The trek to Shumga Thatch takes you on a riveting, 6-day journey inside the Great Himalayan National Park. You'll spend days trekking across beautiful woods of rhododendron, oak and pine, visiting the remotest villages and lakes in Himachal Pradesh. At night, as the sun goes down over the Himalayas, you'll stay in tents pitched in dense wilderness, under star-studded skies. From the top of Shumga Thatch, you'll get magnificent views of the lower Himalayan valleys like Thachi and Bajar as well as higher Himalayan peaks in the Spiti, Kinnaur and Pir Panjal mountain ranges.
Destination
Shumga Thatch is a sprawling grassland close to a mountain ridge with unfiltered views of the Indian Himalayas. Shumga Thatch, as well as the approach trail to Shumga Thatch, is located inside the Great Himalayan National Park, surrounded by vast acres of forests and lakes. At an elevation of 11,800 feet, the grasslands of Shumga are a relatively lesser known destination for trekking enthusiasts, unspoilt by throngs of popular tourists and campers.
Destination highlights
Dive into Himachal's rich forests and mountains on this Shumga trek. | Explore the wilderness of the Great Himalayan National Park. | Get a chance to spot rare, alpine birds and wildlife like the Monal and Thragopan. | Stay in tents alongside the gorgeous Sara Lake for two nights.
Arrive at the Mandi bus stand by 11:30 hrs and meet your fellow trekkers and the trek leader. You'll board a private, shared vehicle and leave for a 4-hr drive to Shangarh. The journey takes you across the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, over winding roads and passes, and past the Pandoh Lake and the Hanogi Temple. You'll arrive at Shangarh by early evening. Overnight in a guesthouse at Shangarh.
Overnight in a guesthouse at Shangarh.
Report to Mandi and board a private, shared vehicle to Shangarh. You'll be accommodated in a guesthouse at Shangarh on a triple/quad-sharing basis. Today's meal package includes dinner only. You may stop at any of the restaurants and eateries en route to Shangarh to have meals at your own expense.
Day 1 Milestone
Mandi
Shangarh
10:00 AM
Food
Dinner
Veg | Eggs
Day 2 of the Shumga trek: Shangarh to Lapah
Rise and shine for your first trekking day of the trip. Today's trek to Lapah will take you over a fairly flat trail surrounded by pine trees. In the months of winter, these forests are layered snow, presenting magnificent views of the winter landscape. These forests are also home to alpine wildlife like the black deer, goral or the musk deer, that often dart in and out of view. The trail will intermittently go through patches of difficult and strenuous climbs to gain altitude. Overnight in tents at Lapah.
Overnight in tents at Lapah.
Trek from Shangarh to Lapah. You'll be accommodated in tents at Lapah on twin-sharing basis. You'll be given comfortable and clean sleeping bags and mattresses to ensure a restful night's sleep. The campsite will be equipped with a common kitchen/dining tent and a dry-pit style washroom tent. Today's meal package includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 2 Milestone
Shangarh
Lapah
07:00 AM
Food
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Veg | Eggs
Day 3 of the Shumga trek: Lapah to Sara Lake
Begin trekking to Sara Lake, over the Saradhar mountain ridge, to views of peaks in the Greater Himalayan range on the horizon. The trail follows a steep ascent in the initial stretch, entering a forest rhododendron and juniper scrubs and bushes. Soon, you'll trek past the Raila village, to reach the Sara Lake, a dark-blue coloured lake surrounded by trees. Overnight in tents at Sara Lake.
Overnight in tents at Sara Lake.
Trek from Lapah to Sara Lake. You'll be accommodated in tents at Sara Lake on twin-sharing basis. Today's meal package includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. While non-vegetarian dishes will not be available due to concerns of freshness and quality, most meals will include an egg preparation.
Day 3 Milestone
Lapah
Sara Lake
07:00 AM
Food
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Veg | Eggs
Day 4 of the Shumga trek: Day trek to Shumga Thatch
The most awaited day of all, today, you'll make your way over to the Shumga Thatch. You'll trek onwards over a gradually ascending trail, taking you across dense forests. Soon, the meadows of Shumga arrive where the trees give way to open fields and grasslands, covered by snow in the months of winter. From the top, you can view the lower Himalayan valleys like Thachi and Bajar as well as higher Himalayan peaks in the Spiti, Kinnaur and Pir Panjal mountain ranges. After admiring the view from the top, you'll descend back to Sara Lake. Overnight in tents at Sara Lake.
Overnight in tents at Sara Lake.
Embark on a day trek to Shumga Thatch. Throughout the trek, you'll be accompanied by an English-speaking, experienced trek leader along with a support staff of cooks, helpers and porters. You'll be accommodated in the same tents at Sara Lake as yesterday. Today's meal package includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 4 Milestone
Sara Lake
Sara Lake
07:00 AM
Food
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Veg | Eggs
Day 5 of the Shumga trek: Sara Lake to Niharni
Today, you'll begin your return trek, retracing your steps back to Niharni. The initial descent is along the same route, until a diversion at Lapah. This is the longest route of the trek, however, the downhill trail makes it fairly easy. Crossing the Sainj River over a bridge, you'll walk to the road head at Niharni. Overnight in tents at Niharni.
Overnight in tents at Niharni.
Trek from Sara Lake to Niharni. You'll be accommodated in tents at Niharni on twin-sharing basis. Today's meal package includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Please note that you'll be trekking in remote and mountainous area where the availability of services and comforts is limited. Accordingly, not all luxuries of a usual, sightseeing tour may be available during the trek.
Day 5 Milestone
Sara Lake
Niharni
07:00 AM
Food
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Veg | Eggs
Day 6 of the Shumga trek: Niharni to Mandi
Travel back to Mandi via a private vehicle. You'll arrive back in town by late afternoon, subject to traffic conditions. Your trip ends here.
Your trip ends by late afternoon.
Board a private, shared vehicle from Niharni to Mandi. Today's meal package includes breakfast only. If you're departing Mandi on the same day, make sure to allow some buffer time to accommodate time delays. If you're departing Mandi on the next day, make sure to book your accommodation for the night in advance.
Day 6 Milestone
Niharni
Mandi
07:00 AM
Food
Breakfast
Veg | Eggs
Day 1 Milestone
Mandi
Shangarh
10:00:00
Day 2 Milestone
Shangarh
Lapah
07:00:00
Day 3 Milestone
Lapah
Sara Lake
07:00:00
Day 4 Milestone
Sara Lake
Sara Lake
07:00:00
Day 5 Milestone
Sara Lake
Niharni
07:00:00
Day 6 Milestone
Niharni
Mandi
07:00:00
Food
Dinner
Veg
Egg
Food
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Veg
Egg
Food
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Veg
Egg
Food
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Veg
Egg
Food
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Veg
Egg
Food
Breakfast
Veg
Egg
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Cancellation policy
For cancellations made more than 24 days before departure of the Shumga trek: 95% refund.
For cancellations made 14-24 days before departure of the Shumga trek: 70% refund.
For cancellations made 10-13 days before departure of the Shumga trek: 50% refund.
For cancellations made less than 10 days before departure of the Shumga trek: no refund.
In case of no show: no refund.
All refunds will be processed after deducting a transaction fee of INR 200 per person. This fee is charged by The Great Next.
Rules on trip
Travellers are requested to treat the local culture with respect and avoid littering, defacing property and monuments and causing general disturbance.
Travellers are required to follow instructions of the trek leader during the trek to Shumga.
Consumption of alcohol and drugs is prohibited during the trek. Consumption of tobacco products and cigarettes is not recommended.
Additional instructions, booking policies, terms and conditions
The tour operator reserves the right to change or cancel the itinerary of this trek to Shumga due to bad weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances to ensure maximum safety of travellers and staff. Travellers are required to bear any additional costs arising due to such a change in itinerary.
The tour operator takes utmost care to ensure safety of the travellers and shall not be held responsible for any mishap, accident or loss of life during the trek to Shumga.
Grab magnificent views of Himachali mountains on the trek to Shumga.
Snow-layered trail to Shumga in the months of winter.
Grab magnificent views of Himachali mountains on the trek to Shumga.
The mountains near Shumga after the first snow of the winter.
The mountains near Shumga after the first snow of the winter.
Grab magnificent views of Himachali mountains on the trek to Shumga.
Grab magnificent views of Himachali mountains on the trek to Shumga.
Grab magnificent views of Himachali mountains on the trek to Shumga.
Grab magnificent views of Himachali mountains on the trek to Shumga.
Visit remote villages and campsites on the trek to Shumga.
Visit remote villages and campsites on the trek to Shumga.
Visit remote villages and campsites on the trek to Shumga.
Visit remote villages and campsites on the trek to Shumga.
Trek across multi-coloured forests and roaring river streams.
Visit remote villages and campsites on the trek to Shumga.
Trek across multi-coloured forests and roaring river streams.
Trek across multi-coloured forests and roaring river streams.
Trek across multi-coloured forests and roaring river streams.
Trek across multi-coloured forests and roaring river streams.
Trek across multi-coloured forests and roaring river streams.
Grab magnificent views of Himachali mountains on the trek to Shumga.
Grab magnificent views of Himachali mountains on the trek to Shumga.
Drive past small villages and towns in Himachal Pradesh.
Grab magnificent views of Himachali mountains on the trek to Shumga.
Grab magnificent views of Himachali mountains on the trek to Shumga.
Grab magnificent views of Himachali mountains on the trek to Shumga.
Trek across multi-coloured forests and roaring river streams.
Includes / Excludes
Includes
Travel arrangements between Mandi-Shangarh and Niharni-Mandi in private, shared vehicles
Accommodation in guesthouse for 1 night on triple/quad-sharing basis
Accommodation in tents for 4 nights on twin-sharing basis
All equipment required for camping: tents, sleeping bags, mattresses
Common kitchen/dining and washroom tent
Technical and safety gear required for the trek, if any
All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 6
Services of experienced trek leader and camping crew
Services of porters/mules to carry common camping equipment
All government permits and entry fees
First aid kit (including oxygen cylinder)
All applicable taxes
Excludes
Travel arrangements between home city and Mandi
Any meals not mentioned in inclusions
Services of porters/mules to carry personal luggage (can be arranged for INR 1,500 for the entire trek, per bag weighing a maximum of 11 kgs)
Adventure travel or health insurance
Personal expenses like tips to staff, additional meals or beverages etc.
Any costs arising due to unforeseen circumstances like bad weather, natural calamities etc.
Anything not mentioned in inclusions
What to Wear
What to Wear
Comfortable, quick-dry apparel
Full-sleeved t-shirt/shirts
Full-length track pants
Woollen cap, balaclava and gaiters
Trekking shoes
Woollen socks, gloves and monkey cap
Windcheater and fleece jacket
Sweater and thermal wear
Raincoat or poncho
Not to wear - Expensive jewellery or gadgets
Hard luggage like trolley bags, suitcases etc.
What not to Wear
Loose clothing that will tangle around you while swimming
Restrictive clothing
Flip-flops
Equipment / Gear
We Provide
Private, shared vehicle for transport between Mandi-Shangarh and Niharni-Mandi
All equipment required for camping: tents, sleeping bags, mattresses
Common kitchen/dining and washroom tent
First aid kit
Technical and safety gear required for the trek, if any
You need to get
Rucksack (with rain cover)
ID proof
Water bottles
Insect repellent
Toilet paper
Sunglasses (polarised, anti-glare)
Torch (with extra batteries)
Sun-screen lotion and lip balm
Light towel/napkins
Dry snacks (biscuits, energy bars etc.)
Personal toiletries
Medical Kit
Specific personal or prescribed medication
Personal first-aid kit
Directions towards the Pick up Point
Mandi is accessible via road from the Bhuntar Airport, located 2-hr drive away from the town. You may board a flight to the airport and take private cab/taxi to reach Mandi. Frequent buses also ply between Mandi and Delhi. Google Maps pin: https://goo.gl/maps/Xg7onZPKMKC2
Directions towards the Start Point
The tour operator will arrange your transport to the start point of this Shumga trek.