Ookhal trek

(0 Reviews)

Area

Great Himalayan National Park

Number of days

4 or 5

Season

Apr, May, Jun, Oct, Nov

Max altitude

3660 m

Difficulty

Moderate

This is one of our best itineraries in 5 days in the GHNP area for those who have average fitness. You will enjoy the scenic Marahni top, crossing a high-altitude pass, dense pristine forests and a unique hidden lake. What a pleasure to pass from one valley to another. The sceneries suddenly change radically.

Right from day 2 you enter the realm of wilderness. Many birds and mammals can be observed especially in the Sainj valley. The ecosystem’s diversity is equally great, from Oak to Himalayan Cedar forests, from meadows to rocky slopes, and from dry ridges to a mountain lake.

This trek is available for anyone who has average fitness, but preferably you must have either previous experience trekking or be sure that your body and mind will support each other in case of a tougher time on the trek. Oh ! One more star should be added to this trek : A great view of the usually masked GHNP top peak at 6246 m !

Trek features

Trek map

Trek elevation profile

Trek itinerary

Best time to go

Trek photos

Ookhal trek features

Duration of your trek

Altitudes of your trek

Difficulty of your trek

Duration

Day-min : 4 0

Day-max : 5 0

Average walking time : 4½ hrs 0

Altitudes

Min : 2100 m 0

Max : 3660 m 0

Ascent : 1900 m 0

Descent : 1800 m 0

Difficulty

Stamina : 50 % 0

Technical : 50 % 0

Overall : 50 % 0

Ookhal trek map

Ookhal trek itinerary in short

Ookhal trek takes you from the Tirthan valley to the Sainj valley via Marahni. From Rangthar to the lake the trek is very scenic as you walk on the edge of the mountain. Some stretches of the trail are exposed to void around the pass.

Ookhal trek elevation profile

Ookhal trek ascent and descent

Although there are some delightful pathways, there are a few steep slopes on the trek, and the crossing of the pass is somehow exposed to the void.

Ookhal trek best time to go

Best time to trek to Ookhal is April, May, June, and then October and November.
You may also consider July and September. As the pass is often covered by snow, we can update you about the snow conditions before you decide on your departure date.

JAN

Avoid

FEB

Avoid

MAR

Avoid

APR

Good to go

MAY

Best time to go

JUN

Best time to go

JUL

You may go

AUG

Avoid

SEP

You may go

OCT

Best time to go

NOV

Good to go

DEC

You may go

Contact us for Booking the Ookhal trek

Contact

Trekking in GHNP

The Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh, offers the trekker a wide-ranging experience encompassing stunning vistas, varied terrain, and biodiversity.
Himalayan Ecotourism hosts multiple treks in GHNP. Our treks in the Great Himalayan National Park, a World Heritage Site, are for short and long durations and scale from beginner’s to more challenging treks. Whether you are looking for weekend treks in Himachal, treks in Himachal for beginners, or longer and more challenging treks, you will find it on our curated list of treks.
Each trek page has all the information you may need about the trek along with itineraries that are flexible. For more information on trekking holidays in the Himalayas and upcoming treks in Himachal, contact us.

Other treks by Himalayan Ecotourism

From our gallery

Photos of the Ookhal trek

The Shangarh sacred meadow on Ookhal trek

Reaching the pass after Marahni, we can see Rakhundi top

In the Sainj valley, shortly after crossing the pass from Tirthan

Itinerary

Day One : Rangthar

Timing	Details
Morning	The Ookhal trek starts from a village of the ecozone called Pekhri accessible by a jeepable road from Gushaini. From Pekhri you walk towards Lakcha (two hours), a very charming traditional Himalayan village. Have your packed lunch before Lakcha at a very scenic spot. Some parts of the trail to Lakcha are quite steep but don’t worry, anyone with an average fitness can do it..
Afternoon	After Lakcha you still have at least one hour walk. You reach a flat-topped ridge where you will set up your first camp, Ranghthar. From Ranghthar you have an ideal view on the Himalayas and the Tirthan valley. A spectacular spot for camping ! It is really great to enjoy your meal at the bonfire during sunset.

Day Two : Kundri or Marahni meadow

Timing	Details
Morning	The sun rises over the peaks of the GHNP. Don’t miss out on this ! After a copious breakfast, everything is packed and you start your second walking day. The first step is Kauni, a very nice small summit 350 m above Rangthar. The way to Kauni is the steeper ascending trail of the entire trek. Don’t feel discouraged, it is steep but you will be reaching Kauni very fast and you will be rewarded by the view and the beauty of the forest around.
Afternoon	After Kauni it is a very pleasant hike up to Kundri. You go through a golden oak forest that sporadically let you observe the giant Himalayan mountains that appear closer and closer. You have a choice of camp site : Kundri or Marahni. According to the weather, snow conditions, water availability and your physical fitness you decide with your guide where to camp. Both meadows are great for camping. If you reach the Marahni meadow it is worth climbing up to the Marahni top (3670 m) before the sunset to admire the entire valley illuminated with golden sun rays.

Timing

Details

Morning

The sun rises over the peaks of the GHNP. Don’t miss out on this ! After a copious breakfast, everything is packed and you start your second walking day. The first step is Kauni, a very nice small summit 350 m above Rangthar. The way to Kauni is the steeper ascending trail of the entire trek. Don’t feel discouraged, it is steep but you will be reaching Kauni very fast and you will be rewarded by the view and the beauty of the forest around.

Afternoon

After Kauni it is a very pleasant hike up to Kundri. You go through a golden oak forest that sporadically let you observe the giant Himalayan mountains that appear closer and closer. You have a choice of camp site : Kundri or Marahni. According to the weather, snow conditions, water availability and your physical fitness you decide with your guide where to camp. Both meadows are great for camping. If you reach the Marahni meadow it is worth climbing up to the Marahni top (3670 m) before the sunset to admire the entire valley illuminated with golden sun rays.

Day Three : Ookhal meadow

Timing	Details
Morning	From your camp have a walk up to Marahni top to Enjoy the spectacular 360° view. The entire Tirthan valley with its surrounding snow-capped mountains above 5000 m height, one side. The lower green Himalayas and even the plains of Punjab on the other side. If you never reached a high peak in your life you will never forget the pleasure of reaching Marahni ! After enjoying the scenery your guide will take you on the way to the pass for the Tirthan valley. You move towards the pass on an impressive ridge. Then you suddenly discover the sceneries of the Sainj valley.
Afternoon	Be cautious around the pass some parts of the trails are exposed to heights. You continue on the ridge that separates the Tirthan valley from the Sainj valley. Today is definitively a scenic day ! Leave the ridge and go down to a small meadow : Ookhal Thach. Just relax, your trekking staff take care of everything. Dinner and night at the camp with a bonfire.

Timing

Details

Morning

From your camp have a walk up to Marahni top to Enjoy the spectacular 360° view. The entire Tirthan valley with its surrounding snow-capped mountains above 5000 m height, one side. The lower green Himalayas and even the plains of Punjab on the other side. If you never reached a high peak in your life you will never forget the pleasure of reaching Marahni ! After enjoying the scenery your guide will take you on the way to the pass for the Tirthan valley. You move towards the pass on an impressive ridge. Then you suddenly discover the sceneries of the Sainj valley.

Afternoon

Be cautious around the pass some parts of the trails are exposed to heights. You continue on the ridge that separates the Tirthan valley from the Sainj valley. Today is definitively a scenic day ! Leave the ridge and go down to a small meadow : Ookhal Thach. Just relax, your trekking staff take care of everything. Dinner and night at the camp with a bonfire.

Day Four : Sara lake

Timing	Details
Morning	Today is a shorter/easier but very nice day. After your breakfast you packed up the camp and have a pleasant hike on the ridge of the mountain. The path weaves in between meadows and forest. It is an ideal day to observe birds and other wildlife. Get your camera ready. You never know what may appear and at what precise time. The Western Tragopan might be on the list of the special guests. Footprints of Bear and droppings of Leopard are commonly found on this trail.
Afternoon	The sceneries remain stunning. You are still far from any civilization. You stop nearby a very beautiful small lake where you will have your last camp. The lake is called the Sara lake.

Timing

Details

Morning

Today is a shorter/easier but very nice day. After your breakfast you packed up the camp and have a pleasant hike on the ridge of the mountain. The path weaves in between meadows and forest. It is an ideal day to observe birds and other wildlife. Get your camera ready. You never know what may appear and at what precise time. The Western Tragopan might be on the list of the special guests. Footprints of Bear and droppings of Leopard are commonly found on this trail.

Afternoon

The sceneries remain stunning. You are still far from any civilization. You stop nearby a very beautiful small lake where you will have your last camp. The lake is called the Sara lake.

Day Five : Shangarh

Timing	Details
Morning	Today you need to reach the village Shangarh. From the lake, you have a very steep descent through a dense forest. After 800 m of descent, you finally reach a small village.
Afternoon	From there you are again with the local villagers on the paths. You comfortably reach Shangarh after re-climbing 200 m. Shangarh is an awesome village which has a holy ground naturally clear from any trees or bushes despite of the proximity of an invasive forest. Pay a visit to the temple that lies at the extreme north of the ground. Be blessed by the local deities after having travelled to a unique part of the Himalayas.

Timing

Details

Morning

Today you need to reach the village Shangarh. From the lake, you have a very steep descent through a dense forest. After 800 m of descent, you finally reach a small village.

Afternoon

From there you are again with the local villagers on the paths. You comfortably reach Shangarh after re-climbing 200 m. Shangarh is an awesome village which has a holy ground naturally clear from any trees or bushes despite of the proximity of an invasive forest. Pay a visit to the temple that lies at the extreme north of the ground. Be blessed by the local deities after having travelled to a unique part of the Himalayas.