Buran Ghati Trek

A Grand Buffet Of India's Greatest Treks

TREK DIFFICULTY

Moderate-Difficult

TREK DURATION

8 days

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

15,000 ft

A Grand Buffet Of The Greatest Himalayan Treks

Every trek has extremely beautiful sections. Every trek also has sections that are, we grudgingly admit, a little imperfect. However, when you are on the Buran Ghati trek, even with your best critical eye, these imperfections are hard to spot.

There is not a moment on this trek where you are disappointed. It is as though someone has taken out all the best parts of our Himalayan treks and stitched them together to make one perfect trek.

The trek starts at the ancient village of Janglik, reminiscent of the kind of old, “untouched by civilization” villages you would find on the Har Ki Dun trek. The trail climbs out of Janglik and goes into a delightfully deep forest and then bursts into Dayara meadows. Most trekkers stop in their tracks here, with their jaws agape at the wonderment that is Dayara meadows.

You walk out of Dayara with an expectation that the meadows are over – and you wouldn’t be more wrong. The trail to Litham is filled with forests and meadows. And there is the Dunda. If any campsite can give you the beauty of an alpine mountain zone and the thrill of a splendid climb to come, then Dunda will be among the best.

Barua, on the other side of the pass, is a charming old village that would distinctly remind you of Hobbiton from Lord of the Rings. Old houses, fruit-bearing trees, alleyways – it is a world of its own.

As we see it, the Buran Ghati trek has all the highlights of a tough trek, with an extremely thrilling pass crossing, put together in a moderate trek. There are rapid scenery changes and save for the Pass day, most days are easy-moderate. If you are looking for a summer or autumn trek, don’t think twice, go for Buran Ghati.

Every trek has extremely beautiful sections. Every trek also has sections that are, we grudgingly admit, a little imperfect. However, when you are on the Buran Ghati trek, even with your best critical eye, these imperfections are hard to spot.

There is not a moment on this trek where you are disappointed. It is as though someone has taken out all the best parts of our Himalayan treks and stitched them together to make one perfect trek.

Buran Ghati - Complete Trek Information

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 Buran Ghati 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 these extremely useful.

Buran Ghati Videos

Watch these videos to prepare well for your trek

Expert Speak

Arjun Majumdar, Founder, CEO

Arjun Majumdar, Founder, CEO

Arjun Majumdar, the Founder of Indiahikes, went on this exploratory trek almost a decade ago. He is a veteran of the trekking community in India and one of the earliest to trek Buran Ghati. He’s an expert when it comes to the trek. Here’s Arjun talking about one of the grandest treks in our country.

What I Like and Don’t Like About Buran Ghati Trek

What I Like About the Buran Ghati Trek

Arjun Majumdar, Founder, CEO

Arjun Majumdar, the Founder of Indiahikes, went on this exploratory trek almost a decade ago. He is a veteran of the trekking community in India and one of the earliest to trek Buran Ghati. He’s an expert when it comes to the trek. Here’s Arjun talking about one of the grandest treks in our country.

1. Dayara Meadows

Dayara meadows have to be one of my favourite sections, and I think trekkers will say so too. You first see it from a high ledge as you climb out of a deep dark coniferous forest. Right in front for miles is a sprawling table land carved out from the sides of a mountain.

One grassy side climbs the sides of the mountain, and the other drops down a cliff into the gorges below. In between is the vast green stretch where horses gallop.

I couldn’t believe we would camp in these splendorous settings. That too on Day 1! When you compare with meadows on other great treks, I would put Dayara meadows right on top of my list.

The vast meadows of Dayara resemble the Ali and Bedni meadows of the Roopkund trek. Picture by Sandhya UC

2. The Buran Ghati Wall And Snow Slides

It is a very high altitude trek, going up to 15,000 feet — which puts the trek in the high adventure category. Getting to the top of the Buran Ghati and then rappelling down to the other side is a thrill I cannot forget.

Buran Ghati wall has become famous now. I think it must be the world’s highest rappelling point! Afterwards sliding down multiple snow chutes is what makes Buran Ghati a great adventure. Trekkers will love this adventure. I put Buran Ghati high on my adventure list as well.

Nothing beats the adventure of the ice wall descent at the pass crossing on the Buran Ghati trek. Picture by Jothiranjan

3. Villages of Janglik and Barua

The two villages on the trek, Janglik and Barua — I think — people must just do the trek just to observe the ancient culture and how it is still preserved. Of the two Barua is my favourite.

I love how we get in on the upper village, and then wind ourselves down, observing the culture in the villages until we get to its foot, almost one thousand feet down! Look out for the architecture, people, and the temple. Lots of fruit trees too!

Buran Ghati gives you a cultural experience as it takes you through two Himachali villages, primarily Janglik and Barua. Picture by Sandhya UC

4. Litham Campsite

Litham mesmerized me. Here was a campsite at the confluence of two valleys. You could sit at Litham and gaze for hours at the two valleys. But the sight to watch out for would be the towering waterfalls from the Chandranahan snout. People talk about the famous Rupin waterfalls on the Rupin Pass trek. But this one is as impressive!

The Pabbar River flowing from the glaciers surrounding the Litham Campsite. Picture by Jothiranjan

5. Trek To Chandranahan Lake

I think the side trek to Chandranahan lake is very underrated. For me, it felt better than even doing the Buran Ghati crossing. The moment you get to the snout of the Chandranahan falls, you are transported to an alpine zone. You are in a high altitude narrow snow-lined valley.

Snow-capped mountains tower over you, all at touching distance. The Pabbar river is still along with you. You make your way over one beautiful ledge after another to get to the heart of the valley. The journey and the setting still stay with me for the visual treat.

The series of alpine lakes of Chandranahan. The color of the lakes add a charm to the setting of moraine layer. Picture by AnirbanBanerjee

6. The Coniferous Forests

I loved the forests on the first day of the trek. It is just lovely gradually climbing through the coniferous forests with its birch trees, some maple and oak, and birds singing along. Trekkers will just love it.

The beautiful forests on the Buran Ghati trek. Picture by Sandhya UC

What I don't Like About the Buran Ghati Trek

1. Ok, for the first time I don’t have a line to write about what I didn’t like.

Buran has to be the most complete trek I have done. It has stunning scenery, one of the best meadows, great culture, well-paced out, terrific high altitude adventure. Even the road journey to the base camp is superb!  

I give Buran Ghati a 5/5.

5 Reasons Why Indiahikes

We are India’s safest trekking organisation

When we brought out new trails in Indian trekking, safety came with us. Back in 2012, we were the first to introduce microspikes, and two years later, pulse oximeters became standard thanks to us. Nobody does safe treks like Indiahikes. In the mountains, emergencies don't care who you're with – everyone knows that when trouble hits, you look for the yellow tents of Indiahikes.

We are pioneers of treks in India

We are pioneers in trekking. Since 2007, we have brought out treks that have become India's most famous treks: Roopkund, Rupin Pass, Buran Ghati, Kedarkantha, Kashmir Great Lakes, Tarsar Marsar, Brahmatal, Phulara Ridge—the list goes on. In 2023 alone, we brought out five new treks in Indian trekking. We know treks better than anyone. This comes directly from the reason why Indiahikes was born: to bring out trek information and enable trekkers to trek on their own.

We are India’s largest trekking organisation

More than 25,000 people trek with us every year. We are the largest trekking organisation in India. 24% of our trekkers come back to trek with us every year. Over 4,000 students from the top educational institutions trek with us every year. Aside from this, families with children choose to trek with Indiahikes knowing that our treks are the safest. We have taken over 8000 children trekking so far, and the number continues to grow.

Our treks are transformative

We focus on designing transformative experiences. Our trek leaders conduct thought-provoking exercises that help you reflect and contemplate. This impact stays with you for a long time. Trekkers return feeling energised, more confident, or developing abilities to deal with difficulties. Many have changed careers, rethought their core values, become more humble, shown gratitude to others, or started a new fitness journey.

We are India's most sustainable trekking organisation

Since 2012, we have pioneered sustainable practices that have become standard in trekking. Using eco-bags, our trekkers have cleared over 120 tonnes of litter from the mountains. We do not carry packaged foods; instead, we serve freshly made food. We do not light campfires; we carry coal to light angethis to keep you warm. Our bio-toilets not only keep our toilets odour-free but also enrich the soil. When you trek with us, you leave mountains better.

Indiahikes Features

You’re guarded with our trek again philosophy

If you are unable to complete a trek, or if you love a trek, you can repeat it with us anytime. You don’t have to pay us for it. See our thoughts behind this here.

Get expert guidance even before you start the trek

Get personalised support from our expert Experience Coordinators. From registration to departure, they'll prepare you every step of the way.

Join any group, they are all women-friendly groups 

With around 30% of our trekkers being women, all women, including those travelling solo are comfortable to join any of our groups.

Meet like-minded trekkers

Indiahikes carries with it a strong spirit of trekking, one that comes with fitness, minimalism, mindfulness and a deep love for nature.

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