Kugti Pass trek takes you on a joyous and eventful trip through pristine glaciers and gushing streams, and it lets you enjoy scenic views of nature at its best. Kugti Pass is located at an elevation of around 16000 feet above sea level in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas. The excursion officially starts from Bharmour village, situated in the district of Chamba. On arrival here, check-in at the hotel and in the evening, visit the famous Chaurasi Temple – named after the 84 shrines in the complex. After dinner and overnight stay at the hotel, leave for Kugti village in the morning. Take a taxi to Hadsar village, from where the trek to Kugti Pass begins.

Following a short stop for tea at Dhanaul, the Kugti Pass trekking tour continues. Crossing numerous streams via bridges and treading through lush forests, reach the beautiful Kugti village where you stay overnight. Post breakfast, proceed for Duggi and stay overnight here. The next stop on the journey is Alyas, called Lahesh by the local people. It is open grassland with many species of alpine flowers growing here. After reaching Alyas and spending the night here, begin the most important part of the hike to Kugti Pass. Enjoy the marvellous view of the vast Himalayan ranges and Mount Manimahesh Kailash from the top.

After spending some time at the peak, leave for Kodlu Alyas, located in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. The hiking part of the Kugti Pass trekking itinerary ends at Jobrang village, which is your next destination. Drive out to Manali from Jobrang, from where you can continue your onward journey.

Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Bharmour
The first location, you reach on your Kugti Pass trekking tour, is the village of Bharmour in the district of Chamba. Situated at an altitude of about 7000 feet, it is known for its scenic beauty and ancient temples, some of which date back to the 10th century. Post reception and a welcome drink, transfer to the hotel for check-in and relaxation.

In the evening, a trip to Chaurasi Temple, believed to have been constructed in the 7th century, will be organised. The temple complex is named Chaurasi because there are 84 individual shrines here. These temples house idols deities like Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman and Lord Krishna. After the aarti return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 02: Bharmour – Hadsar – Kugti (approx. 20 km)
After an early breakfast, start a scenic drive through the Himalayas. The journey will take you to the Hadsar village, from where you start hiking. Stop in Dhanaul to relax and enjoy tea, and thereafter continue your Kugti Pass trek. Use a bridge to cross a small stream, and reach Kugti after hiking for about an hour on a rapidly climbing trail. Kugti is a beautiful village divided into upper and lower sections. Enjoy lunch and dinner here while appreciating the incredible scenery of the place. Overnight stay will be arranged at the village itself.

Day 03: Kugti to Duggi
Post breakfast, the Kugti Pass trekking trip continues, and you now leave for Duggi. Cross the Budhil rivulet via a wooden bridge, and thereafter walk upstream along it. Hiking on this trail will lead you to a temple dedicated to Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva. Rest for some time at the shrine before continuing the excursion. Follow the trail, meandering through lush meadows, and then descend to the stream. Cross the rivulet to reach Duggi – a grassy and rocky valley with fir trees visible on mountain slopes. Enjoy lunch and dinner at this fragrant alpine meadow, and stay in the on-site camp at night.

Day 04: Duggi to Alyas
This phase of the trek to Kugti Pass takes you to Alyas, locally called Lahesh. Post breakfast, recommence this on-foot excursion and come across a tributary of Budhil River. Later, pass numerous narrow streams, hopping and jumping from rocks to rocks, on the way to a major stream. Cross this river by means of a bridge, and as you hike ahead, the valley widens with patches of juniper bushes spread throughout.

After an hour of hiking through the valley, the trail takes a sharp turn and reaches a wide stream, which meets the Budhil rivulet. It is photogenic scenery, and you should definitely capture it with your cameras.

Following the trail, which takes you on an even climb, reach the Alyas camping ground. Alyas is an open grassland, home to numerous species of flora, and its location gives a spellbinding view of the surrounding mountains. Enjoy lunch and dinner here, and stay overnight in camps.

Day 05: Alyas – Kugti Pass – Kodlu Alyas
Early in the morning, start hiking from Alyas to Kugti Pass in order to find snow to ease up the hike. The way to the pass goes through a couple of icefalls, and you may also find footprints of cattle, guiding you on the way. Cross loose rocks and blocks of snow, and later climb a steep slope before finally arriving at the pass.

On reaching here, enjoy mesmerising views of the surrounding snow-covered mountains, distant Himalayan ranges and Mount Manimahesh Kailash. The few iron trinkets, bells and pieces of colourful cloth at the top represent the shrine of Goddess Marali Devi, the guardian deity of Kugti Pass. After resting at the summit for a while and having refreshment, start the downhill hike. It takes around two hours to reach Kodlu Alyas – located in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. On reaching Kodlu Alyas, enjoy your meal and stay overnight.

Day 06: Kodlu Alyas – Jobrang – Manali
Continue the trip by crossing a ridge, and head to the Rashil stream. Follow the river downhill towards the beautiful village of Jobrang. On reaching Jobrang, drive to Manali and from here, continue your onward journey.