Pin Bhabha Pass Trek Itinerary — Day by Day Route

Detailed Route

Pin Bhabha Pass Trek Itinerary — Day by Day Route & Camps

A 8-day immersive expedition traversing diverse Himalayan landscapes and alpine altitudes.

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

8 Days

Total Distance

50 KM

Max Altitude

16,100 FT

Trek Type

linear

Permits Required Before You Go

Permit Cost

300

Where to Get

Forest office in Kafnu or Bhabhanagar

Documents

Aadhar Card / Passport, Medical Fitness Certificate

Foreign Nationals

Foreigners MUST carry an Inner Line Permit if navigating via the Kinnaur border region from Shimla.

Foreigner Process

Inner line permit requires applying in Shimla or Rekong Peo with a registered operator.

Nearest Embassy Hub

New Delhi

Day by Day Breakdown

Day 1
7 Hrs
200 KM
drive

Camp Alt

7,800 ft

Day Gain

+1,000 ft

Drive Shimla to Kafnu

ShimlaKafnu

Drive deep into the Kinnaur gorge along the roaring Sutlej river.

Key Landmarks

Sutlej River GorgeWangtoo

Staying At

Kafnu Homestay

The drive navigates deep into the sheer rock walls of the Sutlej gorge, transitioning into the forested Kinnaur region.

Paved Road
Day 2
6 Hrs
11 KM
trek

Camp Alt

10,600 ft

Day Gain

+2,800 ft

Reach Mulling

KafnuMulling

A massive, steady ascent climbing out of the valley floor into the endless, incredibly lush green meadows of Mulling.

Key Landmarks

Dense Pine ForestHydro project dam

Staying At

Mulling Meadows

The trail leaves the Kafnu settlement and enters thick, damp pine and oak forests, eventually breaking out into a broad alpine meadow.

River 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 3
4 Hrs
6 KM
trek

Camp Alt

11,800 ft

Day Gain

+1,200 ft

Reach Kara

MullingKara

A shorter acclimatization day. Involves crossing a freezing stream. The campsite at Kara is stunningly set by a high alpine lake.

Key Landmarks

Bhabha River CrossingAlpine Flowers

Staying At

Kara Tents

The meadow opens into a higher alpine basin characterized by glacial streams, wildflowers and a high alpine lake at Kara.

TrailHard Snow
Day 4
4 Hrs
5 KM
trek

Camp Alt

13,500 ft

Day Gain

+1,700 ft

Reach Pushtirang

KaraPushtirang

Move to the advanced base camp right below the pass. The greenery begins to entirely strip away, replaced by grey rock and ice.

Key Landmarks

Steep Moraine Ascents

Staying At

Pushtirang Camp

Tree line disappears as the valley broadens into a spectacular high-altitude alpine meadow basin, replacing the dense forests with expansive grazing pastures.

MoraineHard 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 5
10 Hrs
12 KM
trek

Camp Alt

13,600 ft

Day Gain

+100 ft

Today's Objective

🏔 Cross Cross Pin Bhabha Pass

PushtirangMangrungse

Summit day. Start at 3 AM. Climb a brutal, steep 3,000 ft up snow and scree. Stand on the pass and look into the arid, pink mountains of Spiti. Descend relentlessly.

Key Landmarks

Pin Bhabha Pass (16,100 ft)Spiti Valley Border

Staying At

Mangrungse Tents

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

ScreeHard 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 6
7 Hrs
16 KM
trek

Camp Alt

12,500 ft

Day Gain

-1,100 ft

Reach Mudh Village

MangrungseMudh

A massive, long horizontal walk across the floor of the Pin Valley. The landscape is entirely devoid of trees. Reach the ancient Spitian village of Mudh.

Key Landmarks

Pin RiverMudh Gompa

Staying At

Mudh Homestay

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

Broken Trail
Day 7
2.5 Hrs
50 KM
drive

Camp Alt

12,500 ft

Day Gain

0 ft

Drive Mudh to Kaza

MudhKaza

Short drive to the civilized hub of Kaza. Rest day.

Key Landmarks

Spiti River

Staying At

Kaza Hotel

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

Paved Road
Day 8
10 Hrs
200 KM
drive

Camp Alt

6,700 ft

Day Gain

-5,800 ft

Drive Kaza to Manali (via Rohtang)

KazaManali

Brutal, long drive back out of Spiti crossing two more high passes to reach Manali.

Key Landmarks

Kunzum PassRohtang Pass/Atal Tunnel

The vehicle route exits the barren Spiti desert over two major passes, dropping dramatically back into the lush, green alpine forests of the Kullu Valley.

Trek Extensions & Add-ons

Spiti Valley Road Trip

+4 Days

After reaching Kaza, hire a jeep and explore Key Monastery, Chicham Bridge, and Hikkim (Highest post office).

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Step 4: Cost & Logistics

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