Kugti Pass
The Gaddi shepherds' wild road from Chamba into Lahaul
Why this trek is special
- ✦Walk the ancient migration route of the Gaddi shepherds
- ✦Kugti — the last village of Chamba, temple bells and all
- ✦A raw 16,600 ft crossing into the moonscape of Lahaul
- ✦Blessings at the Kartik (Kelang) temple before the pass
Difficulty: Difficult
Rated 5/5 on the TrekNova Adventures scale — based on altitude gain, trail length, terrain and exit options.
Altitude profile
Day-wise itinerary
Tap a day to expand. Distances and timings are for an average fit trekker.
Wind up the Budhil valley to Bharmour and its 1,200-year-old Chaurasi temple complex — 84 shrines in one courtyard. Evening aarti under deodars.
What's included
✓ Inclusions
- ✓ All meals on trek
- ✓ Expedition tents, -15°C sleeping bags & mats
- ✓ Ropes, ice axes & micro-spikes for the crossing
- ✓ Trek leader + local Gaddi guide + technical team
- ✓ Forest permits & camping charges
- ✓ Oxygen backup & twice-daily health checks
✗ Exclusions
- ✗ Transport Chamba → Bharmour / Keylong → Manali (shareable cab)
- ✗ Backpack offloading
- ✗ Personal expenses & insurance
Permits & paperwork
Bharmour forest division (Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary) and Lahaul-Spiti district permits are arranged by us and included. Prior high-altitude experience is mandatory for this crossing.
Backpack offloading
Don't want to carry your rucksack? Our mules and porters will carry it camp-to-camp while you walk with a light daypack. Bags must be under 9 kg, soft-sided, without wheels.
Cancellation policy
When to do Kugti Pass? Month-by-month guides
Weather, temperatures and packing for every month — green months are in season.
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