Buran Ghati Trek

Buran Ghati is a famous trek and a newly trek. This trek will surely refresh you with beautiful landscapes it has to offer. There is a thicker and denser forest of oak and pine trees when you walk through them. The lush green meadows, the sharp edges at high altitude, the snow-clad peaks all around, the villages, etc are some of the magnificent sights you will come across the journey. One of the highlights of the trek is Chandra Nahan lake that is at high altitude. The lake is considered sacred by many locals in the area. The view from the Buran pass is mesmerizing. The trail to Litham is filled with forests and meadows and there is the  Dunda. If any campsite can give you the beauty of an alpine mountain zone and the thrill of a splendid climb to come, then Dunda will be among the best. Barua, on the other side of the pass, is a charming old village that would distinctly remind you of Hobbiton from Lord of the Rings. Old houses, fruit-bearing trees, alleyways – it is a world of its own. There are rapid scenery changes, and save for the pass day, most days are easy-moderate. If you are looking for a summer or autumn trek, don’t think twice, go for Buran Ghati.

Short Itinerary

Day 1: From Shimla, drive to Janglik (9,200 feet).

Day 2 : Trek from Janglik to Dayara - (11,075 feet)

Day 3 :Trek from Dayara to Litham-(11,737 feet)

Day 4: Short hike to Chandranahan Lake and back (13,900 feet).

Day 5 : Trek from Lithum to Dhunda - (13,365 feet)

Day 6 : Trek from Dhunda to Buran Ghati and River Camp - (15,000 feet)

Day 7 : River Camp to Barua and drive to Shimla

Detailed Itinerary

1 Drive from Shimla to Janglik - (9,200 feet)

Meet the members at the old bus stand in Shimla and then the drive will be to the base camp "Janglik". Enjoy the drive along the clear, bluish Pabba River and witness the changing sights and quaint villages of Himachal. From Pabbar leads to Diude, and from Diude, a short hike will take you to Janglik.

2 Trek from Janglik to Dayara - (11,075 feet)

Start the trek by coming out of the wheat fields and bidding goodbye to the last few Diude huts. Furthermore, you gain altitude and Tonglu, Diude, and other pretty villages can be seen clearly. Enter the forest of pine and oaks and ascend gradually. After half an hour of hiking, the tree line recedes and you come across a stretch of meadows. Climb up and reach the hill with mountain views on one side and lush trees on the other. From here, descend gradually on a wide trail. After an hour again enter the dense pine and oak forest, walk under the shade of trees, listen to the crumbling of leaves and move further.

Before reaching Dayara, the trail climbs up gradually. Reach the campsite, set up your tents and sleep comfortably.

3 Trek from Dayara to Litham - (11,737 feet)

Explore the Dayara meadows in the morning. Today, the trail from Dayara to Lithum goes through thick forests, alluring green meadows, and clear streams. Through meadows, the trailhead towards Gunas Pass, and after fifteen minutes, enter the pine forest. Cross a stream and exit the forest section with delicious views of the Dhauladhar range and Gunas Pass. Ahead, the grasslands look wonderful and magical. After half an hour, the trail makes its way through another forest of Bhoj. Descend through this section until you reach a stream from where Litham is visible. The trail after the meadows goes to the Chandranahan stream, which needs to be crossed before reaching Litham. Cross it and reach your campsite. There are plenty of streams across Litham. From here, get mesmerised by the mind-boggling mountain views. Towards the left, you can see the Chandranahan Waterfall, and ahead lies Chandranahan Lake. Towards the right is cliffs with snow patches behind which lies Rupin valley and in front are snow-covered mountains at their back lies Buran Ghati.

This is the last meadow on this trek, a wide one. Setup your camp here, relish the beautiful views, and then retire for the night.

4 Short hike to Chandranahan Lake and back to Litham - (13,900 feet)

Chandranahan is a small glacial lake amidst mountains, and snow flanks feed this lake. Take the shepherds' trail to reach the Ridge Top and head towards the waterfall’s snout. In one hour you can reach the lake, but the journey gets difficult after the snout.

Witness the alpine valley and delicious views! The setting of this lake is idyllic, grassy patches are in the middle, and small waterfalls turn into small streams. There are rough rocks that mark the lake. Look at the settings and head back to Litham. The descent is steep till Litham. Make sure you start early for Chandranahan Lake so you can reach there by mid-day.

5 Trek from Lithum to Dhunda - (13,365 feet)

The climb to the pass is steep but short, and today Buran Pass will be visible on the way. En route, the Dhauladhar range and Gunas Pass can be seen en route. It is a setting in front of Litham’s green grasslands and cliffs at Rupinvalley.

Pabbar descends rapidly and the trail gets sharply an ascending one. The trail turns into a gorge valley when you follow the river’s left bank. From here, Buran Ghati comes into sight. The shepherd's trail will lead you to Dhudna.

After one hour of climbing, you reach Dhunda’s ridge top. From the top, enjoy the clear and magnificent views of Buran Ghati. When you reach the campsite, it lies amidst snow-capped mountains on all sides. Even in late June, you can find patches of snow everywhere.

Set your camps here and retire for the night.

6 Trek from Dhunda to Buran Ghati and River Camp - (15,000 feet)

Leave the campsite of Dhunda, following the ridge and do boulder hoping to reach the base of the BuranPass. Reaching the pass will take one hour from the base. Today, the ascent to Buran Ghati will be exhilarating. It is a narrow surface on the top. Use ropes to descend because it can be very risky without them. Below, you have to reach a snowfield that is at a distance of 100 meters. Slide down the surfaces that are present in series. Descending doesn’t take time on this trek, you lose the altitude that you gained in just one go.

Reach the end of the snow line by losing 3000 feet. Descend through a ridge with blooming flowers and green shrubs.

The views of the lush green valley are really pleasant, and the mountains towering high make it look even more beautiful. Ahead you will cross a stream, reach there in an hour.

Cross the stream and a hut will be visible. Today, camp here and retire for the night.

7 River Camp to Barua and drive to Shimla

Barua is a village and your campsite for today. Today on the trail, you will come across diverse vegetation and be surprised by the changing landscapes. Follow the wide and frequently used Barua Khud’s path. Descend and ahead, see a stream that meets Barua Khud. Cross it over a bridge and explore the diverse vegetation. After hiking for one hour, you reach apple orchards, and further lies civilization. There is a rock on the way from where the whole Barua village can be seen.

In this quaint Barua village, there are many fruit orchards. Descend through it and now the trail gets you to the bridge over Barua Khud.

Halt here then leave for Shimla. Vehicles will be arranged or if you wish, you can go on your own.