Curated Experiences in the Himalayas
The High Pass Challenge J&K Edition 2024
The THPC JK editions takes you across almost the whole length and breadth of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. We start off from Basohli in the Kathua District and make our way into the heart of the Pir Panjals and come to Bhaderwah in the Doda District after crossing the remote Chattargala Pass.
From Bhaderwah we move along the Chenab River to the Kishtwar district and from the town of Kishtwar we move towards the Sinthan Pass in the Pir Panjals which gets us into Kashmir. We then explore the Passes around Kashmir like the Margan Pass and Razdan Pass in the Great Himalayan Range and the Sadhna Pass, the Z Gali and the Pharkiyan Gali in the Shamsabari Range.
And end after crossing over Pir Panjals via the Pir Ki Gali on the old Mughal Road and ending in Jammu, having covered almost all the main Districts of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and experiencing the Mountains, the Rivers, the Forests, the Prople, the Culture and of course the Passes of the Region.
This Drive is not just an Overlanding Expedition but a lesson the Geography of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Which takes you along lesser know Routes in the UT with beauty than cannot be justified in words.
The Chattargala Pass which connects Bani in Kathua District with Bhaderwah in the Doda District of Jammu and Kashmir.
Day 1
We have an early Morning start and take the Road to Bani. And then to the beautiful meadows of Sarthal. From Sarthal we climb up to the beautiful Chattargala Pass and descend into scenic Bhaderwah in the Doda District.
A : Basohli / B : Bani / C : Sarthal / D : Chattragala Pass / E : Bhaderwah
Crossing the Pir Panjals
From the Ravi Basin to the Chenab Basin
Kathua District & Doda District
The amazing Sarthal Meadow
The Seven Step Waterfall
The Chattargala Pass
The beautiful Valley of Bhaderwah as seen from the Padri Pass which connects Bhaderwah with the Chamba District of Himachal Prades.
Day 2
We do a trip to Padri Pass which connects Bhaderwah with Chamba and then we head towards Kistwar along the Chenab. From Kishtwar we climb up the Sinthan Pass and descend into the Kashmir Valley.
A : Bhaderwah / B : Kishtwar / C : Sinthan Pass / D : Kukernag
Drive to Padri Pass
Drive along the Chenab to Kishtwar
Doda District to Kishtwar District
Beautiful Drive up the Sinthan Pass
Sinthan Pass
Great Views of Kashmir & Kishtwar if the Weather is clear
The Sinthan Pass which connects Kashmir with Kishtwar
Day 3
We start the drive up the thrilling Margan Pass which connects Kashmir with the magical Warwan Valley. Return to Srinagar later in the day.
A : Kukernag / B : Margan Pass / C : Srinagar
Kokernag to Margan Pass
Great Drive up the Pass
Margan Pass connects Kashmir and Warwan
Views of Nun Kun from Margan
Depending on the Weather and Road Conditions we might just drive a little beyond Margan into Warwan
Day 4
From Srinagar we drive upto the Wular Lake and then we climb up the Razdan Pass which was once a part of the Route which connected Kashmir with Gurez and beyond to Gilgit. From Razdan Pass we head to Chandigam in the Lolab Valley in Kupwara.
A : Srinagar / B : Razdan Pass / C : Chandigam
We cross the Districts of Ganderbal and Bandipora
Enroute Stop at Wular View Point
Great Views of the Kashmir Valley form Razdan Pass
Nanga Parbat can also be seen from Razdan Pass if the Weather is clear
Day 5
Today we will do the Shamsabari Passes of Zamindar/ Z Gali which connects to Machil and the the Pharkiyan Gali which connects to Kerna. Return to Chandigam in the Afternoon.
B : Pharkiyan Gali / C : Z Gali / D : Chandigam
Driving around the Frontier District of Kupwara in North Kashmir
We climb the beautiful Shamsabari Mountains
We visit the Pharkiyan Gali and Z Gali, both Military Passes on the Shamsbari Range
Kupwara is exceptionally beautiful
Day 6
We head to the Sadhna Pass today again in the Shamsbari Range and which further connects to the Karnah Valley and Tithwal. Return to Srinagar in the Afternoon. Night Stay at the Khanda Kothi
A: Chandigam / B : Sadhna Pass / C : Srinagar
Drive up the Shamsabari Mountains
Beautiful drive up the Sadhna Pass which is officially called the NC Pass
Drive through beautiful Drangyari
Beautiful views of the Kashmir Valley
Day 7
The last day we head to the old Mughal Road and cross the Pir Panjal Mountains via the historic Peer Ki Gali which connects Kashmir with Poonch in the Jammu Division and then the adjoining Dera Ki Gali which connects Poonch with Rajouri and head through the Rajouri District and finally arrive at Jammu.
A : Srinagar / B : Pir Ki Gali / C : Dera Ki Gali / D : Jammu
We cross the Pir Panjals again
Via the Moghul Road and the Pir Ki Gali
Aliabad Sarai below the Pass
Then we do Dera Ki Gali which connects Poonch with Rajouri
Drive through Poonch and Rajouri
Night Stay at Hari Niwas Palace
