Ookhal Trek

The sun rises over the peaks of the GHNP. Don’t miss out on this !
After a copious breakfast everything is packed and you start your second walking day. The first step is Kauni, a very nice small summit 350 m above Rangthar.
The way to Kauni is the steeper ascending trail of the entire trek. Don’t feel discouraged, it is steep but you will be reaching Kauni very fast and you will be rewarded by the view and the beauty of the forest around.

After Kauni it is a very pleasant hike up to Kundri. You go through a golden oak forest that sporadically let you observe the giant Himalayan mountains that appear closer and closer.
You have a choice of camp site : Kundri or Marahni. According to the weather, snow conditions, water availability and your physical fitness you decide with your guide where to camp. Both meadows are great for camping.
If you reach the Marahni meadow it is worth climbing up to the Marahni top (3670 m) before the sunset to admire the entire valley illuminated with golden sun rays.

From your camp have a walk up to Marahni top to Enjoy the spectacular 360° view.
The entire Tirthan valley with its surrounding snow-capped mountains above 5000 m height, one side. The lower green Himalayas and even the plains of Punjab on the other side. If you never reached a high peak in your life you will never forget the pleasure of reaching Marahni !
After enjoying the scenery your guide will take you on the way to the pass for the Tirthan valley. You move towards the pass on an impressive ridge. Then you suddenly discover the sceneries of the Sainj valley.

Be cautious around the pass some parts of the trails are exposed to heights. You continue on the ridge that separates the Tirthan valley from the Sainj valley. Today is definitively a scenic day !
Leave the ridge and go down to a small meadow : Ookhal Thach. Just relax, your trekking staff take care of everything. Dinner and night at the camp with a bonfire.

Today is a shorter/easier but very nice day. After your breakfast you packed up the camp and have a pleasant hike on the ridge of the mountain.
The path weaves in between meadows and forest. It is an ideal day to observe birds and other wildlife. Get your camera ready. You never know what may appear and at what precise time.
The Western Tragopan might be on the list of the special guests. Footprints of Bear and droppings of Leopard are commonly found on this trail.

The sceneries remain stunning. You are still far from any civilization. You stop nearby a very beautiful small lake where you will have your last camp. The lake is called the Sara lake.

Today you need to reach the village Shangarh. From the lake you have a very steep descent through a dense forest. After 800 m of descent you finally reach a small village.

From there you are again with the local villagers on the paths. You comfortably reach Shangarh after re-climbing 200 m.
Shangarh is an awesome village which has a holy ground naturally clear from any trees or bushes despite of the proximity of an invasive forest.
Pay a visit to the temple that lies at the extreme north of the ground. Be blessed by the local deities after having travelled a unique part of the Himalayas.