Route and Distance Info

Fixed route and Distance

  • Kharshali to Saru Tal Lake, Trek of 11 km
  • SaruTal Lake to Chanshal Pass, Trek of 9 km
  • Passes: Chashal Pass.
  • Mountain Range: Dhauladhars.

Streams

The trek has many snow fed rivulets, brooks and streams with major river (Pabbar) as its main depository. 

Caves

The trails used as major adventurous treks were frequently used by shepherds, traders and travellers in historical era and have many caves in between where they used to stay at night but they are off trek and not used as tent camping at a comfortable place are a great option today. 

Forts or Palaces

The region has no forts to boast of but it can rightly brag of two royal palaces at Kotkhai and Local Culture and tradition: People have deep faith in Local DeviDevta. Women wear suits, Jubbal. Though not open for common public, the present palace are an impressive structure. The one at Kotkhai has a sturdy, typically indigenous and unmistakably prominent structure which can be seen while travelling to Jubbal. It stands on a narrow spur formed by two rivulets that run on three sides. The other at Jubbal has a massive wooden door as the main entrance; about 18 ft. high and 7 ft. wide covered with copper and studded with coins- an ancient practice in region which you can see on the wooden doors of every temple. Old furniture, ancient artefacts and a rich Sanskrit and Persian books library with enhance its grandeur. 

Villages

After Rohru you will cross Samoli, Seema, Badiyara, Mandli, Chirgaun, Sandhasu, Tikri,Kharshali,Ghatsari, Shiladesh, Larot. Chirgaun is the last place to have a health centre. You can get some basic medicines in Larot too. 

Demographics

According to 2011 census, the sub district Rohru is home to more than 49 thousand people, among them about 26 thousand (52%) are male and about 24 thousand (48%) are female of whom 70% are from general caste, 30% from schedule caste and 1% consists of schedule tribes. 10% of the children are under the age of 6 have 52% boys and 48% girls. There are about 11 thousand households in the sub district with an average 4 persons each. 

 

Temples

 Hateshwari Temple at Hatkoti and Village god temple in Larot and Durga temple in Kharshali is a must see as they are in your way though there are many more to see and appreciate. 

Ghrats

These are the traditional flour grinding mills which run by the flow of water. You can see one at Tikri,  

Fair and Festivals

If you will come in April during Baishaki you may see the color of local culture in Local Festivals, Vishu but if you are planning to tour in early September  you may attend Jagra. 

Food

 Red rice, Siddu(Stuffed Steamed Bread buns), bade (More like Vadda) and Poldu(softer and thicker puri). Dhidhde (Colocasia Fritters) Red Rice of Pejaa is very famous. 

Art (Wooden/ Stone)

 Traditional Houses and temples are made up of Deodar wood and stone blocks with minute carvings on doors and pillars. They are earthquake resistant(Puri). Dhidhde (ColocasiaFritters) Red Rice of Pejaa is very famous. 

Folktales

The region has many folk tales about the origin and origin places of their God and Goddesses and primitive conflict between different villagers. Every village and their god have many tales to be explored. 

Local Culture

People have deep faith in Local Devi-Devta. Women wear suits, Dhatu( a scarf)and Sadri (a Jacket) where as Men Wear Kurta Pajama, Sadri and Pahari Topi. 

Public and Private Transport

Till Shimla one can reach by train, bus or plane but to reach Mandli forest rest house or at any other rest house at Rohru, one can take Govt. Buses, private Buses and private tracks are the main modes of transportation but one can hire private taxi also to and from Shimla.

Saur Tal Lake Trek Via Kharshali 

Robert Frost in one of his poems wrote that I took the road less travelled by and that made all the difference. Saru Tal lake trek, one of the astonishing Never-lands of Himalayas, is the road less travelled by and it offers an experience of indefinable blend of myth and reality. The astonishing folk tales, charming houses and temple architecture, towering snow covered mountains, glacial ponds, pulse racing trekking, fruit-laden orchards protected by dense forest, picturesque hamlets, traditional culture and innocent inhabitants of Pabbar valley, is hypnotic. Though Shimla in Himachal Pradesh is world renowned tourist destination for its architectural heritage and scenic beauty but the bigger part of this ocean stands unexplored waiting 160 miles away from Shimla for those who wants adventurous treks, the heavenly scenic beauty, the pure and serene culture in align with the untainted and beautiful nature. So this year pack your bags and be an explorer to taste the genuine and soul satisfying nature. The cliff road remains open from May to October and is covered with snow for the rest of the year but best time is May-June and September-October. 

 One can start their journey by using Rohru or Mandli forest rest house as a base. Rohru is 110 km away from Shimla and is quite famous for its trout fishing and apple orchards. It is used as a base for several treks across the Himalayas. It provides lots of facilities to stay and eat. One can reach Rohru from shimla by a bus or taxi in three to four hours. The place is a small town with lots of people in traditional attires and leisurely life. During the journey from Shimla to Rohru, especially after Kotkhai one can see the beautiful stretch of forest area like Nhyari and Khadapathar and historical temples of local devi-devtas like Hateswari Mata at Hatkoti (11 Km prior to Rohru). The road from Hatkoti to Rohru runs by the river Pabbar and compel people to stop their vehicles and see around. The forest guest house at Mandli can also boast as a great alternate to stay as it offer an evening bonfire by the riverside to be one with the ecstatic sound of nature. 

The Saru Tal Lake is a high altitude trek and need some trekking skills to reach the Chashal Pass and Lake, so in the morning  gear up and have some acclimatization and physical activities to warm up for the trek. Fill your water bottles well as after the training session the group drives towards next destination Chanshal Pass passing Chirgaun, Sandhasu and Tikri. After crossing the river Pabbar the group heads towards Kharshali, 5 km away. Take a halt at Kharshali as it provides you an opportunity to experience the local culture of the region. The village is smaller one with a population of 588 people. It is 27 km away from Rohru, the nearest town to the place. The wooden houses and temples with carving and slate roof are unique and resembles to that of Kinnauri architecture. Roam around the village once and see the fields, meet villagers and experience the mystic and serene aura at the Devi Durga Temple nearby. Devour the local food at home-stay for the dinner  

 

 

Buckle up as early as possible and witness the fresh and pure life of villagers in Pabbar valley. Stock up clear water bottles with you as the trek does not offer clear water sources for you. Start the trek of five to six hours with moderate ascends towards Saru Lake. As you climb500 meters, you leave behind the apple orchards to lovely woods and then the dense forest turns into the Mix vegetation. The three hours climb will take you the diversion of Chashal Pass and Saru Tal Lake. Take the mount from the diversion trails to barren and rock strewn flank to be at the exotic Saru Tal Lake, saucer-lake atop the hill in next three hours. The mountains around are looking as if you can touch them. Take a seat, and applaud yourself for your hard earned presence there and eyewitness the lake and other beautiful spots where nature is giving its best shots.  Don’t miss the sunset from the Lake. Descend the trail little to camp nearby Lake and call it a day to relax in a flowery Green thach and ponder upon the scene you captured to be remembered lifelong like Wordsworth’s daffodils. 

Start the trek with a moderate ascends towards the diversion on the well marked shepherd trail. Take the 3 hours trail leading to Chanshal and see the western slopes of the Chanshal massif covered with dense forests narrowing off to velvet-smooth pastures Thach on top with beautiful flowers and green grass. Explore, a snowy gorgeousness at a high altitude of 3,755 (12,467ft) above the sea level. Named after the valley, the pass sits atop Chanshal Peak, which at 4,520 meters (14,830 ft) and the scenic view of valleys and mountains in Uttarakhand valley to the right and in Himachal to the left is pristine.   Visit the temple (Deothi) made of stone and wood carving at the gateway to Chanshal with a deeply revered meter high idol of an eight armed goddess made from rich alloy metal. The lakes and nearby areas of the forest are believed to be abode of Kali and thus it is quite different from the  deothis you may see at Village god Sandar Bharedi Naag Devta Mandir  at Shiladesh, Vyansar Temple at Chirgaun, Banashira mander Larot and many more. Talking of picturesque setting, the sunset in snow-covered mountains, forests and valley with its streams, houses and forest are ecstatic. Enjoy the snow patches and play in it. Take an off and enjoy a night in your camp watching star so bright and near. It assures you to mesmerize you with its natural settings. Chanshal pass is hot spot now as recently, it has also been recognized as one of the best spots for skiing in Himachal Pradesh as it has ideal slope stretches up to 12 kilometers.  Moreover the government is also drawing a plan for a ski resort in the valley.

Descend and reach the road to take the waiting vehicles for your next destination at Shimla or you may walk down by the trees to reach Larot and see the deothi at Larot before heading back to Shimla. In next five hours you will be at Shimla with a sense of achievement.

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