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March, 2023May 13, 2023

Ganjau Thatch – Trekking to the Snow-Covered Alpine Meadow of Shangarh

If you have been reading my blog for some time, you must be aware of the fact that I am in love with Shangarh. That’s the reason I keep coming back here, again and again. I started my January 2023 with a weekend trip to Shangarh. I was joined by my buddy Yogesh Jangra. We have already visited Shangarh once in 2022 already. This was his second visit, and mine was 999999999th. However, I didn’t get to witness snow this time. But Negi Bhaiya (owner of Mountain View Cafe) told me that we could find thick snow at Ganjau Thatch.

When I was in Shangarh in February 2022, this small remote village was totally covered with snow. It snowed heavily. Everything was snow-covered, damn white. I asked Yogesh to come along as he had never seen snowfall in his life, and I thought Shangarh would let him make his wish come true. But he wasn’t that lucky. Well, we did see some good amounts of snow at higher altitudes.

Trekking to Ganjau Thatch – Shangarh’s Hidden Gem – Unleash Your Inner Adventurer

We stayed at Ted’s Cabin, just like the last time. It was the last day of our weekend trip, and we planned to trek to Ganjau Thatch. It was my first time visiting Ganjau Thatch, though I had been to Shangarh so many times. I knew about this place, but I never got to visit there. So on the last day, after breakfast, we started our trek to Shangarh’s Ganjau Thatch. Negi Bhaiya was our trek leader. There are several treks starting from Shangarh. There’s one which leads to Lapah Village and Sara Lake.

Ganjau Thatch is a picturesque alpine meadow located near Shangarh in the Sainj Valley of Himachal Pradesh. It is a popular destination for trekking and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Ganjau Thatch and Thini Thatch are two major treks that start from Shangarh. The trek starts from a small narrow trail near Whispering Pine Camp. It’s going to be a steep uphill hike at some places, so be ready for that. Though it’s not that difficult, it may get in the way in some places. It was January, and I was sweating so bad that I had to take off my T-shirt (I have this body problem). Passing through scenic beauties and giant deodar forests, you will witness nature in its purest form.

On the way, you will find a small crossover bridge next to a beautiful water cascade. That’s the place for your next Instagram photos and reels. You can fill your water bottle at the cascade and relax for a while there. If not, then keep moving because you want to reach Ganjau Thatch fast so that you can come back when it’s still day. There’s nothing on the way to Shangarh from Ganjau Thatch, like any homestay, any home, any shop/stall, etc.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Trekking to Ganjau Thatch

So when you plan to trek to Ganjau Thatch from Shangarh, you must keep a few things in mind. I have tried to cover some important things which you must consider so that you can make your trekking experience smooth and tension free.

Carry a water bottle. You will get natural water in small streams and cascades on the way.
Put on good boots and comfy trekking outfits. This is not a plain trek but rocky and bouldery. You will have to climb and take long steps at places.
Carry a trekking stick. It’s good!
You can pack lunch or light snacks with you. There are no stalls/shops on the way.
Carry a first-aid box. You may need it at any time.
Make sure you maintain the place’s sanctity and don’t harm nature by any means. Let’s be responsible travelers and support sustainable traveling.
Try starting your trek by 9 AM so that you can reach the top by 10:30 AM and return by 4 PM to 5 PM in the daylight. You don’t want to be lost in the woods.

I hope this blog post on things to know before trekking to Ganjau Thatch Shangarh cleared some doubts you may have. However; if you still feel any confusion or if you have any questions, do drop a comment or drop a mail and I will try to answer your questions. You can browse my blog for more blogs on Shangarh.

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Rajat Kumar

Hi there I am a food & travel enthusiast, a music aficionado, poet, artist, and someone who loves to explore unexplored/off-beat places. I started this blog to share my food and travel journey.