Trip Overview

On this tour you get an opportunity to hike on the 'trails less traversed' and interact with villagers of 'Soil', the oldest village of Kullu valley and experience their culture and cuisine. 
The trek to ‘Futta Saur’, one of the many lakes on the mountain of lakes, is yet not a popular trek in the mostly still unexplored region of the 'Pir Panjal' range in the Western Himalaya. We'll start walking from Soil village and the trail passes through a thick forest of Oak, Deodar, Pine, Chestnut, Walnut etc and huge alpine meadows to reach the lakes at an altitude of about 14500 feet. 
After the last place where we camp, we will trek alpine style to see these lakes and return to our campsite. We have named these lakes as “elusive”, because even after the first sighting; the Lakes remain elusive and are normally covered in mist. Those who have been fortunate to see the lakes are unable to describe their beauty and charm. 
With a guided tour, we visit the popular attractions of Manali and uncover the best kept secrets of this quaint Himalayan town. The trip also takes us to 'Naggar', the ancient capital of Kullu and 'Soil', the oldest village of the Kullu valley to experience the culture and cuisine of Kullu.

Itinerary

Day 1: Pickup from Patlikuhal bus stop - 'dA Base' - 'Kkoot'

 Homestay

Arrive in Manali and Mountaineerz will be happy to pick you up from Patlikuhal Bus stop (16.5 Kms. shy of Manali) and we will assist you to settle in to dA Base. After refreshments we'll have breakfast by 9 am, over a chat session with the Mountaineerz team and fellow climbers, Get all your questions answered in order to ensure a great trek. Then leave for a guided tour of Naggar, the ancient capital of Kullu. Visit Naggar Castle, Roerich Art Gallery etc. Option of trying the highest zip-lining in India and a high-flying paragliding experience. Drive back to 'dA Base' for late lunch.
Today's walk is short. We'll witness the culture of Kullu Valley as we walk through 'Soil', the oldest village of the Kullu Valley. Visit the beautiful ancient temple of Jamdagni Rishi and Kabir (Kabir was to Rishi Jamdagni like Nandi was to Lord Shiva). No one is allowed to enter the inner sanctum of the temple. Only the pujari (priest) can go there and he too has to be blindfolded. Soil in itself is a charming little village and it is sheer joy to trek across it. 
Try authentic traditional Himachli food for lunch.
In the evening we'll try our hand at angling, the Haripur glacial stream is abundant in trout fish.
Tonight we'll stay in exotically located homestay in a huge orchard by a glacial stream in a thick Oak and Deodar forest. Early Dinner

MEALS

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Trail Course: - 'dA Base' – camp 1

 5 hours  Camping

Max. Altitude: 8,410 feet
From Soil, we start walking towards ‘Camp 1’. The trail is fairly easy and leads up to Guhad. It is a vast expanse of meadows with forests of Kharshu, Walnut, Chestnut, Bhojpatra etc. A trek for about 4-5 hours will lead us to Camp 1. We will pitch our tents here and camp overnight with some bone warming bonfire and lovely dinner with chatter.

MEALS

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Trail Course: camp 1 to camp 2

 5 hours  Camping

Max. Altitude: 10,850 feet
The sun rise at Camp 1 is surreal. Enjoy a high-nutrition breakfast here and charge up for the trek ahead. We start our ascent to Camp 2. The trail runs through dense Oak forests and the pure oxygen almost hurts the lungs☺. The trail will now lead to chowkigarh nalla, a small stream, and we will cross this to reach a lush green meadow amidst a thick forest of predominantly Oak trees. We will pitch our tents here. Take in the beautiful surroundings and explore the surroundings. After some nice warm dinner, snuggle up in your sleeping bags for the night.

MEALS

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Trail Course: Camp 2- camp 3

 6 hours  Camping

Max. Altitude: 12,580 feet
After a morning charge up session and a healthy breakfast, we leave for Camp 3, which is above the tree line. The trail meanders through thick forests of Birch, Rhododendron and Juniper. This region is laden with various rare plants and herbs like Karu, Chora, Patish, Gugal, wild Garlic etc., which are known to have some high medicinal value.
The air is heavily laden with unadulterated oxygen and there is only so much you can do to keep your excitement in check. For those who may need a bit of motivation to keep walking, the sights and sounds and textures of Himalaya will prove to be a fuel enough. We will camp for the night in Camp 3.

MEALS

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Trail Course: Camp 3 - hike to the lakes - camp 3

 8 hours  Camping

Lake 1 – 13,870 feet
Lake 2 – 14,250 feet
Lake 3 – 14,290 feet
Today, we get our much deserved eternal reward when we feast on the sights of natural grandeur that will form memories of a life time. After breakfast, we will trek for about 45 minutes to reach the first lake ‘Batarunaag Saur’. A short walk will bring us to one of the most ethereal lakes. I have chosen to call them “Elusive” as they are almost always hidden in mist and give the illusion that they are just a stone’s throw away. 
The attempt to sight the Elusive Lakes will be done in Alpine style. The terrain here is a bit rocky and not very suitable for camping. So, our tents will remain pitched at camp 3 while we will trek to the lakes and back well in time for dinner and bonfire (if conditions permit). Turn into your sleeping bags and slide into a blissful sleep while atop the Mountain of Lakes. Talk about luxury

MEALS

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Trail Course: Camp 3- Camp 1

 6 hours  Homestay

Max. Altitude: 8,410 feet
Now you can take things at your own pace. Just unwind and chill with some breakfast at Camp 3. From here retrace your steps to reach the camp 1. Pitch tents here and just connect with nature. The challenging part of the trek is over. You have earned the right to celebrate.

MEALS

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Trail Course: Camp 1– – dA Base Base, Haripur

 3 hours  comfortable rooms in 'dA Base'

Max. Altitude: 8,410 feet
After breakfast and some photography at leisure, we will leave camp 1 for dA Base at Haripur via Soil village. Reach dA Base and unwind and celebrate with some hot lunch and a non-stop chatter about our achievement of trekking through the Mountain of Lakes ☺. 
Believe me when I say this, we have earned our celebration because there are very few who can honestly claim to have gone to the Mountain of Lakes and been blessed with the sightings of the mystical lakes.
Later after a hot water bath and freshening up at base, we'll go out on a guided tour of Manali. Today we'll explore Old Manali and have a celebratory dinner at one of the popular cafes there.

MEALS

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Explore Manali - Departure

 Sleeper bus

After a relaxed and hearty breakfast, set off on a guided tour of Manali. Today we'll cover all the not to miss places of Manali including Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple and Vashist.
Or you can choose to just relax at the base camp or go angling, before we part ways here to meet soon for our next adventure.
Take the bus back to Delhi from Manali at 5:00 pm to wrap up your tour.

MEALS

  • Breakfast

Included

  • Pick up and drop from Patlikuhl (16.5 Kms. shy of Manali).
  • Stay in comfortable tents on twin sharing during trek
  • 1 nights stay at ‘dA Base’. Manali in comfortable rooms
  • 1 night in exotically located homestay
  • Angling and bbq of the catch
  • Services of experienced MOI/ BMC qualified lead guide and qualified assistant guide
  • All meals during the trek (nutritious freshly cooked vegetarian)
  • Choice of veg/non-veg food, Bonfire and wood-fire bbq at base
  • Kitchen equipment, cook and helper
  • All the Camping arrangements
  • Wildlife/ environmental permits and other permits & levies.
  • All transportation as per itinerary in local cars and jeeps
  • First aid and oxygen cylinders
    • Guaranteed amazing Himalayan experiential adventure holiday.

Excluded

  • Cost of travel to and from Manali from your city
  • Cost of any form of insurance (Personal/Baggage/Medical)
  • Cost of rescue, evacuation, hospitalization, etc.
  • Any expenses of purely personal nature like laundry, phone/Fax calls, tips to drivers, guides, any beverages.
  • Any expenses that arise due to change in itinerary and increase in no. of days because of natural forces like landslides, weather, roadblocks, flight cancellations, sickness etc.
  • Cost of any optional activity we offer, like paragliding, rafting etc.
  • Porter for your personal bag

Good to Know

PAYMENT

A deposit of 10% is required when booking this tour. The remaining balance will be charged 45 days prior departure. For any bookings within 45 days of departure, the full tour amount will be charged upon booking.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We advise to take out Travel Insurance to cover for any unforeseen circumstances. Bookmundi recommends World Nomads' travel insurance.

OTHER PRACTICAL INFORMATIONWe suggest guests arrive at our base in Haripur, 14 kms from Manali on the Naggar road, the night before the start of the trek. If coming straight to our base in Haripur get down at Patlikuhl bus stand, 14 km short of New Manali bus stand. If driving then just follow google maps to ‘dA Base – Mountaineerz’.All guests are welcome to stay with compliments at ‘dA Base – Mountaineerz’ in Haripur, Manali in rooms on sharing basis the night before commencing the trek and on the last day.Stay in Manali can be upgraded to 4-5* hotel/ cottage on prior notice. Stay and meals cost as applicable.This tour explores some remote destinations in the Himalaya which are at considerably high altitude, with no or limited communication possibility and/or medical facilities nearby.Trekking programs in the Himalayas not necessarily would always run exactly as scheduled. Allow for unplanned long days or early camps due to weather disruptions or similar causes.All participants are recommended to have a travel insurance that covers trekking and wilderness travel.Wear shoes and clothes you are comfortable in and do not forget waterproof jackets and warm clothing.Do not litter the environment. Polythene and plastics are non-biodegradable and unhealthy for the environment and must not be littered or burned and should be carried backSoak up the atmosphere – close your eyes and take in the sights and sounds as you explore and observe

Itinerary

Day 1: Pickup from Patlikuhal bus stop - 'dA Base' - 'Kkoot'

 Homestay

Arrive in Manali and Mountaineerz will be happy to pick you up from Patlikuhal Bus stop (16.5 Kms. shy of Manali) and we will assist you to settle in to dA Base. After refreshments we'll have breakfast by 9 am, over a chat session with the Mountaineerz team and fellow climbers, Get all your questions answered in order to ensure a great trek. Then leave for a guided tour of Naggar, the ancient capital of Kullu. Visit Naggar Castle, Roerich Art Gallery etc. Option of trying the highest zip-lining in India and a high-flying paragliding experience. Drive back to 'dA Base' for late lunch.
Today's walk is short. We'll witness the culture of Kullu Valley as we walk through 'Soil', the oldest village of the Kullu Valley. Visit the beautiful ancient temple of Jamdagni Rishi and Kabir (Kabir was to Rishi Jamdagni like Nandi was to Lord Shiva). No one is allowed to enter the inner sanctum of the temple. Only the pujari (priest) can go there and he too has to be blindfolded. Soil in itself is a charming little village and it is sheer joy to trek across it. 
Try authentic traditional Himachli food for lunch.
In the evening we'll try our hand at angling, the Haripur glacial stream is abundant in trout fish.
Tonight we'll stay in exotically located homestay in a huge orchard by a glacial stream in a thick Oak and Deodar forest. Early Dinner

MEALS

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Trail Course: - 'dA Base' – camp 1

 5 hours  Camping

Max. Altitude: 8,410 feet
From Soil, we start walking towards ‘Camp 1’. The trail is fairly easy and leads up to Guhad. It is a vast expanse of meadows with forests of Kharshu, Walnut, Chestnut, Bhojpatra etc. A trek for about 4-5 hours will lead us to Camp 1. We will pitch our tents here and camp overnight with some bone warming bonfire and lovely dinner with chatter.

MEALS

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Trail Course: camp 1 to camp 2

 5 hours  Camping

Max. Altitude: 10,850 feet
The sun rise at Camp 1 is surreal. Enjoy a high-nutrition breakfast here and charge up for the trek ahead. We start our ascent to Camp 2. The trail runs through dense Oak forests and the pure oxygen almost hurts the lungs☺. The trail will now lead to chowkigarh nalla, a small stream, and we will cross this to reach a lush green meadow amidst a thick forest of predominantly Oak trees. We will pitch our tents here. Take in the beautiful surroundings and explore the surroundings. After some nice warm dinner, snuggle up in your sleeping bags for the night.

MEALS

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Trail Course: Camp 2- camp 3

 6 hours  Camping

Max. Altitude: 12,580 feet
After a morning charge up session and a healthy breakfast, we leave for Camp 3, which is above the tree line. The trail meanders through thick forests of Birch, Rhododendron and Juniper. This region is laden with various rare plants and herbs like Karu, Chora, Patish, Gugal, wild Garlic etc., which are known to have some high medicinal value.
The air is heavily laden with unadulterated oxygen and there is only so much you can do to keep your excitement in check. For those who may need a bit of motivation to keep walking, the sights and sounds and textures of Himalaya will prove to be a fuel enough. We will camp for the night in Camp 3.

MEALS

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Trail Course: Camp 3 - hike to the lakes - camp 3

 8 hours  Camping

Lake 1 – 13,870 feet
Lake 2 – 14,250 feet
Lake 3 – 14,290 feet
Today, we get our much deserved eternal reward when we feast on the sights of natural grandeur that will form memories of a life time. After breakfast, we will trek for about 45 minutes to reach the first lake ‘Batarunaag Saur’. A short walk will bring us to one of the most ethereal lakes. I have chosen to call them “Elusive” as they are almost always hidden in mist and give the illusion that they are just a stone’s throw away. 
The attempt to sight the Elusive Lakes will be done in Alpine style. The terrain here is a bit rocky and not very suitable for camping. So, our tents will remain pitched at camp 3 while we will trek to the lakes and back well in time for dinner and bonfire (if conditions permit). Turn into your sleeping bags and slide into a blissful sleep while atop the Mountain of Lakes. Talk about luxury

MEALS

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Trail Course: Camp 3- Camp 1

 6 hours  Homestay

Max. Altitude: 8,410 feet
Now you can take things at your own pace. Just unwind and chill with some breakfast at Camp 3. From here retrace your steps to reach the camp 1. Pitch tents here and just connect with nature. The challenging part of the trek is over. You have earned the right to celebrate.

MEALS

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Trail Course: Camp 1– – dA Base Base, Haripur

 3 hours  comfortable rooms in 'dA Base'

Max. Altitude: 8,410 feet
After breakfast and some photography at leisure, we will leave camp 1 for dA Base at Haripur via Soil village. Reach dA Base and unwind and celebrate with some hot lunch and a non-stop chatter about our achievement of trekking through the Mountain of Lakes ☺. 
Believe me when I say this, we have earned our celebration because there are very few who can honestly claim to have gone to the Mountain of Lakes and been blessed with the sightings of the mystical lakes.
Later after a hot water bath and freshening up at base, we'll go out on a guided tour of Manali. Today we'll explore Old Manali and have a celebratory dinner at one of the popular cafes there.

MEALS

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Explore Manali - Departure

 Sleeper bus

After a relaxed and hearty breakfast, set off on a guided tour of Manali. Today we'll cover all the not to miss places of Manali including Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple and Vashist.
Or you can choose to just relax at the base camp or go angling, before we part ways here to meet soon for our next adventure.
Take the bus back to Delhi from Manali at 5:00 pm to wrap up your tour.

MEALS

  • Breakfast

Included

  • Pick up and drop from Patlikuhl (16.5 Kms. shy of Manali).
  • Stay in comfortable tents on twin sharing during trek
  • 1 nights stay at ‘dA Base’. Manali in comfortable rooms
  • 1 night in exotically located homestay
  • Angling and bbq of the catch
  • Services of experienced MOI/ BMC qualified lead guide and qualified assistant guide
  • All meals during the trek (nutritious freshly cooked vegetarian)
  • Choice of veg/non-veg food, Bonfire and wood-fire bbq at base
  • Kitchen equipment, cook and helper
  • All the Camping arrangements
  • Wildlife/ environmental permits and other permits & levies.
  • All transportation as per itinerary in local cars and jeeps
  • First aid and oxygen cylinders
    • Guaranteed amazing Himalayan experiential adventure holiday.

Excluded

  • Cost of travel to and from Manali from your city
  • Cost of any form of insurance (Personal/Baggage/Medical)
  • Cost of rescue, evacuation, hospitalization, etc.
  • Any expenses of purely personal nature like laundry, phone/Fax calls, tips to drivers, guides, any beverages.
  • Any expenses that arise due to change in itinerary and increase in no. of days because of natural forces like landslides, weather, roadblocks, flight cancellations, sickness etc.
  • Cost of any optional activity we offer, like paragliding, rafting etc.
  • Porter for your personal bag

Good to Know

PAYMENT

A deposit of 10% is required when booking this tour. The remaining balance will be charged 45 days prior departure. For any bookings within 45 days of departure, the full tour amount will be charged upon booking.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We advise to take out Travel Insurance to cover for any unforeseen circumstances. Bookmundi recommends World Nomads' travel insurance.

OTHER PRACTICAL INFORMATIONWe suggest guests arrive at our base in Haripur, 14 kms from Manali on the Naggar road, the night before the start of the trek. If coming straight to our base in Haripur get down at Patlikuhl bus stand, 14 km short of New Manali bus stand. If driving then just follow google maps to ‘dA Base – Mountaineerz’.All guests are welcome to stay with compliments at ‘dA Base – Mountaineerz’ in Haripur, Manali in rooms on sharing basis the night before commencing the trek and on the last day.Stay in Manali can be upgraded to 4-5* hotel/ cottage on prior notice. Stay and meals cost as applicable.This tour explores some remote destinations in the Himalaya which are at considerably high altitude, with no or limited communication possibility and/or medical facilities nearby.Trekking programs in the Himalayas not necessarily would always run exactly as scheduled. Allow for unplanned long days or early camps due to weather disruptions or similar causes.All participants are recommended to have a travel insurance that covers trekking and wilderness travel.Wear shoes and clothes you are comfortable in and do not forget waterproof jackets and warm clothing.Do not litter the environment. Polythene and plastics are non-biodegradable and unhealthy for the environment and must not be littered or burned and should be carried backSoak up the atmosphere – close your eyes and take in the sights and sounds as you explore and observe