Pin Parvati Trek and Safari through Spiti Valley

The Pin Parvati Trek takes us from the Parvati Valley in Kullu to the Pin Valley in Spiti across the 5319 meter high Pin Parvati Pass, from the temperate forests of the former to the barren, cold desert landscapes later. One need to be extremely fit and very well prepared for this trek as there is absolutely no habitation along its entire length.

If one has come to Himalaya to hike across high Himalayan habitations, one will choose a trek in Spiti. Most of this remote and spectacular region is still only accessible by feet.
While trekking through this high altitude cold dessert, we will have a blend of Spiti’s rich culture and natural splendors. This trail provides a unique insight into the Spitians way of life (their homes, cuisine, agriculture and irrigation system). We also might get the opportunity to get a glimpse of some of the world’s rarest species of wildlife, such as snow leopard, Tibetan wolf and blue sheep.

Day 1 Arrival in India
Pick up from airport to hotel, overnight in hotel

Day 2 Sightseeing Delhi, evening drive to Manali by car 585 km
Visit the most famous Sights in Delhi today ( Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Lotus Temple, Qutab Minar…). In the evening we start towards Manali.

Day 3 Manali Rest day and local Sightseeing
Use this day to relax from the overnight journey, visit the market or do some guided local sightseeing with us (The Mall, Tibetan Monastery, Hadimba Temple, Vashisht Hot spring, Manu Temple. Overnight in Hotel

Day 4 Manali to Barsheni (2400 m) 4 hours drive 100 km/ Trek to Khir Ganga (2960 m) 4 hours
Today we have an early start from Manali to Barsheni by car. Our 3 to 4 hour trek starts from here. First we have a long gradual walk; the last stretch involves a long ascent through a pine forest and we will see a gorgeous water fall. Our camp site is near the hot spring, so you can have a dip in hot sulfur water. Overnight in camp

Day 5 Khir Ganga to Tundabhuj (3285m) 5-6 hours
Our trail goes through fields of wild flowers. The campsite is very picturesque, with lovely waterfalls and beautiful gorges on one side, huge cliffs and the flowing stream on other side. Overnight in camp

Day 6 Tundabhuj to Thakurkuan (3560m) 5- 6 hours
The trail is difficult at two points and leads us through an abundance of wild flowers including iris, buttercups, poppies and several other varieties. As you gain altitude, the scenery gets even better. Overnight in camp

Day 7 Thakurkuan to Pandu Bridge (3700m) 5 hours
Beyond Thakurkuan the trail passes several Gaddi camps. Before crossing the river side by a natural Bridge, we set up our camp. Overnight in camp

Day 8 Pandu Bridge to Mantalai (4116m) 5 – 6 hrs
After breakfast we will cross the Pandu Bridge, which consists of two huge rocks over the river. Many shepherds with their sheep are encountered on the route.
We will have a gradual walk upstream on the left bank side of the Parvati River. Mantalai is a big meadow with a lake and glacier, which is the source of the Parvati River. Just about one hour before we reach Mantalai, the walk gets fairly difficult over boulders and ice. The entire stretch to the Pass is in the Great Himalayan National Park, which provides a haven for many rare species- snow leopard, Spiti Wolf, ibex and ghural. Overnight in camp

Day 9 Mantalai to Camp 1 (4700m) 7hrs
After leaving the beautiful campsite, we will cross two streams. After an one-hour walk on boulders and ice, we start climbing into a steep side valley. This is a very long, steep ascend of around 1600 feet. The final walk to the campsite is gradual, and is set up in the open valley surrounded by massive mountains. Overnight in camp

Day 10 Camp 1 to Camp 2 (4750m) over Pin Parvati Pass (5319 m) 7hrs
It’s a long day, so an early start is advised. The gradual walk is mostly on boulders, later on the glacier until the top of the pass. After crossing the pass we enter in the Pin Valley. The trail descends over snow and ice fields and covered crevasses (hidden crevasses) and then again over loose rocks and boulders. There is no trail visible, so you have to be very carefully. The campsite is situated in the center of three valleys. Overnight in camp

Day 11 Camp 2 to Chinapatta Maidan (3900m) 5 hrs
Again the trail is not well defined, but you should stay on the left bank of the Pin River. Shepherds from Kinnaur and Rampur can be seen. Chinnapatta Maidan is a big ground field with nice views. Overnight in camp

Day 12 Chinapatta Maidan to Mud (3600 m) 6 - 7hr
The Pin valley at its best: The trail gets better, but you have to cross streams. Edelweiss and other flowers can be seen in plenty. The Changing color of the mountains is unique and in the evening sunlight makes the surrounding even more beautiful. We reach the small picturesque village of Mud, which is the last village of that Valley. A Gompha is set on the hill. This is the end of our trek. Here we will spend our last night before it either goes back to Manali by car or we do a Jeep safari through the remote area of Spiti Valley with its awesome nature, many old Buddhist monasteries and picturesque small villages. Overnight in camp

Jeepsafari

Day 13 Drive to Tabo (3550 m) via Dhankar Monastery (3890m) 68 km
Dhankar is the ancient capital of the Spiti king; the most incredibly gompa is situated high on the barren rocky mountain slopes.
Tabo gompa founded in 996 A.D has exquisite frescoes and stucco statues and is often called the Ajanta of the Himalayas. Overnight in hotel

Day 14 Drive to Kye and Kibber, (4200m) then to Kaza 83 km
Let’s visit the famous Kye gompa. The gompa is placed high on a mountain looking like a pyramid. It belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Kibber, one of the highest permanent inhabited villages is located in a semi bowl-shape. A small gompa is worth a visit, later we go to Kaza, the head quarter of Spiti Valley. Overnight in hotel

Day 15 Drive to Chandratal (4270m) 108 km
We drive through several villages of Spiti over the Kunzum pass, (4551m). Our way leads us further to the beautiful Chandratal Lake at an altitude of 4270 meters. Chandratal, which means the Lake of Moon, is shaped like a half moon and is set on a large meadow of edelweiss within a lower ridge and the main Kunzum range. Overnight in camp

Day 16 Drive to Manali 139 km
Having a nice view of magnificent Himalayan Peaks, we drive through the Chandra Valley, then uphill over the Rohtang pass (3950m), the gate way of Lahaul, Spiti and Kullu. In the afternoon we reach Manali. Overnight in hotel

Day 17 Rest day in Manali and drive to Delhi by car 585 km
Overnight in hotel

Day 18 Journey back home

Prices

2 people-2000 euro/ 2400 usd
4 people-1500 euro/ 1800 usd
6 people-1300 euro/ 1560 usd
8 people-1200 euro/ 1450 usd

Cost include:

• All accommodations including breakfast( good middle class standard) on sharing basis before and after the trek ( for single room extra charge)
• pick up from airport/ dropping at airport
• all transportation within India by vehicle
• Sightseeing tours in Delhi, Manali and Spiti
• All entry fees on sightseeing tours
• all staff (guide, porters, helper, cook) during the trek
• 2 people in a 3-men-tent during the trek
• sleeping bags during the trek
• kitchen tent during the trek
• all meals and beverages ( breakfast, (packed) lunch, dinner and snacks) during the trek
• water from filter machine during the trek
• Guide during whole tour

Cost exclude:

• arrival and departure from and to homeland by plane
• tips for staff
• meals besides breakfast when staying in hotels
• shopping
• private visit of restaurants/ cafes/ museums/ sights
• private room (extra charge)