Churdhar Peak Trek Guide 2026

Churdhar (Choor Chandni) is the highest mountain peak in the southern outer Himalayas, standing at 3,647 meters (11,965 feet). Located across Sirmaur and Shimla districts, it offers an incredible 360-degree vista spanning the snow-draped Greater Himalayan peaks (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Kinnaur Kailash) down to the Sutlej river and the vast Gangetic plains.

Stage 1: Nohradhar to Jam Nallah (6 km — The Gentle Ascent)

The trek begins at the upper end of Nohradhar market near the Forest Rest House. You climb through terraced apple orchards and enter a fragrant forest dominated by Himalayan cedar (Deodar) and Blue Pine (Kail). The gradient here is gentle (15–20% incline), making it an enjoyable warm-up. At Jam Nallah (6 km), you will cross a small wooden footbridge over a rushing mountain brook. There are 2 seasonal wooden tea stalls here serving hot ginger tea, Maggi, and biscuits. Fill your water bottles completely here, because the next 5 kilometers are bone-dry and steep.

Stage 2: Jam Nallah to Teesri (5 km — The Steep Test of Stamina)

This is the physically most demanding continuous climb of the entire trek. The trail enters a dense, ancient canopy of Kharsu Oak (Quercus semecarpifolia) draped in hanging Spanish moss and Rhododendrons. The path transitions into irregular stone boulders and exposed tree roots. As you climb past 2,800 meters, the trees begin to dwarf, eventually breaking out onto the wind-beaten, tree-less high mountain ridge known as Teesri (Tisri) at 3,050 meters. The wind speeds here are ferocious. Teesri has several shepherd huts (Gujjar kothas) and temporary tea shacks during summer where basic tent camping is possible.

Stage 3: Teesri to Shirgul Maharaj Temple (5 km — The Alpine Ridge Traverse)

From Teesri, the trail forks into two paths: the high ridge trail that goes straight to the summit, and the lower traverse trail that winds around the mountain to the Shirgul Temple Dharamshala. Most trekkers and pilgrims take the temple traverse. The terrain consists of rolling alpine meadows (Bugyals) and jagged slate cliffs. As you round the southern shoulder, the magnificent slate-roofed Kath-Kuni temple of Shirgul Maharaj appears nestled inside an amphitheater of grey rock.

Stage 4: Temple to Shiva Statue Summit (2 km — The Monolithic Boulder Scramble)

The final push from the temple to the absolute summit is steep and requires scrambling over massive granite monoliths. There is no flat walking path; you must step from boulder to boulder, following white and yellow directional arrows painted on the rocks. At the summit sits the open-air brass statue of Lord Shiva, accompanied by a gigantic iron trident (Trishul) and bell. The wind chill at the peak is intense, so keep your windcheater and gloves on.

Many inexperienced backpackers, inspired by social media reels, attempt Churdhar between late December and late March to see snow. Do not attempt this without extreme mountaineering training.

• The Temple is Closed: From mid-December to early April (Baisakhi), the temple priests descend to base villages. The Dharamshala, langar kitchen, and water pipes are completely locked. There is zero food or shelter available at the top.
• Snow Drifts Exceeding 10 Feet: The final 5 km from Teesri to the summit accumulates up to 12 feet of uncompacted snow. Standard trail landmarks disappear, leading to complete disorientation and lethal hypothermia.
• Sub-Zero Freezing Winds: Temperatures at the summit drop to -15°C to -20°C with 80 km/h wind gusts. Cellular towers are dead, making emergency search and rescue virtually impossible during blizzards.

Planning Your Churdhar Peak Expedition?

Avoid unreliable bus connections. Book a verified private cab from Chandigarh, Delhi, or Kalka railway station directly to Nohradhar with our experienced mountain drivers.