PIN PARWATI PASS TREK
LOCATION: KULLU, HIMACHAL PRADESH
The Pin Parvati Pass, nestled at an altitude of 17,450 feet above sea level, in Himachal Pradesh, forms the gateway to the Spiti Valley from the Kullu Valley.The Pin Parvati Pass was first discovered and crossed from Spiti side by Sir Louis Dane in 1884, followed by F Skemp in 1906. The first crossing from Kullu side was made by H Lee Shuttleworth in 1921.Trekking up through lush green meadows, stately forests and narrow valleys accompanied by the constant roar of the river Parbati, we reach Mantalai Lake, the place from where river Parwati originates.Therafter Walking over the glacier we cross Pin Parvati Pass, where there is startling change in the landscape, as we enter the Pin Valley in Spiti.
Region Himachal Pradesh & Spiti
Difficulty Level Challenging
Maximum altitude 5298 M
Total trekking distance 78 Kms
History & Folklore
The British explored this pass to gain access to the once difficult to reach Spiti valley. It made for the shortest route between Kullu and Spiti which has remained popular with shepherds. The pass was first officially crossed in 1884 by Sir Louis Dane. Himachal Government opened this route for trekkers in 1993 popularising tourism to the Kullu Great Himalayan National Park. The meadows of Khirganga are revered as Lord Shiva is said to have mediated here for 3000 years. The hot sulphur springs of Parvati kund are said to have remarkable healing properties. The two natural bridges on Parvati River known as Pandu-pul are dedicated to the Pandav brothers who are said to have built them. The sacred site of Mantalai Lake is an open temple dedicated to Shiva.
Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Getting to the base camp – Kaza
Take an overnight bus from Delhi to Manali. Refer to the ‘getting there’ tab for details on how to reach Kaza. Stay overnight at Kaza.
Day 2: Acclimatization day at Kaza
- Altitude: 11,980 feet
- Distance: 204 km
- Time taken: 8 hours
Day 3: Drive from Kaza to Mudh village; trek from Mudh to Tiya
- Altitude: 11,811 feet to 12,795 feet (trek from Mudh village to Tiya)
- Distance: 49km drive + 6 km trek
- Time taken: 2 hour drive + 5 hour trek
From Kaza, drive down to Mudh village which is at a lower altitude. The drive will take you about hours and covers a distance of 49km. Once you reach Mudh village start trekking to Tiya. The trek You will reach Tiya in about 5 hours.
Day 4: Tiya to Pin valley shepherd camp
- Altitude: 12,795 feet to 14,763 feet
- Distance: 10 km
- Time taken: 6 hours
Start early in the day and follow the left banks of the Pink river. You will need to cross the river, so we insist on an early start. The trail ascends a moraine and goes all the way up to a shepherd campsite. Camp here for the night.
Day 5: Shepherd camp to Upper Pin Base Camp
- Altitude: 14,763 feet 15,780 feet
- Time taken: 6 hours
Trek to the higher grounds, which will lead you to the base of the pass. Camp for the night beside the glacial line.
Day 6: Pin Base camp to Pin Parvati pass to Parvati base camp
- Altitude: 15,780 feet to 17,450 feet and descend to 14,927 feet
- Time taken: 7-8 hours
Start early in the day as this is the pass crossing day. Cross over to Parvati valley and descent down until you leave the snow line. Camp at Parvati base camp, which is a small moraine ridge. This is a suitable camping spot.
Day 7: Pin Parvati B.C to Mantalai Lake
- Altitude: 14,927 feet to 13,440 feet
- Distance: 12 km
- Time taken: 4 hours
This day is an entirely downhill moraine hike. Descend for 12 km till you reach the Mantalai lake. camp for the night.
Day 8: Mantalai Lake to Odi Thach campsite
- Altitude: 13,440 feet to 12,517 feet
- Distance: 9 km
- Time taken: 4 hours
This day consists of a scenic 9 km downhill hike all the way to the famous meadows of Odi Thach.
Day 10: Odi Thach to Tunda Bhuj
- Altitude: 12,517 feet to 10,499 feet
- Distance: 24 km
- Time taken: 8 hours
A long, beautiful day of trekking passing by Pandav Pul (Pandav Bridge) river crossing and camping grounds of Thakur Kuan.
Day 11: Tunda Bhuj to Kheerganga
- Altitude: 10,499 feet to 9,120 feet
- Distance: 12 km
- Time taken: 4 hours
Day 12: Kheerganga to Bursheni; Depart from Bursheni
- Distance: 7 km
- Time taken: 3 hours
Trek for 7 km from Kheerganga to Bursheni. You will reach Bursheni around 11am. The trek ends at Bursheni. Indiahikes will arrange for transportation from Bursheni to Kullu. The cost of which will be additional and is to be paid to the drivers directly. It takes roughly 3 hours to reach Kullu. You can take the afternoon bus from Kullu to Delhi the same day.
Day 13: Buffer Day
Buffer day may/may not be used. It is recommended to book tickets keeping this in mind. Incase the buffer day is used, charges for one additional day will have to be paid on the trek.
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