We are now Banjara Experiences. Please visit the new website.



6

Difficulty Level : Hard

12 Days

6-10 PAX

5575m

June to August

Fixed Departures :


Manali to Manali

90000/-

Add ons:

Spitian High Passes


Banjara brings together the most exciting circuit of all comprising of the Spitian high passes. Parang La - the most iconic trek of Spiti connecting the lands of Spiti to Ladakh and Takling La, the equally iconic high pass, the trail less taken which goes to the Ladakhi high altitude plains.

Takling La has the more challenging trail and Parang La has its long glacier. Takling la standing tall at 5272m and then the higher Parang La at 5575m. The boulder fields of Takling La and the river crossings of Parang La. All this and more is a recipe for one of the most exciting trips in Spiti.



Tour Highlights


  • Cross 2 Spitian High Passes

  • Trek to a max altitude of 5575 meters above sea level

  • Walk through the rocky terrain of takling la

  • Experience a glacier traverse on the Parang La glacier

  • Thrilling stream crossings

  • Extra days to acclimatise, explore and sightsee

  • Qualified team to ensure safety

  • Experience remote and snowy alpine terrain.



Day Wise Tour Plan and Itinenary


Total driving distance: 235 km
Starting altitude: 1189 m; highest altitude: 3700 m; resting altitude: 3700 m, ASL

It all starts with your arrival to Kullu Valley. Our stay will be slightly short of Manali at 'Roots Cafe Stay' or Sonaugi Homestead. Take in the green and quaint surroundings this day, meet our representative and get introduced to what the following days are going to have in store for you. We leave early on day 2 to ensure a timely arrival at Kaza and make sure the treacherous roads don't come in the way of our plan.

Highlights: Rest at Kullu and travel to Kaza the next day

National/State Highways

Difficulty Level – NA

Drive Time – 5-6 hrs

Total driving distance: 50 km
Starting altitude: 3700 m; highest altitude: 42700 m; resting altitude: 42700 m

We will spend this day to show you some of Spiti’s signature sights and do some necessary paperwork for the trek. We will finally make our way to Chicham, but not before making the mandatory stops at Ki monastery and Chicham bridge

Highlights: Chicham village, Chicham Bridge

National/State Highways

Difficulty Level – NA

Drive Time – 1 hr

Starting altitude: 4270 m; highest altitude: 4270 m; resting altitude: 4270 m

Chicham will be our home for another night to acclimatise better to the gain in altitude. We use this day to let you relax, prepare and enjoy with some short hikes around the village.

Highlights: Chicham village, Chicham Bridge

Village Trails

Difficulty Level – Easy

Walking Time – 5 hr

Starting altitude: 4270 m; highest altitude: 4500 m; resting altitude: 4500 m

The day to start the trek is here. We start off by making the short drive to a bridge over Takling Nala from where the trek begins along the stream before the trail moves upwards and into a side valley. We'll be making some steep ascents on a thin trail till we get to Chorkola where a small flat ground makes our first camp.

Highlights: Takling Nala

Mountain Trail

Difficulty Level – Moderate

Walking Time – 6 hr

Starting altitude: 4500 m; highest altitude: 4850 m; resting altitude: 4850 m

We climb a little higher and closer to the pass. The terrain becomes more alpine with rocks and ice that surround you. We pitch our highest camp of this trek and prepare for the climb ahead.

Highlights: Base of Takling la

Mountain Trail

Difficulty Level – Moderate

Walking Time – 6 hr

Starting altitude: 4850 m; highest altitude: 4800 m; resting altitude: 4800 m

The day for the final push to the pass is here. This will be a long day as we start early to reach the pass in time. The descend from the pass is fairly easy and we should be at Takling Sumdo in the afternoon. The views will be of the flat river valley with dry peaks rising on either side. We camp on the grass close to the river and a fresh water stream coming down the same way we approach the camp.

Highlights: Takling la

Mountain Trail/Snow Sections

Difficulty Level – Hard

Walking Time – 8 hr

Starting altitude: 4800 m; highest altitude: 4500 m; resting altitude: 4500 m

We walk along the river till the confluence of the river we camped close to, Lasoma and Pare Chu which originates from the Parang La glacier. We camp close to this confluence. The walk is mostly flat and leisurely, offering well-deserved rest for the entire group before we start our climb to Parang La.

Highlights: Confluence of Lasoma and Pare Chu

Mountain Trail

Difficulty Level – Moderate

Walking Time – 4 hr

Starting altitude: 4500 m; highest altitude: 4900 m; resting altitude: 4900 m

We will now turn into the Pare Chu river valley, walking towards it's source, Parang glacier. We will camp close to the glacier to make our approach to the pass short the next morning.

Highlights: Walking upstream of Pare Chu

Mountain Trail

Difficulty Level – Moderate

Walking Time – 5 hr

Starting altitude: 4900 m; highest altitude: 4600 m; resting altitude: 4600 m

This will be a long day as we leave before sunrise for the top of the pass. This allows us to traverse the glacier on our way to the top in the safest conditions. The early morning sun and the views at the top of the pass will stay with you for years to come. With the glacier behind us, we descend down till Rong Nala after which a short and final ascent will get us to our camp for the day at the high altitude meadow of Thalthak.

Highlights: Parangla

Mountain Trail/Glacier Traverse

Difficulty Level – Hard

Walking Time – 7 hr

Starting altitude: 4600 m; highest altitude: 4200 m; resting altitude: 4200 m

A short and mostly downhill walk will take us to the road head at Dumla, mere 2 km from Chicham where the comfort of our Homestay Tethys Himalayan DEN awaits us. Spend your afternoon and evening at leisure and celebrate the achievement of crossing two high Himalayan passes in a single trek

Highlights: Chicham Village

Mountain Trail

Difficulty Level – Easy

Walking Time – 3 hr

Driving Distance - 180 kms



Starting altitude: 4200 m; highest altitude: 1450m; resting altitude: 1450m

We leave quaint setting of Spiti behind us to start the exciting and adventurous drive back to Manali. We end the day by dropping you at Manali where we bid goodbye after what would have been an amazing journey.

Highlights: Chicham Village

Mountain Trail

Difficulty Level – Easy

Driving Time – 8 hrs



What's Included


Inclusions

  • Qualified Team lead / guide.

  • Accommodation, 11 nights.

  • Transportation as per itinerary.

  • All meals. Lunch on day 1 to Breakfast on day 12.

  • Carriage of personal luggage.

  • Permits and fee.

  • First Aid back up.

  • Camping gear and safety equipmment.

Exclusions

  • Taxes.

  • Insurance.

  • Gratuity and tips.

  • Extra drinks & alcoholic beverages.

  • Single room supplement.

  • Additional excursions outside the itinerary.

  • Costs of unforeseen natural causes.

  • Anything not in the inclusions.



Is This For Me


Are you looking for the next challenge in your trekking game with a trek that is iconic, ancient, challenging and rewarding, all at the same time? If yes, the Spitian High Passes is the trek for you. With a max altitude of 5575 metres above sea level, a glacier traverse, long walks, high average altitude and extreme remoteness, the Spitian High Passes is not a trek for the first time trekker or for someone looking to get their first taste of the outdoors. However, if you have some prior experience at altitude and trekking then this is the perfect reward as you circuit the high passes of Spiti and walk on the ancient trade routes used hundreds of years ago by locals and traders coming in from Ladakh.



Gallery




FAQs



Once you have decided on a tour, all you need to do is shoot us an email or call us and a member of our team will guide you through the booking process. You can either choose to make a full payment upfront or in instalments as per our BOOKING CONFIRMATION RULES.
Domestic clients
Indian nationals or people residing in India having an Indian bank account can transfer money to our account and share the proof of that transaction to confirm their booking.
International clients
If you reside outside India, then you need to write to us and we’ll follow up with an e-mail with a link to make the payment online. Once the payment is confirmed you’ll be ready to embark on your Nomadic Himalayan experience with us.
The refund for your booking depends on when you cancel your booking. Please look at the refund rules for details.
In case you are unable to join a fixed departure trek that you have booked but do not want to cancel then don’t worry. We understand that sometimes circumstances force us to change our plans and in such a scenario we can try to adjust you in the next batch for the same trek at no extra cost. However, this would be subject to availability and us reaching the minimum required number to run a tour.
If you want to change your booking and join a different trek route/plan it can be done if spots are still open. Also, if the new trek is cheaper than the one that you had initially booked, there’ll be no refund; however, you will have to pay the difference if it is priced higher than your original booking.
We can make adjustments of up to a few days before or after scheduled departure depending on the availability of the team, support staff and our trekking calendar. Contact us to know more.
Yes you can. We always do our best to accommodate any demands and customisations. While small personal needs can always be accommodated, we also need to take into consideration if the customisation affects the other people on the tour. If it’s a single group that makes up the whole tour then normally we can amend and customise as needed but if multiple groups or solo trekkers make the group then the entire group will be considered before we can agree to make any customisations affecting others.
Last minute changes to departure dates is not something that can be usually accommodated as the wheels for running a group are set in motion much before the actual departure. Also, some of our treks are planned in sync with our cycling groups in the case of combo tours so last minute changes are tough. However, we can always arrange for things like different/separate arrival and transport for you to start the trek if needed. You will need to inform us in advance and there will most likely be an additional cost involved.
  • Accommodations and meals as per the tour-specific itinerary.

  • Refreshments and packed meals during cycling and trekking.

  • Potable/drinking water throughout. We care for the environment and discourage the usage of packaged drinking water.

  • Camping Equipment. (Group and personal).

  • Porters/mules to carry camping gear.

  • Porters/mules to carry your luggage on treks

  • English-speaking guide

  • Cook(s) for camps

  • First aid

  • All Transfers as specified in the itinerary.

  • Taxes.

  • Travel & accident insurancec.

  • Tips.

  • Alcoholic beverages.

  • Any snacks and beverages outside of what’s included.

  • Additional customisations or excursions outside the itinerary.

  • Bottled/Packaged water.

That depends on the nature of the request. Let us know what you need and we’ll do the best possible and give you a quote for the same.
A regular day in the outdoors and on a trail starts early. The day normally begins at 0600 with a cup of tea as we get ready and packed to leave by 0730 after a hearty breakfast. There will be some days that might need for an earlier departure like an early morning ascent to the top of a pass to cross a glacier. You will be informed of such things in the tour details and briefing.
Other than your day pack that you will carry on your own, Nomadic Trails – India will arrange for 12-15 kg of your luggage to be carried by our team depending on whether we have a porter or mule accompanying you on the trek.
Most treks involve you reaching altitudes in excess of 5,000 metres and you need to be prepared to handle that. You have to be prepared for bright sun during the day and plummeting temperatures at night (close to freezing at times). Normally, on a sunny day you will not need to worry as much about the cold as you would about be getting sun burnt.
Please note that Himalayan treks vary in terrain altitude and vegetation almost every day. From thick wooded forests, to alpine steppes to glacial moraine with rocks and scree the terrain varies as we gain altitude. Our packing list should be able to guide you with it.
Please refer our packing list
Slip, trip and falls
As with any other trek, there are the usual slip, trip and fall hazards that are present with walking on uneven trails, the best defense for that are your own personal standards and attention when on the trail. In some slippery or risky sections our team will lead the way, rig ropes and guide you as need be.

Cold
The weather at higher altitudes can get really cold, really fast. Be prepared to layer up and protect yourself in case of weather changes. The cold dry air can take a lot out of exposed skin and make it burn and peel rather easily. Extreme cases like frost bites etc are not a real risk during the summer treks that we conduct.

Altitude
This is the most real hazard with risks involved with it. On our part as operators we will take precautions to make sure that this risk is kept at a minimum. These precautions include but are not limited to, frequent oxygen level monitoring, oxygen cylinders on tour, acclimatisation days etc. However, every client needs to responsible enough to have gone through our to be aware of this hazard, follow the precautions and be able to recognise symptoms and inform us in time. In some cases we might ask a client to end his or her journey if we feel that is the best choice based on their inability to cope with high altitudes.
Sun – Make sure you cover your body as much as possible – full sleeve shirts, neck gaiters and sun cap are a must to avoid sun burns. Applying sun screen lotion of at least SPF50 is a great way to protect your exposed skin.

Wind – A windbreaker will protect you from the chilly winds. Cover your ears in the evenings. During walking breaks when on a trek ensure your body remains warm by wearing an additional jacket or windbreaker to prevent rapid cooling of your body.

Cold – Layering up is the best solution for cold. When the temperature starts dipping, start wearing layers of clothes. Base layer is a must at all times. T shirt, Sweater, Jacket and wind cheater is the way to go. Keep your feet, hands, ears warm during cold weather by wearing warm woollen socks, gloves, balaclava or a skull cap.
We provide high altitude camping equipment – Tents, Sleeping bags, mattresses, toilet tents, plates, spoons, coffee mugs, lanterns and anything else that might be needed for running the campsites.
Cardio fitness is key as trekking involves long walking days at high altitude. We strongly recommend a running fitness of 5Km in 30min. If running is not your thing we advise you to carry loads on your back and brisk walk for an 1 hour for several weeks leading up to the trek.

Strength training: you don’t need to be a professional athlete but some amount of strength and endurance building will definitely come in handy on a trek or any other outdoor activity. Core strengthening will be very useful to endure rigours long treks. Lower body workouts and exercises are also useful in ensuring that your ankles and knees are ready to take continued impact of variable intensity.

You can come for the trek without preparation, but you’ll ending struggling rather than enjoying what nature has to offer. Bear in mind that, we are there to guide you and provide all the facilities but the walking has to be done by you yourself. So little preparation will help make your trek more enjoyable.
We will cater to different dietary requirements with vegetarian options available for those who don’t consume meat. If you any other specific dietary requirement then we need to be informed in advance.

For those who eat Kosher/Halal, we can try and source it but we can’t guarantee the availability of Kosher/Halal meat. If either of these dietary restrictions applies to you, please let us know. We will offer suitable replacements for our Kosher/Halal customers for the duration of the tour.
The distances on our tours vary considerably depending on the trek that you choose. The description and walking times will be provided in the detailed itinerary of the trek that you will receive upon booking a tour with us. Since most of our treks are at altitudes in excess of 4,200 metres above sea level and in remote areas, the distances are mostly approximate. That’s why we mostly mention approximate walking times instead. The more important part is the terrain than the distance.
While the number of sets you will want to bring will depend on how long your tour is, we recommend long sleeves and long pants for best protection.
It depends on your tour. If your trek ends at the same point then we will be happy to keep your belongings while you are away. However, since most of our treks don’t end at the point of origin, we recommend that you carry only what you need for the tour. If you have to leave something behind and your trek ends at a different location then you will have to find a way to get back and pick it up. If you need our assistance to do the same, there will be additional cost involved. Get in touch with us to know more.
Yes. While most of the treks are over dry land, we will cross streams and rivers sometimes. For river crossings on our treks we’d recommend that you keep with you a pair of hiking/ walking sandals that you can quickly slip in and out of and keep your feet dry and warm in your trekking shoes for the remainder of the trek.
As we restrict our group size to a max of 6-10 people, we’d usually have one lead guide for the group. Besides that there will be support and kitchen staff that will accompany the group. The size and number of the support staff will depend on the size of the group and also on the trek. On trails where we can use pack animals we will not have any porters. Whatever the case may be, you can be rest assured of a positive ratio of staff to clients.
Our guide will be multilingual (Hindi/English/Spitian) to meet the requirement of the people comprising the group. However, expect the support staff and porters to speak Hindi.
Besides your daypack comprising of your water, camera and few small things that you’d like to keep on your person during the day, the porters will carry the rest of your main luggage. The porters normally carry about 15kg/porter and we recommend that you pack accordingly. Also, bear in mind that the luggage with the porters/ pack animals will only be available to you at the campsite.
We will have a minimum of 2 toilet tents at each camp. In the case of a bigger group we will have more than 2 toilet tents. For the sake of better waste management, we highly recommend that the guests use them and not defecate elsewhere around the campsite.). You can dispose of any feminine hygiene or sanitary products in the trash located at camp.

At meals and at the toilets in the camps, a hand sanitizer or hand washing gel will be available and you must use it to avoid getting sick.

Note: If you go to a bathroom or to a meal and find that, hand sanitizer or hand washing gel are low or out, please notify your tour guide immediately.
If you cannot hold it until you reach a campsite toilet, you may go to the toilet in an area of the jungle where no one can see you and far away from the river (at least 50 m). Please do not leave behind any toilet paper that you use (we can provide you with sanitary bags at the start of your trek; you can place used toilet paper in that bag). Please place any other feminine hygiene products in these sanitary bags as well. The sanitary bags must be disposed of at the rubbish bins at the campsite.
Only the necessities please. These include toothbrush, toothpaste, sunscreen, insect spray, and necessary medications. Ladies, please bring any feminine hygiene products that you may need on the tour with you from home. There are VERY limited options in the local market here and almost no option while on tour. Please pack accordingly for emergencies! Some people might prefer to carry their own toilet paper too, personal choices.
We care for your safety and will ensure that you are completely secure be it during the trek or at campsites. When crossing slippery or risky sections during treks, our team will lead the way, rig ropes and guide you as need be.

Further, our tours are designed to ensure that the clients are suitable acclimatised to the altitude. We will hold frequent oxygen and wellbeing checks and also carry oxygen cylinders in case of an emergency.
We strongly support and promote the spirit of travel and welcome women trekkers in our groups. All our tours are group treks where we maintain friendly and safe environment. Our guides and trek leads are trained and sensitised to handle a diverse set of people. Feel free to reach out to our guides at any point of the tour.
Please declare all medical conditions that you may have, regardless of whether or not you may think it could affect you on the tour, so that our safety experts can advise if it will be safe for you to join our tours. Take note that our tours take place deep in the wilderness, far from medical clinics or hospitals and our team needs to be adequately prepared for your safety. We assure you that we will respect your privacy and keep your disclosures private (only necessary team members such as your tour guide will be intimated).
We carry a comprehensive first aid kit on all our tours. However, please carry any specific medication that you might need and give us any spare in case yours is lost or damaged. If you carry an Epipen or any serious medication(s), please inform us in advance.
Please bring any prescriptions or over-the-counter medications with you. Ours are just for use in emergency situations or if you run out. If you know that you need an anti-histamine or you regularly take an anti-inflammatory, please bring it with you. You should inform your guide of any medications you are taking/carrying. If you are on any serious medications, please bring a set of spares and give one to a member of the team in the event that you lose or damage your first set during the tour.
We recommend that you carry your own medical/accident insurance. Make sure that it covers the activities that you will be indulging in during your tour. In case you don’t have one, we can help you arrange one.
Anyone who isn’t fit enough to continue, or who poses a safety threat to themselves or others, will be removed from the tour. Nomadic Trails – India maintains the right to turn around any customer who doesn’t follow safety, conservation or trekking rules. There will be no refund for customers that are turned around and we will not be responsible for any additional expenses incurred by customers (transportation, hotel, etc).
The best option would be to carry spare batteries, power banks or portable solar charging panels as there won’t be much opportunity to charge your devices/gadgets/cameras during the trek.
Please bring a camera as we will be witnessing some breathtaking as we take on the Himalayan trails. You could keep cameras and other gadgets in your daypack preferably within a drybag to prevent them from water/moisture damage.
Since our tours will take you to remote area deep in wilderness on most routes there will be scanty or no mobile network. When you have pristine natural beauty all around you, disconnecting from city life will be cake walk!


Why Choose Us




Personalised Care


To ensure that you have a holistic and unforgettable experience and to provide you with personalised care and attention, we limit our groups to 4-10 people.

Protect The Environment


To ensure that you have a holistic and unforgettable experience and to provide you with personalised care and attention, we limit our groups to 4-10 people.

Safety


To ensure that you have a holistic and unforgettable experience and to provide you with personalised care and attention, we limit our groups to 4-10 people.

No Hidden Costs


To ensure that you have a holistic and unforgettable experience and to provide you with personalised care and attention, we limit our groups to 4-10 people.

Self Operated


To ensure that you have a holistic and unforgettable experience and to provide you with personalised care and attention, we limit our groups to 4-10 people.

Qualified Staff


To ensure that you have a holistic and unforgettable experience and to provide you with personalised care and attention, we limit our groups to 4-10 people.



Reviews





Comments





Banjara brings together the most exciting circuit of all comprising of the Spitian high passes. Parang La - the most iconic trek of Spiti connecting the lands of Spiti to Ladakh and Takling La, the equally iconic high pass, the trail less taken which goes to the Ladakhi high altitude plains.

Takling La has the more challenging trail and Parang La has its long glacier. Takling la standing tall at 5272m and then the higher Parang La at 5575m. The boulder fields of Takling La and the river crossings of Parang La. All this and more is a recipe for one of the most exciting trips in Spiti.

  • Cross 2 Spitian High Passes

  • Trek to a max altitude of 5575 meters above sea level

  • Walk through the rocky terrain of takling la

  • Experience a glacier traverse on the Parang La glacier

  • Thrilling stream crossings

  • Extra days to acclimatise, explore and sightsee

  • Qualified team to ensure safety

  • Experience remote and snowy alpine terrain.


Day 1 & 2

Manali - Kaza


Total driving distance: 235 km
Starting altitude: 1189 m; highest altitude: 3700 m; resting altitude: 3700 m, ASL

It all starts with your arrival to Kullu Valley. Our stay will be slightly short of Manali at 'Roots Cafe Stay' or Sonaugi Homestead. Take in the green and quaint surroundings this day, meet our representative and get introduced to what the following days are going to have in store for you. We leave early on day 2 to ensure a timely arrival at Kaza and make sure the treacherous roads don't come in the way of our plan.

Highlights: Rest at Kullu and travel to Kaza the next day

National/State Highways

Difficulty Level – NA

Drive Time – 5-6 hrs



Day 3

Kaza - Chicham And Sightseeing


Total driving distance: 50 km
Starting altitude: 3700 m; highest altitude: 42700 m; resting altitude: 42700 m

We will spend this day to show you some of Spiti’s signature sights and do some necessary paperwork for the trek. We will finally make our way to Chicham, but not before making the mandatory stops at Ki monastery and Chicham bridge

Highlights: Chicham village, Chicham Bridge

National/State Highways

Difficulty Level – NA

Drive Time – 1 hr



Day 4

Acclimatise At Chicham


Starting altitude: 4270 m; highest altitude: 4270 m; resting altitude: 4270 m

Chicham will be our home for another night to acclimatise better to the gain in altitude. We use this day to let you relax, prepare and enjoy with some short hikes around the village.

Highlights: Chicham village, Chicham Bridge

Village Trails

Difficulty Level – Easy

Walking Time – 5 hr



Day 5

Drive To Takling Nala. Trek To Charkola


Starting altitude: 4270 m; highest altitude: 4500 m; resting altitude: 4500 m

The day to start the trek is here. We start off by making the short drive to a bridge over Takling Nala from where the trek begins along the stream before the trail moves upwards and into a side valley. We'll be making some steep ascents on a thin trail till we get to Chorkola where a small flat ground makes our first camp.

Highlights: Takling Nala

Mountain Trail

Difficulty Level – Moderate

Walking Time – 6 hr



Day 6

Charkola To Base Camp


Starting altitude: 4500 m; highest altitude: 4850 m; resting altitude: 4850 m

We climb a little higher and closer to the pass. The terrain becomes more alpine with rocks and ice that surround you. We pitch our highest camp of this trek and prepare for the climb ahead.

Highlights: Base of Takling la

Mountain Trail

Difficulty Level – Moderate

Walking Time – 6 hr



Day 7

Base Camp To Takling La Top To Takling Sumdo


Starting altitude: 4850 m; highest altitude: 4800 m; resting altitude: 4800 m

The day for the final push to the pass is here. This will be a long day as we start early to reach the pass in time. The descend from the pass is fairly easy and we should be at Takling Sumdo in the afternoon. The views will be of the flat river valley with dry peaks rising on either side. We camp on the grass close to the river and a fresh water stream coming down the same way we approach the camp.

Highlights: Takling la

Mountain Trail/Snow Sections

Difficulty Level – Hard

Walking Time – 8 hr



Day 8

Takling Sumdo To Dokpo Phirse


Starting altitude: 4800 m; highest altitude: 4500 m; resting altitude: 4500 m

We walk along the river till the confluence of the river we camped close to, Lasoma and Pare Chu which originates from the Parang La glacier. We camp close to this confluence. The walk is mostly flat and leisurely, offering well-deserved rest for the entire group before we start our climb to Parang La.

Highlights: Confluence of Lasoma and Pare Chu

Mountain Trail

Difficulty Level – Moderate

Walking Time – 4 hr



Day 9

Dokpo Phirse To Parang La Base


Starting altitude: 4500 m; highest altitude: 4900 m; resting altitude: 4900 m

We will now turn into the Pare Chu river valley, walking towards it's source, Parang glacier. We will camp close to the glacier to make our approach to the pass short the next morning.

Highlights: Walking upstream of Pare Chu

Mountain Trail

Difficulty Level – Moderate

Walking Time – 5 hr



Day 10

Base Camp To Parang La Top To Thalthak


Starting altitude: 4900 m; highest altitude: 4600 m; resting altitude: 4600 m

This will be a long day as we leave before sunrise for the top of the pass. This allows us to traverse the glacier on our way to the top in the safest conditions. The early morning sun and the views at the top of the pass will stay with you for years to come. With the glacier behind us, we descend down till Rong Nala after which a short and final ascent will get us to our camp for the day at the high altitude meadow of Thalthak.

Highlights: Parangla

Mountain Trail/Glacier Traverse

Difficulty Level – Hard

Walking Time – 7 hr



Day 11

Thalthak - Chicham


Starting altitude: 4600 m; highest altitude: 4200 m; resting altitude: 4200 m

A short and mostly downhill walk will take us to the road head at Dumla, mere 2 km from Chicham where the comfort of our Homestay Tethys Himalayan DEN awaits us. Spend your afternoon and evening at leisure and celebrate the achievement of crossing two high Himalayan passes in a single trek

Highlights: Chicham Village

Mountain Trail

Difficulty Level – Easy

Walking Time – 3 hr



Day 12

Chicham To Kullu


Driving Distance - 180 kms



Starting altitude: 4200 m; highest altitude: 1450m; resting altitude: 1450m

We leave quaint setting of Spiti behind us to start the exciting and adventurous drive back to Manali. We end the day by dropping you at Manali where we bid goodbye after what would have been an amazing journey.

Highlights: Chicham Village

Mountain Trail

Difficulty Level – Easy

Driving Time – 8 hrs



Inclusions

  • Qualified Team lead / guide.

  • Accommodation, 11 nights.

  • Transportation as per itinerary.

  • All meals. Lunch on day 1 to Breakfast on day 12.

  • Carriage of personal luggage.

  • Permits and fee.

  • First Aid back up.

  • Camping gear and safety equipmment.


Exclusions

  • Taxes.

  • Insurance.

  • Gratuity and tips.

  • Extra drinks & alcoholic beverages.

  • Single room supplement.

  • Additional excursions outside the itinerary.

  • Costs of unforeseen natural causes.

  • Anything not in the inclusions.

Are you looking for the next challenge in your trekking game with a trek that is iconic, ancient, challenging and rewarding, all at the same time? If yes, the Spitian High Passes is the trek for you. With a max altitude of 5575 metres above sea level, a glacier traverse, long walks, high average altitude and extreme remoteness, the Spitian High Passes is not a trek for the first time trekker or for someone looking to get their first taste of the outdoors. However, if you have some prior experience at altitude and trekking then this is the perfect reward as you circuit the high passes of Spiti and walk on the ancient trade routes used hundreds of years ago by locals and traders coming in from Ladakh.


Once you have decided on a tour, all you need to do is shoot us an email or call us and a member of our team will guide you through the booking process. You can either choose to make a full payment upfront or in instalments as per our BOOKING CONFIRMATION RULES.
Domestic clients
Indian nationals or people residing in India having an Indian bank account can transfer money to our account and share the proof of that transaction to confirm their booking.
International clients
If you reside outside India, then you need to write to us and we’ll follow up with an e-mail with a link to make the payment online. Once the payment is confirmed you’ll be ready to embark on your Nomadic Himalayan experience with us.
The refund for your booking depends on when you cancel your booking. Please look at the refund rules for details.
In case you are unable to join a fixed departure trek that you have booked but do not want to cancel then don’t worry. We understand that sometimes circumstances force us to change our plans and in such a scenario we can try to adjust you in the next batch for the same trek at no extra cost. However, this would be subject to availability and us reaching the minimum required number to run a tour.
If you want to change your booking and join a different trek route/plan it can be done if spots are still open. Also, if the new trek is cheaper than the one that you had initially booked, there’ll be no refund; however, you will have to pay the difference if it is priced higher than your original booking.
We can make adjustments of up to a few days before or after scheduled departure depending on the availability of the team, support staff and our trekking calendar. Contact us to know more.
Yes you can. We always do our best to accommodate any demands and customisations. While small personal needs can always be accommodated, we also need to take into consideration if the customisation affects the other people on the tour. If it’s a single group that makes up the whole tour then normally we can amend and customise as needed but if multiple groups or solo trekkers make the group then the entire group will be considered before we can agree to make any customisations affecting others.
Last minute changes to departure dates is not something that can be usually accommodated as the wheels for running a group are set in motion much before the actual departure. Also, some of our treks are planned in sync with our cycling groups in the case of combo tours so last minute changes are tough. However, we can always arrange for things like different/separate arrival and transport for you to start the trek if needed. You will need to inform us in advance and there will most likely be an additional cost involved.
  • Accommodations and meals as per the tour-specific itinerary.

  • Refreshments and packed meals during cycling and trekking.

  • Potable/drinking water throughout. We care for the environment and discourage the usage of packaged drinking water.

  • Camping Equipment. (Group and personal).

  • Porters/mules to carry camping gear.

  • Porters/mules to carry your luggage on treks

  • English-speaking guide

  • Cook(s) for camps

  • First aid

  • All Transfers as specified in the itinerary.

  • Taxes.

  • Travel & accident insurancec.

  • Tips.

  • Alcoholic beverages.

  • Any snacks and beverages outside of what’s included.

  • Additional customisations or excursions outside the itinerary.

  • Bottled/Packaged water.

That depends on the nature of the request. Let us know what you need and we’ll do the best possible and give you a quote for the same.
A regular day in the outdoors and on a trail starts early. The day normally begins at 0600 with a cup of tea as we get ready and packed to leave by 0730 after a hearty breakfast. There will be some days that might need for an earlier departure like an early morning ascent to the top of a pass to cross a glacier. You will be informed of such things in the tour details and briefing.
Other than your day pack that you will carry on your own, Nomadic Trails – India will arrange for 12-15 kg of your luggage to be carried by our team depending on whether we have a porter or mule accompanying you on the trek.
Most treks involve you reaching altitudes in excess of 5,000 metres and you need to be prepared to handle that. You have to be prepared for bright sun during the day and plummeting temperatures at night (close to freezing at times). Normally, on a sunny day you will not need to worry as much about the cold as you would about be getting sun burnt.
Please note that Himalayan treks vary in terrain altitude and vegetation almost every day. From thick wooded forests, to alpine steppes to glacial moraine with rocks and scree the terrain varies as we gain altitude. Our packing list should be able to guide you with it.
Please refer our packing list
Slip, trip and falls
As with any other trek, there are the usual slip, trip and fall hazards that are present with walking on uneven trails, the best defense for that are your own personal standards and attention when on the trail. In some slippery or risky sections our team will lead the way, rig ropes and guide you as need be.

Cold
The weather at higher altitudes can get really cold, really fast. Be prepared to layer up and protect yourself in case of weather changes. The cold dry air can take a lot out of exposed skin and make it burn and peel rather easily. Extreme cases like frost bites etc are not a real risk during the summer treks that we conduct.

Altitude
This is the most real hazard with risks involved with it. On our part as operators we will take precautions to make sure that this risk is kept at a minimum. These precautions include but are not limited to, frequent oxygen level monitoring, oxygen cylinders on tour, acclimatisation days etc. However, every client needs to responsible enough to have gone through our to be aware of this hazard, follow the precautions and be able to recognise symptoms and inform us in time. In some cases we might ask a client to end his or her journey if we feel that is the best choice based on their inability to cope with high altitudes.
Sun – Make sure you cover your body as much as possible – full sleeve shirts, neck gaiters and sun cap are a must to avoid sun burns. Applying sun screen lotion of at least SPF50 is a great way to protect your exposed skin.

Wind – A windbreaker will protect you from the chilly winds. Cover your ears in the evenings. During walking breaks when on a trek ensure your body remains warm by wearing an additional jacket or windbreaker to prevent rapid cooling of your body.

Cold – Layering up is the best solution for cold. When the temperature starts dipping, start wearing layers of clothes. Base layer is a must at all times. T shirt, Sweater, Jacket and wind cheater is the way to go. Keep your feet, hands, ears warm during cold weather by wearing warm woollen socks, gloves, balaclava or a skull cap.
We provide high altitude camping equipment – Tents, Sleeping bags, mattresses, toilet tents, plates, spoons, coffee mugs, lanterns and anything else that might be needed for running the campsites.
Cardio fitness is key as trekking involves long walking days at high altitude. We strongly recommend a running fitness of 5Km in 30min. If running is not your thing we advise you to carry loads on your back and brisk walk for an 1 hour for several weeks leading up to the trek.

Strength training: you don’t need to be a professional athlete but some amount of strength and endurance building will definitely come in handy on a trek or any other outdoor activity. Core strengthening will be very useful to endure rigours long treks. Lower body workouts and exercises are also useful in ensuring that your ankles and knees are ready to take continued impact of variable intensity.

You can come for the trek without preparation, but you’ll ending struggling rather than enjoying what nature has to offer. Bear in mind that, we are there to guide you and provide all the facilities but the walking has to be done by you yourself. So little preparation will help make your trek more enjoyable.
We will cater to different dietary requirements with vegetarian options available for those who don’t consume meat. If you any other specific dietary requirement then we need to be informed in advance.

For those who eat Kosher/Halal, we can try and source it but we can’t guarantee the availability of Kosher/Halal meat. If either of these dietary restrictions applies to you, please let us know. We will offer suitable replacements for our Kosher/Halal customers for the duration of the tour.
The distances on our tours vary considerably depending on the trek that you choose. The description and walking times will be provided in the detailed itinerary of the trek that you will receive upon booking a tour with us. Since most of our treks are at altitudes in excess of 4,200 metres above sea level and in remote areas, the distances are mostly approximate. That’s why we mostly mention approximate walking times instead. The more important part is the terrain than the distance.
While the number of sets you will want to bring will depend on how long your tour is, we recommend long sleeves and long pants for best protection.
It depends on your tour. If your trek ends at the same point then we will be happy to keep your belongings while you are away. However, since most of our treks don’t end at the point of origin, we recommend that you carry only what you need for the tour. If you have to leave something behind and your trek ends at a different location then you will have to find a way to get back and pick it up. If you need our assistance to do the same, there will be additional cost involved. Get in touch with us to know more.
Yes. While most of the treks are over dry land, we will cross streams and rivers sometimes. For river crossings on our treks we’d recommend that you keep with you a pair of hiking/ walking sandals that you can quickly slip in and out of and keep your feet dry and warm in your trekking shoes for the remainder of the trek.
As we restrict our group size to a max of 6-10 people, we’d usually have one lead guide for the group. Besides that there will be support and kitchen staff that will accompany the group. The size and number of the support staff will depend on the size of the group and also on the trek. On trails where we can use pack animals we will not have any porters. Whatever the case may be, you can be rest assured of a positive ratio of staff to clients.
Our guide will be multilingual (Hindi/English/Spitian) to meet the requirement of the people comprising the group. However, expect the support staff and porters to speak Hindi.
Besides your daypack comprising of your water, camera and few small things that you’d like to keep on your person during the day, the porters will carry the rest of your main luggage. The porters normally carry about 15kg/porter and we recommend that you pack accordingly. Also, bear in mind that the luggage with the porters/ pack animals will only be available to you at the campsite.
We will have a minimum of 2 toilet tents at each camp. In the case of a bigger group we will have more than 2 toilet tents. For the sake of better waste management, we highly recommend that the guests use them and not defecate elsewhere around the campsite.). You can dispose of any feminine hygiene or sanitary products in the trash located at camp.

At meals and at the toilets in the camps, a hand sanitizer or hand washing gel will be available and you must use it to avoid getting sick.

Note: If you go to a bathroom or to a meal and find that, hand sanitizer or hand washing gel are low or out, please notify your tour guide immediately.
If you cannot hold it until you reach a campsite toilet, you may go to the toilet in an area of the jungle where no one can see you and far away from the river (at least 50 m). Please do not leave behind any toilet paper that you use (we can provide you with sanitary bags at the start of your trek; you can place used toilet paper in that bag). Please place any other feminine hygiene products in these sanitary bags as well. The sanitary bags must be disposed of at the rubbish bins at the campsite.
Only the necessities please. These include toothbrush, toothpaste, sunscreen, insect spray, and necessary medications. Ladies, please bring any feminine hygiene products that you may need on the tour with you from home. There are VERY limited options in the local market here and almost no option while on tour. Please pack accordingly for emergencies! Some people might prefer to carry their own toilet paper too, personal choices.
We care for your safety and will ensure that you are completely secure be it during the trek or at campsites. When crossing slippery or risky sections during treks, our team will lead the way, rig ropes and guide you as need be.

Further, our tours are designed to ensure that the clients are suitable acclimatised to the altitude. We will hold frequent oxygen and wellbeing checks and also carry oxygen cylinders in case of an emergency.
We strongly support and promote the spirit of travel and welcome women trekkers in our groups. All our tours are group treks where we maintain friendly and safe environment. Our guides and trek leads are trained and sensitised to handle a diverse set of people. Feel free to reach out to our guides at any point of the tour.
Please declare all medical conditions that you may have, regardless of whether or not you may think it could affect you on the tour, so that our safety experts can advise if it will be safe for you to join our tours. Take note that our tours take place deep in the wilderness, far from medical clinics or hospitals and our team needs to be adequately prepared for your safety. We assure you that we will respect your privacy and keep your disclosures private (only necessary team members such as your tour guide will be intimated).
We carry a comprehensive first aid kit on all our tours. However, please carry any specific medication that you might need and give us any spare in case yours is lost or damaged. If you carry an Epipen or any serious medication(s), please inform us in advance.
Please bring any prescriptions or over-the-counter medications with you. Ours are just for use in emergency situations or if you run out. If you know that you need an anti-histamine or you regularly take an anti-inflammatory, please bring it with you. You should inform your guide of any medications you are taking/carrying. If you are on any serious medications, please bring a set of spares and give one to a member of the team in the event that you lose or damage your first set during the tour.
We recommend that you carry your own medical/accident insurance. Make sure that it covers the activities that you will be indulging in during your tour. In case you don’t have one, we can help you arrange one.
Anyone who isn’t fit enough to continue, or who poses a safety threat to themselves or others, will be removed from the tour. Nomadic Trails – India maintains the right to turn around any customer who doesn’t follow safety, conservation or trekking rules. There will be no refund for customers that are turned around and we will not be responsible for any additional expenses incurred by customers (transportation, hotel, etc).
The best option would be to carry spare batteries, power banks or portable solar charging panels as there won’t be much opportunity to charge your devices/gadgets/cameras during the trek.
Please bring a camera as we will be witnessing some breathtaking as we take on the Himalayan trails. You could keep cameras and other gadgets in your daypack preferably within a drybag to prevent them from water/moisture damage.
Since our tours will take you to remote area deep in wilderness on most routes there will be scanty or no mobile network. When you have pristine natural beauty all around you, disconnecting from city life will be cake walk!