Ritik’s Sar Pass Trek Review: A Journey That Redifined Adventure

When I first signed up for the Sar Pass trek, I thought it would be another physically demanding challenge, a mere tick on my adventure list. 

Little did I know that this trek would transform me in ways I hadn’t imagined—changing not only the way I viewed nature but also how I viewed myself. It became much more than just a physical feat; it became a journey of friendship, discovery, and reflection.

The Adventure Begins

The trek began the moment I set foot in Kasol. 

And let me tell you, there was something magical about this little village that immediately drew me in. Nestled in the Parvati Valley, surrounded by towering peaks and lush forests, it felt like the perfect starting point for a new adventure. I was there with two friends, fellow software engineers, ready to trade our usual world of codes and screens for something more real, something raw.

We were part of a larger group, a mix of strangers with different backgrounds—students, solo travellers, engineers, and entrepreneurs. The diversity in our group was striking, yet as we exchanged stories and shared our excitement about the trek, I sensed a bond forming. 

After all, we were all here for the same reason: to explore, to conquer, and to share something special with new faces.

As we sat around the campfire, basking in the warmth and comfort of the flickering flames, it hit me how powerful such simple moments could be. 

The laughter, the stories, the teasing about who packed the worst snacks—those small, shared experiences were quickly becoming the heartbeat of this journey.

Steep Paths, Steep Lessons

The next leg of the journey, from Grahan to Mung Thach, is where the trek truly began to test us. The steep climbs and thinner air started to push our limits. But every step was a victory. As much as my legs screamed in protest, my spirit soared with every new turn on the trail. 

The higher we went, the more breathtaking the scenery became!

We stopped frequently, not just to catch our breath but also to soak in the views, to snap a photo, or to share a joke. I remember teasing one of my friends, “If you click one more picture, we’re leaving you behind!” These lighthearted moments, where the pain of the climb seemed to vanish into laughter, brought the group together in ways I hadn’t expected.

By the time we reached Mung Thach, the fatigue was real, but so was the satisfaction of having pushed ourselves to new limits. The joy of arriving at our campsite and sitting by the fire with new friends made the struggle worthwhile. 

The night was filled with warmth, both from the fire and from the growing bonds between all of us. We weren’t just fellow trekkers anymore; we were becoming a family, each of us contributing to the story of the trek.

Reaching for the Sky

The day we reached Sar Pass felt like the culmination of everything we had experienced up until that point. The snow-covered landscapes that stretched out in front of us were humbling and exhilarating.

As the summit grew closer, there was a powerful sense of anticipation. This wasn’t just about reaching the top; it was about everything that had led us here—every struggle, every laugh, and every moment of doubt that we had overcome together.

When we finally reached the summit of Sar Pass, it felt like we had stepped into a different world. The panoramic views of the valleys below and the mountains around us took my breath away. The crispness of the air, the vastness of the snow-covered world—it was all so surreal. 

Standing there, surrounded by the group, I felt a sense of accomplishment, not just in reaching the peak but in the journey that had brought us here.

We celebrated together, shouting out in joy and taking photos, but the real victory was in how far we had come—not just physically, but emotionally. Each of us had crossed our own personal thresholds, and the bond we shared at that moment was something I’ll never forget.

The Descent

After reaching Sar Pass, the descent to Biskeri Thach felt like a release—a chance to let go of the tension that had built up during the climb. The slopes were covered in snow, tempting us to slide down like children, and we couldn’t resist. 

Every fall, every tumble, was met with bursts of laughter. The cold and the exhaustion seemed to melt away as we raced down the slopes, forgetting about the aches and just enjoying the freedom of the moment.

When we finally reached Biskeri Thach, I felt a mix of emotions. There was relief—because we had made it—but also a bit of sadness. We were nearing the end of our journey, and the reality that we would soon part ways began to settle in. That night, as we sat beneath a sky full of stars, reminiscing about the trek, cracking jokes, and sharing stories, I realised just how much this experience had meant to me. 

The Final Steps 

As we made our way back to Barshaini, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for everything this trek had given me. The mountains had a way of stripping everything down to the essentials—stripping away the distractions and forcing us to be present in the moment. 

And as much as I was looking forward to a hot shower and a comfortable bed, I knew I would miss the simplicity of the trek.

I had come to Sar Pass expecting just a physical challenge, but what I left with was so much more. I had found new friends, tested my limits, and rediscovered parts of myself that had been buried under the rush of everyday life. 

Because sometimes, it’s not about the destination or the peak—it’s about the journey, the people, and the moments that shape us along the way. 

And this Sar Pass trek will always be one of those moments for me.

Read more: Thrillophilia Sar Pass Trek Reviews