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Sar Pass is located at an altitude of 14,000 feet above sea level. You don’t need any previous experience for this trek in Himachal. The Sar Pass trek starts from Kasol and ends at Barshaini in the Kullu Valley.
Hiking trails lead through pine forests, snow-capped mountains, beautiful meadows, and some of the most amazing landscapes. The Sar Pass trek offers you an opportunity to explore the wild and exotic vegetation of the Himalayas. Pink rhododendrons painting the paths at various places is a sight not to be missed.
Best time to visit Sar Pass Trek
The best time to visit the Sar Pass trek is from May to October as the sky is clear in May and you will get an amazing panoramic view. From October to December, the weather is unpredictable and the routes are covered in thick snow. During this time, the trek is usually not organized by companies.
Recommended trekking itinerary Sar Pass.
Day 1: Arrival in Kasol
Come to Kasol and take a hotel/homestay or camp. You can either walk around, shop, and prepare for the trek, or even visit Manikaran. Overnight stay in Kasol.
Day 2: Kasol Village – Grahan (2350m, 8km trek)
After early morning breakfast, you can start the trek from Kasol. Initially, the trail is easy but soon it will go through challenges like rocky and steep paths along with crossing Grahan Nallah. As we approach the village of Grahan, the trail gets pretty steep for a while and the village is visible. Grahan campsite is located near the village and is surrounded by rhododendron trees. The village of Grahan is hundreds of years old. You can enchant the traditional houses in the beautiful evenings and take pictures of the locals near the campsite.
Day 3: Grahan – Min Thach (3400 m, 7 km trek)
After breakfast, we leave Grahan for another 7 hours trek to Min Thach (our next camp). The trail to Min Thach is usually used by locals to lead their cattle to higher pastures. The trail offers a large amount of flora and fauna of birds, insects, etc. As we climb higher, the trail gets steeper and leads into forests. The path through the forest opens onto a grassy patch of land called a meadow. Min Thach is located on a hill and is surrounded by flat rocks. The sunset and sunrise at this campsite offer great views.
Day 4: Min Thach-Nagaru (3800 m, 9 km trek)
After an early breakfast, we continue our journey to Nagar. The route to Nagar will be mostly steep that climbs through pastoral forests to snowy meadows, making it not difficult and time-consuming. As you climb higher, the air becomes thinner and you may face a little altitude sickness like headache, and dizziness. Follow the instructions of your trek leader or guide, and drink enough water to avoid AMS.
Day 5: Nagaru – Sar Pass – Bishkeri (4182 m, 13 km trek)
Today is the most important and longest trekking day in this Sar Pass Trek. After early morning breakfast, we start our trek which is steep and snow-covered. After climbing the ridge of Nagaru. the trail is moderate. Climbing higher into the pass offers majestic views of the stunning meadows and towering peaks of the Parvati valley. Reaching the top of the Sar pass gives a sense of satisfaction to see the mighty Himalayan peaks covered with snow, the green meadows, and the trail below. One can spend some time in the Sar Pass by having a packed lunch and taking pictures.
Day 6: Bishkeri-Barshaini – Manikaran/Kasol (10 km Trok)
The route from Bishkori to Barshaini is mixed with downhill to moderate. On this route, you have to watch every step on the slope. Again, a slow and steady walk will help you approach the road head easily. Many small streams flow around the trail. After a few hours of a fascinating forest trek, you will reach the village of Pulga. From there, a gentle walk to the village of Tulga. Then cross the river Parvati and climb for a while to reach Barshaini. From Barshaini you can reach Manikaran/Kasol by bus or taxi.
Trek cost for Sar Pass
On average, any trekking company or tour operator will charge you around Rs 5000 to 9500 per person for Kasol to Kasol trek. The price for the Sar Pass trek depends on the size of the group, the time of the peak season, and the services offered such as the quality of food, the quality of camping and trekking equipment, and the experience of the guide.
Know before embarking on Sar Pass Trek
- Climatic conditions at high altitudes are different from the plains; allow sufficient time to acclimatize to high altitudes.
- Management reserves the right to modify the trek in case of emergency or natural disasters.
- The trek takes place in an ecological zone; do not encourage littering at local sites or campsites. Passengers may be fined for littering.
- Water is very precious, so its protection is valued.
- Avoid using plastic bags and maintain the ecological balance of destinations.
- Guidelines issued by the government must be followed. Social distancing must be maintained. Frequent hand disinfection and mask use are recommended.
- The exact location will be communicated to you after booking.
- Neat and clean vehicle for trips with an experienced driver, especially for hilly terrains available.
- Bring dry snacks/food from home (saves a lot of money). Carry water bottles with you to refill.
- Do not use headphones during the trek; this may obstruct your hearing.
Things to carry on Sar Pass Trek
- Head torch
- Rain cover
- Warm clothes
- Cap
- Backpack (50-60 L)
- Daily pack (20-30 L)
- Water bottle
- Extra pair of socks
- Fleece jackets and thermals
- Hiking boots
- Insect and mosquito repellent
