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 Moderate to Difficult grade trek. Expect long walking days (6–9 hours), steep ascents and descents, possible snow/glacier crossings, and altitudes above 4,000 m. Prior trekking experience and 6–8 weeks of dedicated preparation are strongly recommended.
Cardio — Start 6–8 Weeks Before
- Run: 5 km in under 25 minutes, 4–5x per week
- Long walks: 12–15 km weekend hikes with an 8–10 kg loaded pack
- Stairs with load: Climb 15+ floors with a backpack, 3x per week
- Incline training: Treadmill at 10–15% incline for 30 min, or find real hills
- Practice trek: Do at least 1–2 trail hikes (8–12 km) with full daypack before departure
Strength (4x per week)
- Weighted squats — 3 sets of 15 (10–15 kg)
- Bulgarian split squats — 3 sets of 12 each leg
- Step-ups with weight — 3 sets of 12 each leg
- Deadlifts or Romanian deadlifts — 3 sets of 10
- Core circuit: planks (90 sec) + mountain climbers (30) + Russian twists (20)
- Calf raises with weight — 3 sets of 20
Diet & Recovery
- 4+ litres of water daily throughout your training
- Protein-heavy diet (1.2–1.5 g per kg body weight) for muscle repair
- Load up on iron-rich foods (spinach, beetroot, dates) — helps with oxygen at altitude
- Avoid processed food, sugar and alcohol for 2+ weeks before departure
- Sleep 7–8 hours — recovery is as important as training
Altitude & Technical Readiness
- These treks cross 4,000–5,000 m — AMS is a serious concern
- Carry and know how to use Diamox (consult your doctor before the trek)
- Learn basic crampon walking if the trek involves snow — your leader will brief you, but practice helps
- Expect sub-zero camping nights — test your cold tolerance and layering system before departure
- Carry a personal first-aid kit: ORS, Diamox, Dolo, Avomine, bandages, antiseptic
- Inform the leader of ANY medical condition — no detail is too small at altitude
Photo Gallery
Photos from the trail. More coming soon — follow us on Instagram for daily updates.
Gallery photos will be added soon. Binoy is preparing the best shots from the trail.
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.