Baleni Pass, also known as Minkiani Pass, situated at an altitude of 3730 Meters from the sea level, is at the base of the Dhauladhar range, between Chamba and Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh. The pass is an ideal base for trekking. The route from Chamba to Kangra is through the Baleni Pass. On the way to the pass there is a rock cave built by the Gaddis. Gaddis use this pass to cross over with their sheep into the Bharmour to Kangra and vice versa. On the other side just below the Minkiani Pass is a small glacial lake called Kareri Lake. The Chamba Valley and the Pir Panjal Range can be seen from this top of the pass.

 

Baleni Pass is one of the low lying passes, and is at the base of the Dhauladhar range. You cross alpine pastures, woods, shimmering streams, and picturesque landscapes. This Trekking Trail culminates at Mecleodgunj on the Kangra side. On the way you can explore the rock cave built by the Gaddies which they use during migration to lower and higher reaches with their flocks. Dhauladhar blocked on the North by a high ridge giving birth to a large glacier and a single stream coming out from all of them. Nowhere else are glacial lakes as plentiful. Infect, its around Baleni that they exist at all. Kareri Lake is on the Kangra side. Lam Dal, Nag Dal and Kali Kund on the Chamba side, all within a day's trek from the pass. Standing at top the pass and looking east, you see the Dhauladhar peaks forming a curve. Regarding trekking to Baleni pass we will start from Bharmour and it will ends at Dharamshala. During trek you will find glorious view of unexplored Himalaya.

 

Day 1        Reception at Pathankot /Chakki Bank & drive to Dalhousie (80 Kms by Taxi)

Day 2        Dalhousie – Kalatop - Khajiyar – Bharmour (110 Kms by Taxi)

Day 3        Bharmour – Bharmani Mata Temple – Bharmour (6Km Trek for acclimatization Day)

Day 4        Bharmour – Chatrari – Barie (50 kms By Taxi)

Day 5        Barie - Drakund (10 kms trek)

Day 6      Drakund – Minkiani Goth (12 kms trek)

Day 7        Minkiani Base Camp - Minkiani Goth (10 kms Trek)

Day 8        Minkiani Goth – Kareri Lake (10 kms Trek)

Day 9        Kareri lake - Kareri Village (10 kms Trek)

Day 10      Kareri Village - Mcleodgunj (10 kms Trek)

 

 

 

In the morning after breakfast group will move to small village Chatrari by taxi a lead of 38 km. Chatrari is small and beautiful valley village, Famous for ancient shakti temple. Enjoy the village and visit the famous temple. Then troop will move ahead toward Baire. After reaching at Dunali village troop will leave the main highway and will take the link road to Barie. Spend the left day for acclimatization and overnight stay in camp. 

 

After breakfast trek to Drakund. Drakund is beautiful camp site. After crossing the Barie village then follow the nallah. A climb of up and downs will reach Drakund. After reaching camp site get rest for next day journey. Dinner and overnight stay will be provided in camp. 

 

Early in the morning after breakfast and taking packed lunch group will move from camp for adventurous trek. Drakund to Minkiani or Baleni Pass Base Camp is 12km steep climbing trail through dense and thick forests, you will find Deodar, Pines trees in the forest. The route is rough and locals call this pass as Baleni Pass. This is long tiring trek descends along the Drakund to Lamb Dal Nallah. The best season to visit this place is August and September, Gaddis and Gujjars are seen along with their sheep and buffaloes flocks. A trek of 5-6 hrs will take you to the destination Baleni Pass Base Camp. Revive the tired body for next day here. Dinner and Overnight stay with camp fire will be in the camp.

 

Minkiani Base camp to Minkiani Goth or over Baleni Pass trek is totally depending upon the weather and physical condition of trekker. Generally Travelling Guide will not take the risk or allow crossing the passes in bad weather conditions and will wait for clearing the sky. If sun shine then after taking light breakfast and packed lunch start moving ahead very early in the morning around 5:00 am to ensure that the snow is frozen for easier walking and if fails to cross the pass before 12:00 - 1:00 pm otherwise will create big problem as heavy snow winds, rainfall even snow fall can be happen. So early in the morning after Light breakfast troop will move ahead for their adventurous and joyful day. Minkiani Base camp to Minkiani Goth is 10 km trek and very difficult to trace the trek with experienced travel Guide, it is better to climb to Lamb Dal for a holy dip. Lam Dal is considered as sacred. the largest lake in the Dhauladhar. Every Year in the month of August every year, pilgrims from Chamba and Kangra districts climb up the mountains to take a holy dip in the Lam Dal waters. The numbers are small enough to ensure there is absolutely no littering. All other times, the lakes are your personal baths. Lam Dal is the beginning of a stream. As the stream continues west, it forms 3 more lakes. There are twenty two lakes in this Mountain range. The Dhauladhar granite ensures water is ever clear as it ever got. Flanked on both sides by the high Dhauladhar ridges, this stream and the lakes are worth a pilgrimage in themselves and that’s exactly people come here for. After taking holy dip in the Lamb Dal trek downhill very carefully to Minkiani Goth over Minkiani Pass. Overnight stay in tents.

 

Kareri Lake is situated in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh. It’s an easier trek for everyone from Minkiani Goth. It is frequented trek by mostly Gujjars and Gaddis from the nearby villages because of extensive pasturelands to graze their flocks. Clusters of dense conifers and different kinds of perennial flowers are a rare treat offered by this place. After long tiring last day, today is comparatively better day for trekking. Minkiani Goth to Kareri Lake is 10 km downhill trek, It is going down but very tiring, Charming view from the Kareri lake will be seen from the top even from Minkiani pass. After reaching at Kareri Lake you will forget all your tiredness. Overnight stay with camp fire will be in the camp.