Pin Bhaba Pass Trek- Best Ever Guide

Pin Bhaba Pass

The awe-inspiring trial connecting to ancient high altitude societies

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

9 days

Max Altitude

15460 ft

Starting Point

Kafnu

End Point

Mudh village

Distance

56 KM

Best Time to Visit

July

Camping sites

The Dark Forests of Mulling

But it is the forest scenery that strikes you the most. A turquoise blue river gushes through the forest on one side, little brooks skip and jump through the trees on the others. You take a gently ascending path meandering through these settings for a good part of the day. Later, towards noon, you burst out of this enchanting forest into a surprise you’re least expecting — the grasslands of Mulling — a sight that makes you catch your breath. This is the first day of the trek. For a page turner, it can’t get more dramatic than this.

The Bhaba river cuts through the dark forests of Mulling on the left.

Kashmir-like settings of Karah

From the Karah camp this is what you see. Ahead of you two valleys meet. Behind you tall snow capped mountains frame the entrance of the valley that descends out of Khara.To your side grassy hills tower above the camp. Why, at your camp, there is a small hillock where you can climb to the top taking in the views. A quiet river flows besides your camp. All around it is a grassy setting where hundreds of sheep munch away. This on the second day of the trek, when you have still not got over the forests and grasslands of Mulling.

Camping on a river delta at Phutsirang

The Pin Bhaba Pass crossing

The pass crossing is over a series of ledges, so the fun is in getting to the first ledge and then setting sights on the next. The pass is narrow, almost knife like. The space just enough for a handful of trekkers to stand. Getting to the pass is thrilling. The satisfaction immensely gratifying. The heady altitude adds to the allure. Around you are serrated mountains of Spiti. But the scene below you is what makes your jaw drop. Below, as the steep flanks of the pass levels out, the Pin valley spreads out in a riot of colours. It is hard to imagine a valley pink in colour but that’s how it predominantly is.

An isolated walk through the colours of Spiti.

Short Itinerary

Day 1: Reach Kafnu; 6 -7 hours from Shimla. Pick-up will be organised from Shimla Old Bus Stand at 6.30 am. It will cost approximately Rs.8,500/- for a Bolero (6 seater).

Day 2: Trek from Kafnu (7,878 ft) to Mulling (10,637 ft); 8 hours, 11.3 km

Day 3: Trek from Mulling (10,637 ft) to Karah (11,653 ft); 5 hours, 6.03 km

Day 4: Trek from Karah (11,653 ft) to Phutsirang (13,474 ft); 4 hours, 4.9 km

Day 5: Acclimatisation and rest day at Phutsirang

Day 6: Trek from Phutsirang (13,474 ft) to Mangrungse (13,674 ft) via Pin Bhaba Pass (16,105 ft); 9 hours, 10.9 km

Day 7: Trek from Mangrungse (13,674 ft) to Mudh (12,283 ft); 7 hours, 16.29 km.

Day 8: Drive from Mudh to Manali. The transport costs Rs 15,000 for a 6-seater and Rs 16,000 by Tempo Traveller (11 seater). You are expected to reach Manali by 7.00 pm.

Hikesdaddy Itinerary

Trek from:

Kafnu to Mulling

Trek gradient:

Bus Journey

Altitude :

7,465 ft (2,275 m) to 7,878 ft (2,401 m)

Water Sources:

Nearby the Dam

Where to camp:

After reaching the village you will se a hotel to your right.You can stay there or you can go ahead and you will find a green patch of grass to your right after the village ends.You can camp there.Just make sure you take prior permission and don't litter the place.

Today you will start your journey towards Mulling from Kafnu. The early part of the stretch is the road leading towards the Hydel project in the Valley. So you will have to get to the other side of the reservoir from where you are camping and get cracking on the road. The road continues for about an hour. The river will be flowing to your left and you will be able to see multiple snow bridges over the river which get formed due to excessive snowfall in winters and start to melt with the onset of summers. The trail is very well marked as it is used by the locals who camp at a certain place for a very specific reason, something we'll discuss later on. So now the trail will start to gain altitude and at a point you will be able to see a forest down below. This is where the trail descends into the lush green coniferous forests and the trail is almost on level with the river. Not many Himalayan treks have this kind of a setting. It usually at higher altitudes that the trail is somewhat on the same level as the river. Spend some time here and have your lunch once you are on the forest floor. Continuing the journey ahead you will cross multiple small ridges which are grasslands in essence, to finally reach the Mulling camping site which is marked by a hut which is owned by the forest department and is abandoned for the most part of the year. You can setup camp inside the hut or outside whatever you seem fit. Coming to real part that is the campsite of Mulling. The river will be flowing right in front of you and there is a huge patch of grass on the other side which later transcends into a pine forest and at the very top of the mountain you will find an overhanging glacier protruding out, now this is a pretty uncommon site by any standards, at this altitude. Among many other things which make the Pin Bhaba trek so full of contrast.

On the way to the high altitude village of Kafnu

Trek from:

Mulling to Kara

Trek gradient:

Moderate. Easy walk on motor road for 2.65 km followed by a 4.5 km ascent. Level walk for about 1 km then ascend all the way to Mulling.

Altitude :

↑1007 mtr

Water Sources:

Carry sufficient water. You will find 2 water sources on the trail to refill your water bottles.

Where to camp:

There is a an old abandoned forest hut here by the river.So you can camp inside it or camp near it.

Today we move from the Forests of Mulling to the Grasslands of Kara. The trail moves through the forests and the incline is very gradual. You will move and climb up on a mountain side and trail will move to your right and then you will be able to see the lush green valley which is totally covered with green velvet like grass, off course you will have to time your visit right. That is around July to see the valley of Kara in all it's glory. As you come down you will find lots of potential places to camp however you should not stop till you find a spot that has been dug up by companies which treat treks like mass boot camps. Anyways, you should setup camp here and if you are here in July you will find a lot of sheep here which come from Kinnaur and will make a crossover to Pin valley following the same route as you. The campsite is straight out of fiction and is almost too good to be true. If you were to go 50 meters up on the mountain you have camped on, you will find the Kara Lake which offers, out of the world reflections of the surrounding mountains when the water is still during early morning. Fun fact: Remember that people of Bhaba Valley come to Kara for a specific purpose? The locals climb up on the lush green mountains of Kara to in search of exotic Jadibooti (herbs) which are rather expensive and are seasonal. These sell upwards of Rs.1,00,000 per kg. However the rights to pluck these off the mountain is reserved for the locals, in case you might feel adventurous.

The thick cover of cloud near Muling campsite

Trek from:

Mulling to Kara

Trek gradient:

Moderate. Gradual ascent for 3.3 km followed by 1.5 km of steep ascent, easing off for the last 1.2 km.

Altitude :

426 mtr

Water Sources:

Carry sufficient water. You will find a water source to refill your water bottle around mid way.

Where to camp:

This is a plain grassland at the base of the moutains and you can camp anywhere you please.However you will find an area permanently devoured by big trekking agencies for their mass treks.So that is one place you can camp too.

The Kara lake near the campsite

Trek from:

Kara to Phustirang

Trek gradient:

Difficult. Steep ascent for close to 3 km to reach the pass. Initial 2 km of steep descent from the pass followed by a river crossing and gradual descent through moraine and scree all the way to the campsite.

Altitude :

762 mtr

Water Sources:

You might find a couple of streams but these are seasonal.

Where to camp:

So there are two campsites here.One is where this picture was shot and the other is above the hump against the flow of the river.It is a high altitude river delta if Phustirang also the most beautiful camping site on the entire trek.

Today we move towards Phustirang which will be the basecamp to the Bhaba Pass. Cross the river in Kara as early as possible before the flow increases. Once you cross over you will see that there are two streams that merge to become one. You will follow the stream that is coming from the mountain on which Kara is, not the other one. So follow the stream against it's direction of flow and you will find the trail gaining altitude fast. The trail is full of wild flowers of color Blue, Yellow and red. Continue and you will reach Campsite 1 in Phustirang. Don't stop here 30 more minutes. Continue on the trail as it goes for a steep ascent and you will find yourself in paradise. This is the advance base camp of Phustirang. Essentially a high altitude delta of streams.

The Bhaba rivers beginning

Trek from:

Rest Day

Trek gradient:

Preety flat terrain.Explore nearby area.

Water Sources:

Streams at the campsite.

Today you will stay in Phustirang as this is your rest day. You will enjoy the high altitude delta of streams flowing off the various glaciers from the surrounding peaks. The campsite is as plain as it gets and is honestly after the steep ascent to Phustirang. Drink a lot of water as it helps in Acclimatisation. Fun Fact : There is only one catch to the Pin Bhaba Pass that is the route to the Pin Bhaba pass from the advance base camp of Phustirang.Once you are at the river delta. The route to the Pin Bhaba Pass is on your right not straight. You will have to climb up on the mountain to your right to get to the pass.

Trek from:

Phustirang to Mangrunse

Trek gradient:

Very steep ascent till the pass for 6 hours.Then descend on the glacier to the base of the river.Scree and moraine to follow.

Water Sources:

No water source till one hour after the pass.

Today is the day you cross over to the other side. Remember to start as early as possible ideally 5 AM because the snow will melt as the sun rises and will make your journey difficult. One can never be sure how much snow is actually there at the pass as snowfall can happen anytime given it's height. So it is safe to start early morning. The trail is not gradual to say the least it gains altitude very rapidly and you will be out of breath more than once on the way up. There will be 2 instances where you think you have reached the pass only to find out that it is a mere hump and pass is far away. By 11 AM you should reach the pass and spend some time there. See the stark difference between the Pin Valley and Kinnaur. The descent is easy. If you see enough snow you can slide down. Then onwards the route is through the glacier laden with snow, You will have to get to the right side of the river generating from the pa ss. and march forward till Mangurese. Try to cover as much distance as possible because next day is going to be a long and scenic walk.

Trek from:

Mangrunse to Mudh

Trek gradient:

Level walk through scree and moraine.

Water Sources:

Fill from the river originating from the glacier and there are two streams midway

Today you will have to cover a rather long distance but the views will sweep you off your feet. After walking for 1 hour and with the trail bending towards the right into the larger Pin Valley. You will be awestruck by the sheer vastness of the Valley. The stark shades of Purple and crimson on the mountains almost seem unreal and can be attributed to the fact that this region used to be under the ancient Tethys sea. The Pin Valley is a fossil rich zone and is a protected area. You will witness proper mountains rising into the sky from where the trail passes. There are a few tricky water crossings in this area and you don’t want to cross them in a haste. Then there are the Shepherds whom you will see on your way. Do drop by to say hi!. If you are lucky enough you will see the Changspa Horses roaming freely ,now these are indigenous to Pin Valley and are highly valued. 3 hours into the walk you will get first glimpses of Mudh. But it will take you another 8 hours to reach there. You will lastly have to cross a bridge over the river to cross over into Mudh over the furious Pin River. There are many options of stay here.

July, August, September

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