“Travel makes one modest as you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world” to make it modest book your Dalhousie Snow Winter Trek YHAI – with Youth Hostels Association of India

Going into the wild for a while has a different kind of thrill associated with it. You feel the adrenaline rush in your brain as you head to the mountain route. You can feel such a feeling only by experiencing it. Snow trek in Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh, India is one beautiful adventure. So, are you ready for the Dalhousie winter/snow trek this winter? If not, follow me!

Dalhousie Trek is for All – Basic, Intermediate & Pro

Dalhousie Snow Winter Trek YHAI treks are designed for beginner to intermediate level of trekkers. So it is, basically, open for all.

Basic – First time adventurer: A trek is something totally different from any other type of vacation. You’ll meet mother nature like never. One thing I can tell you is that your first trek is going to stay as one of the happiest memories of your life.
● You’ll get a basic accommodation during the trek
● Take regular walks in your city before the trek
● Be prepared for the Himalayan cold

Intermediate – First time in the Himalayas: Even if you have trekked earlier, know that you are coming to the mecca of all trails in The Great Himalayas.

Professionals – Experienced Himalayan trekkers: So, you’ve made trekking your thing. Great! Just ensure that you are fit and ready for the trek. You can make yourself useful as many of your fellow trekkers will need your guidance.

How to Book Dalhousie YHAI Winter Trek

You can book the Dalhousie Winter trek with YHAI Youth Hostels Association of India on their website @yhaindia.org. I’ve also been with YHAI earlier for Sarpass trek in 2017 you can know my experience of that trek here: A Tale from YHAI Sar Pass Trek 2016 Review & Sar Pass Trek Guide for 2019!

What are the things to carry for Dalhousie Winter/Snow Trek?

So, you are coming for the Dalhousie Winter trek with YHAI Youth Hostels Association of India. You have seen trek photos, videos, and read all informative blogs like this one! So, in short, you’ve gathered all the possible useful information. But you’d want to get prepared for the trek packing-wise, right? This section of the guide will help you pack nicely.

What Dalhousie Snow Winter Trek YHAI will provide:

At the base camp of Dalhousie Snow Winter Trek YHAI you will be provided with four things:

● Hygiene sheet: A freshly laundered hygiene sheet for use from camp to camp. Alternatively, you can buy and bring your own.
● Blanket: A blanket is issued at every camp that needs to be deposited back.
● Sleeping Bag: Issued at every camp.
● Rucksack: Issued at basecamp. If you bring your own, make sure it is lightweight.

Things, you as a trekker, are required to bring:

● Track pants
● Cotton Shirts/ Tees
● Lightweight Raincoat top with hood and rain pant set
● Woolen-inners
● Sun Cap + Woolen cap
● Trekking Shoes
● Vaseline
● Medicines & first-aid kit
● Camera & memory cards
● Woolens
● Torch
● Socks: Woolen and Cotton
● Gloves
● Mug
● Soap
● Toilet paper
● Tissues
● Towel
● Lunch box
● Water purifying tablets + Water Bottle
● Sunscreen cream
● Swiss army knife
● Sewing kit
● Sunglasses

How to Reach Dalhousie Basecamp

Air
Dalhousie does have an airport, but you can land at the airport nearest to the city, Gaggal Airport in Kangra to reach the hill station. The airport is around 140 km away from Dalhousie. As I was coming from Mumbai, we took flight from Mumbai to Delhi then train from Delhi to Pathankot. From Pathankot we reached Dalhousie Basecamp by Cab which we booked in advance via Makemytrip.

Railways
Pathankot railway station is the nearest railway station to go to Dalhousie. The station is connected to all the major stations of India via rails. Note that Chakki Bank (CHKB) is the old name of Pathankot Junction (PTK).

Road
The city is well connected with all the major cities of the country by road with national highway linking the city with Pathankot. Hence, the city is easily accessible by road.

Documents to Bring & Checking in at Dalhousie Basecamp
At the reception, you will have to finish the registration and be allotted a shared accommodation. This is a legal requirement and Dalhousie Snow Winter Trek YHAI can’t compromise on this.

Please bring following necessary things for registration:

For offline bookings:

● Show your YHAI membership card
● Submit 2 passport photos
● Submit medical certificate if not submitted while booking
● Collect the reporting slip from reception and fill the same
● Collect your ID card. Your card carries a record of your reporting date, equipment issued and is signed at each camp of your trek

For online bookings:

● Show your YHAI membership card. In case you don’t have one, show your temporary membership number allotted to you while booking online
● Submit your admit card given during online booking
● Submit 2 passport photos
● Submit medical certificate
● Collect the reporting slip from reception and fill the same
● Collect your ID card. Your card carries a record of your reporting date, equipment issued and is signed at each camp of your trek

Note that YHAI membership card/admit card, and original medical certificate are must requirements to enter the basecamp. Without these documents, your booking will not be considered confirmed.

Rules to Follow

● Smoking, drinking alcohol and drugs of any kind are strictly prohibited during the whole program.
● Deviation from the set route plan is not permitted. If you wish to partake in any other activity, you can do that at your own responsibility after finishing and checking out of the program.
● Staying other than at YHAI Camp is not permitted for the entire camp.
● Littering of any kind or spoiling the trail in any way is prohibited. We must partake in an environment-friendly trek. If wrapper, plastic or any other litter is found on your way, please carry the same and deposit them all at the basecamp.
● Burning of wood is strictly prohibited during campfire. Bringing any non-biodegradable material in Himachal Pradesh is an offence.
● Men and women will have separate accommodations. Entry to the dormitory of opposite gender is prohibited. Families are also expected to follow this discipline.

Advance reporting: Your accommodation is arranged only from your day of reporting. If you arrive early and if there is a vacancy, the basecamp leader may be able to arrange for your stay at the hostel.

As vacancy at YHAI hostel is unpredictable, avoid getting stranded by pre-booking your stay in any other hotel in Dalhousie town, in case you are planning to come early. Note that in the months of December and January, it can get difficult to get a room on the spot. Ensure to pre-book while coming on such times.

Dalhousie Winter/Snow Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Reporting to Youth Hostel Dalhousie
Day 2: Acclimatization walk & orientation talk
Day 3: Trek to Kalatop
Day 4: Trek to Khajjiar
Day 5: Trek to Mangla & Chamba
Day 6: Mangla to Dalhousie by bus

Dalhousie Winter trek with YHAI Youth Hostels Association of India – The Experience

The Dalhousie trek offered by Dalhousie Snow Winter Trek YHAI is easier than the other treks that they offer. But it might so happen that you find it painful. The whole trek is of around 45 km stretching over a duration of 5 days. You can come in early and visit Dharamsala which is nearby place. While you are there, you can also visit McLeodGanj, just a few kms from Dharamsala. It has more attractions like a monastery, a waterfall, a lake and few churches too. Know more about Ashoka Waterfall in Igatpuri.

Day 1: Reporting to Youth Hostel Dalhousie
You might have difficulty in reaching Dalhousie from Dharamasala, as it does not have very good connectivity with Dalhousie. As mentioned, we reached Dalhousie from Mumbai via flight, train & cab. We reached around 5:30 pm and the temperature dropped up to 8 degree Celsius. It was just 6:00pm and it was totally dark. Somehow, we reached our base camp and scene was totally different. We just fell in love when we saw basecamp. Here’s the image of our basecamp at that day and my Instagram story as well.

Basecamp in night:

Basecamp in morning:

Day 2: Acclimatization Walk & Orientation Talk
You’ll be made to jog in the morning to Subhash Chowk. You’ll be made to do some exercise, and then there will be trekkers introduction. After breakfast, you’ll have to go for a 12 km long acclimatization walk. Though we were tired so much due to yesterdays traveling but this was mandatory. We woke up early in morning then they made us walk. As we started walking our mood started getting refreshed as we saw the snow on the mountains. We clicked a lot of nice pictures which I am putting here. Also, the best part of the day is the campfire. You can engage in it or witness all things good, right from singing to dancing, playing flute to mouth organ, performing gymnastics to mimicry.

 

Day 3: Trek to Kalatop

The Kalatop trail is amidst deodar forests and has narrow trails. The snow was till our knee, we had difficulties because on day 2 of our trek there was heavy snow fall happened due to that our all trails were filled with snow. Somehow, we managed to get through it. The last few kms on the route are particularly beautiful with big deodar trees and snow all around. Kalatop is the highest point of this trek where it is quite cold. You can gaze at the pretty sky and bright stars in the night. Here my tip is one should make sure to discuss trail difficulties with earlier trekkers who has just came from the trek.

Day 4: Trek to Khajjiar

The visit to Khajjar is scenic with a route through the forest. Towards the end of the trek, you’ll see Khajjiar park which has a frozen pond at its centre.

Day 5: Trek to Mangla & Chamba

The trek to Mangla & Chamba is said to be the easiest part of the trek. But, as it is the last trek and as you might get tired after trekking for days, it can also be hard. The trail in this trek is downhill, and with your backpack on your back, it might become difficult to walk. But you’ll soon know as you rich the top of the hill that walking by this last trail is worth it. The snow-clad Himalayas all in their glory can be seen like they are talking to you. As you walk further the route is seen comprising of many step farms. Also, you’ll fall in love with the Mangla Dalhousie Snow Winter Trek YHAI hostel. Believe me, the time spent at Snow trek in Dalhousie will be one of the best times of your life.

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