Kalicho Pass Trek Itinerary — Day by Day Route

Detailed Route

Kalicho Pass Trek Itinerary — Day by Day Route & Camps

A brutal 10-day crossing from the green valleys of Chamba to the dry Buddhist lands of Lahaul, featuring a terrifying 16,370 ft summit day.

Standard RouteThis is the standard mountain pacing for this trek. Specific operators may add an acclimatization day or alter the starting point. Check individual operator schedules for their exact logistics.

Duration

9 Days

Total Distance

59.0 KM

Max Altitude

16,370 FT

Trek Type

linear

Permits Required Before You Go

Permit Cost

200

Where to Get

SDM Office Bharmour / Local Forest Checkpost.

Documents

Aadhar Card / Passport, Passport size photos, Medical Fitness Certificate (Strictly checked), Risk Declaration Form

Foreign Nationals

Foreigners require standard passport registration. If exploring further deep into Lahaul-Spiti towards the border, an Inner Line Permit may be required.

Foreigner Process

Standard registration at Bharmour police station.

Nearest Embassy Hub

New Delhi

Day by Day Breakdown

Day 1
8 Hrs
190 KM
drive

Camp Alt

7,150 ft

Day Gain

+6,060 ft

Drive Pathankot to Bharmour

PathankotBharmour

A long, scenic mountain drive through the historic Chamba Valley along the Ravi River. Technical: Rest well and hydrate. Bharmour is the base camp where final provisions are purchased.

Key Landmarks

DalhousieChamba TownRavi River Gorge

Staying At

Guesthouse in Bharmour

The motorable road navigates deeper into the mountain river corridor, where the landscape transitions from lower foothills into the steep, dense forested valleys.

Day 2
3 Hrs
6 KM
trek

Camp Alt

7,150 ft

Day Gain

0 ft

Acclimatization Trek to Bharmani Mata Temple

Bharmour8,750 ftBharmourLoad Ferry

A steep uphill acclimatization walk to the sacred Bharmani Mata temple. Local lore dictates that passing through the region without paying respects here brings bad luck. Return to Bharmour for the night.

Key Landmarks

Bharmani Mata Temple (8750 ft)

Staying At

Guesthouse in Bharmour

The trail follows the mountain river corridor through a narrow, forested gorge, moving past traditional settlements into increasingly dense dense forested valleys.

Trail
Day 3
5 Hrs
30 KM
mixed

Camp Alt

8,500 ft

Day Gain

+1,350 ft

Drive to Bhadra and Trek into the Forest

BharmourBhadra

Drive via bumpy mountain roads to the trailhead. From there, it's a short trek to Bhadra, the last inhabited village on the route. Technical: A good warmup day to test backpacks and boots.

Key Landmarks

Banni Mata TempleBadgram Roadhead

Staying At

Bhadra Village Camp

The team holds position within the alpine meadow basin, monitoring weather patterns and adapting to the thinning atmosphere.

Trail
Day 4
6 Hrs
10 KM
trek

Camp Alt

10,500 ft

Day Gain

+2,000 ft

Trek from Bhadra to Leundi

BhadraLeundi

The trail leaves civilization behind, ascending through dense coniferous forests. The path is narrow and steep in sections. Safety: Watch out for slippery pine needles on steep descents to stream beds.

Key Landmarks

Dense Pine and Deodar ForestsShepherd encampments

Staying At

Leundi Meadow

The trail follows the mountain river corridor through a narrow, forested gorge, moving past traditional settlements into increasingly dense dense forested valleys.

Stream CrossingTrail

Field Notes

KEY ACTIONRiver Crossings

Plan to cross early in the day before snowmelt swells the water levels. Unclip backpack waist belts before crossing.

Day 5
7 Hrs
9 KM
trek

Camp Alt

12,800 ft

Day Gain

+2,300 ft

Trek from Leundi to Bansar Goth (Alyas / Base Camp)

LeundiBansar Goth

The landscape transforms as you cross the tree line into alpine meadows and glacial moraine. Alyas refers to the traditional base camp area before the pass. Technical: The altitude jump is significant; rest properly and hydrate to stave off AMS.

Key Landmarks

Treeline EndAlyas (Base Camp Meadows)

Staying At

Bansar Goth (Alyas)

Vegetation gives way to barren glacial debris as the route enters the expansive moraine basin and ablation zone of the glaciated upper watershed.

TrailMoraine

Field Notes

Use Trekking Poles

Trekking poles are highly recommended to save your knees on the descent.

INFOSlower Progress

Progress will be significantly slower and more taxing on your ankles than trail distance suggests.

Day 6
2 Hrs
3 KM
trek

Camp Alt

12,800 ft

Day Gain

0 ft

Rest and Acclimatization at Bansar Goth

Bansar Goth13,300 ftBansar GothLoad Ferry

A mandatory rest day. Do a short acclimatization walk up the moraine ridge and return to sleep low. Safety: Prepare technical gear (microspikes, ice axe) for the summit push. Sleep early.

Key Landmarks

Glacial streamsMoraine ridges

Staying At

Bansar Goth

The team holds position within the alpine meadow basin, monitoring weather patterns and adapting to the thinning atmosphere.

Ridge TravelMoraineHard Snow

Field Notes

Use Trekking Poles

Trekking poles are highly recommended to save your knees on the descent.

INFOSlower Progress

Progress will be significantly slower and more taxing on your ankles than trail distance suggests.

Day 7
11 Hrs
12 KM
trek

Camp Alt

13,100 ft

Day Gain

+300 ft

Today's Objective

🏔 Cross Bansar Goth To Kalicho Pass

Bansar GothAlyas (Lahaul side)

Start at 3:00 AM. A 3,500 ft near-vertical ascent over ice, boulders, and loose scree. At the pass, offer prayers at the small Kali shrine. The descent into Lahaul is equally punishing, a 60-degree drop over unstable scree. Technical: Follow the guide's exact footsteps. Ropes may be required if ice is hard. One slip on the descent can be fatal.

Key Landmarks

Hanging GlaciersKalicho Pass Summit (16,370 ft)Steep Scree Descent

Staying At

Alyas Camp (Lahaul)

Crossing the high-altitude pass bridges two distinct watershed systems, shifting the expedition over the glaciated divide and down into a new river basin.

ScreeMoraineBoulders

Field Notes

Use Trekking Poles

Trekking poles are highly recommended to save your knees on the descent.

INFOSlower Progress

Progress will be significantly slower and more taxing on your ankles than trail distance suggests.

Day 8
7 Hrs
14 KM
trek

Camp Alt

9,000 ft

Day Gain

-4,100 ft

Trek from Alyas to Trilokinath / Udaipur

Alyas (Lahaul side)Trilokinath

A massive descent into the stark, dry mountains of Lahaul. Arrive at the holy Trilokinath temple, revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. Technical: Knees will be severely tested on this long, continuous downhill.

Key Landmarks

Chandrabhaga (Chenab) RiverTrilokinath Temple

Staying At

Guesthouse in Trilokinath or Udaipur

The high alpine pass descends into the Lahaul valley basin at Trilokinath.

Broken Trail
Day 9
6 Hrs
130 KM
drive

Camp Alt

6,700 ft

Day Gain

-2,300 ft

Drive from Trilokinath to Manali

TrilokinathManali

Drive back to civilization via the Atal Tunnel, transitioning from the harsh Lahaul desert back to the green Kullu valley. Expedition ends in Manali.

Key Landmarks

UdaipurTandiAtal Tunnel

The motorable road navigates deeper into the Chandra and Bhaga valleys, where the landscape transitions from lower foothills into the steep, rain-shadow desert.

Trek Extensions & Add-ons

Kugti Pass Traverse

+8 Days

For elite mountaineers, combining Kalicho with the nearby Kugti Pass creates an epic, multi-week trans-Himalayan traverse.

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