The Himalayas, passing through Himachal Pradesh, make the state an ideal destination for myriad adventure sports, and one such sport is trekking. This is perhaps the best way to come face to face with snow-clad mountain peaks and explore the natural bounties of this state. The Jalsu Pass Trek in Himachal Pradesh is a 7-day long venture, which takes you to the summit of a high-altitude pass. It also allows you to come across the diverse flora and fauna of the region. Whether planning an adventurous getaway with friends or a thrilling vacation with family, the trek to Jalsu Pass is a great option.

Beginning from the town of Chamba, you first drive to Chhatrari Village, to pay homage at Shakti Devi Temple. From here, you proceed to Holi village, ending the day in the village of Deol. The second day of the Jalsu Pass trekking will take you to the tribal village of Nayagran, leaving you fascinated with the life of these tribal people. You will be amazed to see how cut off these people are from the modern world. This day ends with camping in Surai Village.

The 8-km long hike through serene meadows on the third day will become an unforgettable memory. You will enjoy every second of the uphill trek to Yaragot. From Yaragot, the base of the Jalsu Pass is only a 3-hour walk; hence, you will have plenty of time here to acclimatise to the high altitude. As you arrive at the summit of Jalsa Pass on the fifth day, you will be left awestruck by the natural views.

The downhill trek beginning from here takes you to Parai by the end of the day. The sixth day concludes with you reaching the artists’ village of Andretta, after passing Uttarall. In the village, you have enough time to explore its heritage and meet the various artists living here. From here, you drive to Dharamshala, where this amazing adventure finishes, leaving you with pleasant memories for life.

The two highlights of this trek are the villages you visit and the vistas you capture on the trail. The trek is graded moderate; hence, it demands some more than average physical fitness. The best time to go for this expedition is from April to June and from September to mid-November. The monsoon rain makes the trek manifolds difficult; therefore, it is better to avoid trekking during that period. The journey to Jalsu Pass is one of the most popular treks in Dharamshala; one hour on the trail, and you will know why.

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Itinerary:

Day 01: Chamba – Chhatrari – Holi – Deol
Beginning from the small town of Chamba, the starting point of many treks in Dharamshala, you first drives to the Chhatrari village, known for the revered Shakti Devi Temple. After visiting the shrine, continue your road journey and drive to the Deol village, passing the village of Holi. Spend the night in the campsite, under the starry Himalayan sky.

Day 02: Deol – Nayagran – Surai
Today on the Jalsu Pass Trek in Himachal Pradesh expedition, your foot journey begins as you start walking towards Nayagran. Just an hour on the road and you will arrive at the tribal village. Here, you can interact with the local people to learn about their way of life. Also, visit the small temple at the end of the village, and take blessings for your journey ahead.
Here onwards, you have a steep descend, and you will also have to cross a small stream over a wooden bridge. After you cross the stream, a climb will take you to the small village called Surai. The overnight stay will be in camps in the village.

Day 03: Surai to Yaragot
Leaving Surai behind, go on an uphill trek, which will take you through lush meadows. This section of the Jalsu Pass trekking expedition will be a treat for the senses, as you breathe in the refreshing air and see sky-piercing mountains. After walking for about 8 km, you will arrive at Yaragot, where you will camp for the night.

Day 04: Yaragot to Jalsu Pass Base
On this day of the trek to Jalsu Pass, you can relax and spend time acclimatising to the high altitude weather. After you leave from Yaragot, an approximately 3-hour hike will get you to the base of the pass.  Here, admire nature, spend quality time with your fellow trekkers and stay the night.

Day 05: Jalsu Pass Base – The Summit of the Pass – Parai
A short ascent of about 1.5 hours will take you to the summit of the pass, from where you will capture sights of high Himalayan Mountains on one side and pristine valleys on the other. During the months of March and April, the area is covered in thick snow, which you will have to navigate to get here. After spending some time here and clicking a few pictures, begin your trek to Parai. Descending from here will take about three to four hours.

Day 06: Parai – Uttarall – Andretta
Start your day with a hearty breakfast, and then embark on a four-hour walk to Uttarall, where your automobile will be waiting for you. On reaching here, board the vehicle and drive to Andretta, an artists’ village. The place, where the famous Irish artist, Norah Richards, shifted in the early 20^th century. The village attracts painters and theatre practitioners from all over the world. Later, spend the night at the guesthouse.

Day 07: Andretta to Dharamshala | Visit to the Dalai Lama Temple
Spend the morning exploring the Andretta village, and meeting various artists. In the afternoon, drive to Dharamshala. After about two hours on the road, you will arrive in the serene hill station. On reaching here, rest at the hotel, and in the evening visit the Dalai Lama Temple. At this point, your trek ends as you disperse for your next destination.