Himachali Guide
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A lesser-known two-day trek in the Khanyara valley above Dharamshala to a meadow camp with 360-degree views of the Dhauladhar and Kangra valley.
Duration
2 days
Difficulty
Moderate
Max altitude
2,850 m
Distance
12 km
Thatharana at a glance
The Thatharana trek is a 2-day moderate trek in Dharamshala & Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, reaching a maximum altitude of 2,850 m over about 12 km. It starts from Kharota, with pickup in Dharamshala. The best time to go is March to June and September to November. Guided departures with Himachali Guide start from ₹2,800 per person.
Thatharana is a high meadow in the Khanyara valley above Dharamshala, and one of the quietest treks in the Dhauladhar. Triund gets crowded every weekend. Up at Thatharana you mostly meet shepherds with their flocks, and now and then another group of trekkers.
The trek starts at Kharota, about half an hour by road from McLeod Ganj, and climbs roughly 5 to 6 km through forest and open slopes to the meadow. Some sections are steep, but most people reach camp in about three hours.
From the meadow you can see all around. The rock and snow of the Dhauladhar are close behind you and the Kangra valley is spread out below. We camp the night for the sunset and the early morning light on the peaks.
2 days · tap a day to expand
Meet in Dharamshala at 9 am and drive to Kharota. Trek about 5 to 6 km through forest and open slopes to the Thatharana meadow, arriving in time to set up camp before sunset.
Wake early for sunrise over the Kangra valley, breakfast at camp, then walk back down to Kharota and drive to Dharamshala by early afternoon.
Both are two-day treks above Dharamshala with big Dhauladhar views. Thatharana is less known and much quieter, with a meadow camp instead of the busy Triund ridge, and a slightly steeper climb in places.
It is easy to moderate: about 5 to 6 km each way with some steep sections, usually around three hours up. Regular walkers manage it comfortably.
March to June and September to November. The monsoon months make the trail slippery, and winter can bring snow to the meadow.
At Kharota in the Khanyara valley, about 30 minutes by road from McLeod Ganj. We include the transfer from Dharamshala.
2 min read
Triund, Thatharana and Kareri Lake are the Dharamshala treks we get asked about most. How they compare on distance, difficulty, crowds and views.
Read article: Triund, Kareri Lake or Thatharana? Choosing a trek from Dharamshala
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