PIN BHABA PASS TREK

Pick up: On arrival at Delhi airport Meal plan: B Accommodation: Hotel Activity: Half day sightseeing Welcome to India! Upon your arrival at IGI airport in Delhi, our tour representative will escort you to the pre-booked hotel. After completing check-in formalities, you can rest and in the afternoon you will be visiting DILLI HAAT and walk around the neighbouring streets to be familiar with the culture of Delhi before sinking into the cosiness of your bed. Enjoy an overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.

Meal Plan: B L Accommodation: Hotel Activity: Delhi sightseeing After breakfast, you are ready to explore India’s power-centre for a splendid journey where you can explore Delhi’s culture, history, food, market-place and monuments. Delhi, the country’s historic as well as modern capital, has been shaped by various empires from different eras. Exploring Delhi’s iconic monuments and heritage sites, immersing in its flavourful culinary delights and diverse traditions, visiting landmark sacred sites, soaking in its history and culture and shopping at busy marketplaces — these are just some ways to experience the capital city, one of the most visited places not just in India, but the entire world!

Travel from New Delhi to Shimla by air Check-in at the hotel Briefing about the day Bring a copy of ID proof and 2 photographs. For foreigners, a copy of the passport and visa. Network is available ATM is available Shimla sightseeing Meal Plan: B L Stay: Hotel After an early morning breakfast, we transfer you to the airport to catch the flight to Shimla, where our representative meets you and drives you to Shimla Hotel. Stay on schedule as the entire team will be gathering back at the hotel at 6 p.m. Meet the other members of your team as well as your trek leader. Your trek leader will give you a briefing on your journey, and you'll need to test your gear and confirm the sizes of your climbing boots.

Altitude: Kafnu 2,400m/7,900ft. Distance: 200km, 7 hours Drive. Pick-up: Shimla Hotel at 6.30 am. Transportation is included in the cost. Meal Plan: B L D Attraction: Hydroelectric power project on the Bhaba river. Keep a fleece jacket handy while travelling to Kafnu. Stay in a Guest house. . The journey starts from the foothills as way north from Shimla, now over populated with tourists but still retaining its colonial underpinnings & charm of a splendid hill station. We take the route to Rampur Bushahr and before descending in altitude we gain to see the towns of Kufri and Narkanda and the endless apple orchards along the way. We continue on the Recong Peo state highway all the way up to Wangtu from where the road to Kafnu takes a steep ascent, with the hillside covered in concrete, marking the huge hydel power projects in the valley above. Kafnu is a small settlement with most residents depending on the hydel power projects for their livelihoods. We check in to one of the very few guest houses or a home stay here depending on availability and personal preference.

Altitude: Mulling 3,250m/10,700ft. Altitude difference: 850m/2,800ft. Trek: 11km, 8-9 hours. Moderate to Difficult level walk. First half is gradual and the second half is a difficult ascent. Spot Bhaba Hydro Project, India’s first underground dam. Trek in the forest (Silver birch, Pine and Oak trees). Natural water sources available on the way. Packed lunch for the day (bring one lunch box with you) Meal Plan: B L D Stay in tent The day starts early as we rise to start our first trekking day. Post breakfast we leave Kafnu behind and take the northward road across the village, beyond the dam and continue for 4 KM’s until we arrive at an under construction electricity project with a few heavy vehicles passing by, and at first it may not be as pleasing a start as expected but the things take a turn quickly as we reach the end of this motorable section as it turns left and crosses over to the true right of the river, but we continue straight with the river staying on our left side for the day. The trekking trail paves way for a beautiful landscape as we shuffle between pine forests and small meadows. Wild strawberries can be found in abundance almost midway of our journey today. The arrival of Mulling is rather abrupt. As soon as you make it across a steep but short section of boulders the trail suddenly opens up into a vast meadow spanning as far as the eyes can see. There is a forest hut almost a KM ahead and visible, and the camping grounds extend further upstream, for up to 2.5 KM ahead of this hut and we can choose to camp anywhere across this section. While most groups camp near the landmark, we prefer to go ahead, to find more seclusion and cut short the next day’s journey. A huge boulder amid scattered silver birch trees, a perfect camping spot with the opportunity for some low intensity bouldering.

Altitude: Kara 3,550m/11,700ft. Altitude difference: 300m/1000ft. Trek: 6 km, 4-5 hours. Easy walk on rocky terrain, last 1km is a steep ascent. Enough water sources available on the way. Camp near the Lake. Hot lunch at the campsite. Meal Plan: B L D Stay in a tent. Today our journey to Karah is an easy one and we can start the day without a hurry. After breakfast we set out into the scattered forest ahead of us gradually climbing up the trail, with small boulders all across to catch our breath. After less than 2 KM on the trail we come across a beautiful campground with small streams cutting across. The trail slightly descends towards the river ahead of its confluence with another stream coming from the north west. We cross the river either over the boulders at this spot, exhibiting the phenomenon of the subterranean river, where the river basically flows underground. These boulders are generally covered with snow during the early summer months, forming a snow bridge. The trail after crossing the river is steep for a short duration and we start heading in the north east direction. After some traversing across the zig zag trail we finally arrive at a junction from where the trail becomes gradual and we can see all the way ahead of Karah for up to 3 KM. We continue towards these pastures where we are likely to find shepherds and their flock.

Altitude: Pushtirang 4,100m/13,500ft. Altitude difference: 550m/1800ft. Trek: 5km, 3-4 hours. Moderate walk, continuous ascent. Enough water sources available on the way. Terrain is a combination of stone and loose mud. First attraction is crossing the mountain stream. Last day with Bhaba river. Views: Hansbeshan Peak, Nimish Khango, Tari Khango and Pin Bhaba Pass. Hot lunch at campsite Meal Plan: B L D Stay in a tent. On the third Trekking day, the excitement is high as we start the day by crossing the river. Albeit the river is segmented into 4-5 smaller streams, making it less challenging, it can be an adventure for some. Especially if it has been raining upstream or if anyone crosses it during the evening. After the stream crossing we are again to the true left of the river and continue in the north direction for some while, gaining altitude gradually, and the trail starts to turn slightly towards the west. The trail is steep on either sides for another 2-3 KM before some viable camping spots with boulders scattered all across. Continuing on this trail we finally arrive at the Phutsirang camp site, which requires descending slightly for the last 200 meters.

Altitude: Mangrungse 4,150m/13,600ft, BhabaPass 4,900m/16,100ft. Altitude difference: 800m/2,600ft. Trek: 12km, 10-11 hours. Day is difficult and tiring. Continuous steep ascent till Pass, after Pass steep descent for 3km and then gradual descent till campsite. Limited water sources near by the pass. Start early in the morning. Pin River can be seen from the pass. Scenery will change, from lush green to cold desert. Keep flotters/flipflop handy to cross the river. Packed lunch for the day Meal Plan: B L D Stay in a tent. The trek of Mangrungse via Pin Bhaba is a big challenge owing to both the altitude gain and the significant distance after crossing the pass. We must start the day before dawn and start climbing towards the pass to compensate for the duration and avoid any weather changes which usually happen post afternoon. The climb begins from the Phutsirang camp itself and it is recommended to warm up prior to starting the day or at least take it easy by taking short steps as we start trekking. After spending over 1.5 to 2 hours we are ahead of the scree zone which is a difficult and slightly dangerous stretch. We arrive at a relatively flat ground which is covered in snow for most part of the year and can be used as an advance camp in case of a small group, and is camped at by shepherds. The climb from this campsite takes another 2 hours. After reaching the pass, we rest and enjoy the views and are able to see the stark change in the valley across with the colors of Spiti already showcasing their vivid charm. We quickly loose altitude and it is a long journey to the Mangrungse campsite. We are now walking alongside the Pin river and depending on the month in which we are trekking we may have to cross the river to get to its right or we may be lucky enough to cross it over a snow bridge. The trek to Mangrungse campsite can take 4-5 hours as the trail is steep initially mixed with glacier, scree, boulders & a few small crevasse, so be sure to follow your guide. Mangrungse campsite is at the confluence of another valley which descends down from the Pin Parvati pass and the trail can be seen in the distance across the river on the opposite side.

Altitude: Mud 3,750m/12,300ft. Altitude difference: loose 400m/1,300 Trek: 17km, 7-8 hours. Easy walk but long and tiring. Gradual descent on mountain trail and flat walk on road. Carry sufficient water from the campsite. Start early in the morning. Mudh village is famous for its peas farming. Packed lunch for the day Meal Plan: B L D Stay in a guest house either Mudh or Kaza. The last day of the trek features remarkable twists in landscape as the colors of Spiti are ever changing as far as the horizon. The long distance is time consuming but the low gradient makes it easier. We come across flocks of Sheep and Yaks on the way and the river crossings have wooden bridges, which make the journey easy. Apart from the short ascent from Mangrungse campsite to get back on the main trail and slight elevation gain at Bara boulder, 4 KM ahead, we descend all along the way to Mud, where a final uphill hike takes us right into the village. Mud is a small village with beautiful terraced fields striking a contrast with the desert landscape of Spiti. The trek concludes with a rewarding end. The drive further to Kaza takes another 2 hours and we can reach by early evening to check into one of the hotels. It is worth spending 2-3 days in Kaza to explore nearby destinations such as Key Monastery, Hikkim, which boasts the world’s highest post office, and other prominent places.

Acclimatization Hike

Driving Distance: 200km, 9-11 hours. Leave early in the morning. You’ll reach Manali between 6:00 pm and 7:00pm. Stay at Manali is included in the cost Meal Plan: B L Returning from Kaza (3800 meters) to Manali requires crossing the Rohtang Pass. Enjoy a heart-warming 9-hour trip and return home with a plethora of wonderful memories. Follow this Pin Bhaba Pass Trek itinerary to get the best experience. If you have spare time in-store, you can extend the trek to 8 days and keep a day handy to explore the Mudh village in the last lap of your journey

Meal Plan: B In the evening, transfer to the bus station to catch the Manali-Delhi bus. It is at this point that the journey comes to an end. You may explore Manali after breakfast. Be sure to visit Hadimba, Vashisht's hot water springs, and perhaps even the Naggar Roerich Art Gallery.