There are 4 passes that connect Pin valley with Kinnaur and Kullu i.e. Bhaba pass, Shakarog Khango, Lartsaway, and Pin Parvati pass. To the southwest lies the Bhaba pass which connects Pin valley with the Bhaba valley of Kinnaur. It's named also Tari Khango or Tarik la and its more popularly known as the Bhaba pass. Spitian people have long been used this pass as a trade route between 2 valleys. Especially the requirement of timber to the Spitian house building. The geographic contrast between these two valleys is evident after descending to the lush green meadows of Bhaba carpeted in wildflowers, while Pin valley is situated in the high cold desert region of Spiti and it remains moist during summer time and has a high winter snowfall. Numbers of plant species can be found in the valley, it is declared as a Pin valley national park in the year 1987, known as the land of Ibex and Snow Leopard. Though rare in sightings this rare animal, it is a prime time to visit Pin valley in winter when these rare species descend to low altitude. The Chamurthi horses are the pride of Pin valley people and are one of a kind among highland horses. During the summer months, the yaks roam free in the vast pastures of Pin valley. Buchen tribe of this valley are the only remaining sects performing ancient rituals. At Potala Adventurers we first reach Pin valley in 1996, when there was a road only up to Gulling and treks use to starts/end at Gulling.
BHABA PASS TREK - OUTLINE ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive Manali
Day 2: Manali - Rohtang la (3,978 m) - Kunzum la (4,551 m) - Kaza (3,550 m), 8-9 hrs
Day 3: Kaza to Mud (3,750 m) drive 2-3 hours, Trek to Mud Pharka (3,780 m). 4 hours.
Day 4: Trek to base Mangrungtse (3,900 m) 5/6 hrs.
Day 5: Trek to Bhaba pass (4,900 m) - Kara (3,580 m) 7 /8 hrs.
Day 6: Trek to Mulling (3,100 m). 5/6 hrs.
Day 7: Trek to Kafnu (2,450 m), 3/4 hrs. Drive to Shimla 7 hrs .
Day 8: Shimla to Chandigarh airport or Shimla to Delhi.
Pin valley
Manali
BHABA PASS TREK - DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive Manali
Arrive Manali from Chandigarh or Delhi. Rest, relax and acclimatize. Chandigarh airport pickup that we do to our most of clients / guests. Its 7-8 hrs drive to Manali. Reach Chandigarh airport or railway station by before noon recommended.
Day 2: Manali - Rohtang la (3,978 m) - Kunzum la (4,551 m) - Kaza (3,550 m), 8-9 hrs
Its approx 204 kms from Manali and takes 8-9 hrs of drive. An early departure from Manali, we drive 3 hours to Rohtang pass (3,978mt.) Which is gateway to Lahoul & Spiti, Pangi and Zanskar.16km down to foot of the pass a small place called Gramphu. A dusty and rugged path leads towards Batal. Along the left bank of Chandra River to Chatru and than along the right bank of Chandra River to Batal. 14 kms to Kunzom la pass. Enjoy the breathtaking views of CB peaks. The highest of the area is Mulkila 6400m and the view goes as far as until the Bara Shigri peaks. From Kunzum la its spectacular drive along the Spiti river and passing numbers of beautiful village we arrive at Kibber and continue to Kye and Kaza. Overnight in camp or hotel. Based on arrival at Kaza. Early arrival camp, late arrival hotel.
Day 3: Kaza to Mud (3,750 m) drive 2-3 hours, Trek to Mud Pharka (3,780 m). 4 hours.
Leaving early from Kaza, drive along the Spiti River to Attargo, from where we enter in Pin valley. Passing through narrow valley at beginning the valley becomes wider reaching at Gulling. Passing Sagnum village Mudh is not so far from here. Setting off from Mudh we descend to Pin river and cross the river by bridge and over a small plateau and passing through fields trek to Mud pharka for our tonight campsite.
Day 4: Trek to base Mangrungtse (3,900 m) 5/6 hrs.
Leaving Mud Pharka the trail is relatively easy from Mud Pharkha to base also called Mangrungtse. At the end of our trail the valley separates to main Pin River. To the right the trails goes towards Pin Parvati pass to Parvati valley in Kullu and to the left to Bhaba pass. Vegetation becomes less and less as we move forward, yet this valley is home of numbers of wild animals, the rarest and finest of them is an elegant snow-leopard. We could cross domestic animals i.e. yak and Dzo grazing. Pin valley makes different to other valleys of Himalayan region by its sedimentary rock formation.
Base camp / Mangrungtse 3900m
Day 5: Trek to Bhaba pass (4,900 m) - Kara (3,580 m) 7 /8 hrs.
Today an early departure recommended in order accomplishing the pass at a right time, yet this day could be long. At first trail is rugged, than walking over moraine, scree and boulder fields. Finally over patches of snow ice fields at the top of pass, approx around 4,900 meters, crossing the pass we descend steep to the campsite. Now the landscape changes dramatically to green pasture land at first, where summer time we could meet with sheperds of Kinnaur, who spend summer in this Rupin Bhaba wildlife sanctuary, looking after their flocks of sheep. The valley widen slowly as we set camp at Kara on the banks of Wanger.
Day 6: Trek to Mulling (3,100 m). 5/6 hrs.
Today leaving Kara behind at first we cross some streams, than thickly flower meadows. The trail descend steep at some points, finally to magnificent campsite of Gulling, where the valley at its best.
Day 7: Trek to Kafnu (2,450 m), 3/4 hrs. Drive to Shimla 6-7 hrs .
Today leaving Gulling, we trek through forest heavily thick with pine, cedar and birch. Our trek route was mainly through thick forest cover, mostly we walked looking at the stumps of those huge fir and spruce treesThe trail descend along the Wanger River. Kinnauri style houses will start to appear before Kafnoo. We arrive at Kafnoo our vehicle will be waiting for us, upon arrival we drive to Rampur the summer capital of Rampur Bushahr. Rampur is known for its Lavi fair that helds during November month, where traders of Spiti, Tibet, Lahaul, Kullu and Shimla trades abundantly and massively. Rampur is also significant when we speak of Himalayan kingdom's to its art and architectural point of view. Continue to the route we pass Narkanda, Kufri to Shimla. Check into hotel and explore Mall road.
Day 8: Shimla to Chandigarh airport or Shimla to Delhi.
Early departure from Shimla to Chandigarh, if you have flight or take Shimla - Kalka train and Kalka - Chandigarh - Delhi train.
* Pic - our first Bhaba pass trek - September month *
Reviews
“A long trek in three phases, excellently organized with first-class guides and support team. Even when we reconfigured the third phase at short notice, Prem got everything in place. A tough trek!”
Bhaba pass - Lamkhaga pass - Sahastratal - Mayali pass - Kedarnath
Mr. Henry Edmundson, 14 Aug to 22 Sept - 40 Days
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
HAMTA PASS - CHANDRATAL - BHABA PASS
https://www.potala-himalaya.com/trekking/hamta-pass-chandratal-bhaba-pass
Day 01: Arrive Manali
Day 02: Manali (1950m), Drive Jobri (2800m) 1 hr, Trek Chikka (3100m), 4 hrs
Day 03: Trek Jwara 3450m - Balu Ghera 3600m
Day 04: Trek Hamta Pass (4268m) - Shea Goru (3900m) 7 Hrs
Day 05: Trek Chhatru (3320m), 4-5 hrs. Drive to Chota Dara, 1:30 hrs
Day 06: Chota Dara to Chandra Tal (4270m) drive 1 hr, Trek to Kunzum La (4551m) 5-6 hrs, Drive to Takcha, 45 minutes
Day 07: Takcha to Dumla, drive 2 hrs. Trek to Kibber - Gete - Kee 5-6 hrs, Drive to Kaza
Day 08: Drive to Mud (3750m), Trek to Mud Pharka (3780m). 3/ 4 hrs. Camp
Day 09: Trek to base Mangrungtse (3900m) 5/6 hrs. Camp
Day 10: Trek to Bhaba pass (4900 m) - Kara (3580m) 7 /8 hrs. Camp
Day 11: Trek to Mulling (3100m). 5/6 hrs. Camp
Day 12: Trek to Kafnu (2450m), 3/4 hrs. Drive to Shimla 7 hrs .
Day 13: Shimla to Chandigarh or Shimla - Delhi. Train or private car.
Arrive Manali from Chandigarh or
Delhi. Rest, relax and acclimatize. Chandigarh airport pickup that we do to our
most of clients / guests. Its 7-8 hrs
drive to Manali. Reach Chandigarh airport or railway station by before noon
recommended.
Its approx 204 kms
from Manali and takes 8-9 hrs of drive. An early departure from Manali, we drive 3 hours to
Rohtang pass (3,978mt.) Which is gateway to Lahoul & Spiti, Pangi and
Zanskar.16km down to foot of the pass a small place called Gramphu. A dusty and
rugged path leads towards Batal. Along the left bank of Chandra River to Chatru
and than along the right bank of Chandra River to Batal. 14 kms to Kunzom la
pass. Enjoy the breathtaking views of CB peaks. The highest of the area is
Mulkila 6400m and the view goes as far as until the Bara Shigri peaks. From
Kunzum la its spectacular drive along the Spiti river and passing numbers of
beautiful village we arrive at Kibber and continue to Kye and Kaza. Overnight
in hotel or camp.
Leaving early from Kaza, drive along the Spiti River
to Attargo, from where we enter in Pin valley. Passing through narrow valley at
beginning the valley becomes wider reaching at Gulling. Passing Sagnum village
Mudh is not so far from here. Setting off from Mudh we descend to Pin river and
cross the river by bridge and over a small plateau and passing through fields trek
to Mud pharka for our tonight campsite.
Leaving Mud Pharka the trail is relatively easy from
Mud Pharkha to base also called Mangrungtse. At the end of our trail the valley
separates to main Pin River. To the right the trails goes towards Pin Parvati
pass to Parvati valley in Kullu and to the left to Bhaba pass. Vegetation
becomes less and less as we move forward, yet this valley is home of numbers of
wild animals, the rarest and finest of them is an elegant snow-leopard. We
could cross domestic animals i.e. yak and Dzo grazing. Pin valley makes
different to other valleys of Himalayan region by its sedimentary rock
formation.
Today an early departure recommended in order
accomplishing the pass at a right time, yet this day could be long. At first
trail is rugged, than walking over moraine, scree and boulder fields. Finally
over patches of snow ice fields at the top of pass, approx around 4,900 meters,
crossing the pass we descend steep to the campsite. Now the landscape changes
dramatically to green pasture land at first, where summer time we could meet
with sheperds of Kinnaur, who spend summer in this Rupin Bhaba wildlife
sanctuary, looking after their flocks of sheep. The valley widen slowly as we
set camp at Kara on the banks of Wanger.
Today leaving Kara behind at first we cross some
streams, than thickly flower meadows. The trail descend steep at some points,
finally to magnificent campsite of Gulling, where the valley at its best.
Today leaving Gulling, we trek through forest heavily
thick with pine, cedar and birch. Our trek route was mainly through thick
forest cover, mostly we walked looking at the stumps of those huge fir and
spruce treesThe trail descend along the Wanger River. Kinnauri style houses
will start to appear before Kafnoo. We arrive at Kafnoo our vehicle will be
waiting for us, upon arrival we drive to Rampur the summer capital of Rampur
Bushahr. Rampur is known for its Lavi fair that helds during November month,
where traders of Spiti, Tibet, Lahaul, Kullu and Shimla trades abundantly and
massively. Rampur is also significant when we speak of Himalayan kingdom's to
its art and architectural point of view. Continue to the route we pass
Narkanda, Kufri to Shimla. Check into hotel and explore Mall road.
Early departure from
Shimla to Chandigarh, if you have flight or take Shimla - Kalka train and Kalka
- Chandigarh - Delhi train.
ü All ground transportation to & fro as per the itinerary
ü 5 nights camp with all camping facilities. 3 men spacious 4 season tents for 2, sleeping bags, foam mattresses, dining tent, trekking poles & safety gears.
ü 2 nights of hotel accommodation (1x Manali, 1x Shimla at CP plan - Bed + breakfast).
ü All meal during trek - starts with bed tea to breakfast, lunch, 3 course dinner, tea /coffee, snacks. from Indian, Tibetan, Chinese to continental cuisine.
ü Support staff: Qualified trekking guide, cook & camp crew.
ü Trekking mules/horses for porterage of your luggage and trekking gear.
ü Camping fee, trekking permits, peak fee.
ü Goods and services tax.
ü First aid medical kit.
× Domestic flight.
× Rest of hotel in Manali, Kaza, Shimla & Chandigarh / Delhi.
× Chandigarh / Delhi to Manali transfer. (Chandigarh airport pickup by private car on request).
× Travel insurance.
× Soft or hard drinks.
× Entrance fee at monasteries
× Personal tipping to staff: Guide, cook, helper, horseman, driver.
× Any unforeseen cost arises by natural hazards rain, snow, road block which cost extra lodging & boarding beyond trip Schedule.
“A long trek in three phases, excellently organized with first-class guides and support team. Even when we reconfigured the third phase at short notice, Prem got everything in place. A tough trek!” Bhaba pass - Lamkhaga pass - Sahastratal - Mayali pass - Kedarnath14 Aug to 22 Sept - 40 Days
At Kafnoo (Malana, Pin Parvati & Bhaba pass combined 19 days trekking) Trek member – Rohit and Sriparna "Had the most wonderful 19 days with the team of Potala Adventurers. Pritam, Dharampal and the team of 5 porters were most instrumental in the making this long trek a super success. Sriparna and I will miss them all and these gone days spent in the wilderness. We promise to be back for more treks in ...
SPITI VALLEY TOUR & BHABA PASS TREK - 7 nights 8 days“A very positive and proactive organization, always wants to improve upon the existing services: Very open to client feedback and suggestions. Food was very good always – from breakfast to dinner. Very politely served food with warmth. Will recommend to others interested tourists in my friends circle. Wishing POTALA more success in years to come. Ravinder: Excellent leader & friend ...
I have no recommendations for the trekking crew. I was very impressed with both their professionalism and their courtesy. Our guide was very well organized and was a very trustworthy leader, particularly when we were in heavy snow areas. He was always willing to work with our needs, which was important since we were also doing research on our trip. The cook was also very professional and the food was ...
HIGHLIGHT
Bhaba pass ancient trade route
Pin valley national park
Rupi Bhaba wildlife sanctuary
The pride of Spitian – Chamurthi horses
TRIP FACT
Activity - Trekking & hiking
Region: Spiti - Kinnaur, Himachal
Difficulty level - Moderate
Max Altitude - 4865 meters
Max sleeping altitude - 3900 meters
Lowest trek altitude - 2500 meters
Trip Length -
8 days Delhi to Delhi or Chd to Chd
6 days Manali to Shimla
5 days trekking
5 nights camping
Best time - Mid June to Oct end
At Kafnoo (Malana, Pin Parvati & Bhaba pass combined 19 days trekking)
Trek member – Rohit and Sriparna
"Had the most wonderful 19 days with the team of Potala Adventurers. Pritam, Dharampal and the team of 5 porters were most instrumental in the making this long trek a super success. Sriparna and I will miss them all and these gone days spent in the wilderness.
We promise to be back for more treks in Himachal and Ladakh with Potala."
Cheers
R Chaudhary and Sriparna G – 31 August to 18 September
“We chose Potala again due to an excellent experience last year. This time station with a couple of hiccups, but once we gave feedback the reality of service dramatically improves. We are quite happy at the end. Excellent, dedicated, courteous staff, Ravinder has been an exceptional guide. He took care of us like he was part of our families. He physically helped people that needed superb, a great man indeed. Cooking staff has also exceptional. ”
Shanti Sunder – Mumbai, 01 Aug to 08 Aug
ONLY BHABA PASS
Day 1 Manali - Rohtang la (3,978 m) - Kunzum la (4,551 m) - Kaza
Day 2 Visit Dankhar - Kungri - Mud (3750m), Trek to Mud Pharka (3780m). 3/ 4 hrs. Camp
Day 3 Trek to base camp/Balder (3900m) 5/6 hrs. Camp
Day 4 Trek to Bhaba pass (4900 m) - Kara (3580m) 7 /8 hrs. Camp
Day 5 Trek to Mulling (3100m). 5/6 hrs. Camp
Day 6 Trek to Kafnu (2450m), 3/4 hrs. Drive to Shimla 7 hrs .
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE THIS ITINERARY
Day 1 Manali - Chhatru (Acclimatize)
Day 2 Drive Kunzum la 4551m – Trek Chandra Tal, Drive Takcha
Day 3 Drive Kibber - Gete, Trek Kee - Rangrik. Camp.
Day 4 Drive to Mud (3750m), Trek to Mud Pharka (3780m). 3/ 4 hrs. Camp
Day 5 Trek to base camp/Balder (3900m) 5/6 hrs. Camp
Day 6 Trek to Bhaba pass (4900 m) - Kara (3580m) 7 /8 hrs. Camp
Day 7 Trek to Mulling (3100m). 5/6 hrs. Camp
Day 8 Trek to Kafnu (2450m), 3/4 hrs. Drive to Shimla 7 hrs .