The short version
- 111 days, about 110 km on foot, topping out at 5,319m. Rated Advanced on Trail to Tides.
- 2Best in Jul–Aug.
- 3Starts from Barsheni / Kaza, reached via Kasol.
- 42 nights gain more than 500 m above 3,000 m. That's common on Himalayan treks, but it's where altitude sickness tends to show up: go slowly the day before and drink well.
- 5Operators charge ₹35,000 to ₹45,000 per person; 4 listed, 3 verified.
The trek
Overview
Pin Parvati is India's most technically demanding high-altitude trek — 11 days over a 5,319m glaciated pass dividing the green Parvati Valley from the arid, lunar Pin Valley in Spiti. The route involves glacier traversal, crevasse navigation and near-vertical snow ascents, and the glacier crossing itself is one of the most dramatic non-mountaineering experiences in the Indian Himalaya.
Right for you if
- You've crossed a snow pass above 5,000m before
- You can use crampons and an ice axe, and walk roped on a crevassed glacier
- You can do a 10–14 hour pass day after a week of walking
- You can take 11–12 days off, plus spare days for weather
Think twice if
- It would be your first hard trek
- You'd go with an operator without certified mountain guides and rope teams
- Your dates can't move: weather on the pass decides the crossing day
Season
When to go
July and August: the best time for this region, which sits largely beyond the monsoon's reach. Expect sunny days, cold nights and the odd shower.
More on the Himalayan seasons: When to go.
Travel
Getting there
Meet in
Kasol
Nearest airport
Kullu (Bhuntar)
Nearest railway
Chandigarh, then an overnight bus to Bhuntar
By road
Bhuntar to Barsheni, about 2 hours. The trek exits at Mudh in Spiti, a long drive back via Kaza
Most operators run a shared pickup from Kasol early on day one. Arrive the evening before so a late train or flight doesn't cost you the trek, and keep a buffer day at the end: mountain roads close for landslides and snow. Travel times are approximate.
Itinerary
Day by day
A typical plan, measured along the mapped trail: 78 km with about 4,300 m of climbing. The biggest day is day 7, climbing 1,420 m. Operators vary it a little; figures marked ≈ are estimates where the path isn't mapped.
- Day1
Barshaini → Kheerganga
Up the Parvati valley from Barshaini to the hot springs
7.6 km590 m40 msleep at 2,762 m
- Day2
Kheerganga → Tunda Bhuj
Along the river through the last of the forest
9.4 km580 m30 msleep at 3,276 m
- Day3
Tunda Bhuj → Thakur Kuan
Past waterfalls on a narrow, exposed path
6.1 km440 m250 msleep at 3,507 m
- Day4
Thakur Kuan → Odi Thach
Across Pandu Pul, a natural rock bridge, to open meadows
7.1 km640 m380 msleep at 3,742 m
- Day5
Odi Thach → Mantalai
To the sacred lake at the source of the Parvati
11.7 km590 m30 msleep at 4,248 m
- Day6
Rest day at Mantalai
Acclimatisation day at Mantalai
- Day7
Mantalai → Pin Valley Camp
via Pin Parvati Pass
A long day over glacier to the pass at 5,320 m and down into Spiti. Crevasses: rope up
≈15.6 km1,420 m1,460 msleep at 4,274 m
- Day8
Pin Valley Camp → Tiya
Down the Pin valley's moraine and meadows
≈10.5 km0 m320 msleep at 3,949 m
- Day9
Tiya → Mud
Out to Mud village and the road
10.3 km20 m140 msleep at 3,799 m
Altitude
Altitude and acclimatisation
Start
2,201 m
Highest night
4,274 m
Highest point
5,367 m
Know the warning signs before you go: Altitude sickness.
Fitness
How fit you need to be
Rated Advanced. A fair benchmark before you go: several long training days with a 10 kg pack, and earlier treks above 4,000 m.
What this trek asks of you, on the ACE scale from 0 to 5:
Take the Matchmaker to compare yourself against these scores, and use the 8-week plan to close any gaps. How ACE works.
Paperwork
Permits and paperwork
- Forest or camping fees on some routes, arranged by operators. Carry original photo ID.
- Carry original government photo ID and a few photocopies.
- Rules and fees change. Ask your operator what's included and what you need to bring, two weeks before you go.
More detail: Permits and documents.
Kit
What to pack
For Pin Parvati Pass Trek in particular, on top of the standard layers:
- A proper rain jacket and trousers or a poncho, a pack cover and liner, and quick-dry layers
- Warm layers for a high camp well below freezing, even in summer, and glacier glasses for snow
- Sunglasses rated UV400, worn all day on snow, and SPF 50 for your face and lips
- Broken-in trekking shoes with ankle support, trekking poles, and a 25 to 35 litre daypack with a rain cover
The full list and how to layer: What to pack. The trek page has a tick-off checklist for this trek.
Safety
Safety on this trek
- Altitude is the main risk. Don't go higher with symptoms; descend if they get worse.
- Streams rise in the afternoon and after rain. Cross early, and turn back if it looks too fast.
- Stay between the leader and the sweep, and respect the turnaround time on summit or pass days.
- Signal is scarce beyond the roadhead. Share your itinerary and your operator's emergency number with someone at home.
See also Trail craft and Insurance and emergencies.
Booking
Booking and cost
4 operators run this trek on Trail to Tides, from ₹35,000 to ₹45,000 per person. Prices usually cover the trek from the roadhead; check transport, permits and offloading.
- Trekup India4.3₹35,000
- Bikat Adventures4.8₹40,000
- Indiahikes4.8₹40,000
- Trek The Himalayas4.7₹45,000
What to ask before you pay: Choosing an operator.
Navigation
Offline map and GPX
Download the trail, with every overnight stop and its height, and load it on your phone before you lose signal.
Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors, via BRouter.
FAQ
Questions people ask
How difficult is the Pin Parvati Pass Trek?
It's rated Advanced on Trail to Tides. A fair benchmark before you go: several long training days with a 10 kg pack, and earlier treks above 4,000 m. The highest point is 5,319m, so pace and acclimatisation matter as much as fitness.
When is the best time for the Pin Parvati Pass Trek?
Jul–Aug. July and August: the best time for this region, which sits largely beyond the monsoon's reach. Expect sunny days, cold nights and the odd shower.
How many days does the Pin Parvati Pass Trek take?
11 days including travel to and from the trailhead, with 8 walking days. Add a buffer day for weather or road delays.
How do I reach the Pin Parvati Pass Trek?
Most groups meet in Kasol. Nearest airport: Kullu (Bhuntar). Nearest railway: Chandigarh, then an overnight bus to Bhuntar. Bhuntar to Barsheni, about 2 hours. The trek exits at Mudh in Spiti, a long drive back via Kaza.
How much does the Pin Parvati Pass Trek cost?
Listed operators charge from ₹35,000 to ₹45,000 per person. Check what's included: transport, permits, meals, tents and offloading vary.
Do I need a permit for the Pin Parvati Pass Trek?
Forest or camping fees on some routes, arranged by operators. Carry original photo ID.
This guide is built from Trail to Tides' trek data, mapped trails and operator listings, and checked by our team. Conditions change with weather and seasons: your trek leader's call on the day always comes first.