hand. Without fitness, there’s no trekking. 

Green Trails is our promise to leave the mountains better. We have removed over 1,60,000 lakh kilos of the waste left behind by others on trekking trails. Yet this is a small percentage of what we do. Green Trails dives into reducing the use of resources, reducing our carbon footprint and bringing about a change in the daily practices of our trekkers too. 

Trekkers share their experience with Indiahikes.

Here are the unedited reviews by trekkers

As industry leaders, we have innovated and set safety standards in the trekking industry. Our people, processes, and equipment make Indiahikes the safest trekking organisation in India.

Complete the steps below to register for your Brammah Valley Trek

We go to great lengths to keep you safe on your trek. However, trekking with the safest organisation in India comes with certain commitments from your end. 

Complete information on the Brammah Valley trek. Trek details, experiences, maps, photos, videos, when to go, what to take, how difficult is the trek etc. 

Brammah Valley Trek - 2023 - Itinerary, Cost, Trek And Travel Planning

A stunningly beautiful pass-crossing trek that also explores an ancient culture

There is an interesting story about the Chandrakhani Pass. In ancient times, the presiding God of Malana, God Jamlu was carrying all the gods in a pot on this route. He opened the basket full of Gods on top of the Chandrakhani pass. A strong wind blew the gods away and they settled in various spots in the valley. Which is why even now the Kullu valley is called the valley of gods.

Chandrakhani pass is not a new trek in Indian trekking circles. Along with the ancient stories of Naggar (where the trek starts) and the village with strange customs, Malana (where the trek ends), this route is one of the most trekked on in India. 

This trek is a cultural treasure for those who want to know more about the Kullu Valley. The villages, the architecture, the people, costume and culture is a living history book. The trek is also an ancient sphederd’s trail. So don’t be surprised to find hundreds of sheep herded by a shepherd on your trail. The many shepherd huts on the way are good rest points. Some may even offer you tea! 

The trek is also known for the beauty of its forests on either side. It lifts trekkers spirit with joy. The forests are cool, dark and throws in a lot of variety. At times you are under deodar trees, at others you have maples over you, then oaks. The forests have almost been crafted for whistling through them. The smell of the woods is always with you.

Once outside the tree line, the grasslands of the upper Kullu valley is a delightful trek. If you have a clear sky the views of both the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges dominate the horizon. 

Finally, the ridge walk to the summit is rare. In none of our treks do we have a ridge walk, almost like walking on a cornice to the summit (in this case the pass). The wind on the summit ridge can be strong, yet the adventurous thrill of getting to the pass is high. The view on all sides is astounding.

We do not take the direct sharp descent from the pass to Malana. Instead, we go further ahead to the Dadru forest area and camp there. 

The Chandrakhani pass has a lot of history, culture and stories around it. Trekkers have yet another terrific trek to do in July-August in Himachal Pradesh. 

It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their photo ID for entry at forest check posts on the trek.

On the trek, you will be staying 3 in a tent on all days.

We have a cloakroom facility at the base camp for one extra piece of luggage.  Anything beyond that is chargeable at Rs 500 per luggage. Do not leave behind any valuables in the cloakroom. 
Please note: Twin-sharing tents may not be available in May, June, July and August. This is because raw materials for making tents are sourced from different countries. But their export has been affected due to international unrest. This has led to a global shortage of tents. Having said that, you'll still have comfortable space as these tents have been designed to accommodate three trekkers.

Reaching Indiahikes Jungle Line Campus at Manali

Reach Indiahikes Jungle Line Campus at Manali on Day 1. It is on the Manali-Naggar road, about 3.5 km away from the 15 Mil bridge.  From the bridge, the pick-up cab will be arranged by Indiahikes at 3.30 pm and it costs Rs 500 for a Sumo vehicle. This has to be shared by trekkers.

Start from the campus by 8.00 AM on Day 2. The pick up will be arranged by us. The transport cost is Rs 1,300 for a 5-6 seater vehicle and has to be paid directly to the driver.

On the last day, you have a 5 hours drive. The cost of transport from Malana to Campus is Rs 4,500 and has to be shared by trekkers and paid directly to the driver.

Use this section to learn about the Chandrakhani Pass trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

What We Like About the Chandrakhani Pass Trek

Trekking transforms lives. It has completely changed my life. When I see my colleagues at Indiahikes, all of them have been impacted greatly. The transformations have been profound and irreversible. 

I see it in our trekkers too. I have seen them change professions, and careers or start a new life. I have seen them get in and out of relationships, and start new projects. These are life-changing experiences. 

In the mountains, new professions, new economies and new businesses have opened up. Our staff no longer go to cities to earn their living. Their income has increased. Above all, they are happiest working in this world. Trekking has been truly transformative.  

Everyone must trek. It transforms lives far more than you imagine.

Chandrakhani Pass Trek is rated as moderate | Level 2 in difficulty ranging from easy to difficult.

You start from Sarsai which is at an altitude of 6,745 ft and reach an altitude of 12,185 ft in a matter of 2 days.

For the most part, though, it is an easy hike through the forest. However, the terrain becomes difficult as you get closer to the pass. And you have to walk on a high-altitude ridge for almost 3 km. Also, the pass crossing day is a long walk of almost 9 hours.

This makes the trek a moderate one. It is a good trek for fit first-timers.

You will need at least 4 weeks of solid preparation for this trek. You can begin preparation by going for brisk walks and then doing brisk jogs to improve your cardio. Your target should be to cover 5 km in 35 minutes comfortably by the start of the trek.

At Indiahikes, while rating a trek difficulty we consider several factors. These include, altitude gained every day, length of a trek every day, highest altitude, nature of the terrain, weather etc. Based on this we rate a trek as easy or difficult or somewhere in between.

The Chandrakhani Pass Trek can be done for almost five months in the year. The very best time to do this trek is between June and September. You may extend it till October.

During other months of the year, the snow is too high for comfortable pass-crossing. 

In June expect a lot of snow from Chaklani onward. You will find good snow slightly after Chaklani camp right until the pass. You’ll get snow even until you get down on the other side of the pass. The depth of snow on both sides is quite high.

Presence of snow: Despite it being summers, expect snow patches on the ground. Especially close to Balu Ka Ghera and above it is still snow bound.

Day time: Between 15 °C and 20 °C | Night time: Will drop to temperatures between 1 °C and 5 °C. 

No. of warm layers required: 3 warm layers

In July the snow starts to melt rapidly but stays in good patches on the higher reaches of the pass. But different magic starts to unfold from mid-July onward.

The valley starts to get its first monsoon showers. Wildflowers begin to sprout in the entire green belt on the Kullu side. Sometimes trekkers have to wade through a bed of wildflowers on either side of the trail.

If there is a favourite time to do the trek, then mid-July to the end of August is the best time to do the Chandrakhani Pass trek. The grasslands are a vibrant green. The slopes are alive with swaying wildflowers. On the other hand, the skies are generally cloudy though. Be game for good showers on the trek. The rains last until the mid of September.

Presence of snow: Snow starts to melt as we enter July. By August most of the snow is gone, except for some patches near Chandrakhani Pass.

Day time: Between 15 °C and 20 °C | Night time: Will drop to temperatures between 1 °C and 5 °C.

Post-mid-September, the skies start to clear up and the early autumn colours strike the slopes. The Chandrakhani Pass is at its most colourful. The sunrises and sunsets are gorgeous, the snow-clad mountains stand tall against the deep blue skies. The trek is at its most perfect.

At Indiahikes we wind up the Chandrakhani Pass season at the end of September.

By the end of the first week of October, the air is nippier. The early winter chill is felt. Night temperatures will fall below zero in most camps. At the higher camps, it could be icy cold. The streams dry up and water sources become increasingly difficult. The earth is browner. The boulders were starker.

While it is possible to do the trek in October it is not as much fun.

Video: Myth about height of Chandrashila Peak busted!

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