Trek Route
Sidhbari is just 8 km from Dharamshala. Once you reach Sidhbari, you are headed North towards the Dhauladhars. The walk from Sidhbari to Sekni da Kot is partly through a road, partly a footpath. Most of this trek has an unclear trail. Allow ample time and preferably take a guide because the region is known to be home to leopards and bears as well. Click this link to get the start point on Open Street Maps. Below is a verbal description of the route with waypoints or visual aids, which will help you identify this route.
- Sekni da Kot - Naguni: From Sekni da Kot, the trail heads North along the left bank of the Manooni stream. For some part, there is a road for a hydel project. After Loont, the trail starts climbing amidst shale mines. After running along the left bank for around 4-5 km, the trail fords the stream a couple of times before you see a small temple on your right. This is Naguni Mata and across the stream are a few huts.
- Naguni - Chakke ka Nahar: From Naguni, the trail leaves the stream and heads West on the right bank of the stream. A trail also goes up along the strea. You have to leave that and turn left just before the huts. The trail then climbs sharply up towards the ridge, crosses the ridge into a forest, mostly Rhododendron. It then runs past a couple of huts at Kembli and the huts at Chakke ka Nahar are around half and hour from here.
- Chakke ka Nahar - Haudi ki Goth: Climb up along the same path from Chakke ka Nahar, cross the ridge over to the other side. On the other side, the trail runs North East, and parallel to the ridge top maintaining the same elevation for a long time. The Matterhorn will be visible right ahead. After meandering along for almost 2 hours, the trail climbs up to Hara Goth. Its a distinctive green clearing. From Hara Goth, the trail climbs up till it reaches a stream. Climb along the stream till you reach a mini mountain pass. On your right would be the main Dhauladhar range. On both sides of the ridge top, there are rock overhang shelters, known as Haudi ki Goth.
- Haudi ki Goth - Bakluddu: From Haudi ki Goth, as you look NNE, there is an intimidating slope littered by huge granite boulders. Walk up this slope straight. Along the way, you will pass a couple of rock overhangs (Kedhi Cave) before the trail flattens out a bit near another small rock overhang Khabrotu. From Khabrotu, the trail heads NW and then N following the ridge all along the way. As the ridge merges into the main range, the trail crosses the ridge top just before the Sindi Wali Mata temple. Just about 200 metres NW is the Bakluddu rock overhang.
- Bakluddu - Kundli Pass: From Bakluddu, head NE right up along the boulders. When you reach a flat ridge, cross over to the west and then head NW before heading N again. There is hardly any trail in this region and being hidden amongst boulders, Kundli Pass can be quite difficult to find. Keep your eyes open for stones piled on top of each other either as way markers or for making a path. One of the best ways to look for the 'trail' is to look for goat/sheep footprints and droppings.
- Kundli Pass - Mandrala: Head straight North down from Kundli Pass. Most of the first few hundred metres are perpetually under snow and as such, there is no trail. As you head North, you will see a stream far below. Head straight for it. On the way, the path will pass a campground with a makeshift shepherd stone hut and a small stream. This is Choletar. From Choletar, turn left (due NW) and cross a small stream to the left bank. Keep walking on left bank. The trail will lead you to the beginnings of a larger, flatter stream formed by the confluence of 3-4 small and steep streams. Walk along the left bank of this stream and there are the beginnings of a trail. This trail leads straight to a few wooden log huts and a small campground, Mandrala.
- Mandrala - Kuvarasi: From Mandrala, the trail climbs up the ridge, leaving the stream far below. Passing the Bhangini Mata temple (a small wooden structure embedded into the mountain face on the left of the trail), the trail then slowly climbs to a ridge top with a small flat campground, a stone shelter and no water. This is Bhangini Goth. From Bhangini Goth, walk along the ridge for sometime till you find a 1/2 metre wide, clear path leading down and north. Follow this path to Kuvarasi. When in doubt, look for a few shale stone roofs visible in a distance from amongst the trees.
Remember to go by waypoints and before you use the GPS trail, read this page as well.
