Sar Pass Trek for First-Timers: Everything You Need to Know

Sar Pass is one of the best Himalayan treks for first-timers seeking a challenge. Over five days, you’ll hike through peaceful villages, dense forests, lush meadows, and awe-inspiring snowy mountains with stunning views in every direction.

Here’s everything you need to know before taking on the Sar Pass trek.

Is Sar Pass a Beginner-Friendly Trek?

• With a total distance of 48 km and a duration of 5 days, Sar Pass is a moderately difficult trek. It’s absolutely doable for beginners, but a basic level of fitness is needed to fully enjoy the experience.
• The maximum altitude at the peak is 13800ft, which can be tough on the body without proper acclimatization. The highest campsite is around 13000 ft, and beginners might experience shortness of breath.
• Depending on the season, you may encounter snow or rain, further increasing the difficulty level.

Why choose Sar Pass over other Treks?

• Diverse Terrain: Enjoy everything from snow-covered mountains to pine forests and meadows. 
• Extended duration: Sar Pass gives you a real glimpse of living in the Himalayas as opposed to a smaller trek like Triund or Kheerganga.
• Less Crowded: Fewer trekkers will give you an authentic and peaceful Himalayan experience.

The starting point: Kasol

The Sar Pass trek starts from the beautiful town of Kasol in Himachal Pradesh, India, known for its hippie culture, riverside cafes, and prominent treks.

How to Reach Kasol?

• By Air: The closest airport is Kullu Manali (Bhuntar) Airport, 30km from Kasol.
• By Road: Direct buses are available from Delhi.
• By Rail: Not recommended as the closest railway station is Joginder Nagar Railway Station, which is 144km away.

Sar Pass Trek: Day-Wise Itinerary

1. Day 1 – Kasol to Grahan Village

• A 10 km trek which takes 5-6 hours
• The first half is a very gradual ascent following a stream in the shade of a small forest. 
• The second half is a steep climb to the village of Grahan.
• Grahan is a beautiful village on the mountain top to kick back and relax, with no mobile connectivity from here on out.

2. Day 2 – Grahan to Min Thach

• A steady climb of 8km.
• Traverse through beautiful green surroundings, especially in the monsoon.

3. Day 3 – Min Thach to Nagaru

• Distance of about 6 km, but it takes 4-5 hours due to the altitude.
• The camp at 12500+ft is surrounded by tall snow-capped peaks.

4. Day 4 – Nagaru to Biskeri Thach via Sar Pass

• Summit day! Reach Sar Pass before sunrise at 13800ft.
• View the beautiful pond (Sar) at the summit and the peaks of the Tosh Valley.
• If there is enough snow, you can slide down a meadow for about 1km at the start of the descent.
• About a 10 km descent to reach Biskeri Thach, a lush meadow campsite.

5. Day 5 – Biskeri Thach to Pulga/Barshaini

• Walk through a forest with many streams.
• A long pine forest section as you reach Pulga village.
• Trek/drive back to Barshaini and Kasol base camp

Personal Tips from the author

• This was my first Himalayan trek, so yes – beginners can do it and love it.
• To enjoy the snow slide, plan your trek before mid-May.
• If you are trekking after May, make sure to carry a rain poncho with you; sudden rains are common in the Himalayan belt.
• With zero network coverage, except at a signal point on Day 3, it’s practically a digital detox. If you are anything like me, you won’t feel like using the phone at the signal point either.
• I recommend trekking with lesser-known companies/local guides as the trek will feel more authentic. I completed the Sar Pass trek with HimTrek.
• There are shops even at these altitudes, so you can stock up on snacks. I recommend having Maggi noodles at the top, they get tastier with the altitude. But please don’t litter.
• Some amount of physical preparation will enhance the experience. Struggling to keep up with the group will ruin your experience. So make sure to walk/run daily for a few weeks to get in shape.

Final Thoughts

The Sar Pass trek is a challenging adventure suitable for trekkers looking for more than a mountain walk. The views are well worth the effort, especially at Nagaru and the summit. Seeing a group of wild horses drinking water from the pond at the summit is a sight I’ll never forget. 

You’re sure to create a lifetime worth of memories on this trek. Push through the challenges and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Have any questions or thoughts? Drop them in the comments below — I’d love to hear from you.

Happy Trekking!

P.S. Want to read my personal story from the trek? [Read it here]

Interested in details about similar treks?

Triund Trek: The Most Beginner-Friendly Himalayan Trek (2025 Guide)