Pin Bhaba Pass Trek, Himachal Pradesh - Itinerary, Cost, Best Time

Pin Bhaba Pass Trek, Kullu Overview

Pin Bhabha Pass, also known as the sister of Pin Parvati Pass, is one of the most challenging and beautiful treks in the Himalayas. Located at an elevation of 4865 metres, Bhabha Pass acts as a bridge between the valley of Kinnaur and Spiti. Starting from the less explored village of Kafnu, the track keeps you engaged with dramatic changes in the landscapes at every turn. Your journey will begin in the abundant greenery and will end in the barren lands of Spiti.

As you make your way through dense apple orchards, dark woods and sparkling waterfalls, the ethereal beauty of Himachal Pradesh soaks gradually within you. The Bhabha river, Tibetan monasteries and camping beside the Chandratal Lake make this trek distinctive. Other delights of Pin Bhabha Pass Trek include crossing the rivers through logs, snow-capped mountains and interacting with local Gaddi shepherds. Hiking buffs, looking for a moderate and enthralling trekking experience, Pin Bhabha Pass is surely an ideal choice.

Pin Bhabha Pass Trek Itinerary

Day 1- Drive from Shimla to Kafnu (205 Km)
Reach Shimla early morning, take breakfast and rest for a while. Kickstart your trip by driving to Kafnu, a small village in Bhabha Valley, Kinnaur. On a seven-hour long drive, you will be mesmerized by the stunning views of valleys and the famous Bhabha river. Stay overnight at Kafnu and rejuvenate yourself to start trekking the next day.

Day 2- Trek from Kafnu to Mulling
After breakfast, pack your essentials and start trekking along with the exquisite dark forests of pine and oak trees. It is an immense pleasure to walk through the dense coniferous forests and crossing the Bhabha river. The entire trek is around 12 Km long and it will take around eight hours to reach Mulling. You can pitch a tent here to spend the night.

Day 3- Mulling to Karah
A 6 Km long trek, it starts with a gradual ascent through rocky terrain. Along your way, you will cross captivating meadows and waterfalls. After about five hours, you will reach Karah which has many campsites to stay overnight.

Day 4- Karah to Phutsirang
The next day is comparatively less challenging as you climb upwards to Phutsirang. Just a 5 km trek, it will take around 4 hours. Phutsirang provides you with a perfect spot to catch a glimpse of three beautiful mountain passes- Nimish Khango, Tari Khango and Pin Bhaha Pass. At the end of the day, you can choose to rest and acclimatize yourself.

Day 5- Phutsirang to Mangrungse
This will be the most exciting day of your trip as you will conquer the steep slopes and high mountain passes. From the saddle point (highest point of the pass), you will witness dramatic changes in the landscape. The lush grasslands of Bhabha valley turn into desert valleys of Pin. It is an 11 km long trek and it takes nine hours to reach Mangrungse campsite.

Day 6- Mangrungse to Mudh
On the last day, brace yourself for a 16 km long trek to the Mudh village which marks the end of the journey. The village lies across the Pin river and you will need to cross it to reach the village.

Day 7- Drive from Mudh to Manali
From the rustic village of Mudh, you can drive to Manali which is at a distance of 200 km.

Cost

There are various trip organizers that charge different prices for different packages. The cost ranges between INR 16000 to 18000 per person for a trip of six to eight days.

Where to Stay & What to Eat

Guesthouses are available at all destinations like Kafnu, Mulling, Phutsirang and Manali. To make the trip more exciting, you can also opt for camping. On your way to Phutsirang from Karah, you will find many campsites next to rivers and lush greenery.

There are some stalls along the trek but it is advisable to carry your packed food for the trek. You will find decent hotels at the end of the trek in Manali.

Difficulty Level

The overall difficulty level of Pin Bhabha Pass Trek is moderate. However, at some sections, it becomes challenging due to snow-covered rocky paths, glacier covers and crossing the flowing rivers.

Highlights of Pin Bhabha Pass Trek

With abundant natural beauty and dramatic changes in sceneries, Pin Bhabha Pass provides you with the most thrilling Himachal trekking experience. Some of the highlights and unique features of this trek are-

Lush green forests of Mulling- The dark green forests of Mulling are captivating as you trek through the dense and tall coniferous trees.
Grasslands of Karah- The high-altitude meadows of Karah with snow-capped mountains in the backdrop is a perfect site for camping. You will also find local shepherds with their sheep and cattle grazing. It also gives a great opportunity to learn about Himalayan village life.
Key Gompa monastery- The trek gives you an opportunity to have a view of Key Gompa monastery. A Tibetan Buddhist Monastery, it is located at an altitude of 4166 metres.
Phutsirang- Situated at a height of 13,500 feet above the ground level, Phutsirang also provides a great opportunity for camping and acclimatising. On your way to Phutsirang from Karah, you will also witness the huge Hansbeshan peak.
Chandra Tal Lake- Known as the world’s most beautiful lake, it is located in the Spiti district. The ethereal beauty of the lake lies in its myriad colours combined with the fresh scent of Himalayan sand.

Best Time to Undertake Pin Bhabha Pass Trek

The best time for trekking at Pin Bhabha Pass depends on the difficulty level you want. During the monsoon season, which starts from May and lasts till late August, trekking becomes challenging as the slopes are slippery. Snowfall during this season makes hiking extremely strenuous. Therefore, the best time for a moderate level of trekking starts after the monsoon season in September and October. The weather is convivial and the trekking paths are comfortably manageable.

Acclimatisation & Preparation for the Trek

1. Regular check-ups and consultation with a doctor if you are fit for the trek.
2. Pay attention to the guidelines and strictly follow the rules given by your guide.
3. Avoid alcohol or smoking on the trip.
4. Stay well-hydrated while trekking and take necessary medications with you.
5. Before setting out for trekking, make sure that you exercise daily to avoid body pain and sprains while trekking.
6. Make sure your backpack is not too heavy.

Things to Carry Checklist

1. Full sleeve T-shirt and waterproof pants
2. Raincoat
3. Trekking gear and equipment
4. A torch along with batteries
5. Wollen clothes
6. Walking stick
7. Sunscreen lotion
8. Medicines and toiletries
9. Waterproof trekking shoes
10. First-aid kit

How to reach Pin Bhaba Pass Trek

Rail: There are trains every hour from Delhi to Pathankot. Ideal would be Uttar Sampark Kranti Express, which departs from New Delhi Railway station at 8:50 pm and reaches Pathankot by 4:20 am. From Pathankot, take a bus to Shimla. From Shimla, take a bus to Rampur. From Rampur, hire a taxi to Kafnu.
Road: Delhi to Kafnu is 560 Km via NH1.

More about Pin Bhaba Pass Trek

Base Camp: Kafnu

Difficulty: Moderate

Highest point of trek: 15,224 ft

Nearest Airport: Bhunter Airport

Nearest Railhead: 469 km

Region: Kullu

Snow: July to September is the best time for this trek.

Starting point of trek: Kafnu

Itinerary for Pin Bhaba Pass Trek

Day 1: Kafnu to Mulling

After a hearty breakfast, leave the Kafnu village and head eastward over a well-defined path through luxuriant forests of Pine and Deodar. You are rewarded with excellent views of the Spiti and Kinnaur mountain ranges. Over night at camp.

Day 2: Mulling to Phustirang

From a flat meadow, the trail narrows as you reach the junction of two streams. Keeping this stream to your right; continue climbing up till you reach the open pasture grounds of Kara. The Valley opens into a beautiful meadow located at the bank of River Bhabha. Pass through some fun river crossings where you will have to make way through natural bridges. Enjoy the sights of vibrant alpine blossoms. Trek along the river and a forested green valley. Reach the Bhaba Pass base and camp on the banks of the river.

Day 3: Phustirang to Bhabha Pass to Phaldar

Climbing steeply, the trekking route is rugged for most the day, there is no defined trail, walking over moraine, scree, boulders and a push through the snowfields to the top. The top of the pass offers great contrast to both sides, towards Spiti, it is barren mountains and to the Kinnaur side it is lush green. First part of the descent involves snow for around hundred meters. The later part is descending through the moraine till we get to the bottom. From here it is another half an hour through the boulders then we enter the main valley. The valley here expands to all sides with amazing color of mountains surrounding from all sides. One and a half hours of more journey through the impressive surroundings takes one to Phaldar. Camp overnight.

Day 5: Balder to Mudh

Set in the completely barren surroundings the Village of Mud is like an oasis in the desert. The village of Mud lies across the Pin River. The village gompa is set impressively on a cliff between two streams. From here we drive to Kaza.