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Chanshal Pass

Category Adventure

Destination

Located about 160 km from Shimla, Chanshal Pass, also known as Chanshal Valley, is a beautiful place located in Himachal Pradesh. It is near the border of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. At an incredible height of 3,755 meters, this valley is located right above the highest peak in Shimla – Chanshal Peak. This is a 160 km long road that forms a connection between the town of Rohru (Chirgaon) and the Dodra Kwar Valley! And the last stop is Chanshal which can be reached via Larot. Not only is it a memorable experience for everyone involved, but the beautiful, breathtaking views of the Chanshal valley make you feel one with nature.

Apart from this, it is also a famous trekking destination for travelers and adventure seekers. The trek to Chanshal Pass covers a trekking distance of about 22 kilometers on offbeat paths passing through the dense forests of Rupin Valley. The trek takes you through stunning pine forests that are covered with snow in the winter months and eventually takes you on a steep trail to the beautiful Chanshal Pass, which gives you mesmerizing views of the surrounding mountain ranges and valleys. Being an ideal trek for both beginners and experienced trekkers, the Chanshal Pass trek can be done in the winter months when the landscapes are covered with snow presenting a completely different picture and thus making it an ideal winter trek in Himachal Pradesh.

Best Time to Visit Chanshal Pass

The best time to visit Chanshal Pass is late June, early September and then September as well as October. The Chanshal Pass road is open to traffic from May to November and is closed for the rest of the year due to snow. In winter, it transforms into a stunning snowy wonderland, with temperatures frequently dropping below -10°C.

Things to Do

There’s a number of activities you can undertake both on the route to Chanshal Pass and at the top of the wondrous peak itself: However, the cost of camping at Chanshal Pass varies depending on the type of accommodation, travel agency, and services included

Tips For Visiting Chanshal Pass

1. Prevent the excessive burden of lugging a backpack over your shoulders.
2. Don’t overpack lest it becomes difficult to carry your luggage up the mountain. Although, make sure to carry adequate warm clothing.
3. It’s best to pack lots of water bottles to prevent getting dehydrated. Furthermore, having some light snacks on your person would greatly aid in making the trekking easier on you.
4. Remember to wear shoes that don’t slip over mud and rocks.
5. Remember to pack some basic medicinal supplies because no such facility is available on the way to the peak.
6. Carry extra cash in case no ATM facility is available.
7. The way to Chanshal Pass is littered with countless eateries and dhabas where you can stop to grab a quick snack.

How to Reach:

By Air

Shimla has a small airport located at Jubbarhatti, the nearest airport to Shimla is Chandigarh Airport. After landing at the airport, you can hire a private vehicle or book a taxi to travel by road from Rohru to Dodra Kwar and the last stop Larot village via Chanshal Pass.

By Train

Shimla is connected to Kalka (96 km) on meter gauge and it takes about 6 hours from Kalka to reach Shimla. You can then hire a private vehicle or book a taxi from the nearest bus stand Shimla to reach Chanshal Pass.

By Road

In order to reach Chanshal Valley from Shimla, there are two different paths: 1. Shimla to Theog to Kotkhai to Kharapathar to Hatkoti to Rohru to Larot to Chanshal Pass (160 km) 2. Shimla to Theog to Narkanda to Tikkar to Rohru to Larot to Chanshal Pass (175 km) While the first route happens to be shorter, it is still not suitable for bike rides because of the bumpy roads it entails.