Wildflower carpets, eerie valleys, and endless adventure await you on this carpet of wilderness. Wander across the valley, home to Himalayan vegetation, huge meadows and unmarked trails, and little glacier streams. The trail’s stones, river crossings, moraine, and mountain streams make everyone nervous. The walk begins in the town of Sissu and lasts four days.
How Do You Get To Sissu?
From Delhi, take an HRTC bus to Manali. When you arrive in Manali, board the Manali-Leh bus, which departs from the Manali Bus Stand. It will pass through the Lahaul Valley as well as many villages. Sissu Village is one of them. It would be best if you stayed in Sissu village, where numerous homestays are ranging in price from $400 to $500 per room.
Difficulty Level
The trail is classified as moderate-difficult. There are no well-defined routes that can be easily found. Crossing boulders and small river crossings are required. In addition, there are meadows, steep terrain, and moraines to traverse.
Cost
If you’ve done harder treks before, you can do this on your own. Numerous trails run through the meadows. It would be preferable if you hired a guide to assist you with your trek. Hiring a guide and travelling in a group is strongly advised. Typically, guide fees range between Rs800 and Rs1000. This trek is less well-known, and few trekking companies organise it. The trekking equipment can be rented in Manali.
Trek Route
There is no set route for the trek. One may become disoriented and fail to reach the lake. Sometimes you have to take a wild guess at the route. Many people travel to the lake in one and a half days and camp there. The goal is to get closer to the lake’s base camp.
When should you do it?
This trek is best done between mid-July and mid-September. For the rest of the winter, the trail is covered in a thick layer of snow.
Via Manali to Sissu
Take a HRTC bus to Manali from Delhi. After arriving in Manali, take a bus from the Manali bus station to the Leh Highway, passing through Lahaul Valley and the village of Sissu. Get down and stay down. There are numerous homestays. Admire the beauty of the Lahaul mountains and Lahauli culture.
Sissu – Trailhead Camp 1
Pack your food and carry all of your camping equipment and necessities. Sissu village is the last village where you can connect to the internet. Taxis are available to transport you to the trailhead. Taxis are easily accessible. It’s the last road that can be driven on. The path is rocky, uneven, and steep. You will pass through the lovely landscapes of Sissu village, as well as several homes. The driver will drop you off at the trailhead after a 15-minute drive. The journey begins here. Because of the frequent ascents and descents, it will be a roller coaster ride.
The first few hours are relatively simple. The trail will have narrow pathways, nala crossings, and a river to cross in between. Be mentally prepared because this is an exciting time. There are no straight paths, and three large Nalas must be crossed. This hike’s main draws are boulders, moraine, and scree. After passing through the nalas and steep trails, one will arrive at a large flat meadow. You are welcome to pitch your tent there. Views of the Pir Panjal range and snow-capped mountains are spectacular.
Ghepanghat Lake, Camp 2
Begin your day early in order to reach the lake. The distance between Camp 2 and the lake is 3 kilometres. It depends on where you camp, but camping about 2-3 kilometres away from the lake is ideal. You’ll pass through a lot of rock ridges and small streams. The lake is formed by rapidly receding glaciers. The overall view is spectacular, with large chunks of ice floating nearby.
You’ll be back in civilization in no time. The final stretch will take between 5 and 6 hours. The total length of the trek is determined by how far you want to go. It can be completed in three days, but you can do it in 4-5 days if you prefer. Alyas Lake, also known as Ghepanghat, can be visited for between Rs2700 and Rs3500, which includes guides, food, and lodging in homestays.
Continue trekking and hustling!
