Sach Pass Adventure
Date - 25th June to 5th July 2026
An Unforgettable Journey Through Nine Valleys, Countless Waterfalls, and the Heart of the Himalayas
"Travel is not merely about reaching a destination; it is about discovering yourself along the way."
This expedition proved that once again.
Our 24-member Sussat Group set off from Manali towards Sissu via Solang and the magnificent Atal Tunnel. Preparations for the Sach Pass expedition had begun as early as February. On 25th June, participants from different parts of India gathered at Sundernagar, and from there, our unforgettable Himalayan adventure began.
Beyond the Atal Tunnel, the roads became rough and unpredictable. We knew we would encounter several "Pagla Nalas"—seasonal glacial streams that can suddenly swell and flood the roads—but no one seemed worried. After all, we were heading into one of the least explored regions of the Himalayas, far away from crowded tourist destinations. The thought of witnessing the breathtaking beauty of nine remote valleys kept everyone's spirits high.
By evening, we reached Sissu. Right in front of our hotel was a crystal-clear lake with a spectacular waterfall cascading beside it. We spent the evening soaking in the beauty of nature, capturing countless photographs and creating memories that would last forever.
The next morning, we left for Udaipur, where we got our first real experience of a Pagla Nala. One bridge had already been washed away, forcing traffic onto a temporary dirt crossing. Watching our three Tempo Travelers safely negotiate the rushing stream brought a collective sigh of relief.
Our original destination for the day was Urgos, but after lunch at Udaipur, another Pagla Nala blocked our way. During summer, melting glaciers feed these streams with tremendous force. Although the Border Roads Organization (BRO) has constructed bridges in many places, several streams still flow directly across the roads, making them impossible to cross.
With no option left, we returned to Udaipur.
Udaipur is a small Himalayan village with a historic temple dedicated to the Goddess, a handful of homestays, and just a couple of roadside eateries. The following morning, we made another attempt to reach Urgos, but nature had different plans. Accepting defeat, we reluctantly abandoned our dream of visiting Miyar Valley and decided to continue towards Pangi Valley instead.
By now, one day's hotel booking had already been wasted, and another seemed certain to be lost. Everyone wondered what lay ahead. Would more Pagla Nalas stop us again?
Despite the uncertainty, we chose to move forward.
The roads were terrible, mobile signals were intermittent, and rain added another layer of difficulty. In one small village, steaming hot noodles, momos, and tea came to our rescue. Finding accommodation for a group of twenty-four people was no easy task, but eventually we found a comfortable hotel called Chandrabhaga. Electricity was unreliable, but under the circumstances, it felt like luxury.
The following day we drove towards Hudon Batori. The roadsides were covered with colourful wildflowers in full bloom. No one could resist getting down from the vehicles. Cameras came out, shutters clicked endlessly, and the valley turned into our personal photography studio.
After lunch and a short rest, we trekked to a beautiful alpine lake nearby. Sitting quietly on a small hill overlooking the lake, surrounded by absolute silence, was one of those moments when time simply ceased to exist.
Someone had promised us hot tea and pakoras after returning to the hotel, so everyone hurried back—only to discover that neither was waiting! Fortunately, dinner more than made up for the disappointment.
That night happened to be a full moon.
The moonlit Pangi Valley, viewed from our hotel balcony, looked almost magical. It remains one of the most beautiful sights of the entire journey.
Our next halt was Surol Batori, where our homestay overlooked a magnificent waterfall. Although it appeared close, reaching it required crossing a mountain stream on foot. Our tour leaders stood in the icy water, helping every participant cross safely. We couldn't reach the waterfall itself because another powerful stream blocked our path, but the experience itself became an unforgettable memory.
Now everyone was eagerly waiting for the highlight of the expedition—
Sach Pass (14,500 ft)
The morning was cloudy as we left after breakfast. Soon we entered another spectacular valley. Narrow dirt roads twisted around towering cliffs. In several places, roads had literally been carved through the mountains. Whenever a vehicle approached from the opposite direction, one of us had to reverse to create enough space.
Rain made the already dangerous roads even more slippery.
Then came a sight that none of us will ever forget.
A gigantic waterfall thundered down from the mountains, but instead of crashing onto the road, it leapt across the valley into the gorge below. Our vehicles drove beneath it—a thrilling experience that words can hardly describe.
As we climbed higher, snow appeared on both sides of the road. Frozen slopes, countless waterfalls, deep valleys, drifting clouds, and towering Himalayan peaks surrounded us in every direction.
Every few minutes someone would whisper,
"Wow..."
"Marvelous..."
No photograph could truly capture what our eyes were witnessing.
Soon we reached a vast snow-covered plateau that looked like an enormous frozen lake. A little further ahead, we finally arrived at Sach Jyot (Sach Pass).
A small temple dedicated to the local Goddess stood proudly on the summit, decorated with colorful prayer flags fluttering in the icy wind. After offering our prayers, we walked onto the snowfield for an unforgettable photo session.
At that moment, we were standing above the clouds while the clouds floated beneath our feet.
Every face reflected the same feeling—
"This is exactly what we had dreamed of."
None of us wanted to leave, but the journey had to continue.
After a simple lunch of noodles and omelets, we crossed into the Jammu region, where military personnel conducted routine identity checks because of the nearby international border.
That evening we reached Mannat Hotel at Bairagarh. Every room had a unique interior, and the hotel overlooked a beautiful green valley.
The next morning, we entered Jammu and passed through the Gamgul-Siyabehi Wildlife Sanctuary, famous for its colorful bell-shaped alpine flowers blooming across the landscape. Even light rain couldn't stop us from taking photographs.
Later we arrived at Padri Pass. Some of us enjoyed steaming cups of tea while others wandered around admiring the breathtaking scenery. Fresh milk tea and traditional freshly prepared khoya tasted heavenly in the cold mountain air.
Our final mountain halt was Bhaderwah. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we couldn't visit its famous temples and historic fort.
The next morning, we started early and, after a long day's drive, reached Amritsar by evening.
The remaining two days were reserved for local sightseeing—the magnificent Golden Temple, the patriotic atmosphere of the Wagah Border, and some well-earned relaxation.
Soon it was time to say goodbye.
From Amritsar, everyone dispersed to their respective cities—Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, and many others—by train and flight.
But we carried something far more valuable than souvenirs.
We carried home memories that time will never erase.
© Ashutosh
