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Pin Parvati Pass Trek:

Pin Parvati Pass trek is indeed one of the most glamourous trans Himalayan trek. This difficult and strenuous trail is ONLY for the experienced and physically active hikers who have been to high Himalayan multi day camping treks at least in 2/3 occasions, if not more. The trans Himalayan valleys of Spiti were once difficult to gain access to, but the route through Pin Parvati pass halves the distance between the Kullu and Spiti valleys. The route is opened to trekkers in 1993. Though the trek is strenuous and challenging, the beauty of the region, makes it one of the most sought after Trans-Himalayan trek.

This remarkable trail truly delivers landscapes which are completely different on two sides of the pass. This always snow bound pass unfurls the stark contrast between barren and rain shed Pin valley (Spiti side) to that of lush green Parvati valley (Kullu side). Trekking through this trail of a lifetime, one can see dense forests, hot springs, grazing pastures, meandering streams, moraines and glaciers, snow capped peaks, coloured mountains and many more. The major peaks seen are Kullu Eiger, Parvati South, Kangla Tarbo, Kullu Makalu & West Horn. The trail runs through the Pin Valley National Park, known for sighting of the snow leopards and the Great Himalayan National Park with many rare Himalayan birds like the Western Tragopan. Here are some visual evidences to show. 🙂

Brief Itinerary for Pin Parvati pass trek:

Day 1: Reach Manali by Noon – LGuest house accommodation at Vashisht (3 Km above Manali bazar)
Day 2: Drive to Barsheni – 110 Km – 4 hours – Trek to Kheer Ganga 9 Km – 5 hours
Day 3: Kheer Ganga to Tundabhuj– 12 Km – 6/7 hours
Day 4: Tundabhuj to Thakur Kuan– 6 Km – 3 hours
Day 5: Thakur Kuan to Odi Thatch – 10 Km – 5/6 hours
Day 6: Odi Thatch to Mantalai – 9 Km – 5/6 hours
Day 7: Mantalai to base camp on Parvati side –  10 Km – 7/8hours
Day 8: Parvati side base camp to Pin side base over Pin Parvati Pass – 9 Km – 7/8 hours
Day 9: Pin side base  to Mud via Chinpatta Maidan– 25 Km – 9/10 hours – Camp or Drive to Kaza – 45 Km – 2 hours
Day 10: Drive from Mud/Kaza to Manali – 245/200 Km – 12/10 hours
Day 11: Mandatory buffer/rest day (will be utilised if required, or a rest/acclimatisation day at Mantalai)

Altitude and distance profile graph for Pin Parvati trek:

The below graph will give you a pictorial representation of various campsites and and their distances in between and general gradient/altitude profile.

Why Pin Parvati Pass trek with HT?

There are few reliable tour operators who can safely create a passage between Pin and Parvati valley. We have been operating on this trail from 2011, when there were hardly any companies to take up this challenge. This is not a trail where any operator can run batch after batches but to carefully select the best time to organise. Selecting  the appropriate weather window is the key and should be given highest priority. However often this is not the case but when a company’s logistics is free to manage! More portion of the trail to Pin Parvati pass trek is along Parvati valley where monsoon is adequate. So this trail should be avoided starting from later half of July to a month’s tenure till late August. Also our itinerary is carefully made that you get proper acclimatisation chance, yet its a day shorter while descending. As of now all of our groups have successfully completed this trek, be it in pre monsoon or in post monsoon, following our itinerary. So our years of experience in running this route along with most reliable local guide should be the solid reason to choose us. Also please note that we don’t send send a Trek Leader to any of our treks, but best in class support and local trekking guide(s) selectively chosen for the trek.

Best time/season for Pin Parvati pass trek:

Like any other high altitude season this trail has also two windows where your chances are more to get clearer and safer weather.

Pre-monsoon/Summer: From third week of June to a one month span. Best would be around 20th June to 20th July. Earlier you start, chances of snow from lower altitude, probably in and around Mantalai lake and above.

Post monsoon/Fall: September to mid of October. Mid of October can be really cold, specially in Spiti side. Also the chances of fresh snowfall increases in October.

Challenges of Pin Parvati pass trek:

There are quite a few challenges involved on this trail. Apart from your prior high altitude trekking experiences, you need to have high level of physical and mental fitness to complete this difficult and strenuous trek. It covers around 90 Km of trail and rucksack offloading is NOT allowed on this trek. This means you need to carry all your personal belongings along with the sleeping bag (which we will provide or you can bring your personal one) in your rucksack throughout the trek. This ensures you are safer on trail in case of any unwanted situation or in case you are benighted.

The trail comprises boulder and moraine stretches, icy cold river crossings and crevasse filled glacier round the pass.

There are tricky sections on the trail with potential exposures. There are two natural boulder on river (one being on the Parvati river named Pandu Pul/bridge, and the other one on a side stream called as Chhota Pandu Pul) where you need to cross without any rope. There are ample friction on the rock, but you need to headstrong and must not panic.

Reaching Vashisht, Manali (The trek base):

Our trek base is Vashisht, 3 Km uphill from Manali. Either you can take an auto rickshaw or walk around an hour to reach Vashisht, where the famous temple in the same name is situated.

Manali is well connected by road from Delhi and Chandigarh. There are a handful of buses, ranging from regular, luxury and Volvo operated by both Govt. and private agencies from New Delhi and Chandigarh to Manali.

1) From Delhi (Kashmiri Gate ISBT) the Volvo and regular buses start in the afternoon and evening. It takes up to 15 hours to cover the distance of 560 Km. HP Government transport operated HRTC (http://hrtchp.com) and Tourism Department HPTDC operated busses are reliable and runs on time. There are privately operated bus services also having different pick up points in Delhi. You will get busses starting from late afternoon to 10 pm  in the night.

2) From Chandigarh (ISBT Sector 43) there are regular bus services for Manali, starting early morning till 6 am. It may take around 10/12 hrs depending upon the road conditions. Distance around 320 Km.

3) While returning one can take overnight bus from Manali which again reaches Delhi in 13/14 hours. Normally the last Volvo service (both Govt. and Private) is around 6:30 pm. The last regular bus by  Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) starts from Manali at 9:30 p.m.

Click here to view the List of Things to carry Pin Parvati Pass trek or  Download the PDF

Why treks with HT?

Physicality	8/10
Duration	11D/10N
Grade	Difficult
Highest Point	5300 m/17400 ft
Trail Length	90 Km