The Pin Bhaba Pass trek is arguably the most dramatic crossover in Himachal — and we say that while also running Hampta and Pin Parvati. You walk up the Bhaba valley through meadows that out-green Kashmir, cross a 16,105 ft snow pass, and descend straight into the red-brown desert of Spiti's Pin valley. The contrast lands in a single morning, and nobody forgets it.
What is the Pin Bhaba Pass trek route?
Day 1 is a 200 km drive from Shimla along the Sutlej past Rampur to the hydel village of Kafnu at 7,890 ft. Day 2 climbs through walnut, pine and birch beside the rushing Bhaba river to the first great meadow at Mulling. Day 3 is an easy, gorgeous half-day to the lake-dotted bowl of Kara, with acclimatisation walks in the afternoon. Day 4 moves up the narrowing valley to Phutsirang, the last green camp, directly beneath the pass wall.
Day 5 is the crossing: a 3 AM start up steep snow slopes to the windy crest at 16,105 ft — green Kinnaur behind you, the shocking ochre-and-purple emptiness of Spiti ahead — then a long moraine descent to Mangrungse. Day 6 follows the infant Pin river 14 km to Mudh, Spiti's first village. Day 7 drives you down past Gungri monastery to Kaza, and Day 8 completes the loop to Manali over Kunzum La and through the Atal Tunnel.
When is the best time for Pin Bhaba?
June to September. June carries the most snow on the pass; July and August are the sweet spot, when the Bhaba meadows peak while Spiti stays dry in rain shadow; September brings cold, stable air and the clearest crossing conditions.
How difficult is the Pin Bhaba Pass trek?
It is a Difficult-grade trek, and one prior high-altitude trek is required — our team verifies before confirming. Pass day is 11 km and around 11 hours with steep snow work, managed with ropes, ice axes and micro-spikes. Train for two months minimum, with long hill days and loaded stair sessions.
What does the Pin Bhaba Pass trek cost?
₹21,999 + 5% GST per person. The package includes all meals on the trek, expedition tents with -15°C sleeping bags and mats, ropes, ice axes and micro-spikes for the pass, trek leader plus technical guide team, forest permits, oxygen backup and twice-daily health checks. The shareable cabs — Shimla to Kafnu, and Kaza to Manali — plus offloading and insurance are extra.
How do you reach Kafnu — and get home from Kaza?
Reach Shimla by overnight Volvo from Delhi or via Kalka rail, and stay the night before Day 1. The trek ends in Spiti, so your journey home runs Kaza to Manali on Day 8 — book onward buses from Manali for the following morning to keep a safety margin.
What permits does the trek need?
Kinnaur forest division, Pin Valley National Park and Lahaul-Spiti district permits — all arranged by us and included.
If Hampta whetted your appetite for crossovers, this is the graduation trek. Dates and availability are on the Pin Bhaba Pass trek page.
