Himachal Pradesh is renowned for its natural beauty and the fascinating trekking trails in the Himalayan Range. One such trail is the Churdhar trek, which is located in the small village of Nohradhar in the Sirmaur district. It is also the starting point of the 18 km long trek, which leads to a temple of Shirgul Maharaj dedicated to Lord Shiva. So, let’s explore more about the Churdhar peak trek and everything that you need to know before your visit.
Churdhar Peak Trek
Located at 3647 meters above sea level, the trekking peak is part of the outer Himalayan range, which makes the views very splendid. Churdhar is also accessible via two other routes apart from Nohradhar—Chaupal (Shimla) and Haripurdhar (Sirmaur). However, Nohradhar is the most preferred among newcomers and trekkers for its balanced route and services. Nonetheless, you can find dense forests of deodar, pine and alpine meadows along all the trails, which are a sight to behold!
There is also the possibility of wildlife sightings, including birds and local animals. The dense forests make it difficult for trekkers to spot the wild animals, but they can see you, so you better be alert. Apart from the wildlife and natural beauty, the place also has mythological significance, which connects Lord Shiva to the epic of Mahabharata. Thus, you should not miss the opportunity to chat with locals and learn more about the history of the place.
Reach The Base of Churdhar Trek
The three closest cities to the trek are Chandigarh, Shimla, and Solan. Depending on your starting or base point, you’ll find different journey times. On the road, you can easily reach Nohradhar via Solan on your bike or car. This is the most famous route, and the majority of the trekkers prefer the Nohradhar starting point. However, if you want to add more thrill to your journey, then you are free to choose other options as well.
- Nohradhar: 18 km one-way.
- Haripurdhar: Rugged and less frequented.
- Sarain: Scenic and remote.
There are also options for public transport. One can find buses to Rajgarh; from here, there are direct buses to Nohradhar. It is a great option if you want to remove the stress of self-driving and the hectic weather. So, people coming from different parts of the country can reach Solan, where they can find the majority of the transport for their trip. Lastly, renting guides for your trip is also possible, along with tour packages for convenience. They can make arrangements for your transport and stay options in the base villages.
Trek Itinerary & Route Overview For Churdhar Peak Trek
You can easily plan an itinerary for your treks depending on your budget and time. If you have around 3 days, then it’s advisable to plan things accordingly. It is a sufficient time for thorough exploration of the area and sightseeing. Suppose you’re doing the trek from the Nohradhar route, then you can easily plan the entire trek for three days.
Here’s what a three-day itinerary from Nohradhar starting points looks like.
- Day 1: Arrival at Nohradhar, overnight stay.
- Day 2: Trek to Churdhar summit.
- Day 3: Return to Nohradhar.
Coming to the other routes, first, we have Haripurdhar. It’s steeper and less commercial, meaning you won’t find many services compared to Nohradhar. Moreover, this route is much longer (50 Km), so only high-level trekkers should opt for this route.
The third route falls in the Shimla district. It is purely for thrill-seekers and seasoned veterans of trekking. It is a remote trail of 7 km, which is very difficult for newcomers. But still, it is famous among the trekkers who are seeking isolation and want to enjoy the remoteness of the place.
- Forests
- Meadows
- Shrines
- Campsite
- Rocky summit
Best Time to Visit Churdhar Trek
Even though it’s hard to resist the beauty of Himachal Pradesh during every season, it’s ideal to choose summer for trekking and travelling. The reason for this is the good weather and more facilities. During other seasons, take, for example, the monsoons; you will face slippery trails and increased chances of landslides. This is bad for both walking and transportation options. Moreover, similar is the case of winter, where the snow covers the entire area, making it impossible to walk with several closed routes. At the same time, there’s a window of a month or two after monsoons where you can plan your trek due to seasonal variations.
In the summer season, the skies are clear, which makes it easier to capture the beauty of the region. On top of that, you can also enjoy the visible night skies where hundreds of thousands of stars twinkle in the night. It’s a great opportunity for photographers to find shots of the Moon and the arms of the Milky Way galaxy. So, make sure to pack your bags in the summer to escape the heat and fully enjoy the trek.
Weather Conditions On The Trek During Summer
During summer, the weather in Nohradhar is very pleasant; you can find the shining sun in the sky. But this shouldn’t fool you as all this can change within a few minutes. That’s why you should be ready for any kind of weather changes. At the top, you will feel cold if you are not properly prepared for the weather. With a single hour of rainfall, the temperature can reach around 5-10 degrees Celsius in the summer. So, you can expect warm days with chilly nights at the top.
Rain and fog are common in the area; therefore, you should pack accordingly. In some instances, there are a lot of people at the top, so you might not even find proper arrangements. That’s why it’s advisable to carry your own tent and sleeping bag. This will help you in case the weather changes rapidly, resulting in rainfall or cold nights. Last but not least, during winter, you will get snow at the top, which makes the weather even colder for the trekkers.
Permits, Guidelines, and Local Rules For Churdhar Peak Trek
You don’t need any special permit for trekking on Churdhar if you’re a national. However, for tourists from abroad, you should carry proper paperwork. Even for Indians, it is advisable to have at least an ID proof in case of emergencies. Additionally, you should follow the rules and regulations set by the local forest department. These consist mainly of no littering and open fires, as this can be a nuisance for people in the mountains.
You should also respect the religious customs at Chudeshwar temple. It is a place of worship, and no kind of indecent activity is permissible. In case you find someone misbehaving or causing some disturbances, then you should report them to the locals or forest department. Finally, you should carry all the waste back in your backpack to avoid littering the place.
Accommodation Options Near Churdhar Peak Trek
In Nohradhar, you can find a lot of guest houses and homestays which are very traditional and beautiful. Meanwhile, on the trek, you can have other options like camping at a checkpoint named ‘teesri’. Even though there are dharamshalas or forest rest houses at the summit, you can’t count on them. They have limited capacity and also require advance booking. Therefore, most of the time, you may not find a room. As a result, carrying your tent is not a bad option either.
- Guesthouses.
- Homestays.
- Camps.
What To Pack For The Churdhar Trek?
Your bag should be ideally packed with the stuff you need and not unnecessary items. First, you should carry an extra set of clothes in case of rain or weather changes. Sunscreen, along with a cap and gloves, is necessary to prevent tanning. Moreover, each individual should carry at least 2L of water as you will sweat a lot, and it can cause dehydration.
- Multiple sets of clothes.
- Good quality boots.
- Extra batteries and power banks.
- Med kit/first aid.
- Trekking poles.
- Tent and sleeping bag.
Also, you should carry large cash as there is no way to make online payments on the mountain. But make sure to keep your money in an approachable place in order to prevent loss or stealing. For food, you can have plenty of places to dine and enjoy, but still carrying some snacks won’t hurt your back.
Local Culture and Religious Significance
For us, Churdhar might be another trekking destination. But for the locals, Churdhar holds a sacred and cultural value. It is the temple of Shri Shirgul Maharaj, a local deity who guards the entire region. Because of their blessings, this whole area is protected from the forces of evil. Thus, the place is not ideal for seeking entertainment or disrespectful behaviour.
- Remove footwear.
- No alcohol and cigarettes.
- Respecting the decorum.
Flora and Fauna of Churdhar Sanctuary
Churdhar is full of wildlife and greenery. It is one of the most protected forest areas in the entire state. So, there’s a chance you can find some animals in their natural habitat like Black Bear, Pheasants, and Musk deer. In case you stumble upon a wild animal, carefully and slowly move back without making noise and scaring them. It is the best way to save your life without harming the wild animals.
You will find rare herbs and medicinal plants in the region. However, they are part of the biodiversity, so you should not pick them. Alternatively, you can take their photograph and capture it to be a memory. It is a much-distanced approach, which is right for both trekkers and biodiversity.
- Flora: Deodar, Oak, Pine, Wild Himalayan Cherry, and Aloe Vera.
- Fauna: Leopard, Wild Boar, Pika, Red Jungle Fowl, and Peacocks
Safety Tips During Medical Concerns
The trek might look easy, but it is very long. That’s why it’s necessary to hydrate your body. As you gain altitude, you might face some breathing issues, but you don’t have to worry; rest for some time and continue slowly. Also, inform someone before beginning the trek to the summit, as there is hardly any reception on the top. In case you have any problems, try to reach the nearest checkpoint and take some medication before resting for a bit. It’s not a good decision to trek during the night because of the wild animals.
Not only should you carry first aid, but you also need to have the following items in it.
- Pain relievers
- Nausea relievers
- Altitude sickness.
- PCM
- Dettol
- Bandages
- Spray
- ORS
- Glucose
- Antibiotics
Budgeting Your Churdhar Trek
Finances totally depend on the individuals and their spending. However, the minimum a person requires for this trip is around 2-3 thousand rupees. It covers the travel cost, accommodation and food. However, your budget can increase if you add services like guides, extra days and rental tents. For food, you need to brace your wallets since it costs more in the mountains. An average 50 rupee meal will cost double or triple at one of the checkpoints. Also, most of the food is vegetarian since it’s a holy place, so you should not carry inappropriate food items or beverages.
If your trip is of three days, then 1000 rupees per person is the average. But you can save money if you travel via public transport or bike. On top of that, securing the arrangements in Dharamshala will save you more money since you don’t need to rent a tent. But if you can’t find a place or arrangements at the summit, you need to spend some money.
Responsible Trekking & Eco-conscious Practices
Trekking is one of the fastest-growing tourist activities in Himachal Pradesh. Every year, many individuals are coming to the mountains for a peaceful time. However, it often leads to mismanagement, pollution and destruction of the natural Himalayan wonders. Therefore, you should be a responsible tourist and practice sustainable tourism. It is the only way to preserve the beauty of the place, along with enjoying your time to the maximum.
- Carry reusable water bottles.
- Avoid packaged junk food.
- Do not litter
- Carry trash bags.
- Do not carve names on rocks or trees.
The locals of the region are very friendly, but that doesn’t give us any right to overstep the limits. We should respect local customs and cultural practices. It’s also important to maintain decorum on the trail since it’s home to many animals and wildlife creatures. Also, if you could collect some of the trash on your way down, it would add value to the overall efforts of preserving the area (the locals do this all the time).
Photographic Highlights & Key Spots to Capture In Churdhar
The entire trek is full of photographing opportunities with landscapes, meadows, wildlife and clear skies. However, the best place to photograph the region is the summit, from where you can watch the sunrise and sunset. There is also the opportunity to capture the beauty of Chureshwar Mahadev’s statue on the top. It is a very beautiful structure and is heavily crowded during the peak season. So, you’ll only have a small window to find your ideal shot.
Apart from capturing the sun and the statue, you can also find the panoramic views of Badrinath, Kedarnath, and even Sutlej Valley. However, all these spots are only visible during the clear days. And since the mountains have unpredictable weather, you need to have some luck for ideal views. Thus, make sure to check the weather before venturing onto the trails of the Churdhar trek.
Final Thoughts On Churdhar Trek
Churdhar Peak trek is one of the most fulfilling Himalayan experiences you can have as a traveller. It is a magnificent trail of natural beauty that encapsulates the grandeur of the mountains. Furthermore, it is an ideal destination for people seeking natural connections in this digital world. You can come here and disconnect from the tensions of everyday life and find peace among the creation.
The trek is ideal for first-time comers with moderate fitness as it challenges your body but replenishes your mind and soul. So, if you’re looking for a trip that combines nature, mythology and culture, then Churdhar is a great choice. It offers everything a traveller can ask for in their journey. Finally, there’s only one request to the readers: you’re free to experience this place, but please leave it as you’ve found it—it’s not a choice but the responsibility of everyone.
Happy Journey!
FAQs
Where to stay at Churdhar Trek?
You can find rentable tents or stay at Dharamshala at the summit of the temple. In addition, you can take your equipment to set up camp in one of the several open spaces.
What is the Churdhar trek distance?
The total distance of the trek from three different starting points is given below.
- Nohradhar: 18-20 Km
- Chaupal: 7 Km
- Haripurdhar: 50 Km
What is Churdhar trek height?
The temple dedicated to Chureshwar Mahadev is situated at an elevation of 3600 m above sea level.
How is churdhar trek weather?
The weather is very cold even in the summer season, so make sure to have proper clothing and gear.
How long is the Nohradhar to Churdhar Trek distance?
The trek is 18 Km from Nohradhar. However, there is a road that takes you around 4-5 Km above the trail.
Is the Churdhar peak trek difficult?
The trek is of moderate difficulty, but you also need to factor in your physical health status.
Can Churdhar peak trek be done in one day?
You can reach the top of the trek within a day, spend the night above and descend the next day.
Where to start churdhar trek?
You can start your trek from Nohradhar since it has a lot of facilities to aid your travel.