Video title

Parang La Expedition

An Ancient Trade Route between Spiti and Ladakh

Difficult

Parang La Expedition

BRS 6
Max Altitude
Himachal
12 Days
128 Km
Max 15
45650 + 5% GST
Kaza to Karzok

Add ons



Manali to kaza
Karzok to Leh
Sumo
(Shared by 5-6 trekkers)
Tempo
(Shared by 11-12 trekkers)
₹11000
₹17000
₹12500
₹18500

Available Batches

Available Batches

Brief Description

Grade:Difficult
Location: Himachal
Altitude:5580 m
Duration:12 Days
Parang La trek is an ancient trade route between the Spiti in Himachal, Tibet & Changthang in Ladakh region. Parang La trek can be started from either Karzok village in Leh or from Chicham / Kibber village in Spiti. The trail takes you to a maximum altitude of around 5600 meters to Parang La & follows the Pare Chu river which goes to Tibet & re-enters India. The main attraction of the trail is the old yet dynamic mountain features which resemble a unique pattern of being under the sea for a long time & houses some of the unique fossils. The trail has vast meadows which were a grazing ground for horses from Spiti Valley. The most amazing part of the trek is the walk along the Tso Moriri Lake for complete 2 days where the lake offers different shades of blue with many unclimbed peaks in the background. The endpoint is Karzok village which houses one of the old & powerful monasteries in Leh. Stay on this page for more information like - Parang la trek itinerary, route map, weather and temperature conditions, photos, videos, and reviews. Scroll to the end to read some amazing Parang La trek blogs.

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Brief Itinerary

Arrival in Kaza from Manali (Driving Distance 202 Kms)
Rest & Acclimatization Day at Chicham (Driving Distance : 18 Kms)
Rest & Acclimatization Day at Chicham
Chicham to Thaltak Altitude : 4270 M to 4693 M Distance Covered : 8 KM
Thaltak to Borochin Altitude : 4693 M to 5100 M Distance Covered : 12 KM
Borochin to Kharsa Yongma via Parang La (5580 M) Altitude : 5100 M to 4850 M Distance Covered : 14 KM
Kharsa Yongma to Kapapuche Altitude : 4850 M to 4700 M Distance Covered : 20 KM
Kapapuche to Kitpodansa Altitude : 4700 M to 4550 M Disctance Covered : 20 KM
Kitpodansa to Chumik Shilde Altitude : 4550 M to 4704 M Distance Covered : 18 KM
Chumik Shilde to Kiangdom Altitude : 4704 M to 4588 M Distance Covered : 14 KM
Kiangdom to Karzok Altitude : 4588 M to 4615 M Distance Covered : 21.5 KM
Karzok to Leh : 240 Kms drive

Detailed Itinerary


Day 1

Arrival in Kaza from Manali (Driving Distance 202 Kms)
It is advised to reach Manali a day before departing for Kaza as it will help you prepare for the upcoming days in remote civilization. This day can be used to fine-tune your packing list & buying necessary items as Manali will be the last major town/city where you can get in all the essentials. From acclimatization point of view also it is advisable to spend at least one night in Manali. Start early on Day 1 to reach Kaza latest by 03:00 to 4:00 PM. The major highlight for the day will be Rohtang Pass & Kunzum La which has a famous Kunzum mata mandir. The drive from Kunzum La to Kaza is a beautiful one along the Spiti river & one can view Key monastery in the background welcoming to this beautiful place called Kaza. Reaching early has certain benefits, one can stroll in the local market of Kaza & is always buzzing with tourist from June till late October. Overnight stay will be in hotel in Kaza.

Day 2

Rest & Acclimatization Day at Chicham (Driving Distance : 18 Kms)
Today & tomorrow are for acclimatization. We will start with a small hill walk in the morning. The days are planned in a way that one remains physically active which includes a walk along the Spiti river bank after breakfast & visit to the local Key monasteries & gompa in the afternoon. After visiting monastery we will head towards Chicham village through its famous trolley bridge. Overnight will be in a homestay in Chicham which is our starting point of the trek & at an altitude of 4270 M.

Day 3

Rest & Acclimatization Day at Chicham
Rest & Acclimatization Day at Chicham.

Day 4

Chicham to Thaltak Altitude : 4270 M to 4693 M Distance Covered : 8 KM
The initial trek starting from Chicham is on a well paved metallic road which takes you out of the village with almost zero ascents & after walking on it for around 45 minutes one can see the Dumla campsite on their right in the valley below. Dumla campsite is ideal for those who are starting their trek from Kibber as it takes around 2-3 Hours to reach this campsite. The campsite has a stream of water flowing through the middle of it and agricultural fields of Chicham village on both sides of it. Dumla campsite is at an altitude of 3890 M. The real test of stamina & your acclimatization starts from Dumla when there is a steep ascent for the next 3 hours with giving the view of typical Spiti mountains. The trail is of loose soil & gravel with only prominent vegetation of Thama, a typical grass or bush during the entire trail. The steep ascent of 2- 3 hours is followed by a zig-zag dusty flat trail with views of the mountain ranges more opening up. While approaching Thaltak the Kanamo peak is visible on the right side surrounded by mountains devoid of any snow or vegetation post monsoon. It takes around 6-6.6 hours of trekking to reach the Thaltak campsite. Total ascent during the day is of 636 M & descent of 144 M.This campsites is an oasis in the middle of the barren land & offers an amazing view of the Kanamo Peak. One can find typical grass in this meadow with Thama bush on the periphery of the campsite to accompany it. Overnight stay in camps

Day 5

Thaltak to Borochin Altitude : 4693 M to 5100 M Distance Covered : 12 KM
The trail from Thaltak starts descending in a deep gorge with trail made of loose rocks, gravels & one need to be very careful while descending as it is a prominent rockfall zone as well. The trail goes to the bottom of constricted valley devoid of any kind of sunshine. It takes an hour and a half of continuous descent to reach the bottom of the valley where you are welcome by the gushing river locally called Rong Nala. The trail is along the upstream & the river is on your right-hand side. After crossing the landmark Rong Nala bridge the river turns on your left & goes along till you leave it for the ascent of Juktha, another beautiful campsite. The trail along the riverside is typical of any other mountainous river bed with big & small rocks & pebbles making your way forward. The ascent to Jukhta is on scree and quite demanding. The trail from Jukhta is gradually ascending with an open view of signature style ever eroding mountain faces of Spiti valley. The relentless climb over barren & rocky terrain takes you to Borochen, the campsite of the day which has few water streams ideal for small group campings. Borochen campsite is on the foot of Parang La & is devoid of any kind of vegetation at an altitude of 5100 M. Total trekking distance of 12 KM took nearly 8 hours with the ascent of 857 m & descent during the day at 455 M.

Day 6

Borochin to Kharsa Yongma via Parang La (5580 M) Altitude : 5100 M to 4850 M Distance Covered : 14 KM
The pass day in any trek is always demanding & especially when you are at an altitude of 5100 M it demands another level of fitness. After a steep climb of 1.5 hours through moraines one reaches another campsite ideal for camping of a very small group. This campsite has a stream of water coming out of rock face & is locally called Thakchu campsite. The climb towards the pass is through a zig-zag trail which is well marked out by marks of mules & horses. It takes 3.5 to 5 hours of the relentless climb to reach the highest point of the Parang la trek. The pass offers great views of the Spiti and the Changthang valleys along with the view of Parilungi peak . After crossing the pass the way forward is descent on the Parang La glacier. You can hear the sound of gushing water beneath your feet. The glacier boast of few crevasses as well so one needs to be extremely careful while negotiating the same. It takes around 2 hours of non stop descent on the glacier to reach the Lakku campsite. The trail follows the glacier river downstream with vast dry river bed on your right. Kharsa Yongma campsite is around 1.5 hours down to the snout of the Parang La glacier. Total ascent during the day is of 548 M & descent of 750 M. The visibility here is extremely good & one can see the next campsite with bare naked eyes. This campsite is on the left bank of the river bed & boast of a stream of potable water.

Day 7

Kharsa Yongma to Kapapuche Altitude : 4850 M to 4700 M Distance Covered : 20 KM
The vast river bed of Datang Nala downstream offers freedom to choose your own trail & after walking for almost 3 hours on the vast river bed & crossing numerous streams & some with shoes removed, we crossed campsites of Datang Yongma & Datang Kongma both an hour distance apart. Tsoma Nala flows along the left side of Datang Yongma campsite. Lasoma or Takli La nala joins the Datang nala beyond Yongma campsite. Total ascent during the trail is 290 M & descent of 396 M.

Day 8

Kapapuche to Kitpodansa Altitude : 4700 M to 4550 M Disctance Covered : 20 KM
The trail from Kapapuche to Kitpodansa is similar to the previous day with a very minor change in the altitude. The trail is mostly on the river bed of Pare river. There are several river streams/Nala joining the mail Pare Chu river & one of them is Falangbado Nala. Phalum Phada campsite which is first to come has some huge rock structure, small shallow caves which acted as a natural shelter for the traders in an earlier time. The Racholamo campsite is at the intersection of 2 valleys after Falangbado Nala joins the main river. Lakuk Nala is another major tributary to this river which follows the Racholamo campsite. The trail is entirely on the river bed.

Day 9

Kitpodansa to Chumik Shilde Altitude : 4550 M to 4704 M Distance Covered : 18 KM
The trail after following the downstream course of Parechu river takes a sudden left turn towards Norbu Sumdo. The major hurdle or attraction of the day is crossing or traversing the strong current of Parechu river where water level can go up to waist level. The level of water rises during noon time & one has to cross the same making a human chain. The Parechu river leaves us on its course towards Tibet & after taking a left turn landscape changed from the barren river bed to lush green meadows, small yellow flowers & few streams of water. This is Norbu Sumdo, the gateway to Ladakh & a border between Spiti & Ladakh. The changed vegetation was full of life with quick appearances of mammals like Kiang (wild ass), a black wolf & Marmot. After an hour of the walk, we reach the campsite of Chumik Shilde which boasts of lush green meadows with spring water in plenty.

Day 10

Chumik Shilde to Kiangdom Altitude : 4704 M to 4588 M Distance Covered : 14 KM
The trail ahead is flat land with meadows left behind after a couple of hours walk. One can see some of the snow-covered peaks of Mentok series. The trail takes us to the southernmost tip of Tso Moriri Lake where one starts getting the glimpse of this pristine lake. There is no source of water between Chmik Shilde & Kinagdom, the campsite is known for its wild asses. total ascent for the day is 121 M & descent is 76 M.

Day 11

Kiangdom to Karzok Altitude : 4588 M to 4615 M Distance Covered : 21.5 KM
The trek is along the shores of Tsomoriri lake & lake is always on your right side. This trail is one of the beautiful ones with the views of Chamsher Kangri peak & Lungser Kangri peak in the background. The trail to Korzok village is the last & only ascent one has experienced in a few days. The trail for the day covers a distance of 21.5 Kms in 8 hours & 22 min. The ascent for the day is 226 M & descent is marked at 179 M.

Day 12

Karzok to Leh : 240 Kms drive
Board the shared vehicle in the morning to Leh. It should take around 5-6 hours to reach Leh. You can ask our representatives to arrange the transport from Karzok to Leh and additional stay in Leh (if required). The same can be arranged at an additional cost.

What's Included

  • Food as per menu on expedition starting dinner on Day 2 till lunch on Day 11
  • Forest/Camping Fee (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
  • Dome Tent on twin sharing, Sleeping bags, mats
  • Microspikes, Gaiters, Helmet as required
  • Experienced Trek guide, cook, helpers
  • Mules for carrying common supplies
  • Services of a Mountaineering Certified Trek Leader with certification in first aid program.
  • Hotel Stay in Kaza on Day 1, home stay in Chicham on Day 2 & 3 on twin / triple sharing basis.
  • 1 Night Hotel Stay in Karzok on twin sharing basis
  • Gamow Bag (HAPO Chamber) - 1 per batch

What's Not Included

  • Hotel Meals in Kaza & Karzok
  • Road Journey meals, if any
  • Any kind of insurance
  • Any expense of personal nature
  • Any expense not specified in the inclusion list
  • Offloading of personal rucksack
  • Inner Line permit for foreign nationals

Are you Eligible for this Adventure?

Difficult
5580 m
128 km

BRS Level Required

BRS 6

Parang La Expedition is a level 6 adventure on the Bikat Rating Scale.

This makes it mandatory for you to have high-altitude experience of preferably multiple treks marked at level 5 on the BRS. The altitude, the terrain and the nature of the climb demand a certain level of skill and a need for you to be aware of how your body reacts to the various features of high altitude environment.

If you do not know what level of BRS trek would suit you best, worry not! Fill out this Form:

we will send you a progression chart to help you comfortably get out of your comfort zone in order to level up and ultimately reach your highest potential in the big, bad world of outdoor adventure.

Packing List

This is a list of essential items for individuals doing the trek with Bikat Adventures. This list contains only those items which the participants are required to bring with them. The list excludes those items which are provided by Bikat Adventures on the trek. We have divided the items into five categories. All the items in the list are essential except for those marked as optional.

Trekking Gear

  • Ruck sack bag with rain cover. Qty -1
  • Day Pack Bag - Recommended for treks with summit day
  • Head Torch with spare Batteries. Qty -1
  • U V protection sunglasses. Qty -1 Here is how you can choose the best sunglasses for trekking.
  • Water Bottles: 2 bottles of 1 liter each

Footwear

  • Non-skid, deep treaded, high-ankle trekking shoes Qty -1
  • Pair of light weight Slipper/Sandals Qty -1

Clothing

  • Quick Dry Warm lower or Track Pants. Qty - 2
  • Full sleeves T-shirts/ Sweatshirts. 1 for every 2 days of trekking
  • Pair of thick woolen socks. 1 pair for every two days of trekking
  • Thermal Body warmer Upper & Lower. Qty-1
  • Undergarments. Qty - 1 for every day of trekking
  • Warm jacket closed at wrist & neck .Qty-1
  • Full sleeves sweater. Qty -1
  • Rain wear ( Jacket & Pants ) . Qty-1
  • Pair of waterproof, warm gloves. Qty-1
  • Woolen cap. Qty-1
  • Sun shielding Hat. Qty -1

Toiletries

  • Personal toiletries kit (Small Towel, Toilet paper, paper soap, Bar soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, cold cream, etc.)
  • Sun screen lotion small pack. Qty -1 Here is your Sun Protection 101 to stay safe in the bright sunny outdoors.
  • Lip Balm small pack. Qty-1

Utensils

  • Small size, Light weight & Leak proof lunch box. Qty-1
  • Plate. Qty- 1
  • Spoon.Qty-1
  • Tea/Coffee (plastic) Mug.Qty-1

Miscellaneous

  • Camera (Optional)
  • Carry your medicines in plenty in case you have any specific ailment. Consult your doctor before joining the trek.
  • Dry fruits, Nuts, Chocolate bars (Optional)


Frequently Asked Questions



Parang La Expedition is only for experienced trekkers who have done at least one BRS 5 trek or equivalent.

If you can Jog/Run for 5 kms in 25-30 mins, you are ready to take on this trek. Once a week, you can practice running 10 kms in an hour or so to improve your endurance further. In addition to this, you can also add resistance workouts to your schedule like squats, lunges, push ups etc.

If you cannot do the above, there’s no need to worry. It is important to remember that it’s all about practice. Get on a training schedule and we can assure you that you will meet these standards in a matter of a few months.

The climb demands a few basic mountaineering skills; using an ice-axe, pitching a tent in snow, roping up, working together as a team, ascending and descending on steep gradients and seemingly simple tasks like walking in snow.

The minimum age limit is 13 years. However, minors between 13 to 17 years of age should be accompanied by their parents/ guardians. If you are above the age of 60, kindly carry a medical certificate from your doctor that deems you fit for adventure activities like trekking.


Parang La trek is located in the Spiti Valley region of Himachal Pradesh.

The trail takes you to a maximum altitude of around 5580 metres to Parang La & follows the Pare Chu river which goes to Tibet to re-enter India. The main attraction of the trail is the old yet dynamic mountain features which resemble a unique pattern of being under the sea for a long time & houses some of the unique fossils. The trail has vast meadows which were a grazing ground for horses from Spiti Valley. The most amazing part of the trek is the walk along the Tso Moriri Lake for a complete 2 days where the lake offers different shades of blue with many unclimbed peaks in the background. The pass offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges, including the Pir Panjal range, the Zanskar range, and other ranges of the Himalayas.

One of the primary challenges of the Parang La Trek is the high altitude, as the route crosses several high-altitude passes, including the Parang La Pass at an altitude of 5,580M. It should only be attempted by experienced trekkers with a know-how of basic mountain skills and prior experience in high altitudes.

The best time to do Parang La trek is June end to mid-September.

On the trek we have twin-sharing tents. In case you want an individual tent, you can add that to your booking request for an additional cost.

The temperature during daytime on the Parang La trek can range from 5°C to 15°C in the lower altitude areas. At higher altitudes, temperatures during the day can be around 0°C to 10°C.

At night, temperatures can drop significantly, and it is not uncommon for temperatures to fall below freezing. At higher altitudes, temperatures can drop to as low as -15°C to -20°C at night.

Parang La trek does not require the use of technical equipment and technical skills. But, given the level of endurance required and its high altitude, this trek is for experienced climbers only.


The trek begins from the village of Chicham. We reach here from Kaza which is 18 kms away. We can arrange for shared transportation from Manali to Kaza, payment for which will be divided among the participants and paid on the spot. If you need guidance on how to get to Manali, read How to reach Manali

There is no network after crossing Rohtang Pass on the road journey from Manali to Kaza. There are satellite phones available at Chhatru and Batal on the route. There is no connectivity once we cross Batal till we reach Leh at the end of the trek. All postpaid connections or prepaid J&K connections work in Leh.

The nearest ATM to Parang La Trek can be found in Kaza.

Pick up point for Parang La Trek will be Manali Taxi Stand at 7:00 am.

Expect to reach Leh by 6:00-7:00 pm. We will drop you near the taxi stand in Leh.

There are so many enchanting places to visit in Leh-Ladakh. During your acclimatization period, you can roam around the town and visit the monasteries; Diskit Gompa, and Lamayuru Monastery. Drive up to the Magnetic Hill and experience the crazy magnetic phenomenon on the hill. The picturesque Nubra Valley will take your breath away. The green oasis villages, the monasteries, the ruined palaces- Turtuk and Bordang; there is a whole different culture in this place. It is 150 km away from Leh. you can take a shared taxi to this route. How can you leave Ladakh without seeing Pangong Lake, the sapphire blue lake. You can also visit Gurdwara Pathar Sahib and Leh Royal Palace.


All the common gear like tents, sleeping bags, mattresses etc. are provided. All the technical climbing equipment needed for the trek, like snow boots, crampons, gaiters, ice axe, helmet, harness etc. are also provided to you. Safety equipment used for rescue is carried by our trek leaders.

You can rent trekking shoes, trekking poles, a fleece jacket and a rucksack from us. In case you have any other requirements, you can talk to our representative and we will be happy to assist you in any way that we can.

You will receive your rented equipment during the briefing in Kaza, on Day 1.

Our trek leaders will collect the rented equipment from you at the end of the trek on the last day.

For a detailed list, check the Packing List section on this page.

Manali is a popular backpacking destination. It is also a starting point for some of the most popular trekking routes and climbing peaks. You will find shops in the main market of Manali to buy/rent equipment as needed.


Although not recommended, you can off load your bag at an additional cost. Add a request while making your booking for the trek and it can be arranged.

(Note: We don’t recommend offloading because the extra resources on a trail - ponies or porters depending on the trail - means extra load on the environment which can easily be avoided. It also goes against the spirit of trekking by eliminating a level of endurance and discomfort from the experience which are factors at the very heart of an outdoor adventure activity.)

Yes, you can hand over your extra luggage at our office in Jagatsukh (Near Manali) before we head out for the trek on Day 2. You can collect your luggage from the same place after completion of the trek. The best way to reach Jagatsukh from Manali is by hiring an auto rickshaw or boarding a public bus. It’s 12 kms and takes about half an hour. Please do not leave any valuable items in your luggage such as watch/mobile phone/wallet etc.

On all trek days, we provide 3 full meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) in addition to evening snacks and tea. The meals are vegetarian and the menu is pre-decided for all days of the trek. We do provide eggs as well on certain days. If you have any specific food-related allergies or restrictions, you can let our local staff (during the trek) know, and your requests will get accommodated. We try to provide a variety of food across meals so as to avoid repetition as well as cover all nutritional needs.

On campsites, our team will dig dry pits and assemble a toilet tent to provide for safe and secure quarters. A shovel will be provided within the toilet tent as well. Using water in the toilet tent is restricted; you will need to carry your own toilet paper. On the more difficult expeditions, toilet tents are not carried to the higher camps (above base camp) due to restriction of space (to pitch the tent).

In case you get your period on the trail and don’t have sanitary napkins, our trek leaders can provide them to you. If you need any other kind of assistance, you can let our trek leaders know. Irrespective of gender, our leaders are gender sensitised and equipped to assist you in any way you need them to.

Our team carries a first aid kit and all the basic medicines required during the trek. They are equipped to be the first responders in case of any injury or health-related issues. For higher expeditions, we also carry a HAPO Bag and oxygen cylinders to tend to any altitude-related health conditions.

You leave the last charging point behind at your hotel in Kaza. From here on, we will be camping in the wilderness with no access to electricity.


A copy of your ID Proof and Medical Certificate are the mandatory documents required for this trek. (Soft copies for all of these are to be sent to us & originals should be on your person while on the trek.)

Yes, insurance for any high-altitude activity is highly recommended to cover for the cost of rescue, evacuation and any other emergency service required as well as to cover for medical cost in case of injury or illness during the trek. You can buy it on your own. Alternatively, if you want us to buy it on your behalf, you can mark it as an add-on during the booking of the trek.

Yes, there are multiple permits required for this. We obtain the permits on every trekkers’ behalf. All the permit costs are included in your trek cost.


Yes, you will receive e-certificates (of completion) after the trek. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the trek. In case you were unable to finish the trek, you will get a certificate of participation.

On completion of the trek, the certificate will show up on your dashboard on our website. You can download it directly from there.


Parang La Trek is in India. If you are coming from outside, you will need a visa to enter the country. You should be able to find the rules for obtaining a Visa based on your home country on the internet. This information is easily available.

This does not apply to you if you are an Indian citizen. In case you don’t hold an Indian passport, you will need to check online for Visa application rules based on your home country.

If you are not an Indian citizen, you will need Travel Medical Insurance to travel to the country. Please make sure that your insurance policy is valid for the altitude you are going to and the activity you are undertaking, to cover risks during the trek. The insurance policy provided by Bikat Adventures does not cover foreign nationals. So, please do not purchase it while making the booking from our website.

The Himalayas house the tallest mountains in the world and have long been a treasure trove for all adventure enthusiasts. The variety in terms of beauty, terrain, landscape, geography, culture and opportunity for adventure in the Himalayas, remains undisputedly unmatched.

You can make the booking any time depending on availability of slots in our fixed departure batches. You will get this information at the top of this page.


A Basic Mountaineering Course certification from one of the five recognized mountaineering institutes in India is a minimum requirement to join our team. Our field experts are also trained in basic medicine and first-aid response. We also conduct on-ground training for our staff once a year as a refresher for old skills and to learn some new ones. During this training that we call APW (Adventure Professional Workshop), our leaders learn close to 25 topics and techniques of rescue which are not covered in the BMC and AMC courses. For practical training, we simulate on-ground situations to prepare them for quick thinking and quick response during emergencies.

We follow a rigorous regime of hiring and training our experts on the field. Each trek leader is a certified mountaineer with years of experience in the field. The interview process to bring a trek leader on-board is close to 6 months long where we assess various skills as well as personality traits of an individual. They also go through an on-field assignment as part of the hiring process. Trek leaders also progress in time from leading easier treks before advancing to the more difficult ones where the stakes are higher. For detailed information on our selection process, please visit Forerunners - The Making Of A Trek Leader

It absolutely is. We recognize, value and embody the ideology that the world of outdoor adventure can benefit from diversity. We make it our mission to create outdoor spaces as equally accessible and safe for all genders as possible. We also encourage women leaders in the outdoors and all of our staff (irrespective of gender) is gender sensitised. As for accommodation, in case there are no other women on the trek, a solo female trekker is provided with a separate single-occupancy tent.

Our batch sizes for Parang La Trek are capped at 12 with the trek leader to trekker ratio of 1:4.

In addition to their qualification, our trek leaders are trained to tackle any and all kinds of sudden conditions that may present themselves on ground. During our recce stage, we study the trail in great detail and map out rescue routes before opening it up for our trekkers. We also have local support staff stationed in each area to arrange for emergency services at the place of need as quickly as possible.

We mobilise road rescue efforts where our trek leaders bring the person to be rescued down to the trailhead of the trek from where a car can take them to the nearest healthcare facility. The cost of rescue is not covered in the trek fee that we charge. It must be borne by the participant. However, if you opt for the insurance, the cost of rescue operations can be claimed from the Insurance company on production of valid proof e.g. doctor’s prescription & hospital bills etc. Please note that Bikat Adventures is only a facilitator & not a party in the Insurance policy. You need to raise the claim request directly with the Insurance company. Bikat Adventures is not responsible for any rejection of the claim. You can call the insurance provider directly for any clarifications related to the Insurance policy. Although not mandatory, we recommend buying the insurance. You don’t necessarily have to get the insurance we provide, you can pick an Insurance company of your choice and get a policy directly from them.

All the gear used on our treks and expeditions is tried and tested, maintained for good quality and is overall top notch in quality and condition. We are continually looking to obtain the best of everything there is in the market so as to ensure optimum safety.

That will depend on the nature of your medical condition. Do give us a call, and one of our people will help you understand what is best for you. If not this, we are sure there would be plenty of other options you can choose from our vast portfolio to pick as your next adventure.


We have rolling camps on all our trails. To know why we are strictly against the concept of Fixed Camping, read Reasons to Ban Fixed Camping in Himalayas

This is a complex question and has a compound answer. The simple response is that because it is bad for the environment which we dearly love but if you are interested in a more detailed response to this question, please read Reasons to Ban Fixed Camping in Himalayas

There are a number of measures that we take to prevent overcrowding on some of the most popular trails. Some of them are capping our group size at 15, capping the number of trekkers on a trail to 250 per season, constantly looking for newer trails and routes to spread the crowd around and providing incentives to our trekkers to try unexplored territories with us. We put in place the system of dynamic pricing, which is the first of its kind in the trekking industry, which incentivises trekkers to choose less crowded trails by offering higher discounts. We have noticed, since we started this system, that this has helped in a big way to spread out the crowds between trekking routes. We are also going international so as to relieve some of the stress on the Himalayan landscape as well as explore newer ranges and design newer experiences for our community. If you want a more detailed description of all our measures in this regard, please read Simple solutions to overcrowding on Himalayan Treks

Some basic things to remember are: do not use water, do not dispose of anything non-biodegradable inside the pits, carry your own roll of toilet paper and remember to cover up after yourself to leave a clean toilet for your fellow trekkers. Everything else is much the same like using an Indian style home toilet!

Most wet wipes are not biodegradable which means it could take 100 years or more for them to decompose – not the best thing if you are trying to ‘Leave No Trace’, right?

This is quite a tricky situation but not a hopeless one. Since most of our sanitary waste is not biodegradable, we recommend that you pack your pads/tampons neatly, store it in a zip-lock bag and bring it back down with you where there are better options to dispose of them. In case you do not have zip-lock bags, ask our trek leaders for them and they should be able to provide them to you.

Each trekker is responsible for the use and hygiene of their own eating utensils. And as a measure to maintain proper hygiene, we do not provide plates and spoons. Also, dipping your hands in cold water to wash your own utensils adds something to the overall joy of high-altitude living, wouldn’t you think?


On making the payment, you will receive a booking confirmation along with the packing list and a copy of the undertaking form via email. You will subsequently receive emails detailing documents required, how to prepare physically and mentally for the trek, information on pick-up location on the first day etc. Please add info@bikatadventures.com in your trusted emails list to make sure our emails don't go to your spam folder.

A Whatsapp group will be formed a few weeks before departure. Members from our team are on those groups as well. Feel free to seek any clarifications you require in regards to the trek, on the group itself. Updates related to transportation/pickup point/pickup timing, accommodation etc. will be shared on the Whatsapp group as well.

Yes, we create a Whatsapp group a few weeks before the departure date so that the flow of information remains smooth and transparent.

Yes, it is one of the mandatory documents you will need to submit before the trek starts. The soft copy is to be sent to us & the original should be on your person while on the trek.

Yes, we will provide you an undertaking form through email which will need to be filled up by you and submitted to us post booking.

Why Bikat?

Small Group Size


Our batch sizes are capped at 15 for smaller treks with the trek leader and trekker ratio of 1:8. This ratio, in our years of experience, has proven to deliver the best trekking experience for individuals as well as groups. Capping the size of the group ensures individual attention to each trekker so that no signs of distress or need during the trek go unnoticed. It also helps to form a more cohesive cohort with better group energy which helps define the rhythm and pace of days on the trek.

As you go higher up on the BRS scale, since the stakes are higher, expeditions have an even smaller group size with the ratio of expedition leader to climber set at 1:2.


Qualified Trek Leaders


We follow a rigorous regime of hiring and training our experts in the field. Each trek leader is a certified mountaineer with years of experience in the field. In addition to their qualification, they also go through practical and situational training to tackle any and all kinds of sudden conditions that may present themselves on the ground. Being unpredictable is the core nature of the mountains but being ready for any circumstance as best as possible is a controllable asset that we try to nurture.

Our field experts are also trained in basic medicine and first-aid response.

Watch: Forerunners - The Making of A Trek Leader At Bikat Adventures


Guided Progression


Since Bikat Adventures is a learning-based organization, we help you climb up the ladder of difficulty within the sphere of outdoor adventure systematically. Our on-ground training modules are designed to handhold you through the upskilling process so that you are ready to take on bigger challenges.


Equipment Quality and Check


All the gear used on our treks and expeditions is tried and tested, maintained for good quality, and is overall top-notch in quality and condition. We are continually looking to obtain the best of everything there is in the market so as to ensure optimum safety.


Support Systems


Along with the staff you see on-ground, we have a team of superheroes working in the background to give you the best experience possible. Our background team also comprises local staff from each area who know the region best. Having local support helps with studying the area, pre-planning, execution, and in receiving timely support in case of emergencies in these remote locations.


Communication


Our on-field staff is in constant contact with our teams based in primary locations so as to eliminate any avoidable delay in reaching additional help and support when required. We try to use the best tools for communication available, including satellite phones, in regions where they are not restricted.


What our customers Say

Cancellation Policy


Cash refund

Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date

5% deduction

Cancellations between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure date

50% deduction

Cancellations within 15 days prior to departure date

No Refund

Voucher refund

Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date

No Deduction

Cancellations within 5 days prior to departure date

No Refund

Please Note:
  1. Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers
  2. This is only a brief of cancellation terms. For finer details please refer Detailed Cancellation Policy.

Blog Posts

Experiential
Parang La Trek Exploration
Why Parang La : It all started when we got an enquiry call from a person in Gujrat about Parang La trek in Feb 2016. He introduced himself as Jasmin & told me that he had earlier planned a trek to Pin Parwati pass with Bikat Adventures in Sept 2...
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Informative
Parang La: Captured and Preserved
Do you dream of standing upright at 18,000+ feet on only the third day of a trek? Making barren mountains your friend for the coming ten days? Living the nomadic lifestyle without any glimpse of the greenery or the water? Welcome to the world of Para...
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Informative
Parang La Walking the Historic Route
The treks that have history associated with them generate a special interest in me. It is like discovering an old lost story and living it again. When I got to know my next trek is Parang La and I did a little search on the internet, my excitement fo...
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Informative
7 Reasons Why Parang La Needs to be on Your Bucket List
No sugar-coating, Parang La is a challenging trek. It possesses challenges due to abrupt height gain, remoteness, rough terrain and a long glacier walk. The question then is: does this scare you or generate an adrenaline rush in you? Are you tough en...
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Know How
Keep these precautions while crossing a river stream in mind lest you get drowned.
Crossing a river stream - Precaution and Tips   Trekking is not just about enjoying nature. It is about many challenges that you face during your time in the wilderness. While these challenges replenish your adrenaline levels, they also teach ...
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