India · Trekking

6-Day Shangarh Trekking Tour in GHNP with Western Tragopan Trails

6 Days Round trip from Aut Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the four ecological zones bordering the Great Himalayan National Park
02 Trek through remote villages and dramatic Himalayan landscapes
03 Enjoy birdwatching trails with a chance to spot the elusive Western Tragopan
04 Take in magnificent mountain vistas from the beautiful Shangarh Thatch meadow
05 Relax around bonfire dinners and camp stays in the wilderness

Explore the four ecological zones bordering the Great Himalayan National Park on this 6-day trek to Shangarh. Journey through remote villages, dramatic and beautiful landscapes, and rich wildlife habitats while enjoying birdwatching trails, mountain vistas, bonfire dinners, and camp stays. With incredible luck, you may even spot the elusive Western Tragopan while trekking through these remarkable Himalayan surroundings.

Explore the four ecological zones bordering the Great Himalayan National Park on this 6-day trek to Shangarh.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Hard

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Not included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Delhi, Tirthan Valley, Great Himalayan National Park

Languages English, Hindi

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Aut Arrival and Trek to Chengah Camp

Arrive early in the morning at the Aut tunnel by Volvo.
Transfer to Sainj Rest House for freshening up and pre-trek preparations.
Continue onward for the trek to Chengah campsite in the Sainj Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.
Enjoy a birdwatching trail.
In the evening, gather for a bonfire dinner and stay overnight in tents at Chengah.

Distance:

Aut to Sainj: 1 and a half hours

Sainj to Neuli: 1 hour

Neuli to Chengah: 3 hours (8 km)

Day 02

Moderate Ascent to Shakti

On the first long day, make a moderate ascent to Shakti, which helps acclimatize trekkers for the journey ahead.
Cover a distance of almost 14 km, following the Sainj Nala to reach Shakti at 2100 meters.

Overnight stay at Shakti in a trekkers' hut.

Day 03

Trek to Humkhani Forest via Lapah Campsite

Trek from Shakti Village to Lapah campsite (2800 meters) at the lower meadow bridge in Humkhani forest. This forest is home to the endangered king of the birds, the Western Tragopan (Jujurana).

Overnight stay in camps.

Day 04

Forest Climb to Shangarh Thatch

Climb uphill through a thick forest to the magnificent Shangarh Thatch. This thatch is a beautiful, high, and wide meadow with great mountain vistas and opportunities for observing wildlife.
The trek halts here for a rest day to explore the wildlife and the surrounding area.

Overnight stay in camp.

Day 05

Shangarh Village Visit and Descent to Neuli

Visit Shangarh Village and continue onward to Neuli to catch a cab to Sai Ropa Tourist Center. The day's hike is spent descending through dense forest, walnut trees, medicinal herbs, and more.
Visit the Jogni, an outdoor prayer site, for a magnificent view of the peaks of the GHNP.
Once back at Neuli, catch cabs onward to Sairopa Forest Rest House, where you can relax, attend a presentation on GHNP, meet the Director of the Park, and unwind over a Nati dance performed by the Kala Jatha.

Day 06

Biodiversity Trail and Departure to Delhi

In the morning, visit the Biodiversity Trail.
Spend the rest of the day exploring the Tirthan Valley.
Depart in the evening by Volvo bus to Delhi.
You may also stay overnight and leave for the airport in the morning.

Where this trip takes you

Shangarh Thatch meadow, Humkhani forest, Tirthan Valley, Sainj Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Aut 3 cities · 6 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Trekking guide
Trekkers' hut accommodation
Meals

What's Not Included

Transportation

What to bring

Comfortable trekking shoes

Know before you go

In the villages close to GHNP, the local name of the Western Tragopan is Jujurana ('Juju' means 'bird' and 'Rana' means 'king'), meaning the king of the birds. There is a local legend that the Lord created this pheasant and that all the birds in the universe donated a feather each to give it colour and unparalleled beauty. The male is one of the world's most spectacular birds: black on the head, deep crimson on the face and mantle, and orange on the breast, while the black belly and dark wings are spangled with star-like white specks. The female is a dull brown. Though rare, with luck, we might see them.
Bounded to the east by the Himalayan Mountains, the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) forms part of the boundary between four ecological zones: (1) the dry deserts of interior Asia and the well-watered lowlands of the Indian plains, (2) the Oriental and Palearctic faunal realms, (3) the high plateau of Tibet and the jumbled Himalayan peaks, and (4) the catchments of the Beas and Sutlej Rivers, both mighty tributaries of the Indus. Because of its complex geography and great variations in altitude, the limited area of the park encompasses an enormous range of species, spanning the subtropical to the alpine, and includes those characteristic of the south-east Asian forests as well as those found across Siberia and the Asian steppes. Few ecological sanctuaries present such a variety of wildlife habitat and biological diversity in such a small area.
Described aptly as a trek for beginners, this particular trek takes you across remote villages, some still without electricity, as well as dramatic landscapes and beautiful villages. The walk is mild and has been described by past first-time trekkers as just the right mix of culture, adventure, and trekking.

Logistics