Big batches
Sar Pass has long been a Youth Hostels Association of India national programme, with batches of about 50 on a longer chain of camps.
After the trail · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
Sar Pass is billed as a beginner's pass, but its summit day is long and steep.
4,223m
Sar Pass
~750ft
One snow slide
28km
Walking, over 5 days
3a.m.
Summit-day start
💪 Moderate❄️ May–mid-June🛷 Snow slide⛺ 4 camps
Day by day
Five days, step by step
This is Bikat Adventures' plan. Other operators give 46–49 km on longer lines.
How high you are on each kilometre
- Day 1Kasol → GrahanTo a village without a road8 km · 5 h🛏️ Homestay · 2,300 m
- Day 2Grahan → Min ThachNearly 1,000 m up, no water4 km · 5 h🛏️ Tents · 3,285 m
- Day 3Min Thach → NagaruTo the snow camp3 km · 3 h🛏️ Tents · 3,850 m
- Day 4Nagaru → Sar Pass → Biskeri ThachThe pass and the slide8 km · 10 h🛏️ Tents · 3,400 m
- Day 5Biskeri Thach → BarshainiThen drive to Kasol5 km · 3 h🚙 Kasol
Stories and nature
The pass of the frozen lake
Wood, stone, no road
Grahan bans alcohol and keeps its temple closed to outsiders. Hebrew signboards show how many Israeli backpackers come.
Tell the police
A Kasol rescuer who has helped recover about 50 missing trekkers urges registered guides and telling the police before setting out.
When to go
Go for the snow
The slide needs snow on the pass.
May–mid-June
Snow on the pass and the slide. The best time.
July–August
Monsoon: avoid.
Sep–Nov
Clear views, but usually no snow to slide on.
Dec–March
Heavy snow: closed.
Plan your trip
Getting to Kasol
Kasol is in the Parvati valley, 30 km from Bhuntar.
- Delhi🚌 ~520 km, change at Bhuntar
- Kasol
Nearest airport: Bhuntar. Nearest railhead: Joginder Nagar. The trek ends at Barshaini, at the end of the Manikaran road.
Cost
Bikat Adventures charges ₹9,950 + 5% GST, Kasol to Kasol.
Permits
Forest permits are included by operators. Bring ID and a medical certificate.
Rope point
Above Min Thach, a 70° stretch is roped when snowy.
Altitude sickness
Tell your leader about any symptoms, and go down if they get worse.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
Bring cash
Kasol has plenty of ATMs. There are none on the trail. Bikat Adventures
Little signal
Kasol has good signal. Grahan has none, but the guesthouse has wi-fi. Jio and Airtel work in patches, as at Nagaru camp. Bikat Adventures
Last charging in Grahan
The Grahan guesthouse has power points, but supply is patchy. After Grahan there is no electricity. Bikat Adventures
Shop before you arrive
Kasol has a market, but the group leaves for Grahan on Day 1. Don't leave buying to the last minute. Bikat Adventures
Weather
In May and June Kasol is 15–25 °C. Higher up, days are 5–10 °C and nights drop below freezing. Bikat Adventures
Offloading is dear
Locals set the price: ₹1,000 a day for a 10 kg bag. Bikat's add-on is ₹5,000 for the trek. Bikat Adventures
Where you sleep
Trekup puts you in a guesthouse for one night, then in dome tents for three. Trekup India
Meeting point
Get to Kasol yourself. Bikat's group meets at the Kasol taxi stand at 9 a.m. and drives you back from Barshaini. Bikat Adventures
Nearest hospital
Manikaran hospital: 01902 233077. Manikaran police: 01902 273766. HP trekking portal
Rescue
A sick trekker is walked down to the road and driven to hospital. Rescue is not in the trek fee; insurance can cover it. Bikat Adventures
What to pack
Your checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your ticks stay saved on this device.
Clothing
Shoes
Gear
Papers and money
Health
List from Bikat Adventures: Sar Pass packing list.
Rent or buy
Where to get gear
Many operators lend tents, sleeping bags and spikes. Ask yours before you rent.
Bhuntar and Kasol on the way to the start
KPL ExpeditionsRent · tents and sleeping bags, for Bhuntar, Kasol and Manali. Book by phone+91 70181 15125 · Website
Shop details are from each shop's own page. Phone to confirm prices and stock.
Who runs it
Choose an operator
We found 8 operators with a Sar Pass page in October 2026, from ₹5,999 to ₹12,500. Most run it only in spring; Himalayan Frontiers also sells autumn dates, when there is usually no snow to slide on. Trek The Himalayas blocks automated visits, so its price is from a search snippet.
Prices are base prices from each operator's own page (October 2026); most add 5% GST. Ratings are what each operator shows, not an independent audit. Names marked † show last season's price or one seen only in a search snippet.