Located at 4350m, the majestic Indrahar Pass is one of the major passes in the Dhauladhar ranges and forms a border between the Kangra and Chamba districts. The trek to the pass is a popular and established trail taken by many a trekker and Gaddi shepherds en route to their grazing pastures in the Chamba valley.
Starting from McLeod Ganj, the trail takes you through mixed forests of Oak, Rhododendron and Deodar trees, the alpine meadows of Triund, lush green grazing grounds at Illaka Ghot, the incredibly colored rocky landscapes towards the pass and all of this with the striking Dhauladhar range in the backdrop. Be it the spiritual seeker, the nature enthusiast, the adventure junkie or the intrigued wanderer, the trek has something for everyone!
In May, the trekking trail will have soft and hard snow patches, icy streams, frozen mini glaciers, boulder, and scree ridden areas. Inclement weather will also add to the challenge on the trek. It goes without saying that it is a physically and mentally demanding trek and would require the trekkers to be physically fit and to have a penchant for the Himalayan remoteness to enjoy this trek.
Trek Months: May to October
Travel and Trek Itinerary
Delhi -> McLeod Ganj ->Triund -> Lahesh Caves -> Indrahar Pass -> Illaka Ghot -> Triund -> McLeod Ganj.
Trek Itinerary
Day 1 – Report to base camp McLeod Ganj(2000m).
- You are expected to assemble at McLeod Ganj by 4 pm. McLeod Ganj is situated 500km away from Delhi and would take approximately 9-10 hours by road. You can take a shared taxi/bus from Delhi to reach McLeod Ganj in an overnight journey.
- Alternatively, you can also get to the nearest railway station Pathankot or Chakki bank by train and take a taxi to McLeod Ganj. Taxis are available right outside the Pathankot railway station which is situated approx. 90km from McLeod Ganj.
- Overnight stay in the hotel.
- Meals: Tea & Snacks, Dinner
Day 2 – Trek from McLeod Ganj to Triund(2875m, 10km).
- The trek to Triund is a very well defined and easy trek, gaining a height of 1000m in a distance of 9kms, and passing through the Dharamkot village and Gallu Devi temple.
- Triund is a very popular trekking spot and gives a magnificent view of the Dhauladhar range on one side and the Kangra valley on the other.
- Overnight stay in tents/guest house (based on availability).
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner
Day 3 – Trek from Triund to Lahesh Caves(3500m, 5km).
- This is a moderate grade trek frequented by trekkers, shepherds, and local people. Vegetation of any form comes to an end near the grazing grounds, Illaka Ghot, at a height of 3300 mts.
- Lahesh Caves is a natural rock cave shelter and if we are lucky and weather permits, we can camp in or nearby the rock shelter for the night.
- Alternatively, we may camp at Illaka Ghot for the night in case of heavy rain or other unforeseen conditions.
- Overnight stay in tents.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner
Day 4 – Trek from Lahesh Caves to Indrahar Pass (4350m, 9km) and back to Illaka Ghot.
- The trek from Lahesh Caves to Indrahara Pass and back is long, demanding, passes over rock faces and at certain points involves steep climbing.
- You will start early in the morning on the physically demanding trek to the Indrahar Pass to be covered in 4-5 hours.
- At the top, you will be rewarded with fine views of the Kangra and Chamba valley, snow-capped peaks of Pir Panjal range, the Moon peak and the revered Mani Mahesh Kailash peak.
- Overnight stay in tents.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner.
Day 5 – Trek from Illakha Ghot to McLeod Ganj (2000m, 13km)
- Today you embark on a relatively easy and gradual descent to McLeod Ganj.
- You have no reason to hurry back and can enjoy your time in the valley with ample opportunities to exercise your photography and posing skills! ☺
- Overnight stay in the hotel.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Snacks, Dinner.
Day 6 – Depart from McLeod Ganj.
- Depart from McLeod Ganj at 9 am in the morning.
Trek Facts
Grade: Moderate.
Altitude: 4350m.
Temperature: During Summer from April to July, the temperatures hover around 33 degree Celsius during the day and dipping to an average 20 degree Celsius at night. As one goes higher up in the Dhauladhar range, the temperature dips to 5-10 degree Celsius at night.
Trek Duration: 6 days.
Trek Season: May to early July, September – October.
Base Camp: McLeod Ganj.
How to reach Basecamp:
By Air: Gaggal near Kangra, at a distance of 15 km from Mcleodganj by road is the closest airport.
By Rail: The closest railway stations are Pathankot and Chakki Bank. You may also choose to continue all the way up to Kangra by the scenic 6 hour Kangra valley toy train ride. Mcleodganj is 18 km from Kangra and this journey can be covered by bus or taxi.
By Road: This is the most popular medium to reach Dharamshala. There are HRTC bus services from various cities in North India like Delhi, Pathankot, Manali, Chandigarh etc to Lower Dharamshala. You may also take shared taxis from these locations.
Submit inquiry for costing
Cost Inclusions:
- Accommodation in dome tents (2/3 per tent).
- Accommodation in McLeod Ganj on Day 1 and Day 5.
- Meals mentioned in the itinerary on a fixed menu/ buffet basis.
- Transfers and sightseeing as per itinerary.
- Camping Equipment: Tents, Sleeping bags, mats, gaiters.
- All charges for guides and permits.
Cost Exclusions:
- Travel to and fro base camp McLeod Ganj.
- Backpack offloading: Trekkers are expected to carry their own backpacks. If the trekker cannot carry his/her backpack due to physical inability, and chooses to offload on mules/ porters, this will be on additional cost.
- Airfares, airport taxes and anything not mentioned in the inclusions and itinerary.
- Meals, tea, coffee, mineral water, tips, transfers not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Doctor, telephone, laundry and other personal expenses.
- Cost of personal emergency exit or expenses due to external factors such as climatic conditions.
Health & Fitness Requirements:
This trek does not require you to have previous trekking or mountaineering experience. However, we do highly recommend having an adventurous spirit and willingness to undergo the joys & hardships of outdoor camping, in addition to good physical and mental fitness, to completely enjoy the trek. If you suffer from severe muscular, chest, heart or bronchial ailments, we advise you against participating since most treks happen in remote areas with limited access to medical services & hospital facilities.
Our Trek Leaders are experienced mountaineers and we trust their judgments. If during the trek, the Trek Leader advises you against continuing on the trek, we request you to respect his/her judgment and follow his/her instructions.