Churdhar trek can be a trial of lifetime. This is the highest peak in the region and lies well over 11,000 feet. Not an easy feat to accomplish for the faint hearted, Churdhar trek would require a bit of endurance on your part.
Tranquil Location
Churdhar is a long ridge that spreads across the region. Churdhar Peak itself is visible from a wider region of Sirmaur, Shimla and Solan. Such is the religious reverberance of Shirghul Maharaj that people from the region pay obedience at his feet.
Churdhar peak attracts those with a streak of adventure and people with interest in religion with equal impunity. The trail itself shows you all colours of nature from dense coniferous forests to grassy meadows at Dusri and Teesri.
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Churdhar Trek- The Beginning
Churdhar trek distance from its base camp of Nauradhar in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh is around 14 Km each side. The trek begins from Nauradhar and without asking anyone you would be able to find the path as a narrow path going upwards is the only path!
It is always advised to begin the Churdhar Trek early in the morning (by 5AM) so that you are at the top by early evening. In case, you are a slow-paced person, there is some basic accommodation available at Teesri too. When in group, you can also set a camp at Dusri or Teesri. However, such adventure should not be done when you are hiking alone as the region is known for brown bear too! Remember, you are passing through Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary area, and it is but natural to come eyeball with wild animals.
As you begin the trek, the climb gets steeper and in around 45 minutes, you will be able the hillock with the sleepy village of Nauradhar well below. It is always advisable to carry walking stick as the sheer climb can put some strain on your knees too.
Jamnala and Teesri
A climb of three hours will take you to Jamnala. This is a flat meadow also known by name of Doosri. You can rest a while here. Earlier when I did this trek, the place used to be empty but now some temporary shops selling Maggi and tea have sprung up. This can be a good place for you to take a break and enjoy your “ Pahad wali Maggi” .
As you further continue on this trail, a trek of 2 hours will take you to the meadows of Teesri. This place is home to Gujjars and you can have a piping hot cup of milk with loads of sugar in it. Trust me, there would be nothing better than to sip in a hot cup of milk and watch the sunset on a cool summer evening. As the sun seems to go down the hills, you can also set up your camp here. The small eateries shall lovingly offer you dinner. In case, you are not carrying tenting equipment, the provision of staying at these shops is also available.
However, I must share here that this trek can also be done in one day if you reduce your stopover time!
Teesri to Churdhar Peak
You must begin early from Teesri the following day. After going on a straight trail for 1 km two paths come. One of these takes you directly to the peak but is tough indeed. Most people follow the other one which is relatively easy, offers amazing views of Himalayan ranges of Uttarakhand and gives you the much needed reprise. A trek of 1-2 hours will pass through rock, steep climb, some decent and green patches. Suddenly, across a bend, you will have first glimpse of Churdhar temple which has been standing since ages. Modifications have been done with infrastructure getting better but the main temple is made in Kathkuni style and is primarily a wooden structure. There are ample staying options here and you can check into one. A word of caution though, the facility is very basic in nature and all you will get is a mattress to sleep, a pillow and ample number of blankets. Do not expect a separate room or a privileged accommodation here.
Make a trip to the temple in the evening. Listen to some amazing stories from the priest and have a good Rice and Dal meal in the evening.
Culmination of Churdhar Trek
Churdhar Peak which has an idol of Lord Shiva overlooking the entire region is further up around 1 Km from the temple. This is the toughest part of the trek as you will have to criss-cross over the rocks to reach the top.
The feeling at the top is amazing and in case you are here on a clear day, you will get clear views of Kinnaur Kailash, Kedarnath, Badrinath and Shrikhand Mahadev Peaks.
Churdhar trek is a worthwhile hiking option and should be undertaken at least once in a lifetime. You will definitely emerge to be a stronger person in life!
How to Reach
Take a bus from ISBT Sector 43 Chandigarh to Solan. From Solan, you can take a bus to Rajgarh which is 40 Km away. However, no night bus is available to Rajgarh and you will have to reach Solan by afternoon. From Rajgarh, you can take a bus to Nauradhar either by 5 PM or early morning.
There are numerous staying options in Nauradhar and you can plan accordingly.
Best Time for Churdhar Trek
Officially, the trek is open from early May to late November. You can plan anytime within this duration. However, monsoons are to be avoided and it is too unsafe to trek for 14 km in rainy season. September and early October is the best time to explore and experience the magical essence of Churdhar.
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Has anyone here done the Churdhar Trek in Himachal Pradesh? I’ve been thinking about this trek for a while and would love to hear your experiences. How challenging is the Churdhar Trek for beginners? What’s the best time to visit, and what should I expect in terms of trekking routes, accommodation, and food along the way? Any tips for a memorable experience would be much appreciated!
Thanks for the comment. The trek has now begun. You can take your tents along though facility for stay is available at top.
The best time to visit is from September to late October as you can watch snow capped Himalayan ranges clearly