Sar Pass Trek, Kasol

The Sar Pass trekking distance is 40 to 50 KM in 5 days from the starting point of Kasol and back to the base again. Situated at an elevation of 13,800 feet, the Sar pass trek is an ideal trek for beginners in the Kull region of Himachal Pradesh.

The difficulty level of Sar Pass trek ranges between easy to moderate level of difficulty, and no prior trekking experience is required. Since the 'easy-moderate' tag is relative to other difficult treks in the Himalayas, Sar Pass commands a moderate level of fitness from all trekkers. The treks include a near-vertical incline at the top and an equally steep descent. The air above 12,000 ft. is very thin, and the oxygen levels are considerably lower, which increases the level of difficulty. It is mandatory to follow a regular fitness regime to ensure your body adapts well to the lower oxygen on the trek.

The Sar Pass trek is a relatively moderate trek than other Himalayan treks. Beginners can easily commence upon this trek with guides who are accustomed with the trail. Since this is an adventure activity, one needs to be cautious and take proper precautions while undertaking any trek. Thrillophilia’s Sar Pass trek packages are inclusive of all essential needs like meals, sleeping, bags, medical kits, and professional guides, thereby ensuring the safety and security of beginners. However, it is suggested to prepare for the trek from at least a month before and be physically fit.

Kasol is an overnight journey from Delhi which takes around 11 hours. The trek to Sar pass begins from the base camp of Kasol. One can take a flight from Delhi to Kullu followed by a bus journey to Kasol. There is also a train to Bhunter from Delhi where you can catch a local bus till Kasol.

The best time recommended for doing Sar Pass trek is between May-July if you wish to experience both pleasant summers and snow-covered peaks. Sar Pass trek is usually not conducted during the winter months of October- December to avoid the chances of rough weather with hailstones and blizzards.

Sar pass trek is mostly not arranged by companies during the winter season as the weather can be unpredictable between October- December. The chances of hailstorms and blizzard increases during the winter season and the trail also tends to get covered with the heavy snow in the Sar Pass trek.

You need to be well-prepared for the Sar Pass trek.

1. Equipment and gears-

• Trekking pole
• Snow-friendly gloves
• Trekking shoes
• Backpack with rain cover
• Headlamp
• Sleeping bag and camp (optional)

2. Clothing- 

• Jackets (preferably those that cover sub-zero temperatures)
• Fleece
• T-shirts
• Trekking pants
• Quick-dry socks
• Neck-warmer
• Cap

3. Other essentials-

• Dry tissue paper and non-alcoholic wet tissues too.
• Sunscreen (preferably SPF 50+)
• Sunglasses
• Heavy moisturizer
• Cleanser/face-wash
• Smaller backpack to carry immediate stuff.
• Medicines
• Water bottle

The Sar Pass trek is an easy to moderate level trek which holds some steep ascent, requiring good stamina. Naturally, this implies that trekkers must have a decent amount of fitness. You should be able to jog for 5 km in about 35 to 40 minutes to increase cardiovascular endurance.

Make your muscles stronger by doing 3 sets of squats with 15 reps per day, and some yoga asanas. This will aid acclimatization, and facilitate adaptability to lower oxygen levels on high altitudes.

We recommend carrying trekking shoes with high ankle support, and good quality material that is water-resistant. Since the terrain is uneven and rugged, it is imperative that your trekking shoes have a good grip, which will be less prone to slipping. When buying new shoes, we insist that break them in at least 2-3 weeks before the trek to avoid chafing and blisters. Please avoid carrying sports shoes, as they are not meant for trekking, and can cause fatal slips. Also, carry at least 3-4 pairs of cotton socks.

You can get to Sar Pass base camp which is in Kasol easily via public as well as private transit systems available.

By Bus- You can take a bus from Delhi, Chandigarh, or nearby major cities to Bhuntar. Kasol is 32 kilometres from Bhuntar, and this distance can be covered by taking a cab, or a public bus offered by Himalayan Road Transport Corporation.

By Train- The nearest railway station to Kasol is Joginder Nagar Railway Station in Mandi, which is easily connected to the major cities of Pathankot and Chandigarh. Some of the major trains running on this route are Pathankot - Jwalamukhi Road Express Special and Pathankot-Baijnath Paprola Express Special. Alternatively, a more convenient route is to travel to Chandigarh via train, and then take a cab or bus from there till Kasol, covering around 260 kilometres in 7-8 hours.

By Air- There are several direct flights from Delhi to Bhuntar airport that take hardly an hour to reach. Alternatively, you can avail of connecting flights from all major cities of India like Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jaipur, Kolkata, Bangalore, and others. From Bhuntar, Kasol is 32 kilometres away, taking 1-2 hours to reach via a private car, a cab, or a public bus.

Yes, You can witness snow in the Sar Pass Trek in May at the higher altitude places like the Sar Pass (top), Nagaru, and Biskeri Thach. Thrillophilia’s Sar Pass trek itinerary includes all these spots, where we provide camp stays for an enriching experience. During the peak summers in May, you can expect lush and vibrant valleys in the lower altitudes, thereby experiencing a varied range of landscapes and geographical wonders along the route.

No, November marks the start of the winter season and there are high chances of snowfall that can block the route. Since the trek covers a high elevation, the temperatures can drop below -15 degrees Celsius, making it impossible to trek the 48-kilometer trail. Even if it does not snow in November, it is not safe to undertake the trek due to unpredictable weather conditions during this time. Thrillophilia’s Sar Pass trek package is non-functional in November.

The height of this dramatic mountainous Pass is around 4220 m and 13,850 ft above sea level. The height can be reached by trekking for around five days in which you get to enjoy various splendid sceneries as well as a chance to pass through some of the most thrilling as well as adrenaline-rushing terrains. 

The Sar Pass Trek begins from Kasol, from where you are required to trek to Garhan Village for 5 to 6 hours. From here, a 4 to 5 hour long trek is followed to Mung Thach and then to more 6 hours to Nagaru. From Nagaru, a 6 or 8 hour long trek is done to Biskeri Thatch via Sar Pass. 

Huddled 13,700 ft. above sea level in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, sits a snowy dream world that beckons herds of adventurers into its folds every year. Sar Pass is one of the most beautiful treks in India and promises a medley of thick forests, sylvan meadows, and roaring streams. Your first stop is Kasol, which is the base village for the trek. It is a beautiful hamlet reflecting Israeli culture, which makes it every backpackers' dream destination.

The initial part of the Sar Pass trek is housed within stunning woods that seem like something right out of a fantasy movie. The scenery shifts from grassy meadows to the Winterland of Narnia midway through the trek! Patches of green and brown are veiled under a layer of powdery snow. The last hour or two of the trek to the main Sar Pass is the most thrilling part, as the incline of the slope is nearly 90 degrees!

As daunting as it sounds, the surrounding Himalayan beauty overpowers your fear and fatigue. The highlight of the Sar Pass trek is the descent from Sar Pass, which can't be traversed by trekking, give the steep incline. You have to slide down the slope! It feels like a roller coaster ride, only better. Experience your heart racing, and soul rejoicing as the little child in you comes shrieking alive!

Here is the list of best treks in Himachal that you can book from Thrillophilia:

1. Hampta Pass Trek
2. Kareri Lake Trek
3. Bhrigu Lake Trek
4. Beas Kund Trek
5. Prashar Lake Trek
6. Buran Ghati Trek
7. Shrikhand Mahadev Trek