Otherwise, called Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama, this trek is circumambulation (parikrama) around the holy Kinnaur Kailash Range.
Kinnaur Kailash is one of the 5 Kailash a Shiv Bhakt must-visit (others being Shrikhand Mahadev, Manimahesh Kailash, Adi Kailash, and Kailash Mansarovar).

Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama Trek

Kinnaur Kailash itself has two important routes from the pilgrimage perspective.
1) Kinnaur Kailash Shivling – Which is around 4500M ASL, approachable
in a 10-day period only in August. This is a state-sponsored Yatra.

2) Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama aka Charang-La pass which is around 5200 Meters, which this album is all about. It is a very difficult pass crossing in June with snow and scree conditions.

It is said the spirits of the dead walk amidst Rangrik peak in the vicinity of Kinnaur Kailash peak. Kinnaur Kailash itself is a winter abode to Lord Shiva who conducts darbar for a class of mythological people called Kinnaurs (one who is proficient in music in Hindu Mythology

And apart from the importance of Hinduism, this trek also provides an opportunity to visit the Charang Monastery, one of the oldest Buddhist Monasteries in the Himalayas. Unlike the Male Lamas of Ladakh, this particular monastery is inhabited by Buddha Bikshinis (Female Buddha monks)

Kailash Circuit: Charang-La pass trek (Altitude 5270m)

June 2014 expedition blog

Charang La is probably tougher than any other trek or yatra, including Kailash itself. The reason being the remoteness of this trek, steepness of Charang-La pass and streams (Nala) to cross are at least 3.

In the early season (June/July), snow will ease out boulder hopping, but pass itself will be under thick snow. I would easily reckon the day of Charang-La pass traverse (in June) is more difficult than the day of Lamkagha pass traverse.

Since this expedition comes very close to the international border with Tibet, a written permit from SDM Reckong poo is a must and will be verified by Shurting and Charang ITBP. So plan this without fail.

This is a unique trek that starts from a rocky desert-like environment and ends up in the absolute beauty of greenery at Chitkul. So in 5 days’ time, we can experience the change every day. And tents/provisions are a must for at least 3 days after Charang.

To do this trek, one has to take a Jeep Safari (I am not sure about the availability of Bus) from Reckong Peo to Thangi/Lumbar which will cost anywhere from Rs.2500 to 3000 and henceforth trek the next 5 days.

This Jeep safari is along the Reckong Poo-Pooh-Nako-Kaza (Spiti) highway, which is in full grandeur on an ancient mountain system to the Himalayas. Geologists claim this to be the confluence of the Himalayas, Dhauladar, and Zanskar mountain systems. Very rugged mountains and the moon-like landscape (read cold, dry, rocky, dusty).

The trek itself was done as below:

Kinnaur Kailash Circuit Trek Itinerary

  • Day #1 June 16th: Reckong Poo to Thangi by Jeep (along Spiti Highway) and
    further trek to Shurthing (ITBP camp)
  • Day #2 June 17th: Shurthing to Charang Buddhist Monastery and back
    (Views of Rangrik Rang AKA Raacho peak)
  • Day #3 June 18th: Shurthing to Lalanti (Dilapidated ITBP shed is there)
    June 19th: Lalanti to Charang La Base Camp (4800M)
  • Day #4 June 20th: Charang Base Camp to the last village of Kinnaur, Chitkul via incredible and nearly vertical, Snow Clad CharangLa pass @ 5200 Meters ASL.

Trek Guide and Organizer: www.raachotrekkers.com
(Proprietor and Guide: Sohan Negi from Charang Village/Chitkul)

Wild White Roses - Reckong Peo
Wild White Roses – Reckong Peo
Apple Orchids - Reckong Peo
Apple Orchids – Reckong Peo
Apple Orchids - Reckong Peo
Apple Orchids – Reckong Pe
Kinnaur Kailash Range—Burning in the morning sun
Kinnaur Kailash Range – Burning in the morning sun
Rocky Extensions - A common occurance on Kinnaur highways . The unique geological formations
Rocky Extensions – A common occurrence on Kinnaur highways. The unique geological formations
Landslide en route, Thangi village. Had to wait for 2.5 hours to clear. Effects of Hydro Power projects on fragile environment. A daily occurrence in Kinnaur.
LandSlips (Enroute Thangi). I had to wait for 2.5 hours to clear. Effects of Hydro Power projects on a fragile environment. A daily occurrence in Kinnaur.
Enroute Thangi (Waterfalls like these are commonplace)
Enroute Thangi (Waterfalls like these are commonplace)
Tricky bends. Enroute Thangi
Tricky bends. Enroute Thangi
Enroute Lumbar..me enjoying the rough ride. Guide Sohan Negi in the front. You know i am an adventurer, i cant take the front seat!!!
Enroute Lumbar..me enjoying the rough ride. Guide Sohan Negi in the front. You know i am an adventurer, I cant take the front seat!!!
Enroute Shurting, Fantastic bridge over river Tidong
Enroute Shurting, Fantastic bridge over river Tidong. Tidong is a tributary of the river Satluj.
Enroute Shurthing. About to start the Parikrama and enter the narrow channel over river Tidong
Enroute Shurthing. About to start the Parikrama and enter the narrow channel over river Tidong
Shurting to Charang - Scenaries en route (River Tidong flowing down)
Shurting to Charang – Scenaries en route (River Tidong flowing down)
Shurting to Charang - Vistas enroute (River Tidong flowing down)
Shurting to Charang – Vistas enroute (River Tidong flowing down)
Shurting to Charang - Vistas enroute
Shurting to Charang – Vistas enroute
Tidong valley - Charang landscape
Tidong valley – Charang landscape
Looking back toward Shurting
Looking back toward Shurting
Standing before Rangrik Rang Peak and Charang Village is at the background
Standing before Rangrik Rang Peak and Charang Village is at the background
Green landscape of Charang village
Green landscape of Charang village
Rangrik Tungma monastery gate, Charang
Rangrik Tungma monastery gate , Charang
Rangrik Tungma monastery Charang. The monastery is believed to be one of the earliest monastery established in Kinnaur.
Rangrik Tungma monastery Charang. The monastery is believed to be one of the earliest monasteries established in Kinnaur.
Rangrik Tungma monastery
Rangrik Tungma monastery
Inside Rangrik Tungma monastery
Inside Rangrik Tungma monastery
Bronze sculpture of a Buddist deity inside Rangrik Tungma monastery
Bronze sculpture of a Buddist deity inside Rangrik Tungma monastery
Inside a local house in Charang Village
Inside a local house in Charang Village
Wooden roof of the house in Charang
Wooden roof of the house in Charang
Wild Flowers out of rocks - Where there is a will there is a way
Wild Flowers out of rocks – Where there is a will there is a way
Wild Flowers out of rocks - Where there is a will there is a way
Wild Flowers out of rocks – Where there is a will there is a way
Unwinding on the boulder bed..
Unwinding on the boulder bed..
Scenary enroute Lalanti meadows
Scenary enroute Lalanti meadows.
Scenary enroute Shurting to Lalanti
Scenary enroute Shurting to Lalanti
Scenary enroute Shurting to Lalanti
Scenary enroute Shurting to Lalanti
Scenary on Shurting to Lalanti route
Scenery on Shurting to Lalanti route
Before reaching LalanTi
Before reaching LalanTi
Approaching LalanTi meadows | Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama trek blog
Approaching LalanTi meadows
River crossing enroute LalanTi
River crossing enroute LalanTi
Just below Lalanti meadows campsite
Just below Lalanti meadows campsite
Relaxing on the Lalanti meadows
Relaxing on the Lalanti meadows
Lalanti medows Campsite
Lalanti medows Campsite
Porters raising campfire @ Lalanti (Tashi and Omkar)
Porters raising campfire @ Lalanti (Tashi and Omkar)
At Lalanti meadows campsite
At Lalanti meadows campsite
Pitstop before Charang la pass basecamp | Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama trek blog
Pitstop before Charang la pass basecamp
Scenary @ Lalanti to CharangLa Base Camp route
Scenery @ Lalanti to CharangLa Base Camp route
Charang - La base camp
Charang – La base camp
Views from Charang - La base camp
Views from Charang – La base camp
Imposing sight of Charang-La from the base camp
The imposing sight of Charang-La from the base camp
Looking backwards at Glacial Lake while climbing the Charang- La pass
Looking backward at Glacial Lake while climbing the Charang- La pass
Charang-La climb
Charang-La climb
Can you spot the climber near the base?
Can you spot the climber near the base?
Looking backwards at Glacial Lake - enroute Charang-La
Looking backwards at Glacial Lake – enroute Charang-La
Taking a breather - CharangLa ascent
Taking a breather – CharangLa ascent
Looking backwards at Glacial Lake - en route CharangLa | Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama trek blog
Looking backwards at Glacial Lake – en route CharangLa
The slope - Charang-La pass
The slope – Charang-La pass
The snowscape - vista of the mountain range
The snowscape – vista of the mountain range
Cook Prakash Rathi. He helped me a lot to ascend CharangLa. He is the real hero.
Cook Prakash Rathi. He helped me a lot to ascend CharangLa. He is the real hero.
Charang La - Scenary from the top (notice the scree)
Charang La – Scenary from the top (notice the scree)
Steep scree slope.. the descent was slippery and taxing
Steep scree slope.. the descent was slippery and taxing
finally Chitkul is in sight... Chitkul is last village on Indo - Tibet border located in the Baspa/Sangla valley
finally Chitkul is in sight... Chitkul is last village on Indo – Tibet border located in the Baspa/Sangla valley
The Sangla valley, Chitkul | Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama trek blog
The Sangla valley, Kinnaur.  Chitkul village can be seen at the base of the Baspa river valley.
Chitkul village - The gem of Sangla valley
Chitkul village – The gem of Sangla valley

Kinner Kailash(Kinnaur) Circuit Trek Map

View on Google Maps

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1aNSZNwfupdnu00hxJXvz2wjvZ6660tDz&ll=31.417586513655234%2C78.50978400000001&z=12

Kinnaur Kailash trek map. Yellow line in map represents road route and blue line represent trek route.

Blog by Shyam Sundar Ramachandran

Shyam Ramachandran
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Comments

9 responses to “Kinnaur Kailash Trek Blog”

  1. Need a guide for this trek. Can I get a few contact details?!!?

    1. The guide contacts for Kinner Kailash trek have been shared with you via email.

  2. Mannu Bhanot Avatar
    Mannu Bhanot

    Hello I need details for this trek, also is it possible to visit the Shivling in October.
    Please share details.

    Thanks and Regards.

  3. Hello,
    There are such breathtaking views. You have nicely and concisely narrate the entire trip. We have been in Sangla this year and like to go for this trek next year. Actually it is really difficult stop after reading your blog. Would you kindly share the details of guide and other details which may be useful as per your knowledge.
    Regards,

  4. Sanjiban singhamahapatra Avatar
    Sanjiban singhamahapatra

    I need the numbers of guide and porters.sir can you please help

    1. Hi. I have mailed you the details.

      1. I have read the article. The pictures are just breathtaking. Myself from Bangladesh 🇧🇩 just a neighbor country of beloved India 🇮🇳
        Now let me know the cost of this trip. Your help will be highly appreciated thanks 🙏

        1. Hello neighbour :)
          I have mailed you the details. Do let me know if you have any query. Thanks.

  5. Arun Bhaskaran Avatar
    Arun Bhaskaran

    Wonderful shyam

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