Raktisar Trek
Raktisar Trek
Start your trek on the Raktisar Trek, an expedition leading towards the source of the Sainj River deep within the Great Himalayan National Park in Himachal Pradesh. Raktisar Trek is one of the most beautiful in terms of natural beauty, filled with diverse wildlife such as rare animal and bird species, and gorgeous flower and plant varieties. Walking along this trek takes visitors through dense oak and pine forest, lush grasslands, mountain meadows, and glaciers before eventually arriving at Raktisar camp at 3900m, where two glaciers join together to form Sainj River – an offshoot of Beas River. Campsite located between Sainj and Tirthan valleys, this trek is perfect for adventurers and nature enthusiasts looking to uncover its mysteries of folklore and folktale. Additionally, this excursion gives insight into mythologies that influence village residents’ daily lives. Raktisar campsite is an idyllic retreat, offering breathtaking views of glaciers, valleys, and mountain peaks from its campsite. At night, the stars shine magnificently upon the glacier surface for an unforgettable adventure – the ideal time to embark on the Raktisar Trek is either April through June or September until November.
Trek Itinerary
Day 1 – Mandi to Niharni – 70 km Drive, Niharni (1770 meters) to Shakti (2260 2260 m) is a 4-hour trek.
Breakfast will be at 7am at Mandi, embarking on a scenic 70 kms journey to Niharni Village located in Sainj Valley – taking about four hours and arriving at Shakti Campsite with simple trekking huts for overnight camping amidst lush forest, wildlife and scenic beauty. Sainj River will serve as our constant companion during our travels, with night spent outside sleeping under tents.
Day 2: Shakti from Maraur 2560 meters
Travel along the Sainj River until we arrive at Maraur Camping Site and settle into our tents for the night.
Day 3: Maraur to Parkachi Thatch 3040 m
Today’s journey will lead us to the breathtaking Parkachi Thatch campsite, an expansive meadow filled with vibrant flowers and grasses. As we climb the hill, trees begin to fade into the distance, revealing vast alpine scenes that will become even more impressive upon nightfall when our campsite will be set up in our camping tents.
Day 4. Parkachi Thatch to Raktisar 3900 m
As you ascend uphill, the road becomes rougher and may be covered in snow depending on the time of year. Once in GNHP you may spot different species such as blue sheep, musk deer and Himalayan Thar, by midday you will arrive at Raktisar campsite which lies near where two glaciers meet near Sainj River’s source and spend your remaining hours discovering this stunning camp before resting peacefully for the night in your tents.
Day 5 Raktisar to Parkachi Thatch
Return to Parkachi Thatch and prepare your campsite for the night.
Day 6 Parkachi Thatch to Shakti
After lunch, we head down to Shakti and spend the night there.
Day 7 Shakti to Niharni – Niharni to Mandi by Drive
Today we will trek until Niharni, where your transport will wait to return you back to Mandi. In this momentous occasion, it is our privilege and responsibility to say farewell and say our final farewells to each one of you.
How To Reach
By Road: By road to Auto (NH-3 near Kullu).
Auto offers visitors an opportunity to travel to the Sainj Valley.
Travel through Shangarh and Barshangarh (both base villages 2-3 hours from Aut) with the local jeep.
By Train: Nearest Railhead: Joginder Nagar (limited connectivity).
An ideal option would be flying into either Chandigarh or Pathankot and taking either a taxi or a bus ride directly.
By Air: For passengers arriving by plane, Bhuntar (Kullu) Airport is approximately 60 km away from Shangarh. Chandigarh Airport offers limited flights, as there is limited seating available.
Best Time to Visit
Mid-May to Mid-October (inclusive of June)
In June, we witnessed melting snow, lush green valleys, and blooming rhododendrons.
September-October: Clear skies, golden meadows, and lower temperatures make September and October ideal months for outdoor adventures.
Be wary that in July and August, heavy monsoon rainfalls can create slippery treks prone to landslides.
Trek Highlights
- Raktisar is a sacred glacier and source of the Raktisar River that is considered a legendary battlefield from the Mahabharata epic.
- Great Himalayan National Park. This park provides shelter to Himalayan animals such as blue sheep, snow leopards (rarely observed), monals, blue sheep and medicinal flora.
- Camping sites like Dhel Thatch and Parkuni Thatch provide stunning landscapes of meadows and starry skies for camping lovers to experience the great outdoors.
- Cultural Value There is great cultural significance to local interactions in eco-zone villages such as Shakti and Marore.
- Mythological Significance This region is associated with legends involving Pandavas and Rakti.
Dates For Upcoming Treks
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Know Everything About Acute Mountain Sickness
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