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](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10321002_10154317060015398_2406062117369786715_o.jpg)
![Apple Orchids - Reckong Peo](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10431306_10154317076425398_6253981077322036531_o.jpg)
![Apple Orchids - Reckong Peo](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10505001_10154317064180398_4129117434291870690_o.jpg)
![Kinnaur Kailash Range—Burning in the morning sun](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10494944_10154317357440398_23168179982975642_o.jpg)
![Rocky Extensions - A common occurance on Kinnaur highways . The unique geological formations](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10369058_10154317398800398_944103148697269687_o.jpg)
![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.](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10496049_10154317068780398_7074937475662718952_o.jpg)
![Enroute Thangi (Waterfalls like these are commonplace)](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10498149_10154317083580398_1027845580748134319_o.jpg)
![Tricky bends. Enroute Thangi](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10368338_10154317080960398_1985017557650404632_o.jpg)
![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!!!](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10517352_10154317083985398_1388433345726226669_o.jpg)
![Enroute Shurting, Fantastic bridge over river Tidong](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1559280_10154317092335398_404143004647850541_o.jpg)
![Enroute Shurthing. About to start the Parikrama and enter the narrow channel over river Tidong](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10511428_10154317104795398_4514231401547333061_o.jpg)
![Shurting to Charang - Scenaries en route (River Tidong flowing down)](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10443021_10154317056525398_4736098859652356511_o.jpg)
![Shurting to Charang - Vistas enroute (River Tidong flowing down)](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10450095_10154317203085398_1668991389206855987_o.jpg)
![Shurting to Charang - Vistas enroute](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10369052_10154317182360398_7212476644052491997_o.jpg)
![Tidong valley - Charang landscape](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10476379_10154317187300398_6297485307007878517_o.jpg)
![Looking back toward Shurting](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10379861_10154317179505398_2222234128900135790_o.jpg)
![Standing before Rangrik Rang Peak and Charang Village is at the background](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10353319_10154317192305398_744980461450299723_o.jpg)
![Green landscape of Charang village](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10494501_10154317362270398_1035985605205297626_o.jpg)
![Rangrik Tungma monastery gate, Charang](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10404035_10154317382840398_113713847680733157_o.jpg)
![Rangrik Tungma monastery Charang. The monastery is believed to be one of the earliest monastery established in Kinnaur.](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10468479_10154317375530398_1262842544790146699_o.jpg)
![Rangrik Tungma monastery](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1529964_10154317368090398_8126570478137552296_o.jpg)
![Inside Rangrik Tungma monastery](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10443148_10154317210550398_9209010609699380674_o.jpg)
![Bronze sculpture of a Buddist deity inside Rangrik Tungma monastery](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10470819_10154317216365398_7108251268626403457_o.jpg)
![Inside a local house in Charang Village](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10514177_10154317386100398_2160287144148372799_o.jpg)
![Wooden roof of the house in Charang](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10459064_10154317389045398_163430855596350232_o.jpg)
![Wild Flowers out of rocks - Where there is a will there is a way](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10365496_10154317394405398_6276407526278293422_o.jpg)
![Wild Flowers out of rocks - Where there is a will there is a way](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10380098_10154317393450398_8408842036936050003_o.jpg)
![Unwinding on the boulder bed..](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/906623_10154317395870398_9103012068807396455_o.jpg)
![Scenary enroute Lalanti meadows](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1556291_10154317988510398_1511591008024186947_o.jpg)
![Scenary enroute Shurting to Lalanti](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10491296_10154317991750398_5711098234661189812_o.jpg)
![Scenary enroute Shurting to Lalanti](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10506642_10154317992795398_3375669140583101386_o.jpg)
![Scenary on Shurting to Lalanti route](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10428171_10154317999870398_3261310221633537577_o.jpg)
![Before reaching LalanTi](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10365379_10154318004520398_974739434401675641_o.jpg)
![Approaching LalanTi meadows | Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama trek blog](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10353247_10154318015865398_2387656220098674302_o.jpg)
![River crossing enroute LalanTi](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10373095_10154318017720398_5787783577844528714_o.jpg)
![Just below Lalanti meadows campsite](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10003845_10154318023180398_3470289838604293691_o.jpg)
![Relaxing on the Lalanti meadows](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10504951_10154318024570398_8465408515957289590_o.jpg)
![Lalanti medows Campsite](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10448680_10154318027370398_2999935310281523905_o.jpg)
![Porters raising campfire @ Lalanti (Tashi and Omkar)](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10517249_10154318042375398_1300096114710003496_o.jpg)
![At Lalanti meadows campsite](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10379855_10154318045195398_222674131836876988_o.jpg)
![Pitstop before Charang la pass basecamp | Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama trek blog](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10497067_10154318113065398_2965844400771362586_o.jpg)
![Scenary @ Lalanti to CharangLa Base Camp route](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10514425_10154318113460398_6367319374452024865_o.jpg)
![Charang - La base camp](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10446187_10154318118855398_6415012017868091412_o.jpg)
![Views from Charang - La base camp](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10382300_10154318122770398_4241096672191879793_o.jpg)
![Imposing sight of Charang-La from the base camp](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10353250_10154318121900398_6095072252866484955_o.jpg)
![Looking backwards at Glacial Lake while climbing the Charang- La pass](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10353383_10154318130645398_8828357360674320796_o.jpg)
![Charang-La climb](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10463632_10154318132735398_941646135405483669_o.jpg)
![Can you spot the climber near the base?](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1907777_10154318137535398_2644426905616086720_o.jpg)
![Looking backwards at Glacial Lake - enroute Charang-La](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10459103_10154318137890398_6636290216473463095_o.jpg)
![Taking a breather - CharangLa ascent](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10514254_10154318138150398_4810186368186465642_o.jpg)
![Looking backwards at Glacial Lake - en route CharangLa | Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama trek blog](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/53727_10154318141565398_6855668447298480910_o.jpg)
![The slope - Charang-La pass](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1962474_10154318142200398_2421492811999473506_o.jpg)
![The snowscape - vista of the mountain range](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10359024_10154318141615398_6907195457176192398_o.jpg)
![Cook Prakash Rathi. He helped me a lot to ascend CharangLa. He is the real hero.](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10498155_10154318146425398_8856304059814713692_o.jpg)
![Charang La - Scenary from the top (notice the scree)](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10353429_10154318148210398_8842138926969923878_o.jpg)
![Steep scree slope.. the descent was slippery and taxing](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10382044_10154318162290398_4524151674470100373_o.jpg)
![finally Chitkul is in sight... Chitkul is last village on Indo - Tibet border located in the Baspa/Sangla valley](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10497291_10154318191145398_8065579442342993270_o.jpg)
![The Sangla valley, Chitkul | Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama trek blog](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10507097_10154318196225398_5494418709031263521_o.jpg)
![Chitkul village - The gem of Sangla valley](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/10448685_10154318199760398_7406982304323027049_o.jpg)
Kinner Kailash(Kinnaur) Circuit Trek Map
View on Google Maps
![](https://raacho.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Map-of-Kinner-Kailash-Circuit-Trek-of-Kinnaur-1-1024x779.jpg)
Blog by Shyam Sundar Ramachandran
- Kinnaur Kailash Trek Blog – October 6, 2018
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