Sar Pass

What it is

The pass over the ridge south of the Parvati, above Kasol, and the four-to-five-day guided trek that crosses it. Meadow camps on the Kasol side under deodars, a long day up and over on snow to a small tarn at the top, and a descent through the meadows to the villages above Barshaini. It is the valley's expedition rather than its walk — run as scheduled departures by trekking outfits with tents, food and guides, and not something added to a Kasol weekend.

Getting there

The trek starts from Kasol on foot; the outfits collect their groups in the market and walk out from there. There is no road-head to drive to and no point in going up alone: the route is a snow crossing, not a path, and the camps belong to the outfits that set them.

The days

A first day to the meadow camps above the valley and a second higher, to the last camp under the ridge. Then the crossing day — early, on snow, over the pass and its tarn, and a long descent to the meadows on the far side — and a last day down to the road at Barshaini and the taxi to Kasol. Outfits quote per person for the whole trek with everything included; ask what the group size is and whether the taxi at the end is in the price.

When to go

April to June and September to October. More snow and harder going in April and May, the busiest departures in June, clear cold days in October. The monsoon closes the crossing and the first snows of November close the camps.

Around it

Kasol at the start; Barshaini, Tosh and Kalga at the end; Kheerganga as the practice walk. Our treks page lists the route where we hold it.

Plans that include this

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Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov

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A two-day Kasol plan for a first visit: the market and the footbridge, the pine walk to Chalal, Manikaran's gurdwara and hot springs, with measured road times.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov

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2 nights · 3 days · First visitClassic

Three days in Kasol — Chalal, the road-end and the walk up to Tosh, then Manikaran

The classic three days in Kasol: the river and Chalal, the taxi to Barshaini and the walk up to Tosh, Manikaran's springs on the way out, with measured times.

Best Mar–Jun · Sep–Nov

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2 nights · 3 days · TrekkersWalks & treks

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The Kheerganga trek done properly: Barshaini, Nakthan, Rudranag, a night by the spring, down via Kalga, Manikaran's tanks on the way out. Times and bands.

Best Apr–Jun · Sep–Nov

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2 nights · 3 days · CouplesSnow

Kasol in winter — three days with the snow at Tosh and the hot springs after

Kasol from December to February in three days: the half-closed town, a night in Tosh under snow with a stove and a quilt, Manikaran's hot tanks on the way down.

Best Jan–Feb · Dec

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2 nights · 3 days · PhotographersAutumn

Kasol in October and November — three clear days: Rasol, the harvest villages, Tosh at dawn

The Parvati valley's best season in three days: the clear light on the river, the steep walk to Rasol, Tosh at dawn and the harvest orchards at Pulga.

Best Oct–Nov

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