Kullu to Spiti via Malana, Manikaran Valley and the Pin Parvati Pass

29 days in India, 20 days trekking; level: very strenuous

Highest Point: 5,319m

Dates: mid-July, August, September, October

Route Highlights: Delhi - Manali - Naggar - Chandrakhani Pass - Malana - Manikaran - Pulga - Khirganga - Bhojtunda - Thakur Khan - Mantakal Lake - Pin Parvati Pass - Mudh - Sangam - Kungri Gompa - Dhankar Gompa - Lhalung Gompa - Demul - Komik - Gete - Kibber - Ki Gompa - Kaza - Kunzum La - Rohtang Pass - Manali - Delhi

This is our longest and one of the most demanding treks. Pin valley trek is one of the most beautiful and adventurous, because of the high Pin Parvati Pass, the source of the Pin river on the Spiti side and the Parvati river on the Parvati Valley side. The trek starts from Naggar and follows the same route as does the Kullu to Parvati Valley trek (see #4). From Manikaran we continue up the Parvati Valley to Pulga and to Khirganga (2960m). Beyond Khirganga the trail enters mixed conifer and deciduous forest before reaching rich alpine pastures alongside Mantakal Lake (4070m) where Gaddi shepherds graze their flocks throughout the summer months. Then it's up to the base of the Pin Parvati Pass (4,810m), often under snow until mid of July, then on and over the pass at 5,319m. The pass is located at the head of a small snowfield and affords fine views of the Himalaya and of the Zanskar Range beyond the Spiti Valley. Having left the lush pastures and evergreen forests of the Parvati Valley behind, we now enter the arid moonscape of Spiti. The upper reaches of the Pin Valley are a wildlife reserve, a land of ibex and snow leopard. Two stages will take us down to the villages of Mudh and Sangam (3,500m). From Sangam, with a stop at the Kungri Gompa (3,520m), we make our way across the Spiti valley and steeply up to a stunning site of the Dhankar Gompa. From Dhankar Gompa we descend down to the Lingti river, cross and start a  traverse high above the Spiti River along a ridge via Lhalung Gompa and Demul to Komic, Gete and Kibber (4,205m), some of the highest villages in the world. From Kibber we descend down to the striking site of the Ki Gompa. On our last day we reach Kaza, the largest village in Spiti. From Kaza (3,600m) we return to Manali by road over the impressive passes of Kunzum La (4,551m) and Rohtang (3,985m).