Along with the Tirth and Pin Parvati treks, Raktisar is a trek that keeps you riverside up to the sources of the river. Raktisar is the source of the Sainj valley which is a larger and higher catchment basin compared to the Tirthan valley.
The trek is quite long, minimum 7 days in average, but it allows you to enjoy a great diversity of Himalayan Ecosystems from green lush forests of Oak trees to high altitude mountain pastures and glaciers.
There are several extended or alternate routes that you could consider on this trek.
The Dhel meadow is famous for its amazing scenery and the its colorful flowers. From Dhel you can even continue climbing to the pass that gives way to the Tirthan valley. A great trek !
For the most adventurer you can avoid Raktisar and continue to the Naini campsite from where you can climb the local peaks.
Get into the heart of the Great Himalayan National Park
The highest peaks of the GHNP seen from Naini
The Dhel meadow in summer
One of the numerous gods met on the way
Raktisar Trek
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Get into the heart of the Great Himalayan National Park
Raktisar Trek features
Altitudes of your trek
Min : Minimum altitude of your trek.
Max : Maximum altitude of your trek.
Ascent : The difference of altitude between the trek starting point and the highest point of the trek.
Descent : The difference of altitude between the highest point of the trek and the trek ending point.
Difficulty of your trek
Stamina : The physical effort involved during your trek. Rated from 0 (easiest) to 100 (most strenuous). If you have an average fitness you can consider all the treks up to 50. See here for more details
Technical : Difficulty of your trek in terms of exposure to danger and required experience.
0 to 20 : No difficulties,
20 to 40 : Walking on good mountain trails,
40 to 60 : Some walking on difficult mountain trails (steep slopes, rocks, etc.),
60 to 80: You are exposed to some dangers (void, snow, falling rocks, etc.),
80 to 100 : Experience required (please inquire).
Overall : Average between Stamina and Technical rating.
Raktisar trek map
Town or bigger village
Motorable road
Trekking trail
Village
Camping spot
Noticeable peak
Mountain pass
National Park
Raktisar Trek itinerary summary
A riverside trek that takes you up to the feet of the highest peak of the Great Himalayan National Park.
Best time to trek to Raktisar
Best time to trek to Raktisar is from April to June and from October to November.
Raktisar trek itineraries
Raktisar in 8 days
This is the classic itinerary to Raktisar. Please enquire for the alternate routes like the Dhel meadow. |
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| Day 1 | Niharni (1770m) to Shakti (2260m) The trek starts from Niharni in Sainj valley whose charm has been spoiled by an hydroelectric plant. It takes about 4 hours along the beautiful Sainj River to reach the Shakti trekker huts. It is an ideal walking day to get accustomed to the trail and the altitude. The route goes through beautiful forests with amazing biodiversity. Shakti is a small village where resides a very powerfull local god. The god has refused the shifting of both villages Shakti and Maraur at the time of creation of the Park. The tents are pitched up at the comfortable camp site. You enjoy your evening dinner under the stars and then retire for the night to your tent. |
| Day 2 | Shakti (2260m) to Maraur (2560m) On day 2 either one can hike up to Maraur or directly to Parkachi Thach. In case one camps at at Maraur for the night, the day hike can be completed at a relaxed pace. This is advised for those who are not sure about their stamina. The night at Maraur is comfortable like the previous night at Shakti. In case one decides to proceed directly to Parkachi via Maraur in one day, it will be a long day walk. One starts early in the morning after breakfast so that there will be time to halt on the way. Lunch is at Maraur. One reaches Parkachi in the evening. |
| Day 3 | Maraur (2530m) to Parkachi thach (3040m) Parkachi Thach is located at an altitude where forests fade away to be replaced by beautiful grasses and flowers. Once again enjoy dinner under the stars and retire to your comfortable tent at the camp site. |
| Day 4 | Parkachi thach (3000m) to Raktisar (3900m) The forests give way to grasses as one goes above the tree-line. The trail gradually becomes rocky. The distance covered in this stage of the trek is not much but the path is steeper. There might be snow around in some months of the year. This part of GHNP is also the abode of musk deer, blue sheep, Himalayan Thar or even snow leopards around Raktisar. One arrives at Raktisar by the afternoon. Camping at Raktisar is a fabulous experience. Wear warm clothes, the weather can get cold rapidly at this altitude. No camp fire is started since there is no forest and no wood. Raktisar is at the heart of the GHNP and it is the source of the Sainj River. It is the meeting point of two large glaciers which have retreated because of global warming. You can see their impressive crevices in both the converging valleys. Notice also the large moraines that they have left in the valley. On a clear night, enjoy the light from the stars reflected on the glaciers. It is an unforgettable and magical experience. |
| Day 5 | Raktisar (3900m) to Parkachi thach (3000m) Spend the morning exploring the valley. There are spots high up in the valley where our guides can take you. It is a excellent place to spot wildlife. After breakfast start going back to Parkachi Thach and set up your camp again. |
| Day 6 | Rest day at Parkachi thach (3000m) You can enjoy the rich variety of birdlife. |
| Day 7 | Parkachi thach (3000m) to Shakti (2260m) A relaxed descent back to Niharni with a night at Shakti. |
| Day 8 | Shakti (2260m) to Niharni (1770m) |
Raktisar in 6 or 7 days
You can skip the day rest at Parkachi to make it 6 days |
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| Day 1 | Niharni (1770m) to Shakti (2260m) |
| Day 2 | Shakti (2260m) to Parkachi thach (3000m) |
| Day 3 | Parkachi thach (3000m) to Raktisar (3900m) |
| Day 4 | Raktisar (3900m) to Parkachi thach (3000m) |
| Day 5 | Rest day at Parkachi thach (3000m) |
| Day 6 | Parkachi thach (3000m) to Shakti (2260m) |
| Day 7 | Shakti (2260m) to Niharni (1770m) |
Photos of Raktisar trek
The Devta
The Devta (deities) rule the life of the local people met on the way to Raktisar
Langur monkeys
The Raktisar trek is one of the best trek for observation of wildlife in the GHNP
Sainj river
The Sainj river will be trekking partner during the entire trek
Parkachi Thach
The Parkachi meadow is an amazing spot of biodiversity
On the way
Some of the scenery met on the way will take your breath away
Raktisar
Raktisar is the meeting point of several large glaciers
More treks in Himachal Pradesh
Recognition of Himalayan Ecotourism
Our awards
Himalayan Ecotourism is the winner of the To Do award 2022 in the field of "Socially Responsible Tourism".
We are also the Overall Winner of the Indian Responsible Tourism Award 2019 and the Gold winner in the Best Adventure Operator category.
We have been declared winner of the Sustainable Tourism Award 2019 by Skal International and Biosphere.
Our cooperative-based model of social enterprise and our efforts to conserve the Himalayas are the main reasons for winning these awards.
Thank you to all our cooperative members, our customers, our friends and well-wishers !
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