Itinerary -
Day 01:
Shamshi (1100 m) to Barsheni (2150 m): by road trek from Barsheni to Khir Ganga (2960 m) Distance:10 kms. A busy trekking route. The sulfur springs at Khir Ganga are very famous in the area. A number of Sadhus (holy men, hermits) can be seen camping in the vicinity of the springs.
Day 02:
Khirganga-Tunda Bhuj (3285 m) to Thakur Kuan: Trek is less disturbed, goes through conifer forests, open meadows and birch forests. The journey may be broken in two days, up to Tunda Bhuj (area with high altitude birch forests) in one day and then from there to Thakur Kuan, the next day. Distance: 19 kms
Day 03:
Thakur Kuan to Pandupul (3700 m) to Mantalai (4200 m): This part of trek is above tree line in high altitude meadows full of medicinal herbs, alpine grasses, bees and butterflies during summer season. It should be done in two days: up to Pandupul in one day and next day to Mantalai.
Day 04:
Mantalai to Pin Parvati Pass (5319 m) to base of the snow field in Pin Valley (4075 m): This is the most strenuous part of the Pin Parvati Pass trek. It involves a steep ascent from Mantalai to the Pass and then a descent into the Pin Valley. About six to seven kms trek is on snow fields filled with potentially dangerous crevices. Weather may change any time at the Pass. Distance: 14 kms.(Pass cross will be made only if conditions allow)
Day 05:
Rest day at the base of Pass in Pin Valley.
Day 06:
Base of the snow field in Pin Valley to Tariya or near Mud: Trek through arid zone of the cold desert in Pin Valley. The arduous part of the trek is over, but watch out for crossing of streams on the way. This part of trek can be done in two days with a stopover in between. Distance: 11 kms.
Day 07:
Tariya/Mud to Maling road head onwards by road to Kaza (3600 m): Mud is the first village to come by. The trekker may hire a pony or one of the famous Chamurti bred Tibetan horses to ride up to the roadhead. Distance:15 kms
Trip Ends With Sweet Memories !!!
For Departure Dates just call 7350530009 / 7350540009 / 7350550009
Crossing the Pin Parvati Pass
(5319 meters altitude)
Main attractions: Village house architecture, tree deities, old Forest Rest House at Pulga, panoramic
views; alpine and sub-alpine pastures; huge glacial structures at Man-Talai onwards; about 7 to 8 kms.
long stretch of snow fields on the Pass; changing vegetation and distinct bird, mammal, butterfly life.
The Ecozone areas are adjacent to the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) and provide a combination of natural and cultural experiences. The trails go through villages and are generally easy to moderate. The best time to visit is during the Dushera Festival (usually in October). This is a major Hindu cultural and religious event celebrating the victory of good over evil in the “Ramayana”. Hundreds of local village deities are brought to Kullu from the surrounding villages. An exciting display of people, music, costumes, special exhibitions, foods, etc., fill the mountain roads and towns. Not to be missed! The treks are developed by the GHNP and team VTS
CLOTHING:
1) 2 pairs of convertible pants/shorts (pants that zipper to shorts) for hiking mountaineering – these are worn a lot on the trek and are very practical.
2) 4 pairs of very good hiking socks Smartwool brand available at Adventure stores.
3) 1 bathing suit (for Kir Ganga or other times when jumping in a lake would be great!)
4) High quality long underwear tops and bottoms (ie: Patagonia’s Capilene brand – expensive but keeps you warm when needed, cool when needed and very breathable!)
5) A quick dry camping towel
6) For women: (Read Culture Shock-India in depth!) It may be a summer in India (very hot) but it is not appropriate generally to wear Western-style tank tops and shorts outside of remote areas where it is only your trek team around. Bring loose, breathable long sleeve tops and pants and very few skin baring clothes (esp. if you plan on traveling post-trek in India)! Also – dress covered when visiting temples, monasteries (gompas) and DEFINITELY mosques!
7) A rain poncho and small travel umbrella for very wet days on trek – it’s monsoon
8) A waterproof hat that is also warm and covers you from the sun OR a waterproof hat, a and also a hat for the cold mountain nights where it can get below freezing.
9) Gloves
10) Sport sandals are a must (ie: Tevas)
11) Bandana
12) Good (well worn in before trek) hiking boots that have been water sealed
13) gators for snow or mud
14) breathable quick dry under garments (women might want to consider bringing sport
15) Ski/down warm jacket
16) wind/water resistant parka/jacket (could include a lining that makes it a warm winter
17) Extra pair of warm socks for nighttime – not for hiking
18) Several t-shirts for hiking, sleeping, etc. (easy, breathable, quick dry running or hiking recommended)
19) Women might want to consider wearing a “wedding ring” if not married to prevent some irritation – though it’s impossible to prevent (though a wedding ring in India is not the sign of being married in that country culturally it is somewhat understood as a Western sign of marriage)
TOILETRIES :
THINGS THAT WILL HELP WITH THE HIGH ALTITUDE/WIND/COLD WEATHER:
1) saline nasal spray
2) Tissues
3) Eyedrops
4) Aquaphor healing ointment (available at any drug store/pharmacy). Excellent for
wind burned, sun burned skin and for the chapped lips you WILL have on the trek!
5) A high SPF and mosturizing lip balm
6) A very high sunscreen – 30 SPF or higher required!
OTHER NEEDED SUPPLIES:
7) Insect Repellent (get one with DEET in it as malaria is a problem in India – the higher the altitude the fewer the mosquitos but mosquitos are found in the Himalayas).
8) A 3 week supply of baby wipes is a must.
9) Face wipes are helpful as well if washing your face after a full day’s hike is not easily done.
10) Purell anti-bacterial hand gel is a definite must for pre-during and post trek travel in India!
11) A very good hand and body lotion. I recommend Garderner’s Hand Repair (available at natural and health food stores, Trader Joes, etc.)
12) Travel size toothbrush and toothpaste and dental floss
FOR WOMEN:
13) Leave-in hair conditioner as washing your hair with shampoo on a trek is a feat enough (esp. if you are a woman). You don’t want to be putting hair conditioner in and washing it out as well.
14) A wide-toothed comb and brush
15) bands to keep your hair back
16) TAMPONS – they are not easy to find in India and not widely used there and of course cannot be found during the trek!
17) Nail clipper and nail brush to clean under nails (keep your nails short for cleanliness and sanitary reasons!)
18) Good moisturizer for day & night (can be sunscreen too)
MEDICATIONS (Prescription & over-the counter – preventative and necessary in case you do get sick): For Stomach illness prevention or problems :
1) Acidophilus pills – natural good bacteria found in yogurt which can help counteract any bad bacteria trying to fight it’s way into your system through food/water or what not (available at drug stores and any health food store)
2) Pepto-Bismol
3) Immodium
4) A prescription for Cypro in case you contract severe gastro intestinal illness
5) Anti-altitude sickness medication (DIAMOX)
6) Anti-malaria medication (I recommend Malarone as it has many few side effects than known older medications)
7) Must get your vaccinations prior to trek (ex of what Kaiser Permanente Health Plan’s Travel
Advisory Clinic recommended I get and therefore I got in terms of vaccines for travel to India: Tetanus, Polio, Typhoid up-date, hepatitis A, Meningitis, Diptheria, etc.)
8) Aerobic 7 (available at Health Food Stores) – oxygenated bacteria killer in liquid drop can be added to water and food to prevent stomach illness.
9) Moleskin to prevent blisters and second skin to protect if you have gotten a blister
10) EmergenC – flavored packets to add to your water bottle that contain high levels of Vitamin C, electrolytes and minerals. Good for the added stress on your body, in case you get a case of diarrhea, and to flavor your water which doesn’t always taste great).
11) Multi vitamins
12) Melatonin and/or homeopathic jet lag medications available at camping or health food fight the jet lag faced by a very long flight time to India).
13) DMG – increases oxygen intake for high altitudes (available at health food stores or
14) Spirulina pills (available at health food stores) helps with energy levels
15) Disposable thermal heating pads (available at drugstores, Costco) for that days of for aching muscles and to keep you warm
16) Tiger balm for same reason as above
17) Ibuprofen or other over the counter pain killer
