After eight days of high adventure, great weather, and breathtaking views, the first group of Bali Pass trekkers for this year successfully completed the trek and returned to the base camp yesterday. This is a huge moment for both the trekkers and the Indiahikes team, as crossing the pass above 16,000 ft is no easy feat. 

Here are some of the highlights that our trekkers experienced on this trek:

There was a lot of adventure on this trek, be it walking on a knife edge ridge, or crossing the Ruinsara river using Tyrolean traverse. The technicality required on this trek was a daring experience in itself. 

The clear weather offered continuous views of the grand Swargarohini massif.

The pass crossing was exhilarating, even though there was less snowfall this year. 

The unexpected, dense, green forests after crossing the pass near Lower Damini, added to the trek's beauty. 

One major challenge on this trek was the descent from the ridge. The lack of snow made the trail tricky with many boulders and stones, straining trekkers' knees and ankles. However, with the technical support, collaboration, and effort of the entire team, the trekkers completed the trek safely and successfully. 

Trek leader Amit Gupta was extremely happy with the way the entire team came together and worked as one to make it a wholesome experience. He said, "Care is something which came out from each team member. Thanks to the overall team effort, they could help each other across difficult sections by holding hands, carrying backpacks on tricky parts, and guiding the trekkers through their fears.” 

With a fantastic start to the 2024 Bali Pass season, we look forward to trekkers enjoying a smooth and rewarding experience in the upcoming group. 

At Indiahikes, we always wanted to open more treks that are high on adventure. While the Bali Pass is highly adventurous, it comes with a limited trekking window due to weather conditions. Keeping this in mind, to give trekkers an equally adventurous experience, we have opened more groups to the only other pass crossing trek that goes above 16,000 ft -  Pin Bhaba Pass. The trek is also accessible for a longer duration from July through August. 

Trekkers at the highest point on the Bali Pass. 

It is a trek update on the Bali pass trek. The first batch just returned from the bali pass trek.

Trek Update: The First Group Of Bali Pass Trekkers Successfully Complete The Trek

After a lot of anticipation, we are finally starting the Manali trekking season from today. The trekkers for Beas kund, Bhrigu lake and Hampta Pass are all geared up and stoked to kick start the season. 

Trekkers have already started reaching their respective basecamps, although there is near record breaking traffic in Manali. So trekkers, ensure that you have enough time in your hands to reach your basecamps. 

We are as excited and thrilled as you are to start this season and fingers crossed, have a smooth run till September. 

For those interested in joining us this Manali season, we have slots available in July, August and September for our Himachal Treks.  

It is a short real time update on the start of the Manali season. Hampat Pass, Bhrigu lake and Beas kund trekkers have started to make their way to the basecamps.

Real Time Updates: The Manali Trekking Season Has Begun and Trekkers Are Thrilled

In addition to the regular groups for Channarayana Durga and Minchukallu Betta, we have launched nine new stargazing groups.

Ever since we opened up special stargazing groups last year, trekker interest in the night sky has shot up! We are noticing that most of our stargazing groups are the first to get filled.

Our treks in South India to Channarayana Durga and Minchukallu Betta make for wonderful stargazing spots, away from the light pollution of the city and with vast expansive views of the night sky.

If you'd like to hear stories about the night sky, get closer to the stars and understand the universe better, this is a wonderful way to do so.

Learn more about stargazing treks with Indiahikes

The article is a news post, announcing the availability of new slot of Channarayana Durga and Minchukallu Betta treks between september and Decmenber. and the additional stargazing groups.

We have opened Channarayana Durga and Minchukallu Betta groups from September to December 2024

The latter half of December is a great time to be on the Sandakphu-Phalut trek. At this time, you get to witness some incredibly sharp views of the highest mountains in the world.

Trekkers know this. So most of our December groups are already full. But new requests from trekkers are consistently pouring in. 

Honestly, we do not want trekkers to miss out on trekking in this incredible season. Apart from the stunning mountain views, it’s a golden time to witness some stellar sunsets and sunrises in the eastern Himalayas.

So we’ve opened new groups for the Sandakphu-Phalut trek, starting on:  
December 12th
December 19th
December 28th

A heads-up: December groups of Sandakphu-Phalut get booked way in advance. We’re anticipating even the new groups to fill up within a week. So register soon!

Why we were compelled to open new December groups for Sandakphu-Phalut

Oct 20, 12.00 p.m.: The recent team of Phulara Ridge that started trekking on Oct 15, was hit by unexpected heavy snowfall on their trek. 

“It snowed continuously for 6-7 hours on the trek at Bhoj Gadi. The entire landscape was covered in a heavy blanket of snow. We were expecting the weather to be bad, but so much snowfall was unexpected,” shares Trek Leader Zonal N. 

Next day, the team got a small window of good weather. So they decided to push for the highest point on the trek at 12,345 ft. 

“Crossing the ridge and descending to Pushtara wasn’t an option. Fresh snow had made the trail risky. But we wanted to trek to the highest point of the ridge at least,” Zonal shares. 

Heavy, unexpected snowfall increased the difficulty level of the trek. While all team members were not able to make it, 8 out of 19 trekkers, along with the Indiahikes Team trekked to the highest point and came back the same route. 

All trekkers enjoyed the challenges of this particular Phulara Ridge trek. They came back with deep learning and gratitude for the small luxuries and conveniences of life. They felt triumphant for successfully braving the challenges that the weather threw at them. 

No one has seen Phulara Ridge buried under so much snow. But this spirited group witnessed this unexpected yet spectacular sight. It’s left them with memories of a lifetime!

The recent team of Phulara Ridge that started trekking on Oct 15, was hit by unexpected heavy snowfall on their trek.

Phulara Ridge trekkers hit by unexpected snowfall!

phulara ridge news - unexpected snowfall at Phulara ridge - snowfall at Phulara ridge - unexpected snowfall

Till now, travelling back to Shimla from the other side of the Rupin Pass and Buran Ghati treks was not advisable owing to a landslide at Nigulsari in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Due to this landslide, people were getting stuck in traffic jam for 2-3 days! But now the road has been repaired, and the traffic is comfortably moving.

“To avoid getting stuck in traffic, our previous groups went till Rupin Pass and Buran Ghati Pass and returned to the start point without crossing over. But now that the traffic has cleared, the current groups are most likely to cross the passes and descend to the other side,” shares Tilak Rawat, Experience Coordinator for the Rupin Pass and Buran Ghati treks.

We are constantly in touch with our teams on the Buran Ghati and Rupin Pass treks. Both groups are likely to cross their respective passes on Sept 30th.

Return travel becomes easier for Rupin Pass and Buran Ghati trekkers as traffic clears

The Gidara Bugyal trail has turned extremely slushy and slippery due to rains. This makes trekking here difficult and risky, even for the most experienced trekkers. As a result, the first group to Gidara Bugyal is now trekking on an extension of the Dayara Bugyal trek. 

They started their trek from Raithal this morning. On this alternate route, trekkers will attempt to go to the far end of Dayara Bugyal, till Bakhariya Top. En route, they will cross Siyari and Surya top. 

Very few trekkers have been to this far-end of the Dayara Bugyal meadow. Trekking to the other end offers a rare opportunity for the trekkers to witness the endless expanse of the Dayara Bugyal. 

For this, the group will begin and end their trek at Raithal. The number of days on their trek itinerary will also remain the same.

A last-minute diversion is operationally quite challenging. All the equipment and manpower now need to move on a different route. But our teams are working around the clock to ensure that trekkers get a seamless trekking experience. 

Gidara Bugyal trekkers diverted as trail turns slushy due to rains

Over the weekend, our team travelled to the base camps of Rupin Pass and Buran Ghati treks and reported that reaching these treks is not an issue. 

“Our teams have also started opening up the route for the Rupin Pass and Buran Ghati groups that are starting on September 14th,” shares Tilak Rawat, Experience Coordinator for both treks. 

The travel till Shimla from Delhi/Chandigrah is smooth. But a 100 m section of road at Nigulsari has collapsed due to a landslide. This section lies on the route to Shimla which is taken by both Rupin Pass and Buran Ghati trekkers.

The restoration work is in progress, and the Nisulgaru patch is likely to be rebuilt in the next few days. The local authorities are keeping a close eye on the progress as this is a busy route.

"Road condition from Rohru to Janglik is good except for one patch close to Janglik where the bridge was washed away by the Sundru stream (which later merges with Pabbar river). A temporary bridge is set up to cross the stream but mules or vehicles cannot cross the stream using this bridge," shares Nishant Kumar, Trek Leader at Indiahikes who is setting up the base for the Buran Ghati trek. 

After Rohru the traffic slows down because it’s moving one-way. 

“There are also a lot of trucks on this route as it’s apple harvest season and apples are being transported from the Rohru region. Due to this, the journey of 3-hours between Shimla and Rohru is presently taking 5 hours,” shares Tilak.

For both treks, it is advisable to start your travel from Chandigrah/Delhi early in the morning to reach Rohru one day prior to the trek. This will ensure that you are in time for your pick-up at Rohru.

For Rupin Pass/Buran Ghati trekkers: Roads to Shimla are open. But prepare for delays on the journey

Trekkers travelling from Chandigarh to Rohru for the Rupin Pass trek should expect delays and traffic jams between Shimla and Rohru. 

“We’ve received an update that the traffic is moving one-way on this route. There are also a lot of trucks on this route as it’s apple harvest season and apples are being transported from the Rohru region. Due to this, the journey of 3-hours between Shimla and Rohru is presently taking 5 hours,” shares Tilak Rawat, Experience Coordinator for the Rupin Pass trek. 

In such a scenario, it is advisable to reach Chandigrah early in the morning and start travelling towards Rohru one day prior to the trek. This will ensure that you are in time for your pick-up for the Rupin Pass trek 

The autumn season of Rupin Pass is starting from September 14th. It is one of the most beautiful seasons to experience this trek which comes alive with vibrant autumn colours and waterfalls. 

We will share more updates about the upcoming Rupin Pass trek right here.

For Rupin Pass Trekkers: Expect delays while traveling from Shimla to Rohru

As soon as the weather cleared up early this morning, traffic started moving between Pipalkoti and Joshimath. As a result, the August 23 group to Valley of Flowers was able to reach Dhak by 7.30 a.m. today. 

They had their briefing and breakfast at Dhak and then quickly moved to Govindghat to start their trek towards Ghangria. 

The entry to Valley of Flowers also opened. 

Here’s a group-wise update of the Valley of Flowers trek:

Aug 19: This team has successfully completed the trek and is returning to Rishikesh by tonight.

Aug 20: This team is returning to Dhak after completing the trek. 

Aug 21 and Aug 22: These teams were able to trek from Ghangria to Valley of Flowers today.

Aug 23: This team is trekking from Dhak to Ghangria. 

Aug 24: This team is on their way from Rishikesh to Karchhi. 

“All Valley of Flowers groups are running on schedule. And we are expecting better weather in the coming days,” says Tilak Rawat, Experience Coordinator for the Valley of Flowers trek.

We are constantly receiving updates from our Valley of Flowers team. And we will keep posting all relevant information here.

The weather clears up in the Valley of Flowers region. Trek is back on schedule.

Today, more than a month after the deluge caused by heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh, 18 trekkers started their journey towards Miyar Valley. They reached Manali yesterday, and today they are travelling from Manali to Shukto—the basecamp for the trek. 

“The team is already on the way to Shukto. The roads have been repaired, and the journey is smooth. All trekkers are expected to reach Shukto by 3 p.m. today,” updates Slope Manager Abhishek Kumar. 

The unprecedented rains that wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh from July 9-13 ruined the roads between Manali and Shukto. This is why the trek was on a pause. 

During the deluge, several landslides along the way resulted in many cracks and boulders on the road. Now, all these have been repaired and cleared. And the Miyar Valley trek is back on schedule.

As per the itinerary, the team will stay at Shukto tonight. They will start trekking towards Miyar Valley early tomorrow morning. 

Our teams are constantly updating us about the situation in Himachal Pradesh. We’ll keep posting all relevant updates here.

Miyar Valley trek re-starts after a pause of 34 days

Gurez Valley trekkers who started their trek on July 27th experienced heavy rainfall during the initial days of the trek. So they took a buffer day at the Dison campsite. 

“Due to heavy rainfall, the trail became slushy and slippery. We’re not receiving such heavy rainfall on the Tarsar Marsar and Kashmir Great Lakes treks,” shares Debadrita Ghosh, Experience Coordinator for all three treks.

Despite the short bout of heavy rain, the Gurez Valley trek is running on schedule. According to the latest update, the weather has improved. And trekkers are now on their way to the highest point of the trek.  

“After taking a buffer day at Dison, the team moved to Khaari campsite. Today they will be climbing to the highest point of the trek, Patalwansar Lake II (12,795 ft), and then camping at Patalwansar Lake I. The weather is clear now. It’s a good day to trek,” says Slope Manager Nitesh Kumar. 

Our teams in Jammu and Kashmir are regularly sharing updates from the trek. We’ll keep posting them right here.

Gurez Valley trekkers resume their trek after taking a buffer day due to heavy rains

After 20 days, our team re-started trekking to Bhrigu Lake today morning. They are presently camping at Jonker Thatch. 

“All trekkers started their journey to the Gulaba Roadhead this morning at 9.45 a.m. The journey from Manali till Gulaba was comfortable without disruptions. The trekkers had pleasant, misty weather on the trek. They are presently at the first campsite,” shares their Experience Coordinator Caroline Mathews.

This team is expected to return to Manali on July 31st after completing the trek. 

The next team for the Bhrigu Lake trek is scheduled for August 4th. 

We’re receiving regular updates from our teams in Himachal Pradesh. And we’ll keep posting them here.

Bhrigu Lake trek in Himachal Pradesh restarts today in good weather

On July 1-2, 2023, our team conducted a recce of the Pin Bhaba Pass trek to gauge the amount of snow on the trail. They’re back with great news! 

“Even though there is a good amount of snow at the pass and then till Mangrungse, conditions are good for our trekkers to do the trek safely,” reports Trek Leader Lay Naik from the recce. 

We had taken the decision to push back dates for the Pin Bhaba Pass trek by two weeks to avoid excessive snow on the trail. Too much snow makes pass-crossing riskier. Post-poning the dates worked. As per the recce-report, it is possible to safely cross the pass now. 

Apart from snow, Lay witnessed tiny flowers blooming in the Bhaba Valley. He also encountered vibrantly coloured rocks of the Pin Valley. 

“Each stone was tinged in a different colour. I was in awe!” Lay shares in his detailed report. 

This recce indicates a promising start to the season. Our first group to Pin Bhaba Pass is all set to start on July 7.

Snow on Pin Bhaba Pass trek, but possible to cross the pass: Latest Recce Report

Winter wonderland alert! For all the trekking enthusiasts out there, the wait is finally over! 

Kedarkantha, one of the most sought-after trekking destinations in India, has finally received its second snowfall of the season. This means that the trails are now covered in a blanket of snow, making it the perfect time to trek!

The clouds began to gather yesterday evening, and by 10 pm, the snowfall had begun. The peak amount of snowfall occurred between 1 am and 4 am, transforming the campsite of Julota where our team was camping. 

The snowfall transforms the Kedarkantha campsite into a winter wonderland!

In the morning, the campsite was covered in a blanket of snow, with Julota campsite receiving a whopping 2 and a half feet of snow. While the Gaichwan basecamp at low altitude avoided the snowfall, Kotgaon basecamp is now fully covered with snow, a true Narnia feeling!

The climate right now is still cloudy, and another wave of snowfall may be on the horizon. 
Whether you're a seasoned trekker or a beginner, Kedarkantha is a must-visit destination for an unforgettable winter adventure in the month of February. 

The snowfall of the season adds a magical touch to Kedarkantha trek! Photo by Varsha More.

Tag your trekking buddies in the comments and let us know if you're joining us on our next winter trek! 

The first big snow of the season has arrived at Kedarkantha, covering the trekking destination in a blanket of white.

The First Big Snow Arrives at Kedarkantha!

Kedarkantha, Snow, Winter, Arrival, Snowfall, Winter Trek

The First Big Snow Arrives at Kedarkantha! 

At Indiahikes, we like to run our treks on schedule — on the destined date, to the destined location. But in the rarest of times, a trek cannot run as scheduled. These are usually emergency scenarios when we have to divert treks from one trail to another. 

While it may seem alarming that a trek that you planned for is changing in the last minute, these diversions are a part and parcel of high altitude trekking. 

As a trekker, this is what we’d like you to understand today. When it comes to high altitude trekking, there are some uncertainties you deal with — one of them is the rare possibility that your trek can get diverted. 

To dive deep, it is important to understand why this could happen.  

There are three main reasons for your trek to get diverted: 

Weather in the mountains is unpredictable. At Indiahikes, we take the weather into account while launching dates for a season. “If we’re trekking in monsoon or winter, we always account for rainfall or snowfall,” says Lakshmi Selvakumaran, Head of Experience at Indiahikes.

What we cannot plan for are the anomalies in weather. Swings in the weather. An unexpected big snowfall. Or a heavy bout of rainfall that lasts for two days. Or Landslides. Or Cloudbursts.

These become the biggest reasons for diverting treks.

“In the second year of Indiahikes, our entire season of Roopkund got washed off. This happened in autumn due to untimely rains. It poured through the entire season,” shares Arjun Majumdar, Founder of Indiahikes.

Something similar happened in 2014 when Kashmir — situated mostly in the rain shadow region — received more than its share of rainfall. “Srinagar was flooded. Trekkers who had already reached Kashmir had to be evacuated. Trekkers who were scheduled to trek in Kashmir had to be diverted to another state,” recollects Arjun.

But it's not always something as dramatic as a cloudburst or a flood. Last month, the Beas River swelled up because of continuous rain, because of which trekkers could not cross the river. They were immediately diverted to Bhrigu Lake, a neighbouring trek but without a risky river crossing. 

Could these weather anomalies be predicted? Yes and no.

While bad weather can be predicted, it is difficult to predict the quantum of rain/snow during an event. You realise the scale only while the event is unfolding.

Such anomalies disrupt the trek. Trekking groups on the trek get stuck. They sometimes need to be evacuated. On the other hand, the groups that are coming up need alternatives. At this point, the most effective alternative is to trek in the nearest region that’s not affected by the weather.

For example, when the trekking routes of Hampta Pass, Bhrigu Lake and Beas Kund in the Kullu region got affected by a cloud burst, we diverted trekkers to Miyar Valley in Lahaul. It’s in the same state of Himachal Pradesh, but in a rain shadow region. 

Sometimes we even divert treks from one state to another. From Himachal Pradesh to Uttarakhand. We look at the best possible alternative.

PS: Plan B may not always be an alternate trek. It could be a revised itinerary of the same trek, as long as it diverts trekkers from the problem we are facing on the original itinerary.

Weather anomalies are the biggest reason why treks get diverted. Picture by Chermanna Achappa shot on the Roopkund trek. 

This is the second big reason why treks get diverted.

For any trek, you require clearances/permissions from the Forest Department, The District Magistrate, the District Commissioner of Police and the Tourism Department of the state. A trek can run only if permissions are cleared from all/most of these departments.

For some treks, permission can be taken a few days in advance. For some, permissions are issued the day before the trek. Oddly, there are treks where you get permissions only on the day of the trek.

There are various reasons why permissions get cancelled or are delayed. Sometimes it so happens that you have permissions from all departments but one.

Take the latest instance of treks in Kashmir — Nafran Valley and Tarsar Marsar. The route to the basecamp of these treks coincided with the route of the Amarnath Yatra. Due to security concerns, all tourists were barred from travelling on the Amarnath Yatra route. Permissions to travel on the route leading to Aru were denied. The District Magistrate declined permission to do the trek.

As a result, our trekkers had to be diverted to our new trek in Bodpathri. (Read how Bodpathri Lakes trek was explored).

If diversions are rare, this is rarer. Yet, while on the topic, it is important to touch upon this reason. 

Sometimes, despite all the planning, our operations run into roadblocks. It could be because a series of trek leaders have fallen sick (like in a pandemic), or an unforeseen issue has cropped up with our local staff.

One such instance happened in Sankri, last year.

“It happened right after the first Covid lockdown eased. We were re-starting our treks to Kedarkantha and Har Ki Dun-Ruinsara Tal. At the spur of the moment, a few local folk in Sankri put forth certain unreasonable demands that couldn’t be met. We tried to find a middle ground. But it did not work. Finally, in the dead of the night, we had to take the decision to move out of Sankri,” shares Dhaval Jajal, Senior Trek Leader and Filmmaker with Indiahikes.  

The night that followed was harrowing. Many trekkers were already present, waiting to start their trek. Many trekkers were on their way. 

“We decided to divert the Kedarkantha and Har Ki Dun groups to Dayara Bugyal. We had to shift the entire operation. I remember the decision was made at 1 am in the night and we conveyed this decision to trekkers early next morning. We were transparent with the trekkers about what had happened and most of the trekkers understood the situation. Without hesitation they agreed to move to the alternate trek,” Dhaval says.

This diversion was a result of an internal conflict. It is the rarest amongst the three reasons but it can happen. 

The decision to divert a trek is never taken lightly at Indiahikes. Everyone at Indiahikes springs into action. A lot of factors come into play — what’s the alternative? Do we have the logistics to support the diversion? Is it feasible for the trekkers? What are the costs involved?

1. Finding an alternative itinerary / trek route

For Plan B, our first attempt is to resolve the issue within the same trek. These are cases where we make small tweaks in the itinerary.

For instance, a few years ago, there was a landslide on the Pin Bhaba Pass trek route. One of the campsites was buried in debris, whereas the rest of the trek was still accessible. Immediately, we took a call to skip a camp and move to the next campsite. It was a small change in the itinerary, but something that helped trekkers avert the issue without changing their travel plans. 

Within a trek, we try one of the following to resolve issues: 

Find an alternative route to the same summit / mountain pass 

But very often, an entire trekking trail gets cordoned off, and that's when trek diversions become imperative. 

In these cases, the first step is to check if we can get permissions for the alternate trek quickly? We speak to the relevant Government officials for this. Once we are clear on permissions, we start planning the shift.

Our first choice is always to divert to a neighbouring region where we are already running a trek. Like it happened in the case of Nafran Valley and Tarsar Marsar. When permission was denied to travel on the route to Aru (the basecamp for these treks) we sent out an emergency exploration to Bodpathri Lakes trek. Within a week a brand new trek was explored, planned and opened especially for those who couldn't trek to the other two treks.

Looking for a viable alternative is the first step to diverting a trek. Picture by Swathi Chatrapathy

Finding an alternative trek is just the tip of the iceberg. The real challenge lies in setting up the operations for an alternate trek.

To give you a real picture, for all our high altitude treks, the operations are planned at least 3 months in advance. Gathering the human resources, camping gear, the provisions for food, allotting team members, readying pack animals, moving rental gear. All this has to be shifted in the very last minute to another location. 

“Our biggest challenge is in terms of logistics and setting up the trek. Our equipment needs to move. Transportation for trekkers has to be arranged starting from scratch. All this takes time. But in case of a diversion, an alternative trek sometimes has to be set up overnight!” shares Lakshmi.

“On the bright side, it is good that we are the largest trekking organisation in India. We have a lot of backup treks to offer our trekkers. Invariably, we come up with excellent backup treks that are sometimes better than the original,” shares Lakshmi.

Diverting a trek involves moving equipment from one trek to another. Sometimes this has to be done overnight! 

With the back-end in full-swing, our Experience Coordinators start communicating about the immediate next steps you can take to reach the alternate trek. We try our best to not disrupt your travel bookings. But in case that happens, we list out viable options to help you get to the alternative trek at the minimum cost.

During a diversion, all teams at Indiahikes work round the clock to ensure that the diverted treks get top priority.

But it’s your trek that’s getting diverted. And you have a role to play too.

How to prepare for a diversion — Your Role

Diversions are rare. Yet, they’re a very real part of the trekking world. From your side, it helps to be mentally prepared for such a scenario. There are three things you can do to be prepared for a diversion:

Always account for buffer days while planning your travel. Certain treks have buffer days built into their itineraries. But it’s wise to cue in buffer days for your travel too. 

What I mean is, avoid buying flight tickets that are cut-to-cut with your trek itinerary. Keep an extra day or two in hand. If everything goes as per plan, use these days for local sightseeing after the trek ends.

Flexible tickets are commonly referred to as Flexi Tickets. These tickets allow you to have a flexible departure date. You can reschedule, sometimes even cancel your flight, for a very low cancellation fee. This is in contrast with the regular plane ticket where you end up paying a hefty fee — almost equal to your ticket amount — in case of a cancellation or reschedule.

These days all airlines offer the option of a Flexi Ticket.

Due to the benefits it offers, a Flexi Ticket is costlier than a Regular Ticket. I would advice you to bear that cost. Look at it like an investment. It insures you against unforeseen circumstances like a trek diversion or even cancellation.

Buy Flexi Flight Tickets instead of Regular Tickets. It insures you against unforeseen circumstances like a trek diversion or even cancellation.

There is a possibility that the alternate trek is a tad more difficult or longer than the trek you had planned for. To stay open to all possibilities, your fitness needs to be in place. 

Whether you're fit or not determines how you look at such a diversion. Our fittest trekkers enjoy the adventure that comes with these kind of last-minute plans. Very often, they go on to have a better trek than originally planned. Unfit trekkers usually back out or struggle through the strain. They completely miss out on the spirit of a high altitude trek. 

So fitness is a basic necessity for any high altitude trek. 

Diversions are not comfortable. But they are a part and parcel of the trekking world. It’s something organisers must have back-up plans for. It’s something trekkers must mentally prepare for. 

Through this blog we wanted to put this reality on the table. We would like you to be prepared in case your trek gets diverted.

If you have questions, please drop them in the comment section below. We will answer them promptly.

Sometimes, because of unforseen circumstances, your trek may get diverted or rerouted. Why and when does it happen and how do you prepare? Here's some insight.

When And Why Some Treks Get Diverted (And How You Can Prepare For It)

diverted rerouted change of schedule emergency emergencies

Keep Buffer Days

I have the most happy announcement to make today!

We have finally announced dates to Rupin Pass and Buran Ghati for this September and October. 

Until now, we had held back from opening these groups because there was a government order that banned trekking in the Kinnaur region of Himachal Pradesh after September 15th. 

This afternoon we have finally got a green signal from the government to run the treks. We could not have been happier! 

Rupin Pass and the Buran Ghati are the two most sought after high altitude treks in India. Trekkers have been waiting to register for these treks for a few months now. 

Dates are open from mid-September until mid-October. 

Unfortunately, there is bad news too. We won’t be able to open more than 8 groups for these treks this season. 

So my advice is to plan your trek as soon as possible. 

If you have any questions about these treks, do go through the FAQ sections on the trek pages. 

1. You’ll see greenery at its best in this season. 

Since the monsoons have just watered the grasslands, you’ll see them at their lushest best. The meadows of Dayara on the Buran Ghati trek are best experienced in September and October. On the Rupin Pass trek, the Saruwas Thatch campsite is going to be a flowerbed, and you camp right beside it.

The meadows of Dayara on the Buran Ghati trek are a photographer's delight, especially in the post-monsoon season. Picture by Indiahikes Head Photographer Avinash SH

2. The hills are alive with small and big waterfalls. 

This is especially true of the Lower Waterfall campsite on the Rupin Pass trek. Because it is just after monsoon, hundreds of waterfalls burst to life on the walls of the cliffs that surround you. It’s a sight you’ll not get to see at any other time of the year. Even on the Buran Ghati trek waterfalls cascade down from the slopes all around you. 

The Lower Waterfall campsite at Rupin Pass is an experience on its own, with an incredible number of waterfalls on the sides of the cliffs. Picture by Indiahikes Head Photographer Jothiranjan

3. The mountains are at their crispest best.

Since monsoon clouds are washed away by mid-September, the sky is void of any clouds. This is when you see the mountains at their crispest best, where you can see every nook and cranny of the mountain sides.

We have just announced dates for Rupin Pass and Buran Ghati treks for September and October 2022. Take a look!

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