Maximum altitude: 8,900 feet above the sea level
Grade: Easy to moderate
Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
Trekking distance: 16 kilometres
Trail type: Easy to moderate
Rail head: Pathankot (150 km away from Bir)
Airport: Kangra airport in Dharamshala
Snow Season: November to February
Service from: March
Base camp: Bir
Best season: During the spring season, between the monthsof August to October
Region: Kangra region of the Himalayas
Who can participate: The minimum age for Rajgundha trekis 10 years and the maximum age is 60 years
Report at base camp
The scenic town of Bir is the base camp for the Rajgundha trek and on day 1, trekkers will have to report at the campsite.
The trek commences from here on day 1 itself and will involve passing through scenic river and mountain views.
There are numerous waterfalls splattered across the Bir to Rajgundha trek route that are bound to elevate your experience even further.
On the first day, you will be touching down Billing where complimentary drinks and snacks will be served right after you reach there.
Soak in the gorgeous sunset before gulping down scrumptious dinner and setting off to sleep.
Billing to Rajgundha
Day 2 is when you will continue the trek towards Rajgundha.
To enjoy the sunrise, it is advisable to wake up a little early and after enjoying the sunrise, you can rest for a while.
After having breakfast, the trek will commence towards Rajgundha.
This day’s trek will also involve passing through scenic meadows and crossing many wooden bridges built over the Uhl river.
After reaching the campsite in Rajgundha in the evening, hot tea and snacks will be served.
Both veg and non veg dinner options are available at the campsite and it is advisable to retire to bed at 10 PM in the night.
Rajgundha to Bir
The morning will greet you with a gorgeous sunrise the Rajgundha valley is famous for.
A short sightseeing session will also take place after breakfast.
After the sightseeing in Rajgundha, the descent towards Bir will commence.
The trek is going to last for four hours, after which you will be left with two options: either stay in Billing for paragliding or continue trekking towards Bir.
This adventurous Rajgundha trek will culminate at Bir where all the trekkers will disperse their own ways.
Essentials:
Hiking shoes: Proper hiking / trekking shoes that can provide good grip over rough surfaces. Sports shoes and sneakers are best avoided because they tend to become slippery over rough surfaces.
Warm clothes: The temperatures tend to suddenly change when you are in the mountains so the best bet is to go prepared.
Rain gear: The weather in the mountains remain is unpredictable to say the least so it is best advisable to carry waterproof gears.
Water bottle: Even though you won’t feel that thirsty in the mountains, it is crucial to carry a water bottle all the time. Staying hydrated is the key to unlock these kind of treks.
Others:
Walking stick: An essential that will definitely assist you on the trek as it provides stability.
Back pack: A 50-60 litre backpack will be enough to carry all youressentials.
Medical kit: Carry your own personalised medical / first aid kit with prescription medicines, ointments and band-aids.
Torch: A torch will come in really handy once the sun sets and the night takes over the mountains.
By air: Kangra airport in Dharamshala is the closest airport to the campsite. The Kangra airport is around 67 kilometres from the campsite and it is worth noting here that flights from major cities aren't frequent here.
By rail: Pathankot junction is the closest railway station to Bir Billing which is somewhere around 150 kms. Most major cities have frequent trains to Pathankot and after reaching there, you will have several options to reach Bir Billing.
By road: Bir billing is well connected by motorable roads and if you don’t wish to board a train to reach there, you can also get a taxi from the Pathankot railway station. It will take around 3 hours to reach Bir from Pathankot if you’re travelling by road.
Endurance is the key and it is advisable to start working out a little, at least 15 days before your scheduled date of Bir to Rajgundha trek. Moreover, it is also advisable to skip last minute packing and put everything in place beforehand as you don’t wish to miss out on any crucial stuff out in the wild. Here are some more tips for trekkers:
Avoid wearing sports shoes or sneakers for that matter, when the trek commences because they tend to get slippery on such surfaces. Wear proper hiking / trekking shoes for ample protection and grip.
Carry enough warm clothes and liners because it can get very chilly up there, especially during the night.
In case you feel hungry during the Rajgundha valley trek, it is essential to keep some energy bars handy to get an instant boost.
Carrying a walking stick isn’t a mandate but you can still do that as walking sticks provide more stability when you’re trekking on mountainous surfaces.
Carry your own personal medical / first aid kit with essential supplies like medicines, band-aids and ointments.
How can I reach Rajgundha trek?
By air: Kangra airport in Dharamshala is the closest airport to the campsite and is around 67 kilometres from the campsite.
By rail: Pathankot junction is the closest railway station to Bir Billing which is somewhere around 150 kms. Most major cities have frequent trains to Pathankot.
By road: Bir billing is well connected by motorable roads and if you don’t wish to board a train to reach there, you can also get a taxi from the Pathankot railway station.
What is the location of Rajgundha trek?
The Rajgundha valley trek is located in the Kangra region of the Himalayas. Bir billing is the base camp from where the trek starts.
What is the best time for Rajgundha trek?
Although one can undertake the Rajgundha valley trek during the summer months as well, if you wish to get the best experience, spring months of August to October are the best. This time around, the scenic beauty of Rajgundha is at its best and the weather also remains very pleasant.
What is the highest altitude of Rajgundha trek?
The highest altitude that you will be gaining on this trek is close to 9,000 feet. This height is what makes the Rajgundha trek one of the more accessible and easier ones in the same region. The trek is relatively easy to undertake if we compare it some of the more hardcore treks offered in the Himalayan region.
How do you trek to Rajgundha?
The trek to Rajgundha starts at Bir Billing so you have to reach the campsite on day 1. From Bir Billing, it takes a whole day to trek to Rajgundha and the overall distance you will be covering during this trek is somewhere around 16 kilometres.
What is Rajgundha famous for?
Rajgundha is a small village nestled amidst the majestic Himalayas. This scarcely populated village is primarily famous for the panoramic views of the Dhauladhar range. It also offers a deep insight into the culture and the lifestyle of the Himalayan people. Moreover, apart from the scenic vistas of the majestic mountains, the trek route is also dotted with numerous waterfalls.