Kalsi Lakhamandal Trek

Maximum Altitude : 3556 Mtrs
Best Time to visit : Round the year
Grade : Easy
Duration : (08 days/07 nights)

The Kalsi Lakhamandal trek is a cultural and historical trek in the Jaunsar - Bhabar region of the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayas, between the Yamuna and Tons rivers. The region is known for the Jaunsari tribe, a tribe that practices both polyandry as well as polygamy, a practice entirely different from the rest of the Garhwal region. Lakhamandal itself is a large village on the banks of the Yamuna and is known for the ruins of a temple. The trek is supposed to have cultural and historical significance. The rock inscriptions at Kalsi dates back to the Asokan age and are in the Pali script. The fort at Biratkhoi is in ruins. According to the Mahabharata, this fort belonged to Maharaja Birat.

The palace in Lakhamandal is believed to be the Lakshagriha (lac palace built by the Kauravas to burn the Pandava princes alive) that is described in the Mahabharata. The temple complex in the centre of the village is dedicated to Bhagwati and Shiva. The two life size statues in the temple are supposed to belong to a much older temple and are considered to be Dwarapalas or statues of Bhima and Arjun. The villages along this trek are considered worth seeing for their architectural and cultural value. Rich in flora and fauna, the trek is also considered attractive for ornithologists.

Day 01- Delhi – Haridwar – 210 Kms( Drive 5-6 Hrs)

Arrive Haridwar. Local sightseeing and evening Arti at Har Ki Pauri. Overnight at The Haveli Hari Ganga- A Heritage Hotel.

Day-02 Haridwar-Lakhamandal- Drive 150 Kms ( 1090 Mtrs)

Drive to Lakhamandal 150 kms via Mussoorie lunch enroute-Lakhamandal is place of archaeological significance. The scattered remains of the some ancient temples and a large number of shivlingas made of shinning grey and granite like stone are the main attraction. Historians and archealogist identify Lakhamandal with the epic Laxagrah (House of Wax) which was made by Duryodhan in a conspiracy to kill the Pandavas-Dinner and overnight in camp.

Day-03 Lakhamandal- Baijnath

12 kms drive to Goragati. Further 12 kms trek to Baijnath with packed lunch. Dinner and overnight in camp.

Day-04 Baijnath- Magti

Trek*17 kms to Magti with packed lunch. Dinner and overnight in camp.

Day-05 Magti-Biratkhoin ( 3080 Mtrs)

Trek*11 kms to Biratkhoi with packed lunch-At Biratkhoi there is an epic fort in ruins now, according to the legends of Mahabharat, This fort belongs to Maharaja Birat - Dinner and overnight in camp.

Day-06 Biratkhoi- Kalsi( 850 Mtrs)

Trek 22 kms to Kalsi with packed lunch. Dinner and overnight in camp.

Day-07 Kalsi-Haridwar ( 120 Kms)

After early breakfast trek for about 3-4 hours to reach Taluka and from here drive back to Haridwar. Overnight at The Haveli Hari Ganga.

Day 08- Haridwar- Delhi

Post Breakfast leave for onward journey