Sanasar, Jammu and Kashmir - A short trek to Shankhpal Temple (10,000feet)

"I always wonder why birds stay in the same place when they can fly anywhere on the earth. Then I ask myself the same question" – Harun Yahya

Sanasar is a place located 19 Kilometers from Patnitop. It is famous for its small local lakes. I went here through PYResorts  as a part of their 2 days weekend camping program. This was a very spontaneous and sudden trip that was made referring to the YHAI website where this program was hosted.

So the major chronological list of events of the trip are as follows:

8th April: Left for Udhampur from New Delhi
9th April: Reached Udhampur Railway Station, and from there reached Sanasar
10th April: Trek to Shankhpal Temple
11th April: Returned to New Delhi

#Reaching Sanasar From New Delhi

I booked the tickets for this trip just 12 days in advance and got it in Waiting List of Indian Railways ticketing system. If you are travelling on Delhi - Jammu - Katra route via train, be sure of getting waiting list tickets in case you are not booking it 3 months in advance because of many people going to Vaishno Devi. Our ticket was confirmed in Railway Quota. Thanks to my Grandfather who was in railway services. So in order to reach Sanasar, you need to get down at Udhampur.

From Udhampur one needs to reach Patnitop and from Patnitop, Sanasar is 20 Kilometers away. In order to reach Patnitop from Udhampur, one may find lots of private taxis outside the Udhampur railway station. They charge somewhere between Rs. 1000 - Rs. 1600 if done on a sharing basis with 4-6 people it comes around Rs. 250 - Rs. 400 per head. From Patnitop to Sanasar there are very limited buses. They start plying after 1 PM. If you reach Patnitop early, you can just roam around in this area have food and explore some nearby temples. If you take a taxi from Patnitop to Sanasar they are very expensive and will charge you Rs. 800 - Rs 1000 for it.

The route from Patnitop via Nathatop to Sanasar is very scenic and beautiful. This route can also prove to be an ideal one for Cycling. Sanasar is lesser crowded with tourists, but it is crowded if you compare it with Demul, Spiti. Sanasar has big wide open meadows with a natural lake at the center with distant mountain ranges surrounding the landscape.

#PYResorts - Camping, Accommodation, Stay

"Camp Fire at Sanasar,  PYResorts."

Our stay was accommodated by PYResorts. It was in the form of large tents with actual beds and electricity. Our stay was covered in Rs. 1500 for two days including food and the trek next day. It was raining when we reached the place, so I will recommend that you carry a Rain Coat when travelling to Sanasar as weather in hills can be very unpredictable. I got cold and wet in rain, but the hospitality of our hosts; which was a family with two kids; was warm and kind which made up for our troubles.

After changing clothes, I was offered food and tea alongside a fireplace. Food was simple Indian food and chai was extra sweet; Indian style milk tea. I had a hearty interaction with the kids and the owners of that place PYResorts (the parents of these two kids). We played a few knowledge games. After getting all warm and replenishing the lost energy, I was ready to go up and about exploring the nearby area. The kids were interested in playing football with me. So we all went near the Lake area in the open meadow. We played rock skipping on the lake, football in the open meadow, went to a nearby temple and by 6 PM came back to our camp ground.

At 8:00 PM dinner was served. PYResorts had the fire running beside which we all had our dinner. There was another group which has joined us. We all had food, chatted a little bit, and by 9 I retired to my tent; bed. It was a day well spent.

#Trek From Sanasar To Shankpal Temple

"400 Years Old Shankhpal Temple"

It was cold outside when I woke up next day at 7 AM. But it was good to see the sun shining in its full blast opposite to previous day's rain and cloud. In the sunlit morning we had our tea and breakfast, by this time one more member has joined our group from Banglore. There were 6 of us; including me and the guide; starting the trek from Sanasar to Shankhpal Temple. We were told that we would be going as far as we could with Shankhpal Temple being our last point (if we could make it that far).

Sanasar, Patnitop, Shankhpal, Temple, Trek, PYResorts, camping, Jammu & Kashmir

"Some Company Along The Way To Shankpal Temple, Sanasar"

The trek trail is all grassy and muddy at places. There are ample water sources on the way where you can replenish your water supplies. The trek is easy. It starts with an ascent followed by a flat walk then followed by an ascent till to top to Shankhpal Temple. We were told that it is 15 kilometers on one side from Sanasar to Shankhpal Temple, but my hunch says it is 11-12 kilometers only. You will find the Gulmarg mountain ranges on your right and the green meadows of Sanasar and Patnitop on your left. The route is not marked, but you will find many shepherds on the way who can guide you to the right path. One does not necessarily need a guide for this trek. We easily completed the trek in 5 hours. We started as a group of 6 but were left with 4 people when 2 members of our group decided to retract to Sanasar for which I am still thankful to them, otherwise we would have not been able to make it all the way up to the top till Shankhpal Temple.

Sanasar, Patnitop, Shankhpal, Temple, Trek, PYResorts, camping, Jammu & Kashmir

"The Muddy Trail To Shankhpal Temple"

Don't expect snow on this trek if you are doing it in March-May-July. When we reached the top where Shankhpal Temple is located (2897 Meters) we were been given a complimentary gift by nature in form of a snow patch which was still there. We completed the entire trek in 5 hours - 5.5 hours, bringing back some snow for the two of our fellow campers; who left the trek midway for us.

"On the way back from Shankpal Temple Peak"

“Bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya:

For the good of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world.” 
― Gautama Buddha