Roli Kholi snow Trek June 2025 (Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India)
I had done many road trips and excursions in last few years but had not done any trek since my last full fledged trek in 2015 (Chandrakhani Trek by YHAI). I had been wishing to do a proper trek which would also test my ability and stamina at this growing age. Our courts closed for summer vacations in June 2025, which provided me an opportunity to accomplish this dream. I checked online for the treks which were on during June. I zeroed down on Roli Kholi snow Trek by YHAI as the dates of this trek suited me. Incidentally, my work schedule allowed me to join only the last group whose reporting day was 5th June.
Unfortunately, this time, my dear friend Amit Burman with whom I did almost all my treks, road trips and excursions since 2011, was not around (as he died of suspected heart failure in December 2024). My wife Meenu volunteered to accompany me on this trek. Great !
5.6.2025 Thursday (Delhi to Kullu by bus)
Me and Meenu took a cab from home and reached ISBT, Delhi at 7.15 pm to catch our 8 pm Volvo for Manali (booked through RedBus app). After identifying the platform 9 where the Volvo bus would be parked, I sent pic of Meenu’s shoes to the Field Director of this Trek Mr. Pratap Chauhan (9415402656) who said that these shoes may not be ok for the snow trek. So, we hurriedly walked to nearby Mall and bought new pair of shoes for her. Then we returned back to ISBT, deposited our rucksacks in the boot space of the bus and boarded the Volvo bus (Laxmi Holidays).
The Bus started at 8 pm. It took a halt at 9.15 pm at Murthal (Hawai Adda restaurant) for about 45 min. At 9.45 pm, the bus started again for onward journey.
Day 1 : 6.6.2025 Friday (Base camp to Sethan Village to Kooki Nala camp)
At 5 am in the morning, the Volvo bus dropped us at a spot on the Kullu Manali Highway opposite Indian Oil petrol pump. From here, we took an auto which dropped us at 5.20 am at YHAI basecamp at Seobagh (altitude : 4200 Ft) after covering about 3 km. The basecamp is located conveniently in the Kullu valley near Beas river bank (the river is at the back of the camp).
I met Mr.Tiwari, the YHAI Delhi personnel posted here at the basecamp. Then met Mr. Devaram Chaudhary, a teacher from Rajasthan posted as camp leader at the basecamp. Then met Mr. Pratap Chauhan, the Field Director of this Roli Kholi Trek. They allotted us one tent. We put our rucksacks there and freshened up in the pucca constructed washrooms. I handed over documents (medical certificate, aadhar card copy, 2 photographs each) and Rs.7500/- per person to Mr. Devaram who then issued our Admit cards. He also enrolled Meenu as member of YHAI for one year for Rs.200/- (I am already a YHAI member since last 35 years). We took tea and breakfast, standing there in the open while gossiping with the trekkers of the batch who returned yesterday and with trekkers of our batch.
After breakfast, all packed their rucksacks and deposited extra luggage in the cloak room. Meenu got rucksack from YHAI while I used my own rucksack. All lined up. Mr. Tiwari gave briefing about the trek. Today was the birthday of co-chairman of YHAI who cut cake. Then packets containing toffees, dry fruits, frooti, biscuit, banana were distributed to each participant. The participants picked up the sticks lying there in the camp while some others had brought their own sticks.
At 8.40 am, we 17 participants (plus Mr. Devaram Chaudhary) departed from basecamp in one Tempo Traveller and two Tata Sumo. Mr. Chaudhary accompanied us as there is no need for camp leader now at basecamp as we are last group and no further group is to report now.
After a two hour uphill road drive, the vehicles dropped us at 10.35 am at Village Sethan (altitude : 8800 Ft) (the road further goes to Jobri Nala which is about 15 min drive from there and which is the last point by road on this stretch). We all rested here for a while and relieved ourselves. There is a hydro power plant here being run by ADHPL (Allain Duhangan Hydropower Plant, a subsidiary of Malana Power Company Ltd.).
At 11 am, we started trekking. It was a comfortable ascent during which we rested several times. It was a 4 km trek from Village Sethan to next camp which passed through sense alpine forests and enchanting wilderness.
Within 1 ½ hours, at 12.30 pm, we reached Kooki Nala camp (altitude : 9600 Ft).
We were welcomed by the camp leader Mr. Mool Singh Rathore. He is a retired teacher from Rajasthan (aged about 70 years). I had met him earlier also during Sar Pass trek in basecamp at Kasol in 2014. He gave briefing and instructions about this campsite. We took group pic with him on the big stone in the middle of this camp. The camp got its name from the Kooki Nala (stream) which flows nearby. Soon, welcome drink was offered to us, which was pomegranate drink of HPMC mixed with fresh river water. It was so refreshing.
Soon, at 1.00 pm, hot lunch was served, which comprised rice, rajma, dry potato subzi, cucumber, lemon. The food was tasty. Tents were allotted to us : two tents for gents (9 persons) and one tent for girls (8 persons). Tents were quite big, each tent can accommodate 12 persons easily.
All relaxed in the tents as it was very hot and sunny in the open at this time. Camp leader told that today is incidentally the first time in last many days when the day is sunny here otherwise all previous groups got rain and cloudy weather here due to which none of them took cold welcome drink ! (I met the cook named Guddu Khare from Aligarh. He is doing cooking for YHAI treks since 1997). We explored the surroundings of campsite. There were trees and vegetation nearby. Some sat and enjoyed on the big rocky platform in the middle of the camp.
At 4 pm, tea and biscuits were served. At 5.15 pm, hot soup was served. At 6.15 pm, Dinner was served which comprised Dal, chapatti, rice, subzi, pickle. All gossiped while taking dinner. Slowly, it became dark. At about 7.30 pm, some of us took Bournvita. At 8.15 pm, all moved to their tents as it became cold outside. In the tents, slowly all went to sleep.
Day 2 : 7.6.2025 Saturday (Kooki Nala to Lamadough Camp)
I got up at 4.15 am. I had difficulty sleeping in the night. Infact, I was the first one to get up. The hot water was kept by the cooking staff in a steel container dispenser on the make-a-shift table in the night for drinking. By morning, it became lukewarm. I drank water from it and freshened up. There was a pipe carrying water from stream from far which was put up near kitchen. It could be used for washing utensils and hands etc. Naresh Sharma ji from Panchkula also woke up with me. He is an early riser and a good walker. He told that he walks minimum 25,000 steps every day, recorded on his Apple watch !
Gradually all woke up and came out of tents. I and Naresh Sharma ji did morning walk on the undulating terrain amidst cold breeze.
At 6 am, tea and hot drinking water was served. Me and Meenu took Afresh tea in hot water.
At 7 am, breakfast was served which comprised Poha. At 7.30 am, we got packed lunch which comprised Pulao. There was good view of snow laden mountains kissed by morning sun rays with trees in the background, which was a perfect setting for good photograph. We all clicked photographs here.
At 8.30 am, after lining up, we all started from the Kooki Nala camp for onward trek to next higher camp. Today’s trek is 7 km which will take us higher through beautiful meadows and dense forests. Alongwith Mr. Devaram Choudhary (basecamp leader), Mr. Mool Singh Rathore (camp leader of Kooki Nalla) also accompanied us (they will go with us to the basecamp). The camp started winding up as ours was last group. We crossed various meadows, while resting at various points.
At 10.10 am, we reached open meadows where several gujjars have pitched tent and grazing buffalos and goats. They were selling hot milk (but no lassi). All rested here for ½ hour. The sun rays were very sharp, but the wind lowered the intensity of heat from sun rays. So, we did not feel that hot while sitting under sun.
At 10.35 am, we resumed the trek. At 11 am, we all sat at a place in the open in a meadow and ate packed lunch here. Our next camp’s leader is visible from here at long distance (horses there).
At 11.35 am, we resumed the trek.
At 12.10 pm, we reached our next camp, called Lamadough Camp (altitude : 10,200 Ft).
We were welcomed by camp leader Mr. Vinayak from Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. He is a famous Cyclist in his town and has trained several people. He lives near Chiplun in Maharashtra. He has done many 100 km cycle trips. He also does tandem cycling. He also gives training in cycling. He resigned at the age of 58 from Dow Chemicals in 2018. He has done many treks. Now, he is not doing treks, but serving as camp leader and mainly devoting time to cycling.
At 12.20 pm, we were served welcome drink. The camp leader gave briefing and instructions about this campsite. It is a good campsite amidst a meadow on a plateau. The buffalos and cows (belonging to gujjars) were roaming around the camp. There was a huge big rock behind our tent from where one could have a 360 degree view of the valley and surroundings.
Between 1-4 pm, most of us per force rested in the tents as it was so hot and burning outside and there was no shade or tree under which we could sit. Though cool breeze was flowing, but I was feeling as if my skin was burning. A few ventured to sit in open !
At 3.40 pm, we were served tea and matthi. It was too hot in the open, with no shade anywhere except tents.
I spotted a small area having 2-3 trees at a distance. Me and Meenu trekked down to that point (10 min) and rested under shade of these trees. It felt so refreshing.
At 5.30 pm, we trekked up to the camp where soup was being served. While sipping soup, I sang alongwith the camp leader Mr. Vinayak who tuned out to be a good singer, singing old songs, while others enjoyed our singing.
At 6 pm, dinner was served which comprised roti, rice, dal, aloo matar subzi, papad, pickle onion, custard. Around 6.45 pm, sun went down and it started becoming cold. We wore another layer of clothing as it became cold outside. From 8-9 pm, some of us ventured to sit in the open in cold and had a singing session, wearing our jackets, with clearly visible stars and constellations in the dark sky. We also witnessed a phenomena in the sky which looked as if hundreds of satellites have been launched one after the other !
At 9.15 pm, all went into their tents and slept.
Day 3 : 8.6.2025 Sunday (Lamadough to Roli Kholi camp)
I got up at 5 am and freshened up. We were served tea at 6 am. The weather was good.
At 7 am, we were served breakfast which comprised puri, chole, sevaiyan, Gud chana. At 7.30 am, we got packed lunch which comprised parantha, sabzi.
At 8 am, after lining up and after clicking pics with camp leader and kitchen staff, we started from Lamadough camp. Today’s trek is about 6 km but it is moderately challenging. It was a steep ascent on the mountain in front of us, with zig zag movement. We rested at several places on the way.
At 11 am, while climbing, we reached a spot where there was a glacier / frozen stream of snow on a slope. We all sat and took packed lunch here. We did not get any water point today. We were running short of water. Some put the ice from this glacier in their bottles but the water was not clean. I filtered the water using hanky and put in the bottle.
At 12 pm, we resumed the trek. At one rest point, group leader Mrunal Muley taught trick photography ….video was taken from such an angle it appeared as if I am standing and dancing on Meenu’s palm 😊
By 1.50 pm, we were in a valley with snow on mountains, not very far. These were mesmerizing views of the mountains. Around 2.50 pm, we reached a glacier in the open valley with water from it forming a stream. We drank water from it. It was snow all around on stony patches within grassy patches.
As we ascended towards Roli Kholi, the landscape transitioned into open snowfields, offering panoramic view of Deo Tibba and the surrounding Himalayan range of Pir Panjal and Dhaula Dhar.
At 3.30 pm, we reached Roli Kholi camp (altitude : 13000 Ft).
The camp was set up on open grassland with captivating snow clad mountains around. The surroundings were incredible. There was a huge glacier a little down from the camp. The water emanating from the glacier had formed a lake around.
It was a nice campsite. We were welcomed by camp leader Mr. Nandan from West Bengal. He is a mountaineering instructor and works with YHAI. He had deep knowledge of the trekking, mountaineering and mountains, which he shared with us while giving briefing and instructions about this campsite.
At 3.45 pm, we were served welcome drink : hot kiwi drink. Since it was quite cold here due to snow around, only hot drinks worked. At 4.30 pm, we were served tea and matthi. At 5 pm, we were served soup.
At 6 pm, we were served dinner which comprised Dal, roti, baingan sabzi, papad, gud chana and surprisingly Gulab jamun ! As sun went down, it started getting cold. We put on the jackets.
At this altitude, the oxygen was low. Some members felt effect of AMS. Some vomited while some felt headache. But as time passed by, we got acclimatized to this environment and things improved.
At 7 pm, all sat in our tent where we all gossiped and introduced about each other. Then all went to sleep. (In the night, Mrs. Yamini’s health worsened as she was feeling breathlessness, may be due to high altitude and exertion during the day).
Day 4 : 9.6.2025 Monday (Roli Kholi to Sarotu camp)
I got up at 5 am. I could not sleep in night due to headache and congested sleeping bag. I freshened up and took a walk around. (Naresh Sharma ji, as usual, was taking long walks. He completed about 20,000 steps almost every day on this trek). At a distance, while walking, I got mobile signal and messaged my son to book return bus tickets for tomorrow from Kullu to Delhi. After witnessing the sunrise, I returned to the camp.
At 6 am, tea was served. We mouthwashed and tooth brushed.
At 7 am, breakfast was served which comprised maggi and seviyyan. We all removed blankets and sleeping bags from our tents and kept these in the open, as the tents have to be uprooted as the khachhars / ponies had arrived to carry these back. We all packed our rucksacks and kept these in the open.
At 8 am, we 14 members started from the camp to go to the summit point, which is at an altitude of about 13,800 ft. The 3 members (Mrs. Yamini and her husband and Mrs. Chavda) who were not feeling well due to AMS stayed back in the camp. We started with sticks and water bottles in our hands. The weather was very clear with bright sun overhead. It was an uphill climb through grassy and stony terrain and snowy patches. The wind was quite high as we were approaching the top of the mountain. We first crossed a big snow patch and reached huge valley of snow. We then reached a snow covered mountain. The two guides were also with us. They made footmarks on the snow and we put our foot in it and walked on the snow with the assistance of the stick. This was the summit point of the Roli Kholi trek, which was at an altitude of 13,800 ft (as told by our camp leader Mr. Nandan, who is a trained mountaineer). We took pictures. We also sang national anthem on the snow with the banner of YHAI and Indian flag. It felt so good ! The guides did not allow us to roll / slide on the snow as according to them it was risky here because there were boulders at the lower end of the snow patch.
At 10.15 am, we returned to the camp and relaxed. At 11 am, we were served lunch.
At 11.40 am, we started from the Roli Kholi camp. Today’s trek is about 4 km. It was all down and descent from here, with frozen streams visible at short distances. We rested at several places. Throughout the trek, we did not find even a single person except our trek members ! (other than some gujjars).
At 3.30 pm, we reached Sarotu camp (altitude : about 11,000 Ft).
There was no camp leader here as he already returned to base camp in morning. Some of the tents had already been uprooted here, this being the last camp and ours being the last group.
We were served welcome drink by the cooking staff, which was litchi juice. Mr. Devaram Chaudhary acted as camp leader here.
Like other camps, here also there was no shade other than tents. I was feeling so hot. My skin felt burning. So, we had no option but to rest in our tents.
At 4.30 pm, we were served tea and potato vada / bonda. At 5.30 pm, we were served soup. At 6 pm, dinner was served which comprised roti, ghia sabzi, dal.
By 8 pm, we retired to our tents. All were too tired by the descent today.
Day 5 : 10.6.2025 Tuesday (Sarotu camp to Jobri Nala to Basecamp)
I got up at 5.30 am. I had good sleep in the night. The weather was good. It was not very cold here, as was the case at other camps. I did not feel the need to wear jacket or cap.
At 6 am, morning tea was served. At 7 am, breakfast was served which comprised aloo parantha, rajma, pickle, seviyyan, sprouted chana mixed with tomato and onion. Thereafter, we all packed our bags.
At 7.45 am, we started trek from the Sarotu camp down to Jobri Nala to catch bus to basecamp.
At 11 am, we reached the motarable road. There are 2-3 dhabas here. We sat in a tarpuline dhaba run by 2 old aunties. This place is called Jobri Nala (altitude : 9300 Ft).
We relaxed in the dhaba while waiting for other members to arrive. YHAI’s Tempo Traveller was already parked there to transport us back to the basecamp. We took cold drinks and snacks here. Few tourists were arriving here in the hope of finding snow and waterfall by walking by foot to some distance away. This is also the route for Hampta pass and we could see some trekkers going and returning from Hampta pass trek camps. This is the last motorable point on this route.
At about 12.30 pm, we started from Jobri Nala in the 20-seater Tempo Traveller (all rucksacks kept on the roof of the bus). After 15 minutes, we passed by Village Sethan (from where we started the trek).
At 2.30 pm, we reached basecamp at Seobagh in Kullu district. We deposited the YHAI’s rucksack and took the extra luggage back from the cloak room. I took a shower and changed the clothes. We charged our mobile and the power bank. At 3 pm, we took lunch. Soon, Dr. Hitesh Thakkar and his wife Mrs. Yamini left for Manali for 2 days trip.
At 6.05 pm, me and Meenu started from the basecamp in an auto, which dropped us near Indian Oil Petrol Pump on Kullu Manali highway (the pickup point for Volvo bus). Our pickup time was 6.45 pm (Laxmi Holidays) but the bus got late in Manali. Naresh Sharma ji, whose pick up time was 5.30 pm, was also waiting there as his bus also got late. Suddenly, we checked online and found that his bus (Laxmi Holidays) had already passed from here (may be when he was away to purchase water bottle) and had already reached Mandi ! He was forced to take alternative bus to Panchkula. Our Volvo arrived at 7.35 pm. We boarded the same (seat No. 2A, 2B).
At 9 pm, the Volvo stopped for 40 minutes at Beas View restaurant at Mandi for dinner.
11.6.2025 Wednesday (back to Delhi by bus)
At 5.05 am, we got down from the Volvo at Bye-pass in Delhi (15 min before ISBT). Rishab, my son, was waiting in the car for us. At 5.30 am, we returned home.
Thus, another memorable trek came to an end. (This was the first time in last 15 years that I went on a trek without my friend Amit Burman whom we lost last year).
NOTES / TIPS :
- Seobagh in Kullu-Manali is the basecamp for many YHAI treks like Sar Pass, Chanderkhani pass, Hamta pass, Bhrigu lake, Roli Kholi trek)
- At Village Sethan, the starting point of trek, Mrs. Yamini and we gave our rucksacks to the guides Surender and Khemraj. They charged total Rs.7k for our two rucksacks. (I realized that Meenu would not be able to climb carrying her heavy rucksack. I realised the same for me too).
- There is No electricity at any of the camps in this trek. Keep your torches.
- Mobile signal is more or less not available. It is available only at some elevated spots during the whole trek (mainly Jio and BSNL network).
- Tented toilets at each camp.
- There is not a single eatery or maggi point or village on this trek. So, you can eat only from what you have in your rucksack and what you are offered in the camps.
- Throughout this trek, mainly after 1st camp, there is no tree or place of shade to sit / relax. Hence, one has to rest only in the open under bright hot sun, which expose to the risk of tanning and sun-burn (I suffered sun-burn on arms, face and fingers). So, my advise is to wear full sleeve light colored T-shirt (to cover your hands) and wear a wide rimmed hat or a scarf (to protect your face). One can also carry an umbrella to protect from sun rays.
- The whole terrain during this trek is grassy (and not stony / rocky / boulder) but there are no trees. The treeline ends at 10,000 ft. in the mountains in this region.
- Since ours was last group, the camp started winding / uprooting simultaneously with our marching from any camp to next camp.
- The 17 Trek participants were : 1. Dr. Hitesh Thakkar 2. Mrs. Yamini Thakkar 3. Dilipsinh Chavda 4. Mrs.Sonalba Chavda 5. Sunil Goel 6. Mrs. Meenu Goel 7. Naresh Sharma 8. Mrs. Shalaka Muley 9. Dadaso Hajare 10. Kapil Ohlan Chaudhary 11. Dr. Mrinal Bhatia 12. Vraj 13. Anish Dere 14. Mrunal Muley 15. Ziya Mansoori 16. Chand Mansoori 17. _____ Mansoori
- Two guides : Surender Thakur, Khemraj Thakur
