Kanamo Peak Trekking

Leh Ladak

Climb up a trek to the Mt Kanamo Peak! Short in nature, it is one of the ideal ways to enjoy a 6,000m experience of trekking in India. The Kanamo Peak trek trail opens up many splendours of the mighty Himalayas. Adding to the entire experience is the trekking experience to mesmeric Chandratal and camping by the water body. You will be making your way through Spiti Valley, passing by old world charmed monasteries and ambling through high hamlets. Those who are interested can engage in rafting in Spiti River.

Initially, during the trekking activity, you will be driven from Manali through Rohtang Pass and Lahaul Valley before arriving at Batal. Then, you enjoy the trek to Chandratal, a high altitude glacial lake that is perched at 4300m. It is named so because of the half-moon shape and is ringed with mountains and many shepherd camps making for a divine sight.

Though non-technical, the climb does require you to put in efforts. Rewarding you are the great views of faraway Kullu, Kinnaur and Ladakh.

Manimahesh Treking Details

Manimahesh Lake also known as Dal Lake is situated close to the Mani Mahesh Kailash Peak in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas at an elevation of 4,080 metres.  It is located in the Bharmour subdivision of Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh.  This place has a religious significance because lake is next to that of the Lake Manasarovar in Tibet. The lake is a chosen pilgrimage trek during the month of August and September corresponding to the month of Bhadon according to Hindu calendar.  A popular legend claims that Lord Shiva created Mani Mahesh after he married Goddess Parvati and also performed penance on the banks of Mani Mahesh Lake. The most popular adopted route is the Bhanrlour-Hadsar-Manimahesh route which involves a 13 kilometers track from Hadsar village to the Manimahesh Lake.  Pilgrims also start trekking from Lahaul and Spiti pass through Kugti pass. Those coming from Kangra and Mandi take the Karwarsi pass or Jalsu pass via Tyari village, near Holi in Bharmour.  However, the route from Chamba via Bharmour is the easiest one.

In the month of May, Scorching sun and heat waves make life extremely sullen in the northern plane of India. In an attempt of escaping from harsh summers, I decided to pick an easy trek in Himachal Pradesh along with a friend.  After weighing different options, we settled to trek Manimahesh Lake which lies at a moderate altitude (4080 meter) and quoted as an easy trek. We studied the trek thoroughly to avoid any last time blunders but still we were missing something which we realized in next couple of days. Manimahesh Lake lies at the bottom of Mount Kailash which is believed as a home of Lord Shiva. Its inscription in Holy Scriptures of Hindu religion makes Manimahesh Lake a highly revered pilgrimage site. Despite of its challenging geographic settings, thousands of pilgrims visits Manimahesh Lake every year during August/September which is also popular as Manimahesh Yatra. Sadly for us, piles of plastic bottles scattered all over the trail were the only reminiscence from last yearYatra.

The Kinner Kailash Shivlingam

The Kinner Kailash Shivlingam, one of the mythical abodes of Lord Shiva, is a 79 foot vertical rock in the Kinner Kailash mountain range. On a clear day, one can see the Shivlingam which changes color during the course of the day. This Rock face is in between the 20,000 ft Kinner Kailash ranges of Mt. Kailash (19,850 ft) & Mt. Jorkanden (21,237 ft).

There is a logical route which is taken by pilgrims and locals of the region to reach this holy rock. This trek can be done in a span of 2 to 3 days.

Trek Facts

Altitude: 

15004 ft (approx)

Trail Type: 

Medium gradients. Steep incline trek going through rocky moraine paths. People with no or less high altitude trekking experience should not attempt this trek.

Rail head: 

Shimla is the nearest rail-head. Shimla to Tangling – 260 Kms. Shimla is connected with narrow gauge line with Kalka.

Road head:

Buses are available from Shimla ISBT. Take a cab/ local bus from Shimla to Powari.(11 Kms before Recong Peo)

Base Camp: 

Reach Tangling Village by bus/car from Shimla

Trek Itinerary: 

Day 1: Tangling Village to Ashiqui Park – 8-9 kms – 5 to 6 hrs
Day 2: Ashiqui Park to Tangling Village – 9-10 kms – 7 to 9 hrs

Best Season: 

Late May till October (Except Monsoon season)

How to do this trek:

Getting to/from: Kinner Kailash trek can be attempted from Tangling village. It’s near Recong Peo- the Head Quarter of Kinnaur District of Himachal Pradesh. You can reach Tangling by crossing a Jhoola pul near Powari 11 km before Recong Peo on National Highway no 21. (Now NH 5). One can reach Tangling by car/taxi by crossing a Bridge near Shogtong, 4km before Powari. Tangling is on left bank of the Sutlej.

Guides and Porters: Guides and Porters can be hired from Recong Peo or Tangling Village.
Total Distance: 17-19 km one way only.
Maximum Elevation: 15004ft – Kinner Kailash Shivling Sphire.
Weather: Depending on the season. Pleasant during the day but at night temperatures may go below 0° Celsius.
Permits: Not Needed.

Trek Summary

Total Duration of the trip:  04 Days

Days on Trek: 02 Nights/03 Days

Maximum Elevation: 3200 Meters Above sea Level

Starting Point of the Trek: Mcleod Ganj (Upper Dharamsala)

Rating:  Easy

Best time: March to December

Triund is situated 9 kms from Bhagsu Nag which is now very famous among  foreigner tourist as a trekking paradise. Triund is name of a ridge in Dhauladhar Himalayas and it shows very close look for Moon peak-Indera Pass . Reaching Triund is very easy for people coming from Punjab. I met Samuel through Internet and contacted him for crossing indrahari Pass which has been told to me as very tough and dangerous. Himalayas is very beautiful but my main emphasis to come in this area after visiting Maharastra, Karnataka, Bihar, Utter Pradesh & now I was going to undertake a Yoga & Meditation as referred to me by a French friend. Meeting Samuel was again a problem as I do knew how he looks like but as he told me in his e-mail that you can not miss his tall frame even in dense crowd. He was not wrong. I spot him when he was coming down from autorickshaw. it was nice meeting him with all his joking, commenting and deep understanding of mountain and weather.

MacleodGanj is seat of His Holiness Dalai Lama of Tibet . Many people visit their monastery which is open for one and all.From Macleodganj ,Bhagsu Nag is just 1 Km and ten minutes walk . Trek starts from here and it gradually winds up for the ridge. It is 7-9 Kms from Bhagsu Nag through different different routes. Avoid using short cuts as while raining,these short cuts proves very very costly-ultimately resulting in some slip or fall.There is well laid trail -follow it- it winds up from Alpine jungle to Rhododendron jungle and slowly slowly you are taken to Triund ridge.

For people coming from planes of Punjab : Temperature at night falls down and wind also is cool. Use your winter clothing as soon as the sun is down. I saw Samuel wearing woolen cloths although it was very comfortable for me.

START : We started from Bhagsu Nag & found young people from various countries enjoy evening/late night walks here. Our sacks were packed-still we purchased some emergency ration and started walking towards eagles point. Samuel had planned to camp at Eagles Crest . This place is vital for people like us who do not wish to live in hotels and guest houses. We pitched our tent and slept. Samuel says cloud formation was not good and pre monsoon disturbance was suspected but we slept to decide in morning about our march to Triund.

WALKING TO TRIUND : It is not easy to walk in sun and moisture as much region of this trek is exposed to east. We started early and by the time sun comes up-we were safe in dense shade of high mountain cliffs. We met many trekkers but found no Indian among them. It's a long walk and gradual ascending to triund which is 9 kms. from Eagles Crest. We reached Triund and I was shocked to see many people know samuel. We camp and had good rest. Clouds were coming down and so was Samuel's face as he was worried about being trapped. I told him that I rely on his decision and if he feels it is not safe to go further -I will not. After dinner-we slept soon. Wind was harsh.

LAKA GLACIER : Next morning, we had clear sky and started early to reach in time as he feels that it weather will pack up very fast. Laka glacier is no more glacier now as there is no snow or glacier like thing there. It's a small moraine and a shepherd pasteur. We reached Laka in two hrs. from Triund. Clouds were coming fast down and within couple of hrs. We were having snowballs banging on our tent. Wind raised gradually and at one time-I was not sure that our tent will stand up that much pressure of wind and snowballs. Somehow we spent a hard night in which he slept peacefully but I could not blink a eye. Whistling wind and sound of snowballs banging was enough to make me shiver. I felt very jealous when I used to see him sleeping as this was normal course in Himalayan life, for him.

RUN BACK : He wake up very early-it was dark outside and I was half awake. He shooked me and told me that this is rt. time for us to leave this place. He says he wants couple of hrs. to leave this exposed area and then he will be happy to see me in safe slopes. We packed our tent in wind and packed it very fast. I never have seen such a fast packing. We started slowly as it was slippery and bit dark too. It was 4.45 AM and we managed to leave triund nonstop. Further descending down..we were back in Macleod Ganj at 1.0 PM. My legs hardly giving me a feeling but he was fine. Sometimes, I looked at him with surprise as he is so slim and tall frame guy. But his jokes and laugh makes him more dearer and I am sure that whenever I will me in India, in Himalayas, we will be trekking together. yes, he had promised me to take me for a climb too.....Yes, he made me climb a rock also. My first lesson of rock climbing.

The breath-taking scenic views are one of the most protuberant features of the valley. 

Kullvi cuisines and the International Dussehra Festival are next on the list.

The history of the valley is interesting in itself. Kullu has been referred to as 'Kulantapitha' meaning 'the territory which marks the end of a Kula (clan)' or 'the end of the habitable world'. 

IN MYTHOLOGIES 

 HISTORY

 Ashoka, the Great Mauryan emperor built many stupas in the valley. The Chinese pilgrim, Hieun Tsang visited Kullu on 600s and described it as 'Kiu-lu-to' which is situated 117 miles away to the north of Jalandhar. The kingdom of Kullu was founded by Behangmuni Pal in 1st century A.D. and was blessed by Goddess Hadimba, who is respected as the Grandmother. He ruled from the capital Jagatsukh, which was later shifted to Naggar.

However, after 1450 AD, Thakurs and Ranas seized the throne of the Pal kings. In 1600s, Sidh Singh emerged as the ruler of Kullu and re-established the Pal dynasty. During the reign of Raja Jagat Singh (1637-72) the famous idol of Rahgunathji was brought from Ayodhya to Kullu. Also, the Shaivite king converted himself into a Vaishnavite and started ruling the Kingdom in the name of Raghunathji. 

        A night view of Beas river..  

Kullu is an abode of nature. Today it is famous for its Apples, shawls, cuisines, tourist destinations and the enchanting beauty which has been captivating the hearts of the visitors since time immemorial. The International Dussehra Festival is the next steal of the show.  It is observed during the month of October, and receives 4-5 lakhs of visitors. It has an interesting history of its own.