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Itinerary

DAY 1: Bhuntar - Pulga - Kheerganga - 2810m - 6 hours

Reporting time at Bhuntar bus stop is 08:00 AM. From Bhuntar road distance to Pulga is about 50 Kms and should take about 2 hours. Pulga is the nearest for this trek which is also a Dam site. After briefing we will start our trek for the day. In the beginning trail descend sharply till you reach the river bed thereafter there is a moderate climb till Nakthan. Nakthan is a small village of 10-15 houses with some tea shops, maggi point and a pool table under the trees. Trail from Nakthan till Rudranag is a gentle walk through apple orchards, is very soothing and pleasant. A small temple, waterfall and a wooden bridge don Rudranag. After breaking for lunch here brace up for some steep climb till Kheer Ganga. We will cross the wooden bridge over to other side of Parvati river and will follow the trail till Kheerganga. There are lots of stream crossing and rest points on the way till our campsite for the day. Kheerganga is small colony of temprory tent shelters. It’s a large meadow and has a hot waterspring with a pool. After reaching campsite you can take a bath in this pool probably your last for the entire trip.

DAY 2: Khirganga - Tunda Bhuj - 3333m - 4 to 5 hours

We will take an early start from Kheerganga and will head towards Tunda Bhoj our campsite for the day. As we begin, the trail is muddy as opposed to the partly rocky one we had encountered during the second half of the previous day’s trek and was thus quite easy going on the feet. Entire trail today is through thick forest, except for some a mild ascent here it’s pretty much flat. Today is probably one of those days when you will have ample time to capture photos and let the beauty of this vast expense soak in. As you travel through the dense forest you will be surprised to find families settled in this wilderness managing herds of their callous buffaloes. The last phase is a steep rise full of muck and mire that is followed by a short walk through a meadow with an enchanting view of couple of huge foamy waterfalls off the rich green cliff on the opposite side of the river. This is Tunda Bhuj. We will camp here for the night.

DAY 3: Tunda Bhuj - Thakur Kuan - 3570m- 3 to 4 hours

After having breakfast and packed lunch we will continue our journey and Thakur Kuan will be our another pit stop for the day. We have to gain all of 250m today and hence will not be a very tough day except for a small tricky section in the beginning where the trail is washed away by a landslide. We will encounter this broken trail just after an hour into the trek. Once this section is negotiated today’s trek is fairly easy. Since we will be above tree line here so the entire trail is a little rocky and hence ensure firm footing during your trek today. Thakur Kuan is a large pasture besides river Parvati. There is trolly bridge nearby and you can check it out if you reach well in time and want to have some adrenaline rush. Make sure you go with Trek Lead if you do want to use this beast.

DAY 4: Thakur Kuan to Odi Thatch -3620m- 4 to 5 hours

Today is going to be the most thrilling day of your life for sure and a little longer. Campsite for the day is Odi Thatch and one may ask so what’s special about Odi Thatch that makes it so thrilling. Well it’s not Odi Thatch but the two bridges that we will be crossing today that makes the day special. The trail begins with a mild ascent and then rises steeply before you reach the first bridge. Once you descend down to the stream there is a huge boulder which act as a bridge, Pandu Pul-1 for this stream. Once you cross over to other side of this stream and think that adventure is over you will encounter another 20 feet boulder which is on Parvati river and this is your second bridge, Pandu Pul-2. After crossing Pandu Pul the trail is a straight walk till Odi Thatch. This trail is frequently used by shepherds and there are many offshoots from the main trail. So be extremely careful here and never loose sight if the person ahead of you. Odi thatch is a vast flat pasture in the valley and if one is a Sci-Fi fan can easily relate this place to some interplanetary travel.

DAY 5: Odi Thatch to Mantalai – 3700m- 5 to 6 hours

If the day before was the most thrilling, then, today is going to be the most enjoyable. Trail for today is pretty straight forward and there are practically no ascents or descents except the last 300 mts to the lake. Entire trail is a walk alongside river Parvati. You will be a seeing the river Parvati in its infancy and it’s a huge transition from the day we embarked on this journey. It’s hard to imagine that it’s the same river that could send shivers down the spine of even the toughest at the mere glimpse from the wooden bridge at Rudranag. Midway there is place often called mini Mantalai by the locals where the thousands of tiny streams are flowing over a vast expense of flat land and this is the where mighty Parvati is still in embryonic stage. After we cross mini Mantalai there is a steep climb of about 300 m. This is the final assault and can be negotiated pretty quickly. After this ascent is over we reach the glacial lake Mantalai. Here we will set our camp for the day. It’s an amazing campsite on the shores of Mantalai surrounded by might Himalayas.

DAY 6: Mantalai – Base Camp I of Pin Parvati Pass - 4940m - 5 to 6 hours

We are in for a challenging day today. We will take an early start and as we leave Mantalai Lake sun might just be rising over the mountains. There is a muddy steep section to begin with, here rocks and pretty loose so maintain a safe distance from the trekker ahead of you. Once this muddy section is negotiated the trail is over a spur and there is a fairly good ascent. Trail after crossing this spur eases out with gradual ascent till you hit the moraine area just 1 Km from our campsite for the day. This moraine section is just of 1 km but it takes a little while to get through it. Climb during this section is pretty steep and hence require patience. As soon as you reach the campsite you will realize that we are camping just at the edge of Parvati glacier (approx. 300m). It’s a sight to behold and moonlit clear nights is always a cherry on the cake.

DAY 7: Base Camp I over the Pass - 5300m - Base Camp II - 4900m 7 - 8 hours

D-Day has arrived and we have to start real early today when the ice/snow is still firm and hence easier to walk on. Today we will cross the Might Pin Parvati pass over to other side into Spiti valley. So take a good look around the Parvati valley one last time as you were here for the last 6 days. Since today we will be negotiating around 3 kms of glacier walk, be exercise extreme caution today and follow the trek leaders’ footstep all the time. On a glacier sometimes there are hidden crevasses which are very dangerous. Once this glacier section is over there is a steep climb of around 300-400 m just before the pass. Once you reach the pass take a deep breath and congratulate yourself for achieving this great feat. Yes it’s you who has done it, it’s you who reached 17000 ft on your own. After spending sometime here we will leave to our campsite for the day which is about an hour or so from the pass. The trail descends gradually for around 1.5 Km to the campsite.

DAY 8: Base Camp II to Wichkurung Thatch - 3500m - 6 hours

Today we have to reach Wichkurung Thatch our penultimate campsite for the trip. Trail descends down sharply for around 3Km. Be extremely careful and maintain gap from trekker in the front. Always ensure firm footing before making the next move. After around 1.5 km there is a stream crossing, after that the decent still continues. After around 3 kms into the trail we will cross the river to other side and continue our trek on this side of the river till we reach Wichkurung Thatch. Trail after crossing the river is pretty flat and hence a welcome breeze after 2 tough back to back days.

DAY 9: Wichkurung Thatch - Mud - 3970m - 5 hours trek - Kaza by taxi

The trail today enters a wide-open valley with numerous streams and leads into the ancient Mud village in the Pin valley of Spiti. From mud village we drive in taxi to reach Kaza. We will spend night in a hotel. Rooms will be on twin or triple sharing basis. About kaza : Kaza is popular with tourists and adventure seekers during summer months because of its central location and connections to rest of the valley and outside. This central location also makes Kaza an ideal base camp for trekking, mountaineering and tours directed to other parts of the valley. Some of the major tourist attractions in and around Kaza beside Tangyud Monastery are the Key Gompa, Kibber village at an elevation of 4205 m. above MSL, Gette Village at an altitude of 4270 m above MSL, Langza village famous for presents of marine fossils, the Pin Valley National Park, a protected area for himalayan high altitude wildlife and the Losar village 40 km to the north of Kaza at an altitude of 4079 m above MSL.

DAY 10: Kaza - Manali

After breakfast get ready for a long road journey to Manali .Drive in taxi from Kaza to reach Manali by the evening. The trip ends here.

DAY 11: Buffer Day

This day will only be used if the need arises during the trek. You are advised to keep a buffer day in your travel plan.

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Trek FAQs

All you need to know about Pin Parvati Pass trek

Why Bikat?

• Learning Experience: We do not just focus on completing the trek but also help you develop basic trekking skills like:
• Morning Yoga & Evening stretching
• Packing a rucksack
• How to pitch and dismantle a camping tent and properly use a sleeping bag
• Ascend and Descend on a mountain trail
• How to ensure camp safety and hygiene
• Special for this expedition: Complete this trek in 5 days with us and enjoy the Homestay experience in Sankri.
• Loyalty Programs: Join Bikat community and enjoy benefits of our vouchers and referral programs.
• Personalized attention: We have small batch size (max. 15) and we maintain a healthy ratio of 8:1 (Participants: Leader) on all our batches to enable individual focus and monitoring.
• Best Expedition Leaders: Our leaders are advanced mountaineering course qualified, specially trained in rescue procedures from NIM and certified first-aid responders. Even our local guides are certified first-aid responders.
• Safety norms: We have mapped every region with an emergency evacuation plan and safety protocols maintaining a zero accident record so far. We carry an extensive first-aid kit including oxygen cylinders and high altitude medicines.
• Safety equipment: Our trek leaders carry UIAA certified rescue equipment like static rope, ice-axe, harness, carabiners, jumar, pulley, short and long slings.

Is this trek good for me?

Pin-Parvati Trek is a difficult trek climbing to an altitude of 5298 meters. This expedition should only be attempted by the seasoned trekkers and for those who have done moderate level treks before. A maintenance of good physical stamina and fitness is a requisite.

Experience required

• Should have at least 7-10 trek days in the Himalayas in her kitty.
• At least one Moderate Plus category trek
• For the trek’s achieving more than 6000 Mts, it would help if the person has experience of trekking at altitudes higher than 4500 meters

Requisite skills

• Ascending & Descending on snow
• Basics of Mountain Sickness
• Basics of Mountain Hazards
• How to use basic mountaineering equipment like gaiters & micro spikes
• How to cross small and large water streams
• Basic principles of acclimatization

Fitness benchmark

1. Jog/Run for 5 Kms in 25-30 mins Or Walk continuously for 10 km (with 3-4 small breaks) on plain terrain (slight incline is better)
2. Hold your breath for 40 seconds
3. 3 sets of Climbing 30 – 40 steps in one stretch
4. Push Ups – 10
5. Lunges & Squats – 15 X 2 sets

If you are meeting these benchmarks, please use the preparation schedule to improve your fitness till you achieve the above benchmarks.

What to Pack

Here is your checklist for this trek. Make sure you pack all these items for a comfortable trekking experience.

• Trekking Gear
  • A rucksack with rain cover
  • A water bottle or a hydration pack
  • A Hand/Head Torch with spare batteries
  • UV Protection Sunglasses
  • A trekking pole

• Clothing: Since it is an 11-day trek, make sure you pack enough clothing. The temperature in the day is 16-20 degree Celsius. However, in the night the temperature falls to -4-degree celsius.  Therefore, 5 layers of clothing are imperative.
  • Quick Dry Warm lower or Track Pants- 3
  • Full sleeves T-shirts- 5
  • Thermal Bodywarmer Upper & Lower- 2
  • Fleece Jacket-1
  • Padded Jacket-1
  • Full sleeves sweater- 1
  • Rainwear (Jacket & Pants) -1
  • Thick woolen socks- 1 pair
  • Cotton socks- at least 4-5 pairs
  • Undergarments - 1 for every day of trekking
  • Pair of Warm Gloves - 1
  • Woolen cap - 1 

• Footwear
  • Non-skid deep trod hiking shoes -1
  • Pair of lightweight Slipper/Sandals -1

• Toiletries

• Sunscreen lotion, lip balm, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, toilet roll, cold cream, small towel.
• Anti-fungal cream: Carry an antifungal cream if you are sensitive to sweating and prone to skin irritations around genitals or groin area due to lack of bathing.
• For women:
  • Tampons or sanitary napkins,
  • 2-3 zip pouches to dispose off non-biodegradable waste
  • Vaginal wash to avoid any irritation due to lack of bathing.

• Utensils
  • A small size, lightweight, leak-proof lunch box - preferably aluminum
  • A plate and a spoon
  • A mug - preferably aluminum

• Miscellaneous

• Camera (optional)
• Personal medicine kit. Though our trek leaders carry a fully equipped first-aid kit, make sure you consult your doctor before the trek in case you have any special ailment.
• Epi-Pen - If you are allergic to a common ingredient and have a history of reaction, then please inform us. Carrying an EpiPen helps in case of any accidental intakes.
• Dry fruits, energy bars

How to reach

The trek starts from Pulga Valley which is half an hour drive from Bhuntar.  There are direct buses available from Delhi to Bhuntar. All the buses going from Delhi to Manali drop down at Bhuntar.

The trek ends in Kaza Valley which is 200 km away from Manali. It takes about 4 hours drive from Kaza to Manali. The frequency of buses between Kaza and Manali is low. However, you can take a private taxi from Kaza to Manali.

Manali is well connected to Delhi with all kinds of transport (except direct train) and can easily be reached by road or air.

By Road

The road distance from Delhi to Manali is 536 km. There are overnight HRTC buses and Volvos available from ISBT Kashmere Gate, Delhi for Manali. It is a 14-hour journey by bus. You can book your bus tickets online through hrtchp.com or any other bus services available. You can also hire a private taxi or an outstation cab from Delhi.

By Rail

To reach by train, take a direct train from Delhi to Pathankot. Some of the trains that run on this route are Delhi-Pathankot Express, Jammu Tawi Express, Delhi-Dhauladhar Express. You can then take a bus from Pathankot to Manali. Or you can take a connecting train to Joginder Nagar from Pathankot which is the nearest station to Manali. There are buses running frequently between Joginder Nagar and Manali.

By Air

The nearest airport is Bhuntar Airport which is located 50 km from Manali. There are taxis available at the airport which will take you to Manali. You can also take local buses that keep running from Bhuntar to Manali at a very regular frequency. Buses are decent and very cheap compared to a taxi that can cost you around INR 2000-5000 depending upon the season.

Nearby Attractions

Manali is the gateway to Solang Valley where you can participate in adventure activities like paragliding, and zorbing in the summer months when the snow melts. Visit the ancient Hadimba Devi Temple which has an interesting mythological tale associated with it. Walk through the charming lanes of Old Manali. Visit the bazaar to buy some souvenirs. Jogini Fall and Vashisht Temple are other famous attractions in Manali. You can also visit Rohtang pass while you are in Manali.

Kaza, the capital of Spiti is also famous for a number of tourist attractions. There are spectacular monasteries and local shopping souks. Kibber, Komic, and Dhankar Village are few of the famous villages in the capital. You can visit the world’s highest motorable village - Kibber and the highest post office in the world - Hikkim (pin code 172114).

Cellular Connectivity 

You can find mobile reception till Pulga Village. There will be no connectivity beyond this point. BSNL user may get good signals in Kaza, and in Kibber.

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Ankush Gandotra
Pin Parwati Pass Trek - 2015

"It actually felt bad on the last day of camp that trek is about to finish.
A hell lot of different and diverse landscapes..from green Parvati valley to cold dessert Spiti, from plain grounds to rocky mountains, from barren lands to crossing rivers with chilled waters till your knees, walking in valley of flowers, climbing snow mountains, crossing glacier and a day of leisure at the Mantalai lake chatting, eating and sleeping in sun smile emoticon . And best part was the awesome people we met on trek.A wonderful experience for life time it was.
Thanks Bikat :) "

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Priya Meghwal
Pin Parwati Pass Trek - 2013

"If you are looking for a tough and challenging trek in Himalayas, then look no further as your search ends here. After having read a lot of information and comparing treks, I explored this one and it turned out to be my greatest experience. "

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Sanjay Singh
Pin Parwati Pass Trek - 2014

"The trek begins from Pulga near Kasol and is a must do for anyone who is into trekking. The trail is just so beautiful. We walked parallel to River Parwati all the way upto its source. From here trekking up, further we crossed Pin Parwati Pass. After the pass the entire scene changes as we entered the majestic Spiti Valley. Bathing in the hot water pool at Kheergagna on the first day of trek is one thing that will remain with me forever.The trek team and management was exceptionally well. "

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Rajesh
Pin Parwati Pass Trek - 2014

"Very apt trek to push yourself & become a self reliant trekker.I had been on many short treks in the past but had not been very active lately. When i decided to do Pin Parwati Trek, i was initially apprehensive about my fitness but with regular exercise & practice i was able to improve. On few days the trek was really difficult.Like the day when we were doing Tundabhoj to Pandupul section the continuous rain made it very difficult for us.The trail turned slippery & we had to be very careful while walking. During all this, our trek lead was extremely encouraging & helpful. He helped us overcome every challenge and i have personally learned a lot from him."

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