Few treks are as woven into the story of Indian adventure as Sar Pass. Run by YHAI for decades from its base camp at Kasol in the Parvati Valley, it has introduced more young Indians to the high Himalaya than almost any other program in the country.
The trail climbs from the pine-scented village of Grahan through rhododendron forest and open meadows to the snowfields below Nagaru, before topping out on the 13,800 ft Sar Pass ridge. The reward is a 360-degree sweep of the Tosh and Parvati ranges - and, for most trekkers, the famous glissade: a long, laughing slide down the snow on the far side.
Why trekkers love it
- A true beginner's Himalayan trek - about 43 km over roughly five trekking days
- Classic Parvati Valley scenery: forest, meadow and snowfield
- The legendary snow-slide descent from the pass
- YHAI's community kitchens and campfire evenings
The YHAI way
Like all YHAI programs, Sar Pass runs on discipline and shared responsibility. Trekkers wash their own plates, carry their own packs and pitch in around camp; tents are arranged separately for men and women; and a valid medical certificate from an MBBS doctor is required before the trail. It is, in the truest sense, a course in mountaineering as much as a holiday. Best attempted from May to June.
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