Witness a dramatic change of scenery in Himachal Pradesh, while crossing over from Kinnaur to Spiti on the scenic Pin-Bhaba Pass trek which takes you through arid valleys, glaciers, and lush meadows. By Abhinav Chandel
GETTING THERE
The Pin-Bhaba Pass trek begins at Mud Village in the Spiti-Lahaul region of Himachal Pradesh. To reach Mud Village, one needs to get to Kaza by hiring a cab from Manali. Alternatively, you can reach Kaza through the Shimla-Kinnaur route; during the last leg of the journey, you can either hire a cab from Reckong Peo (Kinnaur), or take the early morning bus that runs between these two towns. From Kaza, hire a cab till Mud. An afternoon bus service runs from Kaza to Mud Village as well. It is advised to reach at least three days before the trek to acclimatise.
STAY
Hotel Deyzor (starts from INR 2,600/ USD 37) offers a comfortable stay in Kaza. Beyond Kaza, there are only reasonable homestays available. Tara House Homestay comes highly recommended in Mud Village (starts at INR 2,200/USD 31).
TOURS
It is best to plan this trek using a company with expertise of the region. Spiti Holiday Adventure organises the Pin-Bhaba Pass trek and takes care of everything—from accommodation to excursions and food.
WHEN
Bhaba Pass opens during the last week of June, and stays open until mid-September.
DISCOVER
Reach Spiti a little early, and acclimatise while doing day trips to the Ki Monastery, the remote villages of Langza, Hikkim, and Komic, and the Kaza monastery.
Related: The Tale Of Chasing Snow Leopards And A Unique Wellness Experience In Spiti!