YHAI Sarpass Trek 2012

Hi

I am planning to do the Sarpass Trek with YHAI in 2012. Planning to report on the first day. May 1st 2012. I am from Chennai. It would be helpful if someone can guide on how to reach the base camp in shortest route

Welcome to IndiaMike!

First, you would be reaching either Delhi or Chandigarh and from there you may take bus up to Kullu Bus Stand.

You would be taking bus from Kullu Bus stand, which goes to Manikaran.

On the way it would be dropping you at Kasol Base Camp.

All the bus conductors are aware of the camp and they would help you in reaching there!!

P.S.: You may be suggested to leave the bus (from Delhi/Chandigarh) at Bhuntar and take vehicle for Kasol, but I do not appreciate this idea as from Kullu you mauy get seating accommodation on buses!

Hi All,

I am also planning for the treck in May but may be second week.

1. I want to know from delhi to Kasol base camp how much time it will take by bus.

2. Can i get the bus in the evening from delhi to kasol base camp.

Thanks
Srini

You should be taking bus going to Kullu/Manali and getting down at Kullu. Buses starts in evening also from Delhi to Kullu/Manali which reaches Kullu/Manali next morning. You can get buses from Chandigarh also till late evening. It also reaches Kullu/Manali in morning. It takes around 7 - 8 hours to reachKullu from Chandigarh.

From there you would be required to take bus/jeep going to Manikaran and get down at Kasol. You may find vehicles going up to Kasol also, as it is a well frequented place for foreign tourists.

Kasol is around one and a half hours journey from Kullu.

I did the Sar Pass trek with YHAI back in 2008. It was a lovely trek and I will always remember it with a sense of awe. I have a lot of respect for what YHAI does in terms of introducing many Indians to trekking. The way they operate and the cost effectiveness of their treks is surely hard to beat. But I think that after doing a couple of treks with them, it's time to move on to independent treks, either on your own or through trek operators. To put it in simple terms, I'd recommend YHAI treks only to absolute beginners. If you're not one, you might want to look at other options.

Yes Proudest, you are correct when you state the purpose of YHAI treks.

I am one of the privileged byproducts of the system and I feel proud of being the same!

Prodmonkey is right,
At times the "ORGANISED" trek-toors of youth hostel kills the excitement.
If you venture at your own i think it will be more enjoyable.

Agreed with you also .
But, before taking admission into a graduation school, a person requires a lot of schooling!

YHAI is that school, IMO!

You need to give importance to this school equally!

@Indianchilli: That's right, in a group of more than 50 people, it is kind of hard to be "on your own", if that's what you are looking for! Plus, more often than not, these groups turn into various sub-groups that are always bitching about each other turning national integration into regional politics, much like on 24 hr news channels

@Prakaant: I know what you mean. That's why I think it is good for a newbie, not an experienced trekker

does anyone from bangalore going for this trek?

I did this trek in May-June this year, and I must say its one of the best treks if not THE best trek YHAI does. Like most people here said, if you are new to trekking in Himalayas, there is probably no better way than YHAI, start here and very soon you'd be going places

@ Anshul:

Don't worry if you can't find people from Banglore on IM. In every batch of YHAI Sarpass trek there are always at least a dozen Bangloreans so don't fret too much, go alone if you must you will meet many nice people on the trek

One final advice: Try going early on in the season, otherwise its hard time finding a good place to crap when its urgent...as previous batch trekkers have already marked their territory well and then its a hard game of treasure hunt for late goers if you know what I mean

Happy trekking!

Thumb rule for better accommodation (in the base camp or for that matter, even in higher camps) is: Arrive early! If you arrive early at that point of time you could get even empty tent. If you take evening bus from Delhi/Chandigarh, you would be arriving in the camp in early morning.

The reporting day is always free day for trekkers. After settling in the tent, and taking break fast/lunch (depends on time of arrival), you may go for a stroll to Kasol or up to Manikaran Gurudwara and hot spring.

Hi All,

I am willing to go for a trek in 2012 through YHAI. Also, they have two treks one is sar kindi pass and the other is sar pass. So can you pls let me know which one is better in terms of weather and the grade of trek. Also, would be helpful if you could tell me what all to carry along while going there, as i will be alone from mumbai travelling.

Your advice would help me

Thanks

Anusha

Welcome to IndiaMike, Anusha!
Hope you would love environment here!!

Sarpass would be a tougher trek, if you are first timer! But you would be finding more snow on this trek! Though you would be alone, while on return, you would have pack of friends, I trust!

You would be provided a list of things to carry at the time of registration. Though all the items are not a must, but you would be required to carry most of them!

The YHAI website says,

Things to Bring Along With You

Rucksacks (if you have one), cotton shirts, cotton pants, woolen jersey of jacket, woolen muffler or monkey cap, light raincoat, DMS or hunter shoes, 2 pairs socks, water bottle, lunch box, enameled or steel mug or tumbler, plate, spoon, water purifying tablets, pen-knifes (if you have one), needle, thread, spare buttons goggles (other than blue glasses), cold cream or Vaseline, soap, toilet paper, towel, medicines which you normally use at home

Hope this should help you!