The Sar Pass trek is the Parvati Valley’s best-known multi-day route. “Sar” means lake in the local dialect — the trail passes a small pond that is usually frozen in the trekking season — and the pass itself is a snowy ridge at around 4,200 m (about 13,800 ft).
The usual itinerary takes four to five days: Kasol to Grahan, up through forest to the meadow camp of Min Thach, on to the high camp of Nagaru on the snow line, then an early-morning crossing of the pass and a long descent — partly sliding on snow — to Biskeri Thach, finishing at Barshaini.
Top things to do in Sar Pass
Day 1: Kasol to Grahan
A 4–5 hour forest walk beside the Grahan stream to the village of Grahan, where groups camp or stay in homestays.
Day 2: Grahan to Min Thach
A steady climb through thick forest to a grassy clearing at around 3,400 m, with the first open views across to the Chandrakhani range.
Day 3: Min Thach to Nagaru
Short but steep, often on snow, to an exposed campsite at roughly 3,800 m. It is windy and cold; groups turn in early for a pre-dawn start.
Day 4: Over Sar Pass to Biskeri Thach
The big day: a climb on hard morning snow to the pass, a traverse of the snowfield, then a series of controlled slides down to the meadows of Biskeri Thach.
Day 5: Down to Barshaini
A descent through forest and past the villages around Pulga to the road at Barshaini, where transport returns to Kasol.
How to get to Sar Pass
- Start point: Kasol. Operators and the Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI) run base camps in or near the village.
- Season: mainly May and June, when there is firm snow on the pass. Some operators also run it in early autumn, with little or no snow.
- Booking: at the time of writing we found no Sar Pass trek on GetYourGuide. Book with a registered trekking operator or YHAI, and use the Kheerganga trek as a guided alternative you can book online.
Insider tips
- This is high altitude. Spend a night or two in Kasol first, climb steadily, drink plenty and tell your guide at once about headache, nausea or unusual breathlessness.
- Do not attempt the pass without a guide: the snowfield is featureless in cloud and the descent needs supervision.
- You need waterproof boots, warm layers for sub-zero nights, sunglasses and sun cream. Operators usually supply gaiters and microspikes.
- Check that your operator carries a first-aid kit and has an evacuation plan, and that your insurance covers trekking to 4,500 m.
Tours that include Sar Pass
These guided trips cover Sar Pass or combine easily with a visit:
Private multi-day trek 4-Day Kheerganga Trek & Kasol Riverside Tour
The only Kheerganga trek currently listed on GetYourGuide under Kasol itself: four days that pair the valley’s best-known trail — forest, waterfalls, the hot-spring pool and a night camping in the mountains — with riverside time in Kasol. It runs as a private group with pickup available and meals included.
- The 12 km forest trail from Barshaini to Kheerganga
- Hot springs at the top and a night in mountain camps
- Time by the Parvati river in Kasol, with meals included
Private multi-day trek Kasol–Kullu Escape: 6-Day Backpacker Trek with a Local Touch
A longer, slower option for people who want more walking than a single Kheerganga overnight: six days of trails, riverside camps and local culture around Kasol and the Kullu region, run as a private group with meals. Check the day-by-day route on GetYourGuide before booking, as the operator sets the exact itinerary.
- Six days and five nights on the trails of the Kullu region
- Riverside camps and time with local hosts
- Meals included, pickup available
Guided day hike Guided Lama Dugh Hike in Manali
A full-day guided hike from Manali to the alpine meadow of Lama Dugh, with strong reviews on GetYourGuide. It is a good warm-up before Kheerganga, or a second day hike once you have the Parvati Valley trails in your legs.
- A climb through deodar forest above Old Manali
- The high alpine meadow of Lama Dugh
- Wide views over the upper Kullu valley
