Route and Distance Info

Fixed route and Distance

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

Streams

The trek has many snow fed rivulets, brooks and streams with major river (Rupin) 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, Ghatsari, Shiladesh, Larot to be at Chanshal Pass whereas you will enter the Kharshali village to end your trek. 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.

Saru Tal Lake Trek 

Saru Tal lake trek is a road less travelled by and offers an experience of indefinable blend of myth and reality. The astonishing folk tales, charming houses and temple architecture, towering snow covered mountains, pulse racing trekking, fruit-laden orchards protected by dense forest, picturesque hamlets, traditional culture and innocent inhabitants of Pabbar valley, is hypnotic. 

 To roam around in the well reputed beautiful place is awesome but to serves the nomadic appetite one needs to find a Never-land and Himalayas offers a great opportunity for that. Though Shimla in Himachal Pradesh holds a pre-eminent position in world tourist spots due to its picturesque Victorian-era architecture and scenic beauty but the real gems of Shimla are still to be explored. So this year pack your bags and be an explorer to taste the genuine and soul satisfying picturesque settings. The adventurous treks, the heavenly scenic beauty, the pure and serene culture in align with the untainted and beautiful nature is waiting, just 160 miles away from Shimla. 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 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 Chanshal Pass is a high altitude trek and need some trekking skills to reach the Saru Tal Lake, so in the morning  gear up and have some acclimatization and physical activities to warm up for the trek. Fill your water bottles as after the training session the group drives towards next destination Chanshal pass passing Chirgaun, Sandhasu, Tikri by crossing the river Pabbar to Ghatsari, Shiladesh, Larot to Chanshal. Take a halt Chanshal pass is a big place to explore. It is 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 metres (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.  The lakes and nearby areas of the forest are believed to be abode of goddess Kali and thus the beautiful wood carved temple (Deothi) with a deeply revered meter high idol of an eight armed goddess made from rich alloy metal, at the gateway to Chansal is quite different from the deo this of SandarBharediNaagDevta Mandir  at Shiladesh, JakhDevtaShib Temple at  Dodra,  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. This cliff road remains open from May to October and is covered with snow for the rest of the year but best time is MayJune and September-October. The pass is easily accessible from Larot, the nearby village but the steep road with mixed vegetation is with a fair amount of freshly laid tar but the rocky, boulder climb is extremely steep at places. Recentely, Chanshal has also been recognized as one of the best spots for skiing in Himachal Pradesh as it has ideal slope stretches up to 12 kilometres.  Moreover the government is also drawing a plan for a ski resort in the valley.

 

The Morning at Chanshal pass is something you will never forget as the pass offer a beautiful luxury of sunrise and its beautiful aura spreading all around the hills, valleys below, and far off mountains just from one place as has a 360 degree view. All hills on the top are connected to each other and are easily accessible on foot. 

Now buckle up and refill your bottles well as you do not get drinkable water in between. Take the well marked shepherd trail 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. The 3 hour ascend trail diverge into one way towards Saru Tal Lake and another one towards Karshali. Take left and climb the trail for 2 more hours and you are at exotic Saru Tal Lake, saucer-lake atop the hill. The mountains around are looking as if you can touch them Sit down,  take pleasure in your hard earned presence there and eyewitness the lake and other beautiful spots where nature is giving its best shots.  Descend the trail little nearby Lake to camp and call it a day to see the sunset and stay in a flowery Green thach. Relax and ponder upon your scene you captured to be with you for lifetime like Wordsworth’s daffodils. 

Start the day with moderate descends towards Kharshali. From the diversion trails will take you to the village in two hours. The flank is barren and rock strewn, but after a descent of about 500 meters the forests claim the landscape again and the Mix vegetation turns to a beautiful forest as we enter the premises of civilization near Kharshali Village. The village is a smaller one with a population of 588 people. It is 27 km away from Rohru, the nearest town to the place. The deothiof Village god is must to see. The wooden houses and temples with carving and slate roof are unique and resembles to that of Kinnauri architecture. Roam around the village once before getting in to your travel vehicle taking you back to Shimla by the evening. 

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