Moon Peak Trek 2024

4 nights and 5 days of high-altitude trekking take you to the Moon Peak (4650 metres) via the famous Indrahar Pass, which is also known as the Shepherd's Trail. 

Highlights

• It is regarded as a moderate-level trek and can be graded as a 6.5/10 trek in terms of difficulty.
• The trek covers an approximate trekking distance of 45 km.
• The best time to take the trek is between April and October.
• One reaches this high-altitude peak after crossing Indrahar Pass.

Detailed overview

One of the key highlights of this trek is that it takes you to 4,610 meters in just a few days. Moon Peak and Indrahar Pass lie in the Dhauladhar mountain ranges of the Western Himalayas. Lying in Himachal Pradesh, the range divides two districts: Chamba and Kangra (Dharamshala). Another major plus for the trek is that it starts from McLeodganj. McLeodganj is one of the most popular hill towns in the country and is world-renowned for being the seat of the Tibetan government in exile. A trekker can kick off his adventure with a cultural tour of the town and also go shopping and taste food here. McLeodganj is a foodie's paradise, for sure. 

Moon Peak climb is an expedition, so the hosts keep their itinerary flexible so as to give their climbers the best chance to reach the summit as per the overall team's strength and capabilities.

Moon Peak Trek Brief Itinerary

• Day 1: Report in McLeodganj and trek to Triund Top (approximately 9 km and a 5-hour trek).
• Day 2: Trek from Triund Top to Laka Got (approximately 6 km and a 5-hour trek).
• Day 3: Trek from Laka to Lahesh Cave (approximately 4 km and 3-hour trek).
• Day 4: Trek from Lahesh Cave to Moon Peak Climb and back to Laka Camp (approximately 10 km and a 9-hour trek).
• Day 5: Trek from Laka to McLeodganj (approximately 15 km and a 7-hour trek).

Moon Peak Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Report in McLeodganj and trek to Triund top (Approximately 9 KM and 5-Hour trek)

• On the first day, you will have to report to McLeodganj and meet your hosts there by 9:00 am.
• You may check in at the base camp and keep your luggage there.
• After a short meet and greet and an introductory session, you will undertake the trek for the day to Triund, which goes through a mixed forest of oak, rhododendron, and deodar trees.
• The first 2 kilometres are a steep ascent, but there is a gradual ascent after Galu Devi Temple. The last kilometre is again a steep ascent through the forest, which is known as 22 modes (zigzag).
• Triund is a flat meadow on top of a ridge. From here, the panoramic views of the Dhauladhar range on one side and the Kangra valley on the other are a memorable sight.
• Overnight stay at Triund.

Day 2: Trek from Triund top to Laka Got (Approximately 6 KM and 5-Hour trek)

• On day 2, you will start early in the morning from Triund to Laka Got. You will pass through the Snowline Cafe (1-2 hours from Triund) and Laka Got in another one and a half hours.
• You may treat this second day as a rest day. After lunch, you will go for a short hike, which means you will gain some height and explore the Dhauladhar range.
• Overnight stay at Laka Got.

Day 3: Trek from Laka to Lahesh Cave (Approximately 4 KM and 3-Hour trek)

• On the third day, you start trekking after breakfast in the morning to your base camp.
• It might be one of the easier days. You will cut the duration by two hours for the next and make Lahesh Caves your base.
• This can also be used as an additional day in case the weather is not favourable.

Day 4: Trek from Lahesh Cave to Moon Peak Climb and back to Laka Camp (Approximately 10 KM and 9-Hour trek)

• On day 4, you will start early in the morning by crossing the beautiful Indrahar Pass.
• After a decent ascent, you will again ascent and climb the Moon Peak.
• After spending some time up there, you will return to Lahesh Caves base by afternoon and trek back to Laka Got camp. 

Day 5: Trek from Laka to McLeodganj (Approximately 15 KM and 7-Hour trek)

• In the morning, start a drive from Laka to McLeodganj to end a memorable journey.