This trek is a challenging one due to walking over glaciers as we begin in the Parvati Valley in Kullu and end in Pin Valley in Spiti. Beginning in Manikaran, we will be passing several villages as well as alpine mountains and lakes. We will come across glaciers as we trek upstream of the Parvati River. Before reaching in Spiti Valley, we will have to cross the Pin Parvati Pass 5219 m (17,122 ft.), which brings us to the highest point of our trek. We will explore Spiti’s valley and its monasteries before driving back to Manali and further on to Delhi.
Day 1
Arrival in Delhi
Guests will be received at the airport followed by a transfer to a hotel, where you will be staying overnight.
Day 2
Overnight bus journey Delhi – Manali
Travelling Distance: 570 km
Travelling Time: 16 hours
Altitude: 2000 m / 6,561 ft.
Following a full day’s sightseeing in the vibrant Delhi City, we will then transfer you to the bus station. Overnight bus journey, fully air conditioned and comfortable to make the journey more relaxing.
Day 3
Arrival in Manali
Upon arrival in Manali, we will check you into your hotel to freshen up before exploring the local area. Old Manali, the Hadimba and Shiva Temple are all main attractions for sightseers. After lunch, a visit to the hot springs in Vashisht will make you feel rejuvenated. In the afternoon you will then be able to roam freely within the town, with an overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 4
Journey from Manali to Manikaran via Naggar
Travelling Distance: 90 km
Altitude: 1800 m / 5,905 ft.
We will be visiting the Naggar Castle, temple of Tripura Sundri and the art gallery of the famous Russian painter Roerich. Manikaran is famous for its hot springs, as well as the pilgrimages for both Hindu and Sikh people. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 5
Trek 1 – Manikaran to Pulga
Trekking Time: 6 hours
Altitude: 2400 m / 7,874 ft.
The first trek begins by road, until we reach a lower altitude for you to acclimatise yourself. We will then walk through a thick pine forest and passing villages. A steep ascent for some 300 m, will take us to the beautiful village of Pulga, where we will camp nearby a forest. There will be time to wonder around the village.
Day 6
Trek 2 – Pulga to Kheer Ganga
Trekking Time: 7 hours
Altitude: 2900 m / 9,514 ft.
Today will begin with an early start, as it is a long and gradual walk. The last stretch involves a long ascent through a pine forest and you will also come across a gorgeous waterfall. We will make camp near the village, where you can have a dip in the hot sulphur water nearby the camp.
Day 7
Trek 3 – Kheerganga to Tundabhui
Trekking Time: 61/2 hours
Altitude: 3500 m / 11,482 ft.
There are two trails; trekkers tend to use the lower one, which goes through the fields of wild flowers. The campsite is the most picturesque; five exquisite waterfalls and beautiful gorges on the one side. There is also a huge cliff and a stream on the other side.
Day 8
Trek 4 – Tundabhuj to Thakurkuan
Trekking Time: 7 hours
Altitude: 3900 m / 12,795 ft.
The trail becomes difficult at two points, as we cross through a profusion of wild flowers, iris, buttercups, poppies, phulumises and other several varieties. As you begin to gain some altitude, the scenery becomes prettier. After the initial ascent across the Pandu bridge, this consists of two huge rocks over the river. Many shepherds with their flocks can be seen on the route. By evening time, we will have reached at the campsite.
Day 9
Trek 5 – Thakurkuan to Mantalai
Trekking Time: 5-6 hours
Altitude: 4100 m / 13,451 ft.
We will continue walking gradually upstream on the left bank of the Parvati River. Mantalai is a big meadow with a lake and a glacier, which is the source of the Parvati River. An hour before Mantalai, is a fairly difficult walk over boulders and glaciers.
Day 10
Trek 6 – Mantalai to Base camp
Trekking Time: 7 hours
Altitude: 4700 m / 15,419 ft.
After leaving the beautiful campsite, we will be crossing two streams. After an hours walk over boulders and glaciers, we will then begin to climb towards the left side of the valley. This is a very long steep ascent of around 16,000 ft. The walk to the campsite is gradual and is set in the open valley surrounded by massive glaciers.
Day 11
Trek 7 – Base to Base
Trekking Time: 8 hours
Altitude: 4750 m / 15,583 ft. (Over Pin Parvati Pass 5219 m / 17,122 ft.)
It is a long day so an early start is advised. The trek will begin with a gradual walk that is mostly on boulders then on glacier to the top of the pass. After crossing the pass, we will then have entered in Spiti Valley. The trail descends over snow and ice fields, covered with crevasses (some hidden) and then loose rocks and boulders can also be present. At this point you will need to be very cautious as there is no trail visible. The campsite is situated in the centre of three valleys.
Day 12
Trek 8 – Base to Wichkurung Thatch
Trekking Time: 6 hours
Altitude: 3900 m / 12,795 ft.
Again the trail is not well defined, but you should keep to the left bank of the Pin Parvati River. Shepherds from Kinnaur and Rampur can be seen with their flocks. Beautiful views of the mountains can be seen from the camp. Overnight stay in camp.
Day 13
Trek 9 – Wichkurung Thatch to Mud
Trekking Time: 6-7 hours
Altitude: 3600 m / 11,811 ft.
The trail gets better as we proceed through the Pin Parvati Valley. We will also have to cross a few streams, so a pair of trainers in your day bag would suffice. Edelweiss and other flowers can be seen along the way, as well as the changing colour of the mountain is unique and in the evening sunlight makes the surrounding even more beautiful. We will then have reached in the small picturesque village of Mud, where you can take a stroll around the little village and visit the Gompa; situated on a small hill.
Day 14
Trek 10 – Mud to Guling or Schijng
Trekking Time: 4 hours
Altitude: 3000 m / 9,842 ft.
Here a pleasant walk will be made as we gradually ascend for the village of Sagnam, which will take around an hour. Then we will proceed to Guling, which will bring us to the end of our trek. An arranged vehicle will pick us up for a further visit in Spiti. We will also visit the monastery of Kungri, which is the main centre of the Nyingmapa sect in Spiti. We will be camping at Guling or, if time permits, we will drive further to Schiling.
Day 15
Journey to Tabo and Dhankar
Altitude: 3550 m / 11,646 ft.
The Tabo Gompa – founded in 966 AD – has exquisite frescoes and statues; oftenly called the Ajanta of the Himalayas. Dhankar, the ancient capital of the Spiti King , has the most incredibly situated Gompa; perched high on the barren rocky mountain slopes. Later in the day we will continue to Kaza, which is the Spiti divisional headquarters. Overnight in the camp.
Day 16
Journey to Kye and Kibber then back to Kaza
Altitude: 4200 m / 13,779 ft.
We will leave to visit the famous Kye Gompa that is perched high on a pyramid-like mountain, which belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Kibber, one of the highest permanent inhabited villages, is located in a semi bowl-shaped landscape. We will visit a small Gompa before returning to the camp near Kaza.
Day 17
Journey from Kaza to Manali
Travelling Distance: 190 km
As we drive through several villages of Spiti, passing over the Kunzum Pass (4700 m / 15,419 ft.) you will experience the magnificent views of the Himalayan Peaks. We will then drive through Chandra Valley, then uphill to Rohtang Pass (3950 m / 12,959 ft.) which provides the main gate way of Lahaul-Spiti and Kullu. We will then descend to Manali. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 18
Journey from Manali – Delhi: Explore Manali
Travelling Distance: 570 km
Travelling Time: 16 hours
Free visit in Manali. You will be able to spend the rest of the day freely within the town until 3pm, when you will depart for the bus station. Overnight journey in comfortable bus.
Day 19
Flight Departure: Delhi
You will be given the opportunity to explore around Delhi as you will have a full day free, before being transferred to the Indira Gandhi International Airport where you will depart to your onward destination.
