Kugti Pass Trek: The Gaddi Shepherds' Road into Lahaul

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Himachal 4 July 2026 · 8 min read

Kugti Pass Trek: The Gaddi Shepherds' Road into Lahaul

The Kugti Pass trek is a walk through living history. For centuries the Gaddi shepherds of Chamba have driven their flocks over this raw 16,600 ft crossing into Lahaul's summer pastures, seeking blessings at the Kartik temple before committing to the climb. Our 8-day itinerary follows their road exactly — temple bells, thousand-sheep traffic jams and all — from Bharmour's ancient shrines to the moonscape on the far side.

What is the Kugti Pass trek route?

Day 1 drives 65 km from Chamba to Bharmour and its 1,200-year-old Chaurasi temple complex — 84 shrines in one courtyard. Day 2 follows the Budhil river to Hadsar and climbs to Kugti, the last inhabited village before the pass. Day 3 pays respects at the Kartik temple, where shepherds seek safe passage, then climbs into the sheep-bell-loud meadow of Duggi.

Day 4 gains the stone-walled shepherd camps of Alyas at 13,120 ft, directly beneath the glacier tongue. Day 5 is an acclimatisation day with ice-axe practice. Day 6 is the crossing: a 3 AM start up long snowfields and a final rocky chute to the trident-crowned pass — Chamba's green vanishes, Lahaul's brown-gold aridity takes over — then a steep scree descent. Day 7 walks down to Rape village and drives to Keylong, and Day 8 rolls through the Atal Tunnel back to Manali.

When can you cross Kugti Pass?

June to September, when the shepherds themselves move. June and early July have the biggest snowfields on the approach; August and September offer the most settled crossing weather. Outside this window the pass belongs to winter.

How difficult is the Kugti Pass trek?

It carries our Difficult grade, and prior high-altitude experience is mandatory for this crossing. Pass day is 10 km and around 11 hours, with snow slopes and a scree descent that reward sure feet. We carry ropes, ice axes and micro-spikes, plus oxygen backup with twice-daily health checks — but your two to three months of training are the real safety equipment.

What does the Kugti Pass trek cost?

₹18,999 + 5% GST per person. The package includes all meals on the trek, expedition tents with -15°C sleeping bags and mats, the technical kit for the crossing, a trek leader plus local Gaddi guide and technical team, forest permits, oxygen backup and health checks. The shareable cabs — Chamba to Bharmour, and Keylong to Manali — plus offloading and insurance are extra.

How do you reach Bharmour?

Train or overnight bus to Pathankot, then 4–5 hours up the Ravi valley to Chamba, where the trek begins with the Day 1 drive to Bharmour. The exit is on the other side of the Himalaya — you finish in Manali via Keylong, so book your return from Manali.

What permits does Kugti Pass need?

Bharmour forest division (Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary) and Lahaul-Spiti district permits — arranged by us and included.

Small batches, a short season, and a trail with more sheep than trekkers. Dates are on the Kugti Pass trek page.

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