Kedarkantha is hands down the most popular winter trek in our country. Every year, in the last week of December alone, thousands of trekkers flock to the Kedarkantha peak. 

What trekkers are missing out on is that the winter continues in January and February as well. In fact, the trek looks more beautiful and dreamy in these months compared to December. The trekkers who venture in the months of January and February not only get to experience more snow but also less crowd. 

Kedarkantha, as a trek, is known for the thrilling summit climb. In addition, the Indiahikes Kotgaon route offers a variety of forests, serene campsites, stunning sunrises and sunsets, and an immersive cultural experience of the remote Himalayan village. 

This specially curated photo story gives you the real picture of Kedarkantha in January and February. Without further delay, let’s get started with it.  

The ambience of the Indiahikes community campus at Kotgaon, surrounded by vegetation on all sides, makes it very special for all of us at Indiahikes. Photo by Jothiranjan

The location of the Kotgaon campus marks the entrance to the village. Just by sitting outside the campus, you can get a glimpse into the culture of a remote Himalayan village. You get to witness stunning sunsets and sunrises right out of the campus, too. Picture by Caroline Mathews.

Indiahikes campus is isolated from the hustle-bustle of civilization, creating a peaceful environment for trekkers to bond with each other. The wooden structure of the campus gives you the taste of local architecture. Photo by Dhaval Jajal

Soon after you start the trek from Kotgaon, you enter a dense mixed forest filled with oak, rhododendrons, maple, and chestnut trees. Only a few winter treks have forests filled with such variety. Photo by Jothiranjan

When in Kotgaon, make it a point to take a stroll across the village. Today, as most of the villages are getting influenced by modernization, Kotgaon is one of those few villages where you still see the age old traditions being preserved and followed with pride. It’s seen in the architecture, occupation, and attire of the villagers. Here is a picture of a lady happily making threads out of cotton. Photo by Jothiranjan.

A clearing amidst brown oak trees on the way to Khujaai. In winter, the presence of snow reflects the sunlight, bringing out the colours of brown oak leaves strongly. This gives the whole clearing an orangish shade, making it a beautiful experience to soak in. Photo by Rajesh Akkidhasri.

Kedarkantha is known for it’s clearings. No other trek comes close to Kedarkantha when it comes to beauty and the sheer number of clearings. But have you ever wondered how are these clearings formed? These are the patches in the forest where the soil lacks the strength to support the growth of vegetation. Photo by Miraj Jungi.

Let me spill a little secret over here. When you are at Dhoka, the second campsite on your trek, climb up a small distance to witness this view of Mt Swargarohini and other ranges. Photo by Jothiranjan.

The settings of Kedarkantha are so unique that you can clearly see the distinction between the treeline and clearings. In peak winter, the high amount of snow makes it a fairy tale setting to trek in. Photo by Bappaditya Chandra

The sunsets are one of the highlights of the Kedarkantha trek. This is because all the campsites on the trek are located in a clearing opening up to the western side of the sky. After a long day’s trek, when it’s freezing cold outside, all you need is a cup of chai and a view to die for. Khujaai campsite offers you exactly that. Photo by Gaurab Nandy


The sunset views make this trek a photographer’s delight. “As the sun was setting in the horizon, I noticed beautiful layers created by nature, with oak trees in the foreground, the sun in the centre, and the golden sky in the background. I couldn't help but quickly grab my telephoto lens to capture this beauty,” says our inhouse photographer, Jothiranjan.

The location of campsites also makes up for stunning views of the night sky. Make sure you do not miss it. Photo by Jai Pandya.

The summit climb to Kedarkantha is nothing short of a winter expedition. You start the climb as early as 4 am to be able to make it in time for the sunrise. Photo by Jothiranjan

The summit climb is steep and adventurous. This photo taken from the Kedarkantha base gives you an idea of the steepness. Photo by Gurkeet Bagga

The sunrise view from the summit. This makes all your struggles worth it. Photo by Srihari M

The climb to the summit tests your willpower and mental strength. The sense of achievement upon reaching the summit often leaves trekkers teary eyed. Photo by Jothiranjan.

At the summit, you’re surrounded by mountain ranges and valleys. You see the Rupin and Har ki Dun valleys. You see Mt Swargarohini, Mt Bandarpoonch, and Mt Kalanag predominantly, and Jaonli, Gangotri, Draupadi Ka Danda, and Jorkanden peaks at a distance. It’s a view worth spending some time. Photo by Gaurab Nandy

The descent from the summit is as challenging as the ascent. The steepness, verglas, and amount of snow add to the challenge. On the brighter side, Mt Swargarohini accompanies you until the treeline, motivating you all through the tricky sections. Photo by Jothiranjan.

The descent to Kotgaon is a relaxing one. Soak in the woods to the fullest, as this is your last day of the trek. Photo by Jothiranjan

The stunning view of Mt Swargarohini from the suspension bridge at Kotgaon just before you end the trek. It is captured using a telephoto lens by our chief photographer, Jothiranjan.

The Someshwar Mahadev temple at Kotgaon is located right in the middle of the village. This is of utmost significance to the locals. Every monsoon, a big mela is celebrated in 22 Himalayan villages, including Kotgaon. The deity travels to all these villages during the mela. Photo by Jothiranjan.


I hope this photo story helped you get an idea of how the trek looks in winter. This is just a glimpse. There is a lot more to this trek than what I could share here. I hope you get to experience the trek yourself this winter.

If you have any questions, please comment on this article. I’ll help you out.

A curated photo collection of the Kedarkantha trek in Uttarakhand in winter, photos of real trekkers going through the experience of snow, camping, forest walks, challenging summit climb

21 real photos of Kedarkantha that show you how the trek looks in January and February

Most trekkers think December is the end of winter. But they could not be more wrong. In truth, the real winter sets in the months of January and February. Yet, not all treks are accessible at this time of the year. Brahmatal is those rare few treks that you can do during these months. 

The Brahmatal trek stands out in the winter because it’s the only winter trek that takes you to an alpine lake. To reach the lake, you have to trek for 3 days through a variety of landscapes: the oak and rhododendron forests, an adventurous ridge walk with stunning views, and a thrilling summit climb that tests your endurance. In addition, you camp in some of the most unique campsites of our country. 


I’ll not reveal any more details of the trek; I'll let the pictures do the talking. 

We have curated a special photo story of the trek to show you the real picture of it in winter. So let's dive into it.

The trek starts from Lohajung. The Indiahikes community campus at Lohajung has been voted as one of the most scenic campuses by our team. There is a reason for this. You get to see Mt Nanda Ghunti, a 6000 metres summit, right outside your window. It’s a luxury any mountain lover would die for. Picture by Abhishek Tiwari.

The forests of Brahmatal are layered in such a way that they're not so dense yet not so sparse. You can see for a long distance in between trees, yet they make you feel cosy. In winter, this is how dreamy the forest looks with a dusting of snow. Picture by Vishwas Krishnamurthy.

Have you ever hugged a tree? What better place than the pristine Himalayan jungles to do that! Trust me, it is as powerful and therapeutic as it looks in the picture. Picture by Jothiranjan.

Day 2 of the trek is full of surprises. In the middle of oak forest lies Bekaltal, a picture perfect lake that is so full of life. The lake, though at a lower altitude compared to Brahmatal, freezes in peak winter. Getting to witness two frozen lakes in a single trek is a rarity that only the Brahmatal trek offers. Picture by Jitendra Pati.

By now, you might start thinking that the setting of the forests can’t get any better. But nature doesn’t fail to surprise you. As you climb up, the oak forest slowly starts transitioning into rhododendron forests that are native to the Himalayan regions. The colours of these in the months of January and February are something you must experience at least once in your lifetime. Picture by Jothiranjan.

Tilandi is one of the most celebrated campsites of the Brahmatal trek. We almost never have ridge camps. But this is the only plateau-like ridge that allows us to camp on top, providing the perfect vantage point for the most beautiful sunsets, sunrises, and night skies. Photo by Mandar Nilange

Treks are truly transformative. Often, on treks, trekkers get emotional upon reaching the summit. Here is a picture of a trekker getting emotional while witnessing the sunset from the Tilandi campsite. It’s a testament to the powerful views that the Tilandi campsite offers. Picture by Faizan Shaikh.

The sunrises and sunsets in winter are the most dramatic ones. Here’s a picture of Mt Nanda Ghunti basking in the evening sunlight, as seen from the Tilandi campsite. Photo by Guhanesan Shivalingam.

The majestic entrance to the grand ridge walk! The treeline ends here, and you start witnessing the best of the mountain views the trek has to offer. Picture by Jothiranjan.

The grandeur of the ridge is hard to explain; it can only be experienced. As you walk on the ridge, on one side you have rolling hills that stretch as far as your eyes can see. On the other side, you are treated to the best views of the celebrated summits of our country - Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti. The snow laden landscape in winter elevates the beauty of the whole setting. Picture by Naveen T R

From Jhandi top, you not only get clear views of the mountains but can also see the trail of Ali Bedni Bugyal, a neighbouring trek to Brahmatal. Picture by Jothiranjan.

As you approach the summit, you get closer and closer to Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti. The presence of snow in winter makes the climb all the more thrilling. Picture by Sachin Venkatesh.

The sheer size of Mt Trishul as seen from Jhandi Top, makes you realise the true power of mountains and nature. It’s a humbling experience. Picture by Jothiranjan.

A panorama of mountain views starts opening up as you inch closer to Brahmatal top. Not jus Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti, you also see Mt Chaukhamba, Mana Parbat, Mandir Parbat, Nilgiri, Neelkanth stretching across the horizon. Photo by Vishwas Krishnamurthy.

A close up view of Mt Trishul from the summit, beautifully captured by our chief photographer, Jothiranjan. Only a handful of winter treks offer close up views of the Himalayan peaks. Brahmatal is one of them. 

A short descent from the summit takes you to the most anticipated section: Brahmatal. Unlike Bekaltal, it’s an oligotrophic lake with no life in it. Such contrasting lakes in a single trek! In the months of January and February, if you are lucky, you even get to witness the frozen Brahmatal - a sight unique to the winter season. Photo by Ashish Bhatt.

This is how dreamy the Brahmatal campsite looks like during winter evening. Photo by Vishwajeet Chavan.

On the last day, you descend through the Khorurai forest, marking the end of a beautiful trek. The forest is aptly named, as Khoru translates to oak in the local language. Photo by Jothiranjan.

I hope this photo story helped you get an idea of the trek. I repeat, the Brahmatal trek in winter is truly an experience you will cherish for the rest of your life. 
If you have any questions about the trek, comment on this post. I’ll help you out. 

A curated photo collection of the Brahmatal trek in Uttarakhand in winter, photos of real trekkers going through he experience of anow, camping, forest walks, challenging summit climb

18 real photos of Brahmatal that show you how the trek looks in winter

Jungle treks are rare. And here’s a glimpse of one such trek with you. It’s the Chhattisgarh Jungle trek. 

“The forests in these regions are untouched and dreamy. I’m not surprised that Rudyard Kipling was inspired by these forests while writing The Jungle Book. They absolutely live up to our imagination of The Jungle Book!” says Arjun Majumdar, the founder of Indiahikes. 

Frankly, these forests are out of bounds for the public. You require special permissions from the forest department to get in. Indiahikes has a special arrangement with the forest department to trek through these forests. As trekkers, it’s a rare privilege to see and feel these near-inaccessible forest reserves.

This photo story gives you a day-wise glimpse of this rare jungle trek.

Himalayan treks usually follow a pattern. You start by trekking through pine, oak, rhododendron forest, pop out of the tree line into the meadows and then trek to a high point in the alpine zone. 

But things are totally different on the Chhattisgarh Jungle trek. 

You trek through dense Sal forest. “The forest is alive with wildlife. You always have this uncanny feeling that you are being watched. There is an invisible omnipresence of wild animals around you. Sometimes it sends chills down your spine,” shares Senior Trek Leader Nitesh Kumar, who was instrumental in designing the current  route of the Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek.

The main gate of Guru Ghasidas National Park. It’s not an ordinary gate, it’s the gateway of the future of trekking in India. Welcome to our Indiahikes Chhattisgarh Jungle trek. Photo by Gourab Nandy

You start by walking into the well-spaced sal forest. Photo by Nitesh Kumar. 

The jungle gets denser as you get deeper into the forest. Photo by Nitesh Kumar. 

These forests are unlike the ones you see in the Himalayas. They are dense, but because trees are well-spaced, your gaze is able to penetrate the depths of the jungle. Photo by Nitesh Kumar. 

“Entering the cave was a different experience. It’s dark. And the walls of the cave have been uniquely patterned by years of erosion,” shares Nitesh. 

Slightly off-trail, you notice an ancient cave in the forest. Photo by Nitesh.

This is a U-shaped cave which opens within 50 meter on the other side. Photo by Nitesh Kumar. 

The insides of the cave quickly transport you to another world. An ancient world where people would often take shelter within such cave to escape from the wild animals in the jungle. Photo by Nitesh Kumar. 

Notice closely and you'll see peculiar pattern created by water dripping in the cave. Photo by Nitesh Kumar. 

You'll find many fresh pug marks of wild animals on the Chhattisgarh Jungle trail. "These pug marks can be as fresh as a 10-30 minutes ago. And it gives you chills thinking that merely a few minutes prior, a wild animal crossed this path," Nitesh says while sharing his experience of trekking in the jungle. 

These fresh pug marks always remind you about the presence of the wild animals. It's like you are always being watched. 

Suddenly after crossing the river we got to see this on the trail. But Mowgli couldn’t see Bagheera 🙂 Naseeb mein sirf unka pug mark tha (Fate only consisted of his pug mark)

A fresh pug mark of a hyena. You recognise a hyena by how the nails are dig into the soil. Photo by Nitesh Kumar. 

Staying in a tribal village. Camping by the shores of a lake and river

The camping experience of Chhattisgarh Jungle trek is also unique. On the first night you stay in a homestay at a tribal village called Turripani. This experience takes you close to the lives of villagers who stay so deep into the forest. You also get to savour some local delicacies like litti chokha. You'll notice how intimately their life is connected to the forest cycles.  

Our accommodation at Turrapani village. Photo by Gourab Nandy.

The place where villagers bring their crops after harvesting. Turripani is a very rural village inside Guru Ghasidas National Park. Photo by Gourab Nandy. 

After the first night, you shift to staying in tents. What's absolutely a delight is the fact that both the camps from now are stationed by a water body. The first campsite -- Tadiyabaan is by the Tadiya lake. The second campsite, Pandupara is on the banks of the Gopat river.

The Tadiyabaan campsite. Photo by Nitesh Kumar. 

Witnessing the sun setting over the Tadiya lake is a dreamy experience. Photo by Nitesh Kumar. 

The Pandupara campsite by the Gopat river. Photo by Nitesh Kumar. 

There's a stunning silent at night in the forest. Everything goes eerily quiet as stars twinkly above in the sky. Photo by Nitesh Kumar.  

On no other trek do you get this unique experience. "The Gopat river is very gentle, very unlike the roaring, gushing rivers in the Himalayas. This river lazily snakes through the forest. And the water merely comes up to the ankles," Nitesh says while describing the Gopat river. 

A trekker walking in the Gopat river. Photo by Nitesh Kumar. 

Most of the trek on the last day is on the Gopat river. Photo by Nitesh Kumar. 

The river bed is soft, devoid of any pebbles. Walking on this river bed, with gentle cold water flowing is an enjoyable experience. Photo by Nitesh Kumar. 

The trail within the jungle of Chhattisgarh may seem like it's flat. But it's not so. There are good ascends and descends on this trek. You climb to the highest altitude of 2,820 ft on this trek. 

You can see the Guru Ghasidas National Park stretched in front of you from the highest point on the Chhattisgarh Jungle trek. Photo by Nitesh Kumar. 

The landscape is undulating. Here you see trekkers descending from the red plateau. Right in front is the Raja Pahad, the highest hill in the region. Photo by Nitesh Kumar. 

Trekking deep into the jungles of Chhattisgarh is a unique experience. Very different from a Himalayan trek. Do this trek to experience life in jungles in the heart of India. It's a rare experience, not accessible to all. And something that can be savoured only while on a multi-day trek in this region. 

To know more about the best time to do this trek, watch this video. 

Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek: A Photo Story

The Pin Bhaba Pass trek is hands down the grandest pass-crossing trek in our country. Standing at the pass at an altitude of 16,105 ft, you realise how dramatic the change in scenery is. On one side, you see the lush greenery of the Bhaba Valley. On the other side is the deserted Pin Valley, adorned with various shades of pink. 

Our trek leader, Diptarka Gupta, just came back after successfully leading the first group of 2023. In his words, “I couldn't believe my eyes as I trekked from one day to the next. It was my 64th group as a Trek Leader. I have done multiple Himalayan treks, ranging from Kashmir to Himachal to Uttarakhand to Sikkim. But Pin Bhaba Pass is the grandest crossover trek I have done to date. There are very few treks that offer such variety in terms of change in landscapes, thrilling adventures, pretty campsites, and contrasting vistas.”

“The trek gives you the essence of both Kashmir and Ladakh without actually going to either of them,” adds Diptarka. 

We were mind blown by the photos he shared with us. It’s not an overstatement if I say his photos virtually transported us to Pin Bhaba. We wanted to share them with you too. Here, I have put together a photo story. Without further delay, let’s start with it.

All photos in this photo story were shot by Diptarka Gupta, who is an excellent photographer himself.

You start your trek from Kafnu, a quaint village located in the deep reaches of Southern Himachal. A couple of 100 m into the trail, the trek surprises you with a huge snow bridge. It’s a rare sight at 8,500 ft. 

Soon, you enter a dense forest filled with pine, silver birch, and oak trees. It’s a magical section to trek in.

Watching the sunrise from the Mulling campsite, with alpenglow on the surrounding mountains, is an experience you must not miss.

As the sun goes up, you get to witness the rich colours of Mulling. 

From Mulling to Karah, you cross a natural rock bridge over the subterranean Bhaba river, again a rare experience. 

The meadows of Karah resemble the classic Kashmir landscape. The Himalayan Bistort popping out of these meadows elevates the beauty of the whole landscape.

If there are treks worth doing just for the campsite experiences, Pin Bhaba definitely tops the list. Captured here is the stunning Karah campsite.

By now, you may think you have seen the best of the meadows, but the scenery only gets better as you start ascending towards Phutsirang.

Stream crossings are one of the most challenging sections of the trek. There are close to 10 stream crossings. For many, you have to hop on the boulders to cross. Diptarka has captured one such adventurous stream crossing on the way to Phutsirang.

“Phutsirang is my favourite campsite on the Kinnaur side. It’s one of those rarest of the rare campsites where you get to camp on a river delta,” shares Diptarka Gupta.

The Milky Way as seen from the Phutsirang Campsite. August is the perfect time to witness the Perseids Meteor Shower too.

As you gear up and head towards the pass, do not forget to turn around and take a view of the Phutsirang campsite. You can clearly see the patterns of the river delta.

One of the most exciting yet challenging days of the trek is the pass crossing day. As you ascend to 16,105 ft, the air starts to get thinner. You enter an alpine zone with a mix of snow patches and moraine. 

The descent on the other side of the pass is equally thrilling. This is also when the dramatic change in the landscape starts to sink in. Notice how within the last three photos, the landscape has shifted dramatically!

The hues of the deserty mountain valleys of Pin are a striking contrast to the lush greenery of the Bhaba Valley. The gurgling Pin River is an added bonus.

You can even walk on the river bed as you get closer to Mangrungse. Even on this side, the landscape changes every now and then, making the trek all the more exciting.

The striking view of the Pin river coming from the Pin Parvati side. 

Near Bwaldar campsite, you start observing these rock strata. These are the layers of sedimentary rocks formed due to weathering, erosion, and deposition over repeated cycles of climate.

Rock strata towering upto 5,200 ft above the village of Mudh. This region is a paradise for geologists.

The trail continues to follow the Pin river as you trek towards Mudh. But there is a slight shift in the colours of the landscape.

Take one last view of the Pin Valley from Mudh village - the exit point of the trek.

“Needless to say, the trekkers were also smashed by the beauty of the trek. Even on the last day of the trek, their spirits were high. They were beaming with a high sense of accomplishment and were grateful to have completed the trek successfully,“ shares Diptarka Gupta. 

“I am equally grateful to have gotten this opportunity to lead one of the grandest pass crossing treks in our country. That too, leading the first group of this year to cross over the Pin Bhaba Pass,” Diptarka expresses his gratitude. 

This brings us to the end of this photo story. I hope you got a glimpse of what we mean when we say the grandest crossover trek in our country. 

21 Stunning Photos That Show You Why Pin Bhaba Pass Is The Grandest Pass Crossing Trek - takes you through the trek with photos

21 Stunning Photos That Show You Why Pin Bhaba Pass Is The Grandest Pass Crossing Trek

This is a report by Lay Naik, who went on a recce of the Pin Bhaba Pass trek before the season began. The recce team conducted the recce between July 1st and July 2nd, trekking 50 km over a span of two days. Please note that the recce team is highly acclimatized and trained to cover the trek this quickly. The otherwise recommended itinerary can be found on this page.

Yesterday, I returned from the recce of the Pin Bhaba Pass trek. I was blown away by the mesmerising beauty of the entire trek. I can totally agree that this is The Grand Cross Over Trek 

Day 1 ( 22 km )  - Kafnu (8275 ft ) to Phutsirang (13520 ft)  (via Mulling and Karah Campsite) 

Day 2 ( 28 km ) - Phutsirang (13520ft) to Mudh(12420 ft) (via Pin Bhabha summit and  Mangrungse) 

1. To get an idea about the entire geography of the  trek 

3  Document tricky sections on the trek where safety plays a crucial role. This year we got late snow and the Pin Bhaba Pass trek goes to 16,000 ft. This is why we are expecting snow on the trail. 

5. Spot water sources at the campsite (whether they are available and potable) and on the trail 

6. List possible challenges, and come up with solutions to mitigate those challenges

7. Build a relationship with the locals of Mudh

We started our Trek from Kafnu on 1st July at 8.40 am. Our target was to reach Phutsirang by 6.30 pm. The weather forecast was cloudy on Day 1 and on Day 2 we only had a window of 4 hours of clear sky. 

We started the trek by entering a forest section. What an amazing forest! It was an incredible experience of walking silently in that forest with the sound of birds chirping and the river flowing. I hadn't been to such a beautiful forest section so far. I was speechless. 

The dense forest on the Pin Bhaba Pass trek

You hear the birds chirping, and the Bhaba river flowing nearby

Immediately after the forest section, we ended up in meadows. And soon we reached Mulling. 

The best part of trekking in Himachal Pradesh is that you can camp in the meadows. What a setting!   

Just before Karah, I got a view of the whole valley. It reminded me of Kashmir meadows. It feels like you can just keep walking anywhere. It's lush green all around. 

A stunning view of the valley just before Karah. It reminds you of Kashmir meadows.

After crossing the stream which had decent flow, we had lunch. Then we started ascending to Phutsirang. 

The blooming has started all tiny flowers Gereniums, fleabae, potentila, forget-me-nots, and their natural hybrid versions.

Flowers blooming on the meadows of Pin Bhaba Pass trek.

We reached Phutsirang around 6.45 pm, pitched our tent, took a breath and said thank you to the mountain God for being kind to us.

A rare sight of snow at the Phutsirang campsite.

we started our day at 4.45 am. From 14,600 ft till the pass we found snow. But earlier to the snow section, for almost 300 m we loose rocks and scree. I found this to be the most difficult part of climbing to the pass. 

Once the snow fields started, the climb got much easier due to the microspikes.  

Trekking on snow to reach the pass is easier with microspikes.

A charming sight of sheep in search of greener pastures

We reached the Pass at 8 am. Spent an hour there soaking in the sun. With our DIY kits, we even made chai and kheer. Trust me, it was amazing! 

Thanking the mountain Gods for good weather and blue skies.

The snow made it much easier to climb the pass. I am saying this in comparison to rupin gully, where there were only rocks during pass crossing, which added tp the difficulty. 

I climbed a little higher on the pass to take in the view of Pin Valley. And the colours totally caught my attention.  Red, yellow, different shades of brown, and far away there was also a tinge of green. I had never imagined Pin Valley to be so colorful.  I was expecting it to be a barren desert. 

Descending into the Pin Valley covered in snow.

We started descending from the pass at 9 am.

For the first 3 km, we slid down on the snow. Then we reached the mouth of a stream. From here the trail was a path of stones. And each stone was tinged in a different colour. I was in awe! 

I was so curious about these stones. They didn't look like sedimentary rocks because they were in trans-Himalayas. At the same time, I wondered, how are there so many different colors?

"Most likely these are Quartz Arenites(sandstone). Pin Valley is a very rich geological place.

This entire region of Spiti is the remains of the Tethys Sea. You can easily see the rock strata from different geological eras. A lot of marine fossils have been found at Langza.

In fact the village of Mudh holds an important place for geologists as Moravian(present-day Czechia) geologist Ferdinand Stoliczka studied the rock layers at Mudh in the 1860s and currently, it is known as the Mudh Series or Mudh Formation," shares Trek Leader Diptarka Gupta.

This experience made me feel like I was in a whole different world. 

I enjoyed descending on the stones, rocks and pebbles. 

We reached Mangrungse around 11 am. From there, we continued our trek to dwalder.  There we took break to eat and started again. 

The nearer I was getting to Mudh, the brighter the colours of the rocks became. 

All the four campsites of this trek -- Mulling, Karah, Phutsirang and Mangrungse -- stole my heart. I am unable to pick a favourite.  

We reached Mudh by 4.45 pm. The last 4 km were tiring. But the moment we entered Mudh, green fields of green peas refreshed our eyes. 

Note: Trek Leader Lay Naik completed this recce with Guide Sahil. All photos are shared by Lay Naik. 

A mind-blowing recce of Pin Bhaba Pass trek

One of the perks of working at Indiahikes is being able to see treks before anyone else steps on them. Sometimes, you get a chance to step on brand new trails as well.

Our in-house photographer, Jothiranjan, got a chance to do that last week on the Chandrakhani Pass trek. 

He returned just yesterday and blew our minds away with stunning pictures of the trek. 

"We knew that Chandrakhani Pass was a beautiful trek. But we had never seen it like this. It made us realise that Chandrakhani Pass is our greenest pass-crossing trek," shares Arjun Majumdar, founder and CEO of Indiahikes. 

“The icing on the cake is that after all the stunning greenery, there's a superb snowy adventure at the top as well,” he adds. 

Today, I'm sharing the best pictures from this recce with you. 

This photo story also gives you a clear picture of what to expect in June and July. You’ll see the trek at its greenest during these months.

If you have not planned a trek to this trail yet, start soon. We have dates open in June and July, but the slots seem to be filling fast. 

PS: Unlike other pass-crossing treks, this is a very good one for beginners. It is just 5 days long. It starts and ends in Manali, and has short trekking days. 

Here are the top photos of Chandrakhani Pass, taking you through the trek:  

The Chandrakhani Pass trek has one of the most enchanting first days. You trek through dense woods throughout the day, starting with pine, deodar, and walnut trees. The trees are so tall that you really cannot see the treetops, even if you crane your neck. 

During this pleasurable trek through the forest, the trees suddenly burst open to show you lovely views. 

Even without the views, these clearings are so charming that you cannot help but spend a few minutes sitting in the velvety grass. 

You slowly leave behind civilization, inching further and further away from the villages below. 

This is among the best highlights of the trek: “Within hours, you feel like you’re on a different trek because the pine thins down to make way for bright maples, green and golden oaks, and chestnut trees. The forest environment completely changes,” says Jothiranjan. 

The forests slowly thin down, making way for your first camp, the Naya Tapru camp. This is a vast clearing surrounded by oaks. On a clear day, you’re treated to wonderful views of snow-clad peaks from your tent. 

Go exploring a little ahead of Naya Tapru and you’ll notice the trees becoming sparse, making way for lovely grasslands. 

The next day’s trek takes you through lovely maples while swiftly gaining altitude. It’s just a 2.5 hour trek to the next camp, but it's full of scenery changes.

The trail weaves in and out of the forest until you say goodbye to it altogether. The trek gets very interesting after this, especially in the summer, because the snowline is just a few hours away. The trek transitions from green to white within a matter of a few footsteps. The Chaklani campsite is hardly 2.5 hours away, making the day’s trek a pleasurable stroll. 

Just turn back, and you’ll see a drastic contrast between where you came from and where you’re headed. 

Below you, the valley is bedecked with towering conifers. You could easily mistake this for a slice of land in the Swiss Alps. These are the same forests that you walked through the previous day.  

Further ahead, you spot the Chaklani campsite, a clearing just above the treeline. You can expect it to be greener in the second half of June, when the trekking season begins. In the distance, you see the Chandrakhani Pass, your next day’s destination. 

With excessive snow, our photographer and team could not make it to the pass, but they climbed up to Chaklani Top, which is around three hours away from the pass. 

A magnified view of Chandrakhani Pass from Chaklani Top, shot using a 600mm lens. 

A panoramic view from Chandrakhani Pass of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges. 

A clear view of Deo Tibba from the trek 

This is among the few treks where the view on the other side of the pass gets even better than the first few days. Trekkers will especially love the Nagruni campsite, which has turned out to be a favourite at Indiahikes. 

On the last day, as you approach Malana, the views are incredibly grand, with the vase Pin Valley opening up by your side. “It was reminiscent of the valley at Buran Ghati,” says Jothiranjan.

The trek comes full circle as you complete your final descent. You trek through a few of the most fragrant oak forests before you spot a dam, which announces your arrival at Malana. 

When were these pictures of Chandrakhani Pass taken? 

These pictures were taken in the last week of May 2023. This has been a year with extremely heavy snowfall across the Himalayas, which explains the level of snow towards the pass. 

The best time to do the Chandrakhani Pass trek is from the third week of June onwards, throughout the month of July. The trek is completely green, from the forests to the foot of the pass, making it among the best treks for greenery out of all our treks. 

If you have more pictures of this trek from other seasons, please share them with us. It will help us document the trek in other seasons as well. 

See the stunning photos of Chandrakhani Pass trek. These are the latest photos from the trek.

Chandrakhani Pass Photo Story

27 Chandrakhani Pass Photos That Show You Why We Opened The Trek

Many trekkers miss out on trekking to Har Ki Dun-Ruinsara Valley in spring. Simply because they are unaware of what lies in store, and that’s unfortunate. 

On the Har Ki Dun-Ruinsara Tal trek, in spring, when the snow has melted and the spring colours have bloomed, is the only time you see an ancient Himalayan culture in this backdrop. The combination is stunning!

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