Spiti Valley Trek
Trip Name: Spiti Valley Trek
Duration: 20 days
Spiti ValleyThe most famous trek in Spiti valley is the Pin Parvati Pass trek. Pin Parvati Pass connects Parvati Valley with Pin Valley in Spiti. The height of the pass is nearly 5300 mts and is also one of the toughest treks that this area offers. Hence the Pin Parvati Pass trek would requires a lot of acclimatization and preparation before going on the trek. The itinerary is a combination of two treks where earlier trek would act as a preparatory & acclimatization trek. The first part of this tour is the preparatory trek which also leads one to Spiti valley from Kullu valley by crossing over Hamta Pass, the second part would involve a small jeep safari in Spiti valley where the clients would visit tribal village & some very old monasteries and the last part would be trekking over the Pin Parvati Pass back to Parvati Valley in Kullu. In Pin Parvati Pass trek, ponies do not go and we would have to take only porters and thus this is little expensive compared to other treks.
Important:
Most important point in above is to advise clients to plan the dates of the tour in such a way that they start their Pin Parvati trek in early September and at-least cross over the Pin Parvati Pass by mid September. The clients should be keen & experienced trekkers since, this trek would involve a lot of stamina and determination
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Delhi/Chandigarh
Today in the morning drive to Chandigarh, Arrive and check into hotel. Rest of the time free to relax or visit city. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Chandigarh/Manali
Arrive Manali on own and check in at Hotel Banon Resorts. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Manali
Morning at leisure. Afternoon half day tour visiting Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple and Tibetan Monastery by foot. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Manali/Sethan
12 kms. The preparatory trek begins today. Trek via Pirni, Hamta and Sethan villages to reach the camp (3000 m). Overnight in tents.
Day 06: Sethan/Juara
10 kms. A day of flowers all over. Trek via Bhalu Ka Ghera upto Chhika (3350 m). Chhika is famous for wild flowers, caves and provides the best rocks for climbing in the area. Reach Juara (3600 m). Overnight at tents.
Day 07: Juara/Shiagouru
10 kms. As one approaches the Hamta pass (4268 m), rocks and boulders slope down from the flanks in magnificent sweeps. From Hamta pass view of Indrasan (6221 m), Deo Tibba (6001 m) and Indra Kila (4940 m) is superrb. Overnight in tents at Shiagouru (3600 m).
Day 08: Shaigouru/Chatru
8 kms. The route descends rapidly down to Chhatru (3360 m), where a grassy meadow above the Chandra River offers a good camping place. Could be tricky crossing of the streams and descent if the weather is wet. Overnight in tents at Chatru.
Day 09: Chatru/Kaza
120 kms. Travel by jeep from Chatru to Kaza crossing over the Kunzam Pass (4558 m). Overnight in tents as Kaza (3600 m).
Day 10: Kaza
Today visit the Ki monastery, 12 kms from Kaza. This centuries - old gompa is a labyrinth of rooms and corridors - and at one time also acted as a fort. It houses valuable Thangkas and offers a panoramic view of the area. Also visit the small gompa at Kibber, 9 kms further ahead. Kibber at 4205 m has the distinction of being the highest permanently inhabited village of the region. Overnight in tents at Kaza (3600 m).
Day 11: Kaza/Tabo/Sagnam
50 + 60 kms. Travel from Kaza to Tabo. Founded in 996 AD by the great teacher Richensang-po, Tabo is renowned for its breathtaking murals and stucco images - and is often called "The Ajanta of the Himalayas". The largest monastic complex in Spiti, the old section has 9 temples, 23 chortens, a monks chamber and a nuns chamber. There are several caves adorned with frescoes and contemporary structures too. In trans Himalayan Buddhism, Tabo's sanctity is next only to Tibet's Tholing gompa. Travel back to Pin Valley enroute visiting another monastery at Gungri village. Pin Valley has been declared a National Park and is known as the land of Ibex and Snow Leopards. Overnight in tents at Sagnam (3680 m).
Day 12: Sagnam/Mud
16 kms. Start the trek to Mud (3811 m). Mud is the last village of Pin Valley. Overnight in tents.
Day 13: Mud/Chinpatta Maidan
15 kms. Chinpatta Maidan is the camping site located at the base of the valley of Pin Parvati Pass. Overnight in tents at Chinpatta Maidan (3955 m).
Day 14: Chinpatta Maidan/Camp I
14 kms. Trek up to Camp I along the right bank of Pin River. Camp near the confluence of Pin River with small streams. Overnight in tents (4450 m).
Day 15: Camp I/Camp II
12 kms. Start the ascent from Camp II to the pass. Cross over the Pin Parvati Pass (5319 m) and enjoy the view of several peaks of Kullu & Spiti region. Set up Camp II at the base of camp. Overnight in tents (4573 m)
Day 16: Camp II/Mantalai Lake
12 kms. Walk over glacier & moraine and cross small lakes & streams to reach Mantalai Lake (4116 m), the source of river Parvati. Overnight in tents.
Day 17: Mantalai Lake/Pandu Bridge
15 kms. Trek for 15 kms to reach Pandu Bridge (3700 m). Overnight in tents.
Day 18: Pandu Bridge/Thakar Kuan
12 kms. Cross a side river by a natural rock and then the trail passes several Gaddi (shepards) encampments to Thakur Kuan (3560 m). Overnight in tents.
Day 19: Thakar Kuan/Tunda Bhuj
16 kms. This section of valley is difficult at places as the trail frequently skirts rock faces that are difficult for laden porters. Trail passes through birch forest crossing rocks and dense vegetation to reach Tunda Bhuj (3285 m). Overnight in tents.
Day 20: Tunda Bhuj/Khirganga
18 kms. Through forest level walking to reach Khirganga (2960 m) where you can have a refreshing & much needed bath at the hot sulphur springs. The trail crosses several delightful pastures supporting a variety of wildflowers in the summer. Overnight in tents.
Day 21: Khirganga/Barshaini/Manali
12 + 100 kms. The trail passes through villages, fields and forest. Barshaini is a village in Parvati Valley and is connected by road. Trek ends in Barshaini Travel by jeep to Manali. On arrival check in at Hotel Banon Resorts. Overnight at hotel.
Day 22: Manali/Chandigarh/Delhi
Today drive back to Delhi via Chandigarh in order to take flight back home.
Option: To make the tour more interesting we can suggest to clients a Jeep Safari tour to Spiti valley from Manali to visit (Ki monastery, Kibber village, Pin Valley Dhankar Monastery, Tabo Monastery and than return back to Kunzam Pass to start the trek upto Baralacha La and later to Keylong and end tour in Manali. This option would involve more of traveling by jeep and less of trekking and incase you wish to offer this option to client which will be a more of a jeep safari, do let me know.
Cost Includes & Excludes
Cost Includes
- Accommodation on twin sharing basis with daily buffet breakfast.
- Transportation by Air-Conditioned Vehicle
- Sightseeing as per package details.
- Entrances Fees at Monuments (Except in the museum visit and camera fee)
- Service of Local English Speaking Guide
- All Applicable Taxes including 4.08 % Service Tax
Cost Excludes
- Meals at hotels except those listed in above inclusions.
- Entrance fees to the museums and camera fee.
- Expenses of personal nature such as tipping, porters, laundry, telephones, etc.
- Inland / International flights any
- All other than those listed in above inclusions
- Price excludes any supplement for Christmas & New Year Eve
Note: Hotels are subject to availability, please note that due to peak season starting from Oct onwards, most of hotels in 4- 5category are already fully booked for many dates starting from october, Once you finalise the booking, we shall start booking the hotels. It may be possible that we may have to go for a higher / lower category of hotels/ rooms in any place & we shall advice you of any supplement / reduction in the price.
