Duration: 1 hour drive + 3-4 hours trek

We began our journey early from Manali with a short drive to Kasheri village. The drive was scenic, and soon we found ourselves surrounded by dense forests and fresh mountain air. From Kasheri, the trek started with a gentle climb through pine and deodar trees. The trail was peaceful, with occasional birdsong and views of the Beas Valley. After a few hours of steady walking, we reached Jamu Pani – a wide-open meadow that felt far away from the chaos of town. We pitched our tents here for the night and settled in as the temperature dropped and the stars slowly filled the sky.

5KM trek (6-7hrs)

We woke up to a quiet morning in Jamu Pani and began our trek towards Panidhar. The trail moved through rolling meadows and soft patches of forest. It wasn’t too steep, so we had time to take breaks and enjoy the views. Wildflowers lined the path, and clouds moved gently across the sky. Panidhar greeted us with an open grassy landscape and clear views of distant mountain ridges. It was an ideal spot to camp, with nothing around but nature and silence.

4KM trek (3-4hrs)

Today’s trail was one of my favorites. As we climbed higher, the forest slowly faded, and wide meadows opened up around us. The air felt thinner and colder, but the views made it all worth it. Snow-covered peaks began to appear on the horizon, and the sound of the wind grew louder. Riyali Thach was a beautiful campsite – a wide, flat meadow that made you feel small in the best way. We spent the evening resting, stretching, and getting ready for the higher climbs ahead.

6kms trek (7-8hrs)

This was the day the trek started to feel more alpine. The trail from Riyali Thach to Saghore climbed steadily, and the terrain turned rocky and raw. The vegetation thinned out, and we crossed small streams flowing with glacier melt. By the time we reached Saghore, we were fully surrounded by the high mountains. This was our base camp for Kalihani Pass. The air was crisp and cold, and the stars at night felt close enough to touch.

6kms trek (8-9hrs)

We started before sunrise for the push to Kalihani Pass. The climb was tough – snow patches, loose rocks, and steep sections tested our stamina. But the silence and the mountain energy kept us going. Reaching the pass was a surreal moment. At 15,748 ft, we were standing above the clouds, with vast Himalayan views stretching in every direction. After soaking in the experience, we slowly made our way back to Saghore, tired but filled with a deep sense of accomplishment.

8kms trek (7-8hrs)

After conquering the pass, we took a different route down. Today’s trek took us to Rani Sui – a quiet alpine lake hidden among grassy ridges. The trail was beautiful, offering sweeping views and a change of landscape. By afternoon, we reached the lake. Calm, untouched, and reflective, it felt like a secret corner of the mountains. We camped here, right beside the water, and watched the sky turn pink as the sun set behind the peaks.

6kms trek (7-8hrs)

From Rani Sui, we began descending towards Lamadugh. The trail brought us back to tree cover, and the sounds of birds and insects returned to the air. Lamadugh is a lovely meadow just above Manali, offering incredible views of the town below and snow-covered ridgelines above. It was a comfortable, soft patch of land – perfect to rest our legs after the high-altitude days behind us.

The final day of our trek was a peaceful descent through thick forests filled with oak, maple, and cedar. As we slowly made our way down, the sounds of civilization gradually returned. After reaching Manali, there was a strange mix of joy and silence within us – the kind that only comes after spending days away from the world, deep in the mountains.