Double Crossing: Pin Bhabha Pass (4890 m) and Pin Parvati Pass (5319 m) - Trek From Kinnaur to Spiti to Kullu-Manali

• Maximum Altitude: 11,653 ft
• Duration: 5 hours
• Trek Distance: 6 km
• Trek gradient: Moderate

The trail we follow today starts with a gradual ascent through a rocky terrain. Water source is a scarcity and it is recommended to carry water. After a trek of about 1 km, there is a gradual ascent of about 2 km to witness a unique geographical phenomenon called a “subterranean river”. You will hear a river flowing but can’t see it. The river flows underneath the surface here. From this section, it’s a 1.5 km steep ascent to the top to reach a lush green meadow full of flowers. 

After crossing the meadow and walking for another kilometer, we will reach the campsite near a water stream. There is a beautiful lake nearby and we can set up camp at Karah.

• Maximum Altitude: 13,474 ft
• Duration: 4 hours
• Trek Distance: 4.91 km
• Trek gradient: Moderate. 

Today we will trek just 4.91 km and it is the shortest day of the entire trek but involves steep ascent. After crossing the tributary of River Bhabha, we will climb the steep slope. The terrain here is a combination of mud a loose stone and it is recommended to tread slowly and carefully. The trail has many streams and humps that need to be traversed. After climbing for about 4 km, we will reach a campsite set up near lower Phustirang. From here, continue the upward climb for another 700 meters and you will reach Phustirang. 

From Phustirang, you can clearly view 3 mountain passes: Nimish Khango (16,185 feet), Tari Khango (17,318 feet) and Pin Bhaba Pass a.k.a Wang Khango (16,105 feet). We will camp here overnight.

Let’s make sure we get it right. We will spend a day here to acclimatize and rest.

• Maximum Altitude: 16,105 ft
• Duration: 9 hours
• Trek Distance: 10.9 km
• Trek gradient: Difficult.

Today, we will ascend steep slopes and cross high passes connecting the Pin and Bhabha Valley. 

From the highest point between the mountain valley (Saddle point of the Pass), there is a paradigm shift in landscape. There are pronounced geographical distinctions. Lush green grasslands of Bhabha valley give way to desert mountain valleys of Pin. The combination of scree , moraine and glacier make the descent steep and tricky to traverse. It is advised to descend with great caution and care. 

After descending for about 2 km, River Pin can be clearly seen. After crossing the river to the right, it is a gradual descent but embedded with moraine and scree. Hence, caution is advised. After about 5 km from crossing the river, we can see the Mangrungse campsite where we will camp overnight. Tia campsite is across the river bank. There is a mountain stream nearby and the beautiful mountains of Spiti offer a sight to behold, with the River Pin nearby. 

• Maximum Altitude: 13,674 ft
• Duration: 7 hours
• Trek Distance; 16.29 km
• Trek gradient: Moderate – difficult

It is a long 16.29 km stretch to Mudh that we will trek today, so an early start is advised. We will ascend from Mangrungse on to the trail and continue walking on it. Mangrungse and Bara Boulder are separated by a distance of 4 km and the gradual descent is full of boulders and scree. 

The tributary of Pin River is about 300 mts from Bara Boulder. We will cross this stream using a log bridge. The trail from here is flat and is predominantly made up of red stones and red soil. A short walk from Bara Boulder will take us to the banks of a mountain stream. After crossing the stream using a log bridge, we will reach a flat stretch of land from where Mudh village is visible. 

We will have to cross River Pin using a suspension bridge to reach Mudh. After crossing the river, it is a short ascent to the village. 

Mudh is a picture perfect village with terraced fields of peas and barley. You can camp and relax here and take in the beauty of Mudh. Or, you can choose to visit Kaza, Ki and Kibber, for which cabs can be arranged (on prior notice and additional cost) to ensure your timely return to Mudh. This is also the starting point of the trek to Pin Parvati Pass. Trekkers who wish to join us for the Pin Parvati Pass can meet us at Mudh.

• Maximum Altitude: 12,795 ft
• Duration: 2 hours drive + 2-3 hours trek
• Trek gradient: Moderate.

We will leave for Tia early in the morning which will take about 2 to 3 hours. It is a gradual ascent on screen and shale (granite rocks) surrounded by barren mountains of Spiti. The trail is quite well defined. 

We will trek upstream the River Pin. The trail is at a higher level than the river. However, to set up camp at Tia, we will have to descend to the river bed. There is a scarcity of level ground to set up camp. Mangrungse is on the other side of the river now. 

• Maximum Altitude: 14,763 ft
• Duration: 5-6 hours
• Trek gradient: Difficult.

On the trail today, we will have to cross many glacial streams so an early start is recommended. The trail on the left bank of the River Pin is full of loose sedimentary rocks. Then, we will descend to the river and after crossing it, ascend from here. After trekking for some time, Pin glacier is visible, looming high up. 

Shia is a shepherd’s campsite with not enough space for camping. Camping spots can be found between rocks and shale. We will have to be careful as it is a landslide prone area. 

• Maximum Altitude: 15,780 ft
• Duration: 5-6 hours
• Trek gradient: Difficult.

We will cross the River Pin and start the steep ascent to Pin Base Camp. It is a steep ascent of 1,700 ft. We will rope up and cross a stream which comes from the Pin glacier. We will camp at the Pin Base Camp which is rocky and is below the Pin glacier and 1,000 ft below the pass. 

The campsite is very windy with rugged mountains on all sides. 

• Maximum Altitude: 17,457 ft
• Duration: 12 hours
• Trek gradient: Difficult

Ideally, any high-altitude mountain pass should be crossed early in the day and before noon as the weather can be tricky. The ascent to the Pass is tough as we will gain altitude and the glacier is at an inclination. We will not come across any crevasses on the Pin side of the pass. The older and the original Pass is visible on the left side of the ridge while the Pass used these days is at a higher plane. 

The view from Pin Parvati Pass is breathtaking and will be with you forever. We will be able to clearly see Parvati South Ridge, Snow Peak, Ridge Peak, Pyramid Peak, Kullu Makalu, Bara Shigri, Kinner Kailash and Shrikhand Mahadev, if we are lucky. The views of Kinnaur, Kullu and Spiti valley at once can be almost overwhelming. Mantalai campsite can also be spotted far below the Pass. 

Day for Rest and Acclimatization

• Maximum Altitude: 13,440 ft
• Duration: 4 hours
• Trek gradient: Moderate. 

Today, we will trek a scenic downhill to the beautiful meadows of Odi Thach. Continue walking along the right side of the river and up to a moraine-filled ridge. From here, we can see the point from where the River Parvati emerges. Today is a relatively easier day to walk as it is in a valley. Follow the trail on the right side of the valley till you reach a large ridge breached from the right side from where the River Parvati rushes down towards Mantalai. After we cross the first series of fridges, we will finally leave the Mantalai region. 

The route towards Odi Thach meanders towards the left side of the valley. We will see slopes full of red, purple and blue flowers. The swamp land opens to a plateau and then goes through boulders till we reach the level meadows of Odi Thach. A little ahead of Odi Thach is Jwari Thach where we will camp. 

• Maximum Altitude: 12,517 ft
• Duration: 8 hours
• Trek gradient: Difficult. 

The trail starts from the meadows of Odi Thach and goes lower to the River Parvati. There are many waterfalls to the right and the River Parvati to the left. Mt Kullu Eiger is clearly visible in front of you to your left along with some unnamed peaks and glaciers surrounding the valley. Then, we will descend down to Pandu Pul which is a natural bridge over the river formed by large, misshapen boulders. 

After this, we will descend another rock jutting out on a tributary of River Parvati. Be very careful, as we will negotiate some narrow ledges on the river. The pulley that takes you to Thakur Kuan is broken so you will have to stay on the same side of the river. This trail gets tricky as it is overhanging the swollen Parvati River in many places. Once the tricky patch gets over, we will enter a forest full of rhododendrons and pine trees. 

Tunda Bhuj campsite is surrounded by cliff faces, higher up from the river. There are many waterfalls on these cliff faces. Pin Parvati is an experience that gets better and better after each campsite as the views get incredible and greener all the while running along the River Parvati.

• Maximum Altitude: 10,499 ft
• Duration: 4 hours
• Trek gradient: Moderate.

Today’s trek to Kheerganga is a steady descent to the gorge below the Parvati River. The trail meanders through pasture lands full of silver birch trees. 

The trek starts with crossing the bridge over a tributary of the Parvati River. The trail unwinds downhill, out of the expanses of Parvati Valley to open pasture land. 

Watch your step as it can get slippery with all the mud. After some time, you will enter pastures again. On your right, you will see local shepherds. 

Ahead is a bridge that we will cross. After about 25 minutes of hiking from here, the trail curves towards the left. This is the first of many dhabas you will find near Kheerganga. 

From the pasture land, there is a meandering descent down to the forest for 30 minutes that exits into another small open pasture land. From here, you descend down to the stream and crossover the last tributary over a makeshift bridge. The trail ascends from the stream for about 45-50 minutes followed by a series of gradual inclines and declines towards Kheerganga. 

You will reach Kheerganga by afternoon and this is, frankly, one of the shorter days of the trek. 

Kheerganga is your last campsite and it feels like the end of the trek. There are many cafes in Kheerganga and we will pitch our tents here. You can also take a bath in the hot springs of Kheerganga, which is a five-star sauna experience at the end of a long, tough trek. It is quite a luxury after a strenuous and a double-passing trek like Bhabha Pass and Pin Parvati Pass! 

• Maximum Altitude: 9,120 ft
• Duration: 3 hours walk
• Trek gradient: Moderate. 

We will now trek for 7 km from Kheerganga to Barshaini. The trail from Kheerganga meanders through thick forests and is muddy. Caution needs to be practised on this descent. There are many dhabas on the trail. We will cross a makeshift bridge over River Parvati, which is ferocious now. 

After crossing the bridge, we will reach Rudranag. There is a Shiva temple here. After walking uphill and downhill for about an hour, we will reach Nakthan village. After a steep descent from here, we will finally reach an open meadow called Swagani Maidan. 

After a rigorous time spent crossing two mighty passes: Time to celebrate and Enjoy Great Food. 

Arrangements would be made to drop guests to the Volvo bus stand

Buffer Day: Rest days are extra days in case the weather gets unfavourable