Lamkhaga pass is a fairly remote trek and is now regarded as the classic route from Gangotri (Harsil) to Kinnaur ― or vice versa, it was first crossed by Marco Pallis in 1933. The trek is also known as Chitkul to Gangotri trek or Harsil to Chitkul trek. It trek can be done from either side.
Lamkhaga Pass Trek 2023
Lamkhaga pass trek event is schedule for 22nd of May and 5th of August 2023. The beautiful route takes you through some of the most remote areas of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, like the Jalandhari Gad valley that is covered with flowers post-monsoon.
The snow in the early season could impede your progress. Harsil is famous for Wilson’s Cottage, built in 1864. Gangotri is a short drive from Harsil, while Chitkul is the last village in the Baspa valley.
Though the difficulty is a relative term, the Lamkhaga pass trek is considered the most difficult in Kinnaur-Garhwal Himalayas. Lamkhaga pass trek offers a diverse landscape that includes Ranikanda meadows, boulder-strewn terrain, Baspa glacier zone and Meadows and small glacial lakes of Kyarkoti in Harsil valley.
We opened the route in June 2014. Austin has written a blog about the Lamkhaga pass June 2014 expedition. Read the pass expedition account of May 2016, May 2017 and May 2018.
Our fixed departures for 2019 is scheduled for May 23rd, September 1st, and September 15th. We can arrange customized trek if the dates are not suiting your plan.
Overview
Region: Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand
Duration: 8 days
Grade: Tough to Challenging
Minimum group size: 5
Maximum Group Size: 10
Maximum Altitude: 5300 meters
Best Season for the trip: May to September
Lamkhaga 2023 Itinerary:
- Day 1: Shimla– Chitkul.
- Day 2: Chitkul – Nagasthi – Rani Kanda
- Day 3: Acclimatization day
- Day 4: Rani Kanda – Dumti
- Day 5: Dumti – Gundar
- Day 6: Gundar – Lamkhaga Pass Base Camp
- Day 7: Lamkhaga Pass Base Camp – Base camp II
- Day 8: Base camp II – Lamkhaga Pass – Base camp III
- Day 9: Base camp III – Kyorkati
- Day 10: Kyorkati – Harsil
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Shimla – Chitkul
Reception at Shimla and drive from Shimla to Chitkul via Kufri and Narkanda after breakfast. Dinner and overnight stay in Chitkul in guest house/ village homestay.
Day 02: Chitkul – Nagasthi – Rani Kanda
Chitkul is the last village in Baspa valley and is located on the true right bank of the river. The valley of Sangla is 26 kms from Chitkul and is very beautiful and one of the best in Kinnaur. We start the trek from Chitkul and trek up to Rani Kanda. Dinner and overnight stay in tents in Rani Kanda.
Day 03: Acclimatization day
Today we take rest in Rani Kanda and acclimatize ourselves. We can relax and explore the surroundings.
Day 04: Rani Kanda – Dumti
Today we trek through and cascading waterfalls and flowery meadows to reach Dumti. Dinner and overnight stay in tents in Dumti.
Day 05: Dumti – Gundar
Start the day from Dumti and trek up to Gundar. We follow the Baspa River all along and cross several small streams along the way to reach Gundar.
Day 06: Gundar – Lamkhaga Pass Base Camp
It could be a tough day depending upon the snow conditions and so an early start is recommended. The climb is steep and may require some technical gear. Dinner and overnight stay in tents at the base camp.
Day 07: Lamkhaga Pass Base Camp – Base camp II (Kinnaur)
Today we trek from the base camp to the base camp II on the Kinnaur side. The climb is steep and on snow. We start early because at times it might take longer than expected.
Day 08: Base camp II (Kinnaur) – Lamkhaga Pass – Base camp III (Gangotri)
Today we start our final ascent to the Lamkhaga Pass and we cross the mountain pass and get over to the base camp on the Gangotri side. The climb is steep and might require technical gear.
Day 09: Base camp III (Gangotri) – Kyorkati
Today we descend down from the base camp to Kyorkati at the mouth of the glacier which is a meadow. We pitch our tents here and camp for the night.
Day 10: Kyorkati – Harsil
The final leg of the trek is through very beautiful and through thick forests, numerous waterfalls, and unnamed streams. We finally reach Harsil and rest for the night in the village homestays or tents. The next morning we depart for Uttarkashi.
Services Provided
Basic Package :
- All arrangements for overnight stays during the trip.
- All food expenses
- Food will usually consist of morning breakfast, lunch, evening high tea and dinner.
- All food will be vegetarian.
- Trained certified guides trained for emergency situations.
- Local guides and workers with in-depth knowledge about the local area.
- One luggage per person will be transported by us.
- Inner line permits and arrangements en route will be arranged by the operator.
- All stays and lodging on twin sharing basis shall be provided.
Lamkhaga Pass Intermediate Camp-site (4650 Mtr) – Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh)
Lamkhaga Pass Intermediate camp-site is very high altitude camp-site with views of 3 passes of Jalandhari Gad Valley – Chhotkhaga Pass, Dudhiyan Pass & Lamkhaga Pass, Huge snowfields & Extremely scenic snow slopes of Kinnaur valley.
This camp-site is new camp-site altogether because Raacho Trekkers never camped in this camp-site before, either they camp at Lamkhaga Pass Base or Advanced camp-sites before attempting Pass. Since our team is full of energy & able to trek in good pace on 4th day, we went little ahead of 2 Kms. from Lamkhaga Pass Base camp-site where we supposed to camp. This camp-site comes between Lamkhaga Pass Base & Advanced camp-site from Kinnaur side.
As per trek crew, Chhotkhaga & Dudhiyan Pass were almost impossible to cross since it’s difficult terrain.
Video: A small clip of unedited version of Lamkhaga Pass Intermediate camp-site captured in my Nikon D750 on 23rd May 2017
Besides good planning , logistics , food and good equipment packing a backpack and carrying essential things play a key role in success of an expedition.
Lamkhaga pass map
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