NARKANDA – TIKKER – ROHRU – CHANSHAL PASS

AN INTRODUCTION

There is a saying in the mountains which goes like ‘the valley is inviting you’. And yes indeed if you have heard the Indian Classical Music album by Shiv-Hari ‘The call of the valley’ our adventure here will invoke that spirit of joy and a prevailing sense of happiness thereafter. There was no road to Chanshal or Larot until a few years ago. Trekking was the only possibility. Now there is a rest house at Larot and a road that goes past the Chanshal Pass 4600mts into the tribal regions of Dodra and Kwar, twin villages which live and breathe in a time of their own. The western slopes of the Chanshal massif are covered with dense forests, tapering off to velvet-smooth pastures on top. There’s a small stone temple on top. The other, eastern flank is barren and rock strewn, but after a descent of about 500 meters the forests claim the landscape again. Our short and exciting ride starts from Narkanda, winding its way through orchards and pine forests to Baghi, from where we ride on the ridgeline to descend towards Rohru, by the banks of the river Pabbar. The second day is an adrenalin rush as we ride towards the Chanshal pass, an exhilarating and challenging 62kms ride. The next morning we scale the 4520m Chanshal peak and thereafter drive back to Shimla. Expect the best hospitality with great meals and camaraderie, and a night under the stars with camping on the sprawling glades of Chanshal pass.

THE ITINERARY

DAY 00

Board the evening Volvo bus for Shimla from Himachal Bhavan, Safdar Hashmi Marg, New Delhi.

DAY 01 Shimla – Narkanda (drive 65kms) Narkanda – Rohru (Ride 77kms)

Arrive in Shimla at 5:30AM, meet our representative and board cabs to transfer to Narkanda (65kms-2hours). Arrive at Narkanda, refresh yourself and after a hearty breakfast start the ride by 10:00AM. First up is the 18kms to Baghi most of it uphill, followed by another mix of uphill and downhill riding towards tikker from where it’s a breezy downhill of 29kms to Rohru, on the banks of the river Pabbar. O/N Hotel

DAY 02   Rohru to Larot to Chanshal pass (ride 62kms)

It’s a 62kms long ride today so we start really early at 6:00AM and have our breakfast at Chirgaon 15kms away. Here we cross the river and ride towards Larot crossing the Andhra stream enroute. Chanshal Pass is 18kms from here through switchbacks cut through glades. Be careful as all of this is offroad. We reach the pass by late afternoon and set up camp. We light a bonfire in the evening and prepare our favorites in the kitchen with some grilled on the bonfire trout too. O/N camp

DAY 03  Climb Chanshal Peak. Chanshal Pass to Rohru to Shimla (120kms)

We rise early and attempt to climb atop the Chanshal Peak (4520m), two hours. We just scaled the highest peak in Shimla district. Hike back down and we bid adieu to Chanshal and drive back to Shimla making a halt at Rohru for lunch. Drive further to reach Shimla in time (19:30hrs) to catch the Volvo bus back to Delhi.

INCLUSIONS

1. Mountain Bikes (Canondale, GT, Trek, Scott Hardtail Bikes)
2. 2 Support Vehicles (Equipment, Luggage, Back up)
3. An Outdoor Concierge who is also your Mountain Cycling expert in the mountains.
4. First aid/Medical Support. We carry all emergency medicines/supplies and oxygen cylinders. In a situation demanding more than this all our routes have primary and community health centers.
5. Hydration and Cycling Nutrition Support (Chocolates, Dry Fruit Packs, Energy bars / Chikki, bottled water, juice, ORS, fruits)
6. Accommodation on twin sharing basis. (In hotels, B&B, Tents as mentioned in the itinerary)
7. Welcome Kit (T shirt, Sipper, Cap)

EXCLUSIONS

1. GST
2. Insurance
3. Personal Expenses (tips, non alcoholic/alcoholic beverages etc.)
4. Costs arising due to landslides, route/road closure, bad weather, act of God.
5. Evacuation if any, during an emergency.
6. Transport other than mentioned in the itinerary.

ADD – ONS (at an extra cost, Please enquire if you require any add-on to make your trip a notch above our standard offering.)

• Single Supplement (a tent all to yourself or a room, maybe!. Subject to availability.)
• Return Volvo tickets (to and fro from Delhi, Chandigarh or Shimla, Manali and Dharamshala)
• Pick up and Drop services.
• Masseur (Ayurveda massage for the evenings after the ride/walk)
• Physiotherapist
• Yoga instructor and Specialist. An introductory  Yoga session/s for the duration of your trip in the outdoors.
• Extensions to your holiday planning.