SAR PASS TREK

My Introduction to Himalayan Treks

My first ever Himalayan trek. Thinking back, this experience catapulted me to a lifetime of trekking and travelling. This wasn’t just a first trek for me, it was my first foray into North India. The bus from Delhi to Kasol alone made the journey worth it. Tall mountains previously seen exclusively in photos laid around in abundance. Kasol was beautiful. It was like a haven for trekkers. The mountains and streams, with forest covers on both sides, provided the perfect rejuvenating atmosphere. The climate was cool without approaching shivering temperatures. We were doing the trek with Himtrek. They had a campground filled with beautiful tents. And we were going to sleep in one that night and for the rest of the trek.

Day 1 – Grahan Village

The trek started from the heart of Kasol. Our destination was Grahan village. There were 14 of us including the guides. As a beginner to treks, we were given a rude awakening by the uphill terrain. After the first hour, we huffed up the trail, gasping and sweating. Four people backed out halfway through the first stretch. And there were 5 more days to go. But the trail was growing beautiful with each step taken upward. The cold was gently kicking in and the beautiful views kept us moving. Eventually, we reached Grahan. A surreal calm village on the mountaintop. There wasn’t electricity or a mobile network—just people enjoying life as it’s meant to be enjoyed. Anyone could come here and detox from their busy lives for a few days. I certainly want to go there again.

Day 2 – Min Thach

This was the hardest day in terms of uphill climbs. Breathing became laborious with the altitude increase. Shops set up at this altitude amazed me, they had to carry everything, all the way from the village. Our trek took a twist when it suddenly started raining. We pushed on, now in our rain ponchos, barely able to open our eyes. The only thing keeping us moving was the majestic mountain view. In the final stretch, there was a downhill climb to the campsite. The rains made it more difficult than it was in reality. Min Thach was absolutely breathtaking. We had a blast that night singing and dancing around the bonfire. This was the day I slept in a sleeping bag for the first time.

Day 3 – Nagaru

We were struggling to catch our breath as we ascended the slope from the previous day. Our perseverance was being tested, as each footstep seemed like a chore. We had lunch at the signal point where there was a mobile network. To tell the truth, connecting with the world didn’t make sense in this moment. The mountains had captivated us and we were all enjoying the retreat from our usual life.

We resumed our journey, this time being met by hail instead of rain. It felt like getting pelted by small stones. Then the rain returned, bringing some heavy fog with it. The campsite disappeared in the mist. We would have gotten completely lost, if not for our guides. We reached the tent and waited for the rain to stop.

Finally, we got out of our tent and the veil of the fog lifted to show us the most beautiful sights we had ever witnessed. Standing 13000 feet above sea level felt surreal. We stood there shivering in the freezing winds, mesmerized by the otherworldly mountains. The Parvati Valley is something else.

The night had subzero temperatures, so we bundled inside our sleeping bags early.

Day 4- Biskeri Thach via Sar Pass.

We had to start early, at 5:30 am. It was a 1km walk from Nagaru to Sar Pass. The satisfaction while walking through Sar Pass compensated for the altitude struggles and the cold atmosphere. The mountain views were topped with white snow. There are two sights that I will never forget about this trek and both happened on the same day. The first was seeing a group of wild horses drinking water from a pond near Sar Pass, covered in mist. Apparently, this pond gave Sar Pass its name.

After commemorating our journey by clicking pictures at the top, we commenced our walk towards Biskeri Thach. Flocks of mountain sheep accompanied us for a while. Then we started the decline. 

One could slide down the snow at this point, but there wasn’t enough snow this time of the year( we did the trek in June). The rain came on cue to make the descent more difficult. The mud and loose soil got to me, making me slip and slide at multiple points. Somehow we made it to Biskeri Thach in one piece.

We soaked in the views as this was the last tent stay of the trek. The sky was marvelous at night and the stars appeared closer than ever before. This was where I saw the second unforgettable sight. A shiny, sparkling object raced through the sky. They say that making a wish at a shooting star makes it come true. We didn’t make any wishes, we just looked and stared, contemplating all the experiences we had been through.

Day 5- To Barshaini and back to Kasol

The last day was a proper downhill of 10km, our legs were beat up by the time we reached Pulga village. So instead of walking to Barshaini, our transportation started from the village itself. 

There was a beautiful pine forest and streams even on the last day. The wonderful trek ended with us clicking another group picture and going our separate ways.

During this trek, I never comprehended how important it would be to my future life. I grew a lot as a person and this trek certainly changed my life for the better. This was the kickstart I needed to live life freely without regrets.