The short answer
Buran Ghati Trek: what visitors should know first
Go if you are a fit trekker with some high-altitude experience. It takes about seven days from Janglik to Barua. The descent from the pass is a near-vertical snow wall that is usually done on a fixed rope. Not for anyone with heart, lung, knee or balance problems.
History and context
The story behind Buran Ghati Trek
Buran Ghati is a pass of about 4,575 m between the Pabbar valley above Rohru in Shimla district and the Baspa valley in Kinnaur. Shepherds still graze flocks on the high meadows, called thach, along its approach.
Useful facts
Buran Ghati Trek facts at a glance
- Location
- Janglik (Rohru) to Barua near Sangla
- Altitude
- About 4,575 m (15,000 ft)
- Experience type
- Pass trek
- Known for
- Dayara meadows, Chandranahan lake and a roped snow descent
- Time or schedule
- About 7 days; May–June and September–October
Why it matters
Why Buran Ghati Trek is worth your time
Buran Ghati joins two very different landscapes: the green, forested Pabbar valley with its open grazing meadows, and the drier, rockier Kinnaur side. The Dayara meadows are some of the broadest in the region.
The high pastures are still used by shepherds in summer, as they have been for generations. Pitch tents away from their camps, keep dogs and flocks undisturbed, and carry out all waste. The trek also ends close to Sangla, a pleasant base for a rest day afterwards.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Dayara meadows
Wide high pastures where shepherds graze flocks in summer.
- 02
Chandranahan lake
High snow-fed lakes reached on a day walk from Litham.
- 03
Snow-wall descent
A steep drop from the pass, usually done on a fixed rope.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Treks start at Janglik, a village at about 2,800 m reached by road from Shimla via Rohru. The first days climb to the wide meadows of Dayara and on to Litham, at about 3,500 m, with many groups taking a day walk from Litham to the snow-fed Chandranahan lakes, at about 4,030 m.
From Litham the route climbs to the high camp at Dunda, at about 4,025 m. Pass day crosses Buran Ghati at about 4,575 m (15,000 ft) and then drops down a steep snow or ice wall, normally descended on a fixed rope with a harness, before easier ground leads to Manerang camp. The last day goes down to the road head at Barua, a short drive from Sangla.
Go with an experienced operator who carries rope and safety gear for the descent. Early-summer snow makes the pass harder, and the monsoon months are avoided.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Book with an operator that carries rope and harnesses
- Arrange road transport to Janglik and from Barua
- Keep a spare day for weather
- Pack full cold-weather gear
- Carry all litter out
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Starts at Janglik (Rohru, Shimla district); ends at Barua, near Sangla in Kinnaur
- Time needed
- About 7 days, plus a spare day for weather
- Best time
- May to June and September to October
- Walking level
- Demanding
- Senior comfort
- Not suitable for most older travellers: the days are long, the camps are high and cold, and the descent from the pass uses ropes on steep snow. Older parents can stay in Sangla, walk the flat Baspa riverside and visit nearby villages, and meet the trekkers when they come down at Barua.
- Tickets and access
- Several forest permits are needed on the Shimla and Kinnaur sides; operators and registered guides normally arrange them. Confirm current fees and rules locally before setting out.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Buran Ghati Trek
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Not suitable for most older travellers: the days are long, the camps are high and cold, and the descent from the pass uses ropes on steep snow. Older parents can stay in Sangla, walk the flat Baspa riverside and visit nearby villages, and meet the trekkers when they come down at Barua.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Where does the Buran Ghati trek start?
At Janglik, reached by road from Shimla via Rohru.
Where does it end?
At the Barua road head in the Baspa valley, a short drive from Sangla.
Is the descent dangerous?
The drop from the pass is a steep snow or ice wall. With a fixed rope, harness and an experienced guide it is managed safely, but it is not for nervous walkers.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
