Brief Description
We all know about the ever so adored and popular Buran Ghati Trek, but there is another pass adjacent to the Buran Pass which is tougher and technically challenging. This is the Gunas Pass Trek. At 4800 meters in altitude this pass connects the Pabbar Valley to the Sangla Valley thus starting from Janglik the same as the Buran Ghati Trek but ends in Sangla instead. The trail before the pass is the same as that of Buran Ghati trek with dense oak and pine forest, flower-laden campsites, grassy meadows, the sacred Chandranahan Lake and numerous meandering streams. Due to the near-vertical climb on the Gunas Pass, rope fixing is a must along with prior knowledge of the use of technical equipment. The pass crossing is very taxing which demands good physical fitness, thus meant only for experienced trekkers looking to conquer a monumental challenge. Due to its altitude and terrain, the Gunas Pass is one of the least traversed passes and changes in weather conditions have to be considered to successfully complete this trek. Due to heavy snow conditions the trail is mostly covered in knee-deep snow in pre-monsoon months. The best time to do the Gunas Pass Trek is in the months of May to June and September to October. Stay on this page for more information on the Gunas Pass Trek.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Show complete Itinerary
Shimla to Janglik (9,200 ft) - 150 km Drive
Assemble in Shimla early morning (by 8 AM) and board your vehicles for the drive to Janglik. We drive along Pabbar River through the mixed forest. Villages with beautiful Himachal homes & step fields of wheat adorn the sides of the road. From Chirgaon onwards the road condition is bad. The road crosses the Pabbar river at Tonglu & then climbs to Janglik. The entire drive takes about 8-9 hours.
Janglik to Dayara (11000 Feet). 4 Hours approx.
We cross through the village homes. Within half an hour we are past the village. The trail is steep initially. After you have climbed considerably, halt to get a good view of the valley. Spot Janglik, Tonglu & other nearby villages from here. The trail enters the forest and turns gradual. Walking under the shade of trees after a steep climb is a welcome change. The views along the trail are captivating. The trail enters & comes out of the forest a couple of times till we finally arrive at our destination for the day. Overnight camping.
Dayara to Litham (11,800 Feet). 3 Hours approx.
Get up early to catch the view of golden rays of sun falling on the grass in the meadow. Enjoy the view with a hot cup of tea. Today's trail majorly constitutes of forests, meadows & gushing streams of water. We walk through the meadows towards the Gunas Pass. After we cross a steam, the view of the Dhauladhar range is captivating. A few minutes after we enter the forest of Bhoj trees (Silver Birch). After a while, we come across another stream. Cross it & get your first view of Litham. We would walk in a gorgeous meadow again. Across the meadow, we cross the Chandranahan Stream and arrive at our campsite for the day. Litham is a beautiful campsite. Notice the Chandranahan waterfalls beyond which lies the famous Chandranahan Lake. Buran Ghati lies behind the mountain in front of us and Gunas Pass lies next to it to the right. Get ready for a great adventure starting tomorrow.
Litham to Chandranahan Lake (13,900 ft) & back to Litham, 4-5 hours
The Chandranahan is a glacial lake that is fed by snow melts of mountains that surround it. It is a small lake, However getting to it is an exciting experience and extremely fulfilling. We cross the stream that we saw just before the Litham campsite. We continue upstream on the trail to the top of the ridge. Then we walk towards the snout of the waterfall. After spending some time at the lake we turn back to the campsite. This short excursion will help you acclimatize for the trek ahead.
Litham to Dunda ( 13500 Feet ) 5 Hours Approx.
Continue north-east along the Pabbar River which originates from the slopes of the Buran Ghati. Pass through Khubrini Thach and leaving the tree line behind climb steeply through boulders to enter Dunda Thach, located at the foot of the pass.
From Dunda to Rankhona. 5 Hours Approx
Today we will trek from Dunda to Rankhona which is the base of Gunas Pass and rest early.
Rankhona to Soraden Lake (13800 Feet) Via Gunas Pass (15800 Feet). 8 Hours Approx
Today we start early and cross the Gunas Pass well before noon. There will be a lot of snow and the climb is almost at a 90 degree angle which requires rope fixing. We will then proceed to descend down to Soraden Lake or camp at Ronti Gad if time permits.
Soraden Lake/Ronti Gad to Sangla (8800 Feet). Drive to Shimla - 230 km
What goes up must come down- like on most treks, the last day’s trail is a steep descent. The spectacular views of Kinner Kailash Ranges will keep the photographer in you busy. Slowly but steadily, we glance our first view of civilization far below as we pass through old stone house ruins, fields of grazing chupas and village farms & orchards. The lush green fields are a welcome refreshment after several days in the white landscape of the high mountains. We will reach Sangla in 5-6 hours. After reaching Sangla, we will board our vehicles for the return journey to Shimla. We will reach Shimla late at night, so make your hotel reservations accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pick your question
Eligibility: Fitness benchmark
Jog/Run for 5 Kms in 25-30 mins Or Walk continuously for 10 kms (with 3-4 small breaks) on plain terrain (slight incline is better) and
Hold your breath for 40 seconds and
3 sets of Climbing 30 – 40 steps in one stretch and
Push Ups – 10 and
Lunges & Squats – 15 X 2 sets
If you are not meeting these benchmarks, please use the preparation schedule to improve your fitness till you achieve the above benchmarks.
Eligibility: Requisite Skills
How to use an Ice Axe
How to use Climbing boots & Crampons
How to rope up & follow queued climbing/descending
How to self-arrest using an ice axe
Knowledge of Basic First aid
Eligibility: Experience required
A basic mountaineering course is recommended though not mandatory in case of highly experienced & skilled trekkers. At least 2-3 challenging treks along with 20 – 25 total trekking days in the Himalayas. Medical fitness certificate from CMO of a recognized hospital.
About the activity: Why should I go for this trek?
Gunas Pass Trek - Himachal
Lying parallel to Buran Ghati Trek, the Gunas Pass trek is tougher, steeper and more challenging than Buran Pass. With a near-vertical pass climbing, the use of technical equipment as well the trail taking you across some of the most spectacular scenery, terrain and campsites makes the Gunas Pass Trek one of the most stunning treks but certainly offbeat.Best Season: What are the best months to visit this trek?
May, June, September and October are the best months to do the Gunas Pass Trek.
Packing List: What to pack
Click here for packing list.
Packing List: How should I pack my rucksack?
Packing List: How should I select my trekking shoe?
Connectivity: How to Reach the base of the trek & how to go back from the end point?
The base camp for this trek is Janglik, 152 km from Shimla. Once you reach Janglik, you can either opt for transport to Janglik with us, or hire a private taxi. Alternately, you can take a bus from Shimla to Rohru. From Rohru, Chirgaon is about 15 kms and can be reached by a shared vehicle which takes about 1 hour. Further from Chrigaon, Tangnu is about 22 km and takes another hour to reach. Shared vehicles are available, but less frequently. From Tangnu, walk to Janglik on a jeep-able road. It about an hour's walk.
By Air: Shimla is well connected to Delhi and other cities of India by air. Air India runs a daily 7:45 am flight from Delhi to Shimla. You can also fly to Chandigarh or Delhi and take a taxi or bus to Shimla from there.
By Rail: If you are travelling by railways, then Kalka is your station. From Kalka, drive to Shimla which is an hour and a half journey. Buses and private taxis are easily available on this route.
By Road: There are daily overnight buses for Shimla from Delhi from Kashmere Gate ISBT and take about 11 - 12 hours.
Connectivity: What is the cellular network connectivity for this trek?
Airtel has good connectivity up till Janglik. Vodafone and BSNL also have spotty coverage in Janglik. Once we start the trek, you may get Airtel coverage at a hut 2 kms before Dayara and a large boulder in Lithum. Apart from this, you will not get coverage before reaching the roadhead at Barua.
Nearby attraction: What are the nearby attractions that I can explore?
Chanshal: Like the resplendant crown for a noble face the snow cald Chanshal range rises above the Pabbar valley. At 4220 m, the Chanshal pass which opens from May to October is the link to Dodra Kwar. The Chansal area also has some excellent ski slopes.
Hanol Mahasu Temple: Hanol Mahasu temple is situated at an altitude of 1429 m in the village of Hanol, 55 km from Rohru on the eastern bank of the Taons. This temple constructed in Huna style architecture is dedicated to Mahasu. The Hanol temple is said to the originating place of all the deities of the area of Rohru and Jubbal. Tradition recounts that a demon lived here and killed the people, one by one each day. A devotee of Lord Shiva in Mandrath challenged the custom and prayed to Shiva for help. This ardent devotee of the lord- Deolari Devi, a resident of Hanol, was being directed by God. Accordingly, she sent her four sons to Mandrath, where from a field they obtained four Shivlings. The shivlings were given the names of the four young men. Meanwhile the demon was killed by the four sons and the villagers thereafter started worshipping Shiva as Mahasu.
Shikhru Devta Temple: This is a beautiful temple located in the heart of the town, Shikhru Devta is held in high veneration and is the sight of on annual fair which is celebrated during the month of April every year.
Khara Patthar: As the name says Khara Patthar has huge free standing egg shaped boulder. Worn smooth by aeons of erosion this is a wonder of this area. From here the steady descent of the Pabbar valley begins. Khara pathar is a place that gives expression to the phrase of 'time standing still', Kharapathar is a perfect leisure destination in the heart of nature's generous blessings to the area. Lush forests, wide views, excellent walk and hike trails and the charm of apple orchards make this a perfect leisure destination that is easily accessible by a short drive (85 km) from Shimla.
Age limit: What is the minimum & maximum age limit?
The minimum age limit is 13 years. However, minors aged between 13 to 17 should be accompanied with their parents or guardians. If you are above the age of 60, kindly carry a medical certificate from your doctor that deem you fit for adventure activities like trekking.
Accommodation: What will be the accommodation type in this trek?
In Janglik, trekkers will be accommodated in homestays/guesthouses on twin/triple sharing basis. On trekking days you will be accommodated in tents on twin sharing basis.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of tents and sleeping bags will be provided to us?
We provide 4 seasons tents by Gipfel for higher altitudes which can easily withstand heavy snowfall and storms. They are spacious enough to accommodate 3 people at once with a vestibule to place the backpacks. Our sleeping bags are made up of Heatseeker Pro synthetic insulation that can provide you comfort in -10 degrees Celsius. We also use additional fleece liners to have thermal efficiency even in the extreme temperatures of -17 degrees Celsius. If you carry your own sleeping bag, you will get a cashback reward provided that you inform us as soon as you have booked your trek.
Equipment and facilities: Are there any washroom/toilet facilities on the trek?
Toilet tents will be provided to you on the trek. These are portable toilets tents where a deep pit will be dug. A shovel will be provided inside the tent to cover the waste after you have made your business. You can take a toilet roll inside. Make sure you dig used toilet paper along with the waste. Though water is recommended in place of toilet paper. Please refrain from using wet wipes as they are non-biodegradable. There will be no facility for bathing on the trek. Go through our blog section for tips on how to maintain personal hygiene on treks.
Equipment and facilities: If we trek in snow, what equipment will you provide?
You will be provided with good quality gaiters and microspikes from us depending upon the situation of the snow. Our trek leaders will also be carrying ropes and ice axes.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of food will be provided for the trek?
Vegetarian food will be served throughout the trek. The only non-vegetarian item served on our treks are eggs. Our kitchen staff follows a proper menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner which has been designed in order to fulfill the nutritional requirements of the participants. There will be milk, poha, eggs, muesli/corn flakes, bread, and butter served for breakfast. Rice or simple roti sabzi will be packed for lunch. In dinner, you will have dal, egg curry or any other vegetarian dish along with rice, roti, and a dessert item. Packed lunch will be provided to you on the days you are trekking. You are requested to carry your own tiffin box and a mug to consume food. The meals consumed on the journey and arrival day are not included in our cost.
Equipment and facilities: What equipment can I rent from you?
You can rent the following - trekking shoes, backpack/rucksack, trekking poles. ponchos, fleece
Weather conditions: What will the temperatures be like during this trek?
There will be enough snow near and on the pass with day temperature between 25-10 degree celsius depending on climate conditions. At night temperature might drop to as low as -5 deg celsius.
Weather conditions: When will there be snow on this trek?
Yes, there will be snow on the trek
Miscellaneous : Is there an option to offload my backpack?
If you want to offload your rucksack, you will have to make a request for offloading a few days prior the trek through an email so that arrangement can be made in advance. You will be charged per day for offloading your rucksack. In case you decide to offload on the spot, you may have to pay a higher price than usual. However, offloading your rucksack is not recommended since it is not a safe practice.
Miscellaneous : Who will lead us on the trek?
A team of participants will be led by a course certified trek leader and a local guide. All participants are requested to abide by what their leader says. There will also be a team of kitchen staff and porters on the trek. We maintain a 1:8 ratio of trek leader and participants. All our trek leaders and staff have training in first-aid and rescue operation.
Miscellaneous : Is the trekking pole necessary?
Yes, it is necessary since the ascent and descent is steep. If you don’t want to buy one, you can rent it from us on minimal daily basis charges. You can request the renting link from us.
Miscellaneous : Are there any local stores/shops from where I can shop trekking necessities?
Shimla has a reasonable size market. However, we will have to head to Janglik and there will be no time for shopping. Please do not leave anything for last minute buying.
Miscellaneous : Is it safe for a solo woman traveller to trek in Fixed departures?
Yes, it is absolutely safe for a solo woman to travel in fix departures. Women on the trek will be sharing a tent with each other. In case you are the only woman on the trek, you will be given a separate tent.
Miscellaneous : Will you give certificates on completion of trek?
Yes, e-certificates will be given at the end of each trek provided that you completed it. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the trek.
Transport: In case we opt for the transport with you, where will you pick us from and where will you drop?
Pick up point will be Shimla ISBT by 7am and we will drive to Janglik. Drop off location remains the same, Shimla ISBT.
Transport: What time will you drop us at the end point on last day of the trek?
Expect to reach Shimla by late night.
Mandatory documents: What are the mandatory documents required for the trek?
Medical Certificate (Soft Copy to be sent to us & original to be carried) is the mandatory document required for the trek.
Why Bikat
Why Bikat
Learning Experience
- We are an Adventure Learning Organisation first.
- We want you to not just complete a trek safely but also pick up some basic trekking knowledge and skills along the way.
- To achieve this we have integrated learning modules into our itineraries.
- These modules will help you build the necessary skills to progress from trekking to mountaineering over time.
Loyality Programs
Our community is an integral part of us and we take pride in our trekkers and climbers. When you complete at least three days on any trek or expedition with us, you become eligible for our membership and referral programs.
- Currently we have three levels:
- Basic Membership
- Summiteer Membership
- Leader Membership
Personalized Attention
- Our group sizes on treks don’t exceed 15 members in order to maintain a healthy Participants : Leader Ratio of 8:1.
- Over time we have found this number to be optimum when it comes to ensuring personalised attention to every member of our group.
- On mountaineering expeditions this number is even smaller. Our group sizes are capped at 12 members ensuring a Participants : HAP Ratio of 2:1.
Best Expedition Leaders
- Our Expedition leaders are advanced mountaineering course qualified, specially trained in rescue procedures from NIM and certified first-aid responders.
- Even our local guides are certified first-aid responders.
Eco-friendly Practices
- Group sizes are capped at 15 people.
- Batch sizes are capped at 250 people per trail per season.
- We follow a rolling campsite model.
- We are constantly exploring and introducing new trails to reduce the burden on existing ones.
Safety
For us, a successful summit is not about reaching the highest point of a mountain but about making it safely back to base.
- To ensure this:
- Every region of ours is mapped with an emergency evacuation plan.
- The equipment we use is UIAA certified.
- Our trek leaders are AMC certified with specialisation in rescue procedures.
- Our support staffs are trained in first aid as well.
Reviews
What's Included
Whats Included
- Food as per menu on the trek
- Forest Permits/Camping Charges, if any (upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
- Tents, Sleeping bags, Sleeping mats
- Accommodation on all trekking days in tents on twin sharing basis
- Accommodation in Janglik on Day 1 in homestay/guesthouse on twin/triple sharing.
- Safety Equipment includes static rescue rope, seat harness, carabiners, pulleys
- Trek guide, cook, helpers, and porters for carrying common supplies
- Mountaineering course certified Trek Leader with Wilderness Emergency Responder & Rescue. course from NIM Uttarkashi
Whats Not Included?
- Portage of personal backpacks during the trek
- Cost of any kind of Travel Insurance.
- Any Expense of personal nature.
- Meals during road journeys and hotel stays.
- Any Expense not specified in the inclusions list.
Cancellation Policy
Cash Refund
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
5% Deduction
Between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure
50%
deduction
Less than 15 days of departure
No Cash Refund
Voucher Refund
Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
No Deduction
Cancellations less than 5 days prior to departure
No Refund
Please note
- Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers.
- This is only a brief of cancellation terms. For finer details please refer Detailed Cancellation Policy.
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