Day 1: Arrive in Delhi - Overnight train to Panthankot.
Arrive in Delhi airport. Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Spend the afternoon and evening relaxing in your hotel room or taking in the sights of Delhi. Evening transfer to the train station for the overnight sleeper train to Pathankot. We travel by A/C sleeper train, the best and most comfortable way to travel overland in India.
Day 2: Pathankot to Dharamsala (1770 m)
Arrive in Pathankot in the morning. We take private vehicles from here to Dharamsala. We arrive at our Hotel in Dharamsala for lunch. Relax for the afternoon and evening. Overnight Hotel.
Day 3: In Dharamsala: Rest Day
Dharamsala is the seat of the Dalai Lama and is considered as the capital of the Tibetan government in exile. Explore this small township built has a hill station by the British Raj to avoid the intense summer heat. Overnight hotel.
Day 4: Trek Dharamsala to Triund (2850 m): 4/5 hrs
First day trekking. The walk up to Triund from Dharamsala is quite steep and exposed. There are magnificent views south towards the flat plains of the Indian subcontinent below the Himalaya. Overnight camp at Triund.
Day 5: Triund to Lahesh Cave (3600 m): 5/6 hrs
Today’s route follows a ridge of prayer flags behind the Gaddi encampment. The trail climbs gently through the oak and conifer forests to reach the campsite at Laka Got (3350 m), where a few Gaddi shepherds and some travellers can usually be seen. We go further up to Lahesh Cave, a huge rock overhang, which will be our shelter for the night.
Day 6: Lahesh Cave to Indrahar Pass (4350 m) to Chatru Parao (3700 m): 6/7 hrs
The walk up to the pass is by no means easy, the gradient of the Dhauladhars being quite steep one will have to be on all fours at times. The views from the pass are simply breathtaking, the Indian plains stretching to the horizon to the south and the high snow caps of the Pir Panjal Range and Mt Mani Mahesh Kailas (5656 m) to the north. We descend down steeply to Chatru Parao and set up camp for the night.
Day 7: Chatru Parao to Kuarsi village (2700 m): 5/6 hrs
The trail descends moderately at first and then steeply towards a stream for an hour. A strenuous three hour climb follows until we reach a ridge crest. From here on it's a straight downhill walk to Kuarsi, a typical Gaddi village. We stay overnight in an interesting temple complex.
Day 8: In Kuarsi village: Rest Day
Explore the village for the day. Overnight again in temple complex.
Day 9: Kuarsi to Lamu (1600 m): 4/5 hrs
A short descent and ascent brings us to a small pass offering great views of the Dhauladhars in the south. From here it's a steep descent through forests and meadows to reach the campsite of Lamu. Overnight camp. Trek ends.
Day 10: Drive Lamu to Dalhousie (2050 m): 7/8 hrs
We drive along the Ravi river to reach the town of Chamba. The road then climbs up through the Dhauladhar ranges to reach Dalhousie via the pretty Khajjiar lake. Overnight hotel.
Day 11: Drive Dalhousie to Pathankot Railway Station to Delhi
We drive for 3 hrs to reach Pathankot and board the overnight train to Delhi.
Day 12: Arrive Delhi
Arrive in Delhi in the early morning. Transfer from the train station the international airport in time for your flight home. Trip ends.
