Jalsu Pass Trek
The spectacular meadows atop the Jalsu Pass trek and en-route offer a mesmerizing view. Jalsu Pass is the easiest connecting link between Chamba and Kangra Valleys. Throughout the Chamba Kailash Yatra season, which is during monsoons, this trail remains busy with pilgrims and adventurers alike. Some trekkers even call this Flower Valley of Himachal Pradesh and rightly so. Jalsu Pass can be crossed between early April and late October. The best period remains the July-August period when the valley is blossoming with greenery all around.
The Trail
The trail starts from Uttrala near Paprola town, close-by to the beautiful tourist destination Palampur. A road was proposed here and even the preliminary survey works were done but the politics of the road brought the entire construction work to a standstill. One can reach Uttrala by bus or cab and head towards the Binbanagar from where an incomplete road takes you to the first makeshift shop, which runs for 6 out of 12 months. The gradient is relaxed and it passes through a dense forest. Although, bears don’t come this low but monkeys are a real nuisance on this stretch. You would like to use your walking pole as your protective gear.
Author: Tarun Goel.
Flower Valley of Himachal Pradesh
- Jalsu Pass is the easiest connecting link between Chamba and Kangra Valleys.
- Throughout the Chamba Kailash Yatra season, which is during monsoons, this trail remains busy with pilgrims and adventurers alike. Some trekkers even call this trail Flower Valley of Himachal Pradesh and rightly so.
- The spectacular meadows atop the pass and en-route offer a mesmerizing view. The Jalsu Pass can be crossed between early April and late October.
Jalsu Pass Trek Guide
The spectacular meadows atop the Jalsu Pass trek and en-route offer a mesmerizing view. Jalsu Pass is the easiest connecting link between Chamba and Kangra Valleys. Throughout the Chamba Kailash Yatra season, which is during monsoons, this trail remains busy with pilgrims and adventurers alike. Some trekkers even call this Flower Valley of Himachal Pradesh and rightly so. Jalsu Pass can be crossed between early April and late October. The best period remains the July-August period when the valley is blossoming with greenery all around.
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How to get fit for the Jalsu Pass trek
The Jalsu Pass trek is classified as a trek of moderate difficulty.
Cardiovascular endurance
For two days, you will cover a distance of 40 km. The secret to covering this distance comfortably lies in building your cardiovascular endurance. You can begin by jogging everyday. Ideally, you should be able to jog 4 km in 20 minutes before the start of the trek. It takes time to be able to cover this distance in the given time. Start slow and increase your pace everyday. Swimming, cycling and stair climbing without too many breaks in between can help too.
Strength
This is another area you should work on. You will need to build strength in your muscles and in your core body. You can do some squats to strengthen your leg muscles. Do around 3 sets of squats, with 8 squats in each set. Apart from this, you can add planks and crunches to your work out.
Flexibility
Another aspect that will help you trek comfortably is flexibility. For this, you can do some stretching exercises – stretch your hamstrings, quadriceps, hip flexors, lower back muscles and shoulders regularly. Carrying a backpack, however light, can become a strain after a while. These exercises will help you to be in good shape before the trek.
Working out indoors
If you can’t go out and jog because of time and space constraints, here’s a video you can use to work out indoors.
What to take on the Jalsu Pass trek
Bare necessities
- Trekking shoes: There will be several slippery patches on the trail, and you will need trekking shoes with good grip. Sports shoes will not be comfortable enough. You can watch this video to learn to choose the right trekking shoes.
- Backpack (40-60 litres): A backpack with sturdy straps and a supporting frame. Rain cover for backpack is essential.
Clothes
- Two warm layers: At the campsites, especially the higher ones, the temperature after sundown will drop to around 2-6 degrees. You will need at least three warm layers (two lights layers such as fleece and woollen and one padded jacket) for this trek.
- Two trek pants: One pair of pants should suffice for this trek. But you can carry one spare pair in case the first one gets wet. Wear one pair and carry one pair.
- Two collared t-shirts: Carry light, full sleeved t-shirts that prevent sun burns on the neck and arms. Again, wear one and carry one.
- Thermals (Optional): Those who are more susceptible to cold can carry thermals to wear at night.
Accessories
- Sunglasses: Sunglasses are to prevent snow blindness. There might be snow closer to the lake, so carry a pair of sunglasses.
- Suncap: The sun is more
- Synthetic hand gloves: One pair of fleece or woolen hand gloves. One pair of water proof/resistant, wind proof gloves.
- Balaclava: You may use woollen scarves instead as well.
- Socks (2 pairs): Apart from two sports socks, you can take a pair of woollen socks for the night.
- Headlamp/LED torch: Mandatory
- Trekking pole: Watch this video to understand why you need a trekking pole.
Others
- Daypack (20 litres): If you are offloading your backpack, you will need a smaller backpack to carry water, medical kit and some light snacks.
- Toiletries (Sunscreen, moisturiser, light towel, lip balm, toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste)
- Cutlery: Carry a spoon, coffee mug and a lunch box. We insist on trekkers getting their own cutlery for hygiene reasons.
- Two water bottles: 1 litre each
- Plastic covers: While packing, use plastic bags to compartmentalise things and carry few extra plastic bags for wet clothes.
Mandatory Personal Medical Kit
- Diamox – 10 tablets (to prevent AMS)
- Crocin – 6 tablets (fever)
- Avomine – 4 tablets (motion sickness)
- Avil 25mg – 4 tablets (allergies)
- Combiflam – 4 tablets (Pain killer)
- Disprin – 6 tablets (headache)
- Norflox TZ & Lomofen– 6 tablets each (diarrhea)
- Digene – 10 tablets (acidity)
- Omez/ Rantadine – 10 tablets (antacids)
- Crepe bandage – 3 to 5 meters
- Gauze – 1 small roll
- Band aid – 10 strips
- Cotton – 1 small roll
- ORS – 10 packets
- Betadine or any antiseptic cream
- Moov spray (aches, & sprains)
Mandatory Documents
- Original and photocopy of government photo identity card- (driving license, voters ID, etc.)
- Medical Certificate and Disclaimer (to be filled by the trekker) – Download PDF
- Medical certificate (to be filled by a doctor) – Download PDF
If you’re shopping or packing for the trek, you can download this quick and simple checklist for offline use.