DAY 1
Day 1 — Manali/Bhuntar to Barshaini, Trek to Kheerganga
📍 Drive to Barshaini, Trek 12 km / Altitude gain to 2,950 m / 5–6 hrs
Drive from Bhuntar (30 km from Manali) up the Parvati Valley to Barshaini. Begin trek along the Parvati River through Nakthan and Kalga villages, climbing through pine forest to the famous Kheerganga meadow. Hot springs, camping meadow, and the first distant view of the high peaks ahead. Camp at Kheerganga.
Parvati Valley trek start — forest and river trailKheerganga hot springs and meadow at 2,950 mFirst glimpse of the high Parvati Valley peaks
DAY 2
Day 2 — Kheerganga to Tunda Bhuj
📍 Trek 7 km / Altitude gain to 3,400 m / 5–6 hrs
The valley narrows significantly above Kheerganga. Trail through birch forest and boulder fields. The Parvati River becomes smaller and more powerful as you approach its headwaters. Tunda Bhuj is a rough camping spot with the valley walls closing in dramatically above.
Narrow upper Parvati Valley — dramatic walls on both sidesTunda Bhuj camping spot at 3,400 mLast major forest section of the trek
DAY 3
Day 3 — Tunda Bhuj to Thakur Kuan
📍 Trek 8 km / Altitude gain to 3,750 m / 5–6 hrs
Continued ascent through increasingly open terrain above the treeline. The trail crosses several mountain streams. Thakur Kuan is a cairn-marked campsite at 3,750m with the high peaks of the Parvati glacier visible ahead. Views back down the Parvati Valley are sweeping and dramatic.
Above treeline — open boulder and meadow terrainFirst views of the Parvati glacier aheadThakur Kuan campsite at 3,750 m
DAY 4
Day 4 — Thakur Kuan to Mantalai Lake
📍 Trek 6 km / Altitude gain to 4,116 m / 4–5 hrs
Approach to the sacred Mantalai Lake (4,116m) — a high-altitude glacial lake revered as the source of the Parvati River and a holy site of Lord Shiva. The lake is stark and beautiful, surrounded by rockfall and glacier debris. Prayers and a moment of quiet at this remote pilgrimage site. Camp beside the lake.
Mantalai Lake at 4,116 m — sacred source of Parvati RiverRemote Shiva pilgrimage siteGlacial lake surrounded by peaks
DAY 5
Day 5 — Mantalai Lake Rest and Acclimatisation
📍 Mantalai Lake / Altitude 4,116 m
Full rest and acclimatisation day at Mantalai Lake. Morning acclimatisation hike to 4,400m above the lake, then return to sleep at 4,116m. Pulse oximeter checks. Guide briefing on glacier crossing protocol and route above the lake. Weather assessment. Early sleep — critical before the next demanding days.
Acclimatisation hike above Mantalai LakeGlacier route briefing and gear checkExplore the sacred lake shore
DAY 6
Day 6 — Mantalai Lake to Approach Camp
📍 Trek 5 km on glacier approaches / Altitude gain to 4,700 m / 5–6 hrs
Enter permanent glacier territory above Mantalai Lake. The trail crosses moraine fields and the lower Parvati glacier. Navigation requires an experienced guide familiar with seasonal route changes. Camp at the high approach camp (4,700m) below the final pass wall — the coldest night of the trek. Temperatures can drop to -15°C.
Entry into permanent glacier terrainHigh approach camp at 4,700 mPin Parvati Pass visible directly above the camp
DAY 7
Day 7 — Approach Camp over Pin Parvati Pass to Descent Camp
📍 Trek 6 km / Max altitude 5,319 m / 9–10 hrs
The most demanding day. 3am start in the cold and dark. Climb the glacier and final snow slope to the Pin Parvati Pass at 5,319 metres. The pass is narrow with vertical drops on both sides — careful footing essential. From the top, Pin Valley opens below in stark contrast: grey and bone-dry where the Parvati side was green. Careful descent on the Spiti side, steep and loose, to the first descent camp.
Pin Parvati Pass summit at 5,319 m — Kullu–Spiti boundaryGlacier and snow ascent in pre-dawn conditionsDramatic landscape transformation at the pass
DAY 8
Day 8 — Descent into Pin Valley
📍 Trek 8 km / Descent to 3,900 m / 5–6 hrs
Continued descent into Pin Valley through dramatic grey scree and boulder landscape. The Pin River appears as a silver thread far below. Enter Pin Valley National Park — prime snow leopard habitat. The silence and barrenness of this valley is striking after the lush Parvati side. Camp on the valley floor.
Pin Valley National Park — snow leopard habitatDramatic descent through grey scree and moraineFirst Spiti-side camp on the valley floor
DAY 9
Day 9 — Pin Valley to Mudh Village
📍 Trek 10 km / Descent to 3,650 m / 5–6 hrs
Trek down the Pin Valley to Mudh — one of Himachal's most remote inhabited villages, accessible only by this trek or a rough dirt road from Kaza that is often washed out. Traditional Kinnauri/Spitian architecture, prayer flags, and warm hospitality. This is the last trekking day. Rest and celebration at Mudh.
Mudh village — one of India's most isolated settlementsTraditional Spitian architecture and cultureLast day of trekking on the trail
DAY 10
Day 10 — Mudh to Kaza
📍 Drive ~55 km / 2–3 hours on mountain road
Drive from Mudh out of Pin Valley to the main Spiti Valley road and into Kaza. The dirt road from Mudh is rough and scenic — crossing the Pin River multiple times. Arrive Kaza for the night. Well-deserved rest, hot meal, and shower.
Pin Valley drive — rough mountain road to KazaFirst night in a proper bed since Day 1Kaza celebration dinner
DAY 11
Day 11 — Kaza to Manali or Chandigarh
📍 Drive 205–350 km / 9–12 hours
Final drive back to Manali via Kunzum La and Rohtang Pass, or to Chandigarh via Reckong Peo and Rampur. Trek officially complete — one of the most challenging and rewarding multi-day crossovers in the Indian Himalaya. Transfer to hotel or transport hub.
Final Spiti Valley views on the drive outReturn via Kunzum La or Kinnaur routeTrek complete on arrival in Manali or Chandigarh