Brief Description
Sara Umga Pass at 4800 meters is one of the least traversed passes of Himachal Pradesh connecting Tosh in Parvati Valley to Chota Dhara in Lahaul and Spiti Valley. The trek takes you across stunning landscapes and untouched trails surrounded by epic peaks of the Parvati Valley such as Papsura, Dharamsura, Indrasan, Deo Tibba, White Snail and many more notable ones. One gets a glimpse of the mighty Bara Shingri Glacier. The trail takes you across verdant meadows, high altitude pastures, grasslands, steep moraines, boulders and scree and lets you cross a crevassed glacier to a mighty pass and takes you from the lush green Parvati Valley to the barren and raw Spiti Valley. The trek is meant for experienced trekkers only who are looking for a challenge. The trek is a great alternative to Hampta Pass and a much more difficult one but with almost zero foot traffic. The time to do the Sara Umga Pass Trek is between July and October. Stay on this page for more information on the Sara Umga Pass Trek.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Show complete Itinerary
Kasol to Tosh - Drive. Tosh (2400 m) to Buddhaban (3020 m) - 5 hrs Trek
Today we will drive from Kasol to Tosh through the scenic Parvati Valley. We start our trek from Tosh village and climb up alongside the Tosh Nallah through some dense pine forest and then reach the stunning meadows of Buddhaban. Overnight in tents.
Buddhaban to Sharam Thach (3500 m) - 6 hrs
Today's trek will take you above the treeline through meadows and rhododendron plants followed by a climb over scree. You get a glimpse of the Tichu Glacier. We proceed to the high altitude meadow of Sharam Thatch. Overnight in tents.
Sharam Thach to Shamshi Thach (3800 m) - 5 hrs
Today we start our trek with a steep climb over narrow patches of snow from Sharam Thatch alongside the ferocious Tosh River. We cross scree and then end at the foot of the Tosh Glacier to our north which is the campsite for the night, Shamshi Thatch. There is the mighty Kullu Makalu Peak to our south. Overnight in tents.
Shamshi Thach to Kuta Thach (4100 m) - 7 hrs
We start our trek from Shamshi Thatch towards Kuta Thatch which is a beautiful meadow at the base of Sara Umga Pass. We climb scree and glacial moraines along with boulders on a long trail surrounded by a magnificent view of peaks to reach our campsite for the night. Overnight in tents.
Kuta Thach to Putiruni (3800 m) via Sara Umga Pass (4700 m) - 8 hrs
We start our trek early as we intend to cross the Sara Umga Pass before noon. The climb from the campsite is steep over snow and scree. The pass gives you stunning views of the peaks in both Tosh and Lahaul Valley. We descend down to the meadows of Putiruni. Overnight in tents.
Putiruni to Chota Dhara (3700m) - 6 hrs
Today's trek is also a long one but relatively easier. The descend is gradual without many ups and downs to reach the campsite of Chotadhara on the Manali-Kaza highway. Overnight in tents.
Chota Dhara to Manali Drive
Today we will drive from Chota Dhara to Manali. Expect to reach Manali by late afternoon. We bid you goodbye here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pick your question
Mandatory documents: What are the mandatory documents required for the trek?
ID Proof (Voter, Adhaar, Passport) and Medical Certificate (Soft Copy to be sent to us & original to be carried) is the mandatory document required for the trek.
Transport: In case we opt for the transport with you, where will you pick us from and where will you drop?
We will pick you up from Kasol and drive to Tosh from where the trek starts. At the end of the trek our vehicles will pick you from Chotadhara and drive you to Manali.
Transport: What time will you drop us at the end point on last day of the trek?
Expect to reach Manali by late afternoon.
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 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?
Kasol has a reasonable size market. However, we will have to head to Tosh 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.
Weather conditions: What will the temperatures be like during this trek?
The temperature during the day will be between 25 to 15 deg celsius however at night the temperature may drop to as low as -5 deg celsius. The higher the altitude you gain the colder it will be.
Weather conditions: When will there be snow on this trek?
Yes there will be snow on the trek.
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
Accommodation: What will be the accommodation type in this trek?
On trekking days you will be accommodated in tents on twin sharing basis.
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.
Nearby attraction: What are the nearby attractions that I can explore?
There are a number of places to visit around Kasol in the Parvati Valley. Manikaran, a pilgrim site with its hot springs is a famous attraction near Kasol. The waters of the hot springs are believed to have medicinal properties. There are plenty of hiking trails from Kasol to its surrounding villages like Choj, Chalal, and Rashol. One can also visit the quaint village of Tosh by a private or a shared taxi. A day hike to the famous Kheerganga, a spiritual destination with hot springs, can also be done from Barshaini.
Connectivity: How to Reach the base of the trek & how to go back from the end point?
The starting point of Sara Umga Pass trek is from Kasol. Kasol is a hamlet in the Parvati valley of Himachal Pradesh. It is 520 km from Delhi. There are public buses running between Delhi and Kasol. Kasol is easily accessible through road, rail and air transport.
By Road: The distance between Delhi and Kasol is 520 km. There are frequent buses from Delhi to Kasol. Most of them are not direct buses so you will have to take an HRTC bus from ISBT Kashmere Gate, Delhi towards Manali and change the bus at Bhuntar (30 km from Kasol) and reach Kasol either by a local bus or a private taxi. There are very few direct buses from Delhi to Kasol but they are run by private companies. You can also hire a taxi or outstation cab from Delhi to Kasol.
By Rail: To reach Kasol by railways you have to get off at the nearest railway station to Kasol which is Joginder Nagar railway station, about 144 km from the village of Kasol. You can take a cab from the station to reach Kasol or a bus from the Joginder Nagar Bus Stand towards Manikaran which should take about 4.5 to 5 hours.
By Air: The nearest airport to Kasol is almost 31 Kms away, Bhuntar Airport located near Kullu. It is connected to three cities Delhi, Pathankot and Shimla. You can hire local cabs or private vehicles from there to reach Kasol.
Connectivity: What is the cellular network connectivity for this trek?
No mobile network after Tosh.
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?
Best Season: What are the best months to visit this trek?
July to October are the best months to do the Sara Umga Pass Trek.
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.
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
About the activity: Why should I go for this trek?
Sara Umga Pass Trek - Himachal
If you are looking for a sheer challenge, then the Sara Umga Pass Trek is the one for you. One of the least traversed passes and certainly a difficult one, the Sara Umga Pass at 4800 meters takes you from Tosh in Parvati Valley to Chotadhara in Lahaul and Spiti Valley. The pass is located between the massive Bara Shingri Glacier and the Hampta Pass. The trail is flanked by notable peaks like Papsura, Indrasan, Deo Tibba and Dharamsura. It takes you across lush valleys, grasslands, moraines, glaciers, snowfields, barren cold deserts and a stunning pass thus meant only for experienced trekkers.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 trekking days
- Forest Permits/Camping Charges, if any (upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
- Tents, Sleeping bags, Sleeping mats
- Accommodation on all trekking days in twin sharing tents
- 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 rucksacks
- Cost of any kind of Travel Insurance.
- Any Expense of personal nature.
- Meals during road journeys
- 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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