Pin Parvati Pass Trek- Best Ever Guide

Pin-Parvati Pass

The most beautiful and dramatic treks of Kullu valley

Difficulty

Difficult

Duration

12 days

Max Altitude

17450 ft

Starting Point

Barshaini

End Point

Mudh village

Distance

100 KM

Best Time to Visit

June to August

Camping sites

The Grandest trans-himalayan experience in Parvati Valley

The Pin Parvati Pass is among one of the most magnificent treks in India. Everyday there is something new to be seen in the route. You get to take a dip into a high altitude hot water spring on the very first day of the trek. Followed by a walk through alpine Himalayan forests and grasslands with the entire trail dotted with waterfalls generating from the glaciers in the valley.

Enroute Tunda Bhuj to Thakur Kuan

Further going up you will pass through flower fields and wild strawberries on the trail. You will reach the high altitude lake of Mantalai which is the source of the Parvati river and holds a sacred value. The trail takes you further up in to the snow clad PinParvati Pass which is surrounded by high peaks and glaciers on all sides.

The Mini Mantalai campsite before Manatalai

Then you will make the Transhimalayan journey by crossing the pass into the barren Pin Valley which is completely stark in contrast to the lush green Kullu Valley you had been travelling through. The open vistas of Pin Valley are something cannot be prepared, the sheer vastness and enormity of the terrain is fabulous. The mountain sides are painted in shades in crimson and purple because of the fact that this area was under the Tethys sea at one point. Then you reach the untouched paradise of Spiti.

Views from the Pass

Short Itinerary

Brief Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi to Kasol ; 15 hours
Day 2 : Barshaini to Kheerganga ; 10Km ; 6 to 7 hours
Day 3 : Kheerganga to Tunda Bhuj ; 13Km ; 7 to 8 hours
Day 4 : Tunda Bhuj to Thakur Kuan ; 11Km ; 6 to 7 hours
Day 5 : Thakur Kuan to Odi Thach ; 9Km ; 5 to 6 hours
Day 6 : Odi thach to Mantalai ; 12 Km ; 7 to 8 hours
Day 7 : Mantalai to Pin Parvati Basecamp ; 11Km ; 7 to 8 hours
Day 8 : Acclimatization day at Pin Parvati Basecamp
Day 9 : Pin Parvati Basecamp to Pin Base ; 15Km ; 10 to 12 hours
Day 10 : Pin Base to Tiya ; 12Km ; 5 to 6 hours
Day 11 : Tia to Mudh ; 12Km ; 4 to 5 hours
Day 12 : Mudh to Kaza ; 25Km Drive ; One hour

Hikesdaddy Itinerary

Trek from:

Delhi to Kasol

Trek gradient:

Bus journey.

Water Sources:

Town area.Water readily available.

Get a bus from the ISBT Kashmere Gate in Delhi to Bhuntar which lies on the way to Manali. Then from Bhuntar get on the bus to Kasol. After reaching Kasol spend your day there exploring the local sights and scenery. Kasol has a vast culinary variety and you can try new things. Rest and prepare for the start of the trek the next day.

Trek from:

Kasol to Kheerganga

Trek gradient:

Short drive to Barshaini.Gradual incline then the trail increases in gradient after a bridge crossing the path goes through a steep mountain side.

Water Sources:

Multiple streams on trails

The route from Kasol to Kheerganga is among the most frequented trekking routes in the country. You will have to get the bus from Kasol to Barshaini which is where the roads end. The buses run every 30 minutes on this route. After reaching Barshaini you will have two options of reaching Kheerganga. {DETAIL HERE} .Here we will take the trail through Nakthan village. You will have to walk 100 meters from the Barshaini Bus stop and you will find that a trail is going down towards a bridge over the river a little ahead of the Dam. You will get down that trail and cross the bridge and you are on your way to Nakthan. The trail gains altitude initially but gradually smooths out. and you will reach the village of Nakthan in 2 hours from Barshaini. Stop here for a quick snack and march on. You will reach the sacred waterfall of Rudranag spend some time here and cross the bridge over the river. Now the trail gains altitude very fast and you will have to stop at places to catch your breath. There are few streams on the way but it is suggested to carry your own water till Kheerganga. You will reach Kheerganga within 6-7 hours of starting from Barshaini. Take a dip in the pool and unwind. For the perfect camping spot in Kheerganga.{CLICK HERE}

Trek from:

Kheerganga to Tunda Bhuj

Trek gradient:

Gradual trail gradient.Few uos and down but moderate incline.

Water Sources:

Trails on the stream

Start early, the trail to Tunda Bhuj is towards the left of Kheerganga and merges into the treeline. So initially when you set out from Kheerganga it might seem that you are lost because the trail is not prominent. Keep following the river and you will be on a clear trail in 20 minutes. Now the route passes through the forest of 6 alpine forests the trail goes through the area between the forests is covered by vast meadows of smaller plants. The entire route is dotted with waterfalls on the other side of the river. The Tunda Bhuj campsite is marked by a hut which was constructed by the dam authorities and is now occupied by a baba.

Trek from:

Tunda Bhuj to Thakur Kuan

Trek gradient:

Few water crossings.The gradient is rather plain.Trail hugs a rock side on many parts.

Water Sources:

Many streams on the trail.

The trail starts of easy on a meadow after crossing a waterway next to Tunda Bhuj and gradually goes into a forest section and in an hour starts to descend towards the base of the river.

Trek from:

Thakur Kuan to Odi Thach

Trek gradient:

Trail moving through slippery rockface .with river pass below.Boulder crossing thorugh the river.Then the trail eases of.

Water Sources:

Streams on the trail.

Today is perhaps the most critical day of the trek as the chances of a mishap happening is high. So you have to be alert through out the day. Be extra cautious as the trail moves through stone faces. Take your time while crossing this bit because a fall here would be a direct ticket into the wild Parvati river, there is one section where the trail passes through a rock face water flows on the rock face, it is a good idea to rope up here. After this section lies the Pandu Pul which is a huge boulder in the middle of the river which helps you crossover to the other side. Again using rope here is advised. After the boulder, the trail is smooth and gradual till Odi Thach which is a wide open meadow.

Trek from:

Odi thach to Mantalai

Trek gradient:

Gradual incline.

Water Sources:

The lake.

Today you move from Odi Thach to Manatalai lake you will notice while coming from Thakur Kuan to Odi Thach, the valley starts to open up and this continues up till the Mantalai Lake , so today expect the trail to be easy than the rest of the days and enjoy the views after reaching Mantalai. Mantalai is essentially a the feeder lake to the Parvati river. As you will move forward you will see a mish mash of glacial streams feeding the lake itself and forming a delta like system. Camp here and retire for the day.

Trek from:

Mantalai to Pin Parvati Basecamp

Trek gradient:

Steep incline through boulder and scree sections.

Water Sources:

Fill water from Mantalai.No streams on for first two hours.

Today we start from the Mantalai Lake to the Pin Parvati Basecamp. So after walking a fair bit you will have to start climbing on a ridge to your left. The gain in altitude will be high and you will rapidly gain elevation. The trail gets dangerous if the area is snow bound and should be done if you have an experienced person with you. So we reach the Basecamp of Pin Parvati Pass and retire for the day.

Trek from:

Acclimatization day at Pin Parvati Basecamp

Trek gradient:

Barren area.

Water Sources:

Today you spend the day acclimatizing and perhaps scout the route which you will take for the pass attempt next day.

Trek from:

Pin Parvati Basecamp to Pin Base

Trek gradient:

Very steep ascent through scree and glacier and snow sectionand descent through scree and moraine.

Water Sources:

Today you will have to start early in the morning. Around 5 AM. You should rope up and cover the route to the pass through the snowbound areas very carefully. The ascent up to the pass is steep. Once you are at the pass you will see the stark difference between the Parvati Valley and barren Pin Valley. Take your time to get down from the pass as the descent is part snow, on which you may slide and after that you will reach a section full of scree. Make it to the base of the Pin river and cross it midway after getting roped up. Continue walking after crossing over to the other side and you will reach Tia Campsite. The trail till there is full of moraine and boulders. Cover as much distance as possible and setup camp.