About the Trek
Buran Ghati is one of the most exciting crossover treks in the Indian Himalayas. The highlight is the pass crossing at 4,572 metres, which involves a thrilling rappel descent on a 70-degree snow wall — a unique experience that sets this trek apart from almost every other in India.
The trail begins near Shimla and winds through ancient cedar forests, sprawling meadows dotted with wildflowers, and remote shepherd camps. The Chandranahan Lake, a sacred glacial lake with water flowing to form the Pabbar river, is an unforgettable highlight before the pass.
This trek combines the beauty of alpine meadows with genuine mountaineering adventure. The rappel section is fully guided and secured with ropes and harnesses, making it accessible to fit trekkers without prior technical climbing experience.
Trek Highlights
- Rappel down a 70-degree snow wall at Buran Ghati pass — unique in Indian trekking
- Visit the sacred Chandranahan Lake at 4,100m
- Cross the Buran Ghati pass at 4,572m
- Walk through pristine cedar forests and wildflower meadows
- Remote and less-commercialised trail in Shimla backcountry
- Genuine mountaineering experience with guided technical sections
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A 7-day adventure from Shimla through cedar forests and alpine lakes to a thrilling pass crossing with rappelling.
- Drive from Shimla through Rohru and Chirgaon
- Scenic road along the Pabbar valley
- Arrive at Janglik village — trailhead
- Overnight at guesthouse
- Begin trek through dense cedar forest
- Gradual ascent to open meadows
- Reach the vast Dayara meadow
- Overnight in tents
- Continue across alpine meadows
- Views of the surrounding peaks open up
- Reach Litham campsite near a stream
- Overnight in tents
- Hike to Chandranahan Lake — sacred source of Pabbar river
- Multiple tiers of the lake cascade down
- Continue to the pass base camp
- Overnight in tents
- Early start for the pass crossing
- Climb to Buran Ghati pass at 4,572m
- Rappel down the snow wall on the other side
- Long descent to Barua camp
- Overnight in tents
- Descend through forest and meadows
- Reach Dunda village on the other side of the range
- Celebratory camp
- Overnight in tents
- Drive from Dunda back to Shimla
- Trek concludes — departure
What's Included
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- Accommodation — Hotel / Homestay / Tents on triple sharing
- All necessary entry fees and permits
- Professional trek leader, guide, cook and support staff
- Camping equipment — sleeping bags, blankets, mats, toilet tents
- Safety equipment — medical kit, oximeter, crampons & gaiters
What's Not Included
- Meals during the road journey
- Any kind of insurance
- Mules or porter to carry personal luggage (can be arranged at extra cost)
- Medical / evacuation expenses (assistance provided in emergencies)
- Any expense of personal nature
- Any expense not specified in inclusions
Things to Carry
Essentials
- Backpack (50-60 L) with rain cover
- Day pack (20 L)
- Trekking shoes with ankle support
- Headlamp / torch with spare batteries
- Water bottles (2 L)
- Personal medication
Clothing & Gear
- Thermal innerwear (top + bottom) x 2
- Heavy down jacket (-20°C rated)
- Waterproof hardshell jacket and pants
- Balaclava, insulated gloves, liner gloves
- Trekking pants x 2 + warm fleece pants
- Quick-dry t-shirts x 3
- Gaiters (high ankle)
- Mountaineering sunglasses (Category 4)
Documents
- Government photo ID (Aadhaar / Passport / DL)
- Two passport-sized photos
- Medical fitness certificate
Optional
- Trekking poles
- Sunglasses (UV protection)
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
- Power bank
- Energy bars / dry fruits
How to Prepare
This is a Difficult grade trek or expedition. You will face sustained high altitude (4,500–6,000 m+), technical terrain (glaciers, moraines, scree, fixed ropes), extreme cold, and 8–12 hour walking days. Prior high-altitude trekking experience is mandatory. Begin training at least 8–12 weeks before departure.
Cardio — Start 8–12 Weeks Before
- Run: 8 km in under 40 minutes, 5x per week — build aerobic base
- Long hikes: 15–20 km with 10–12 kg loaded pack on weekends, ideally on trails with elevation gain
- Stair climbs with load: 20+ floors with a full pack, 4x per week
- High-intensity intervals: Hill sprints or stair sprints 2x per week for VO2max
- Mandatory practice trek: Do at least one 2–3 day practice trek at moderate altitude before departure
Strength (5x per week)
- Barbell squats — 4 sets of 12 (progressive overload)
- Deadlifts — 3 sets of 10
- Weighted step-ups — 4 sets of 12 each leg (use a high bench)
- Single-leg Romanian deadlifts — stability is critical on technical terrain
- Core circuit: 90-sec planks, hanging leg raises, windshield wipers, Russian twists
- Grip training: farmer's walks, dead hangs — essential for fixed-rope sections
- Shoulder press + pull-ups — upper body matters when hauling yourself over boulders
Nutrition & Recovery
- 4–5 litres of water daily; maintain this standard on the trek as well
- High-protein, high-iron, high-carb diet — your body will burn 4,000–5,000 calories/day on the trail
- Iron and B12 supplementation (consult your doctor) — oxygen-carrying capacity matters above 5,000 m
- Zero alcohol for 3+ weeks before departure
- Sleep 8+ hours — overtraining is as dangerous as under-training
- Taper training in the final week: light walks only, full rest 2 days before departure
Altitude, Technical & Medical
- These treks operate at 4,500–6,000 m+ — HACE and HAPE are real risks, not theoretical
- Diamox protocol is mandatory (consult your doctor for dosage and start date)
- Learn and practice: crampon walking, ice axe self-arrest, rope ascent/descent, moraine navigation
- Full personal medical kit: Diamox, Dexamethasone (emergency only), Nifedipine, ORS, painkillers, anti-nausea, blister kit, tape
- Get a full medical check-up including ECG, blood oxygen baseline, and lung function if possible
- Personal travel + medical insurance covering high-altitude evacuation is mandatory
- Mental preparation: difficult treks involve discomfort, exhaustion and uncertainty — embrace it
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the rappel section is fully guided by experienced mountaineers. Safety ropes, harnesses, and helmets are provided. No prior rappelling experience is needed.
It is rated Difficult due to the altitude, the pass crossing, and the technical rappel section. Good fitness and stamina are essential.
Trishul Adventures provides all technical equipment including harnesses, helmets, ropes, carabiners, and descenders. Crampons and gaiters are also provided.
We do not recommend the monsoon months (July-August) due to heavy rain, leeches, and unstable snow conditions at the pass.