BHABHA PASS TREK – SPITI VALLEY HIMACHAL

Himachal Pradesh

Destination

Trekking

Adventure

Trekking

This trek in Himachal is a combination of the Kinnaur greens and the barren high-altitude desert of the Spiti Valley. We start from Kafnu situated in the Kinnaur Valley and walk through the green on the banks of river Bhabha. We cross over Bhabha and enter the scenic Pin Valley.

Total Duration	10 Nights / 11 Days
Grade	Moderate
Maximum Altitude	4,640 m / 15,224 ft
Best Season	July to September
Accommodation	Hotel – 05; Organized Camping – 05
Food	Shimla, Kafnu, Kaza, Manali, Chandigarh – Bed and Breakfast basis; On trek – All meals included
Travel	In small, non-AC vehicles

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THIS ADVENTURE TRIP

DAY 1: CHANDIGARH – SHIMLA (2,205 m / 7,235 ft; 120 km; 4 hrs)

Meet at Chandigarh and then proceed towards Shimla. As we leave behind the plains, the air gets cooler and we negotiate mountain winding roads. At Shimla we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 2: SHIMLA TO KAFNU (2,500 m / 8,203 ft; 282 km; 8-9 hrs)

We travel on the Hindustan-Tibet road along the banks of Sutlej River. Passing through towns of Narkanda and Rampur we enter the Kinnaur Valley and arrive in Kafnu by later evening. Overnight at the campsite in Kafnu.

DAY 3: KAFNU TO MULLING (3,279 m / 10,758 ft; 5 hrs)

Kafnu to Mulling (3279 m / 10758 ft; 5 hrs) First part of the walk is all along the Bhabha River but slowly the trail climbs through the cedar forests. On the way we pass through few old wooden houses in the middle of the forest. Overnight in camp.

DAY 4: MULLING TO KAHRA (3,559 m / 11,676 ft; 3 hrs)

From a flat meadow, the trail narrows as you reach the junction of two streams. Keeping this stream to your right; continue climbing up till you reach the open pasture grounds of Kahra. The Valley opens into a beautiful meadow located at the bank of River Bhabha. Overnight at a camp.

DAY 5: KAHRA TO PUSTRING (3,940 m / 12,927 ft; 3 hrs)

From Kahra we enter into the valley. As we climb gradually up the valley, it narrows down but the beautiful scenery of with alpine flowers on the valley floor and waterfalls on the adjoining hills is a spectacular sight. Camp at the foot of the Pass.

DAY 6: PUSTRING TO PHALDAR VIA BHABHA PASS (4,198 m / 13,776 ft; 8 to 9 hrs)

Climbing steeply, the going is rugged for most the day, there is no defined trail, walking over moraine, scree, boulders and a push through the snowfields to the top. The top of the pass offers great contrast to both sides, towards Spiti, it is barren mountains and to the Kinnaur side it is lush green. Very few places can create such a difference in the vegetation as Bhaba Pass. First part of the descent involves ice for around hundred metres. The later part is descending through the moraine till we get to the bottom. From here it is another half an hour through the boulders then we enter the main Valley. To the left, another Valley makes its way through to the Pin Parvati Pass. The valley here expands to all sides with amazing colour of mountains surrounding from all sides. One and a half hours more journey through the impressive surroundings takes one to Phaldar. Overnight in the camp.

DAY 7: PALDAR TO MUD PHARKA (3,850 m / 12,632 ft; 5 to 6 hrs). DRIVE TO KAZA. (3,600 m / 11,812 ft; 3-4 hrs)

Today’s trek is all the way through the Pin Valley. The landscape here is dry and barren with mountains of different color. Suddenly we catch the sight of a green patch right in the front later we discover few houses. Set in the completely barren surroundings the Village of Mud is like an oasis in the desert. The village of Mud lies across the Pin River. The village gompa is set impressively on a cliff between two streams. From here we drive to Kaza. Overnight stay in a hotel.

DAY 8: REST DAY AT KAZA

We visit Kye Monastery, 18 kms from Kaza, which is located above Kaza at a height of 4,116 m / 13,415 ft. Fine murals and a valuable collection Kangyur (ancient Buddhist texts) are its attractions. There is also an option of visiting the village of Kibber (4,270 m / 14,010 ft), one of the highest inhabited villages in the world. Perched on a vast stretch of land and surrounded by mountains of limestone rocks, the view from here is truly breathtaking. Overnight stay in a hotel.