Pin Bhaba Pass is hands down the most dramatic pass crossing trek in our country. That is a bold statement to make. Especially when we have so many pass crossing treks in our country. But what you see when you stand at the pass is a testament to this bold statement we make.

Once at the pass you see Pin valley below you, in various shades of pink, set amidst the stark and deserted mountains of Spiti. While behind you is the lush green Bhaba valley. That is when you realize how remarkable the changes in the landscape are.

But it is not just on the pass crossing day that you witness this drama. It starts right from day one! Take for instance the forests of Mulling on day one. Here is the thing about the forests of Mulling. Unlike other treks, the forests here are enchanting! They’re right out of a storybook.

A turquoise blue river gushes through the forest on one side, little brooks skip and jump through the trees on the others. Later, towards noon, you burst out of this enchanting forest into a surprise you’re least expecting — the grasslands of Mulling — a sight that makes you catch your breath. This is the first day of the trek. For a page turner, it can’t get more dramatic than this.

And the drama continues day after day as you hike to Kashmir-like meadows of Karah. If ever there is a debate about one of the prettiest settings for a camp on our treks, then the grasslands of Karah would be right on top. And the day after when you camp in the river delta of Phutsirang, it is a once in a lifetime experience. River deltas on a trek are extremely rare and here you are camping right on one.

Such stunning vistas and each day an experience different from the previous day. You can’t help but drop your jaws at the surprise that the trail throws every day. Everyday the scenery changes completely, so much so that it is like doing a new trek every day! When compared with its riskier cousin, the Pin Parvati Pass trek, where your life is at stake, the Pin Bhaba not only is a great alternative, but a more beautiful one.

Before we begin, here are a some quick facts about Pin Bhabha Pass trek.

Pin Bhaba Pass trek is hiked over a period of 5 days (9 days including drive to and from the base camp, buffer day, and acclimatization day) in the Himalayas. It is one of the most dramatic pass crossings that leads you from the lush green of Bhaba Valley of the Kinnaur to the desolate landscape of Pin Valley in Spiti region.

The trek lies in the state of Himachal Pradesh and can be accessed from Shimla. Kafnu, the base camp,is a 200 odd kilometers drive from Shimla.

The trek ends at the quaint little village of Mudh in Spiti valley.

It is a difficult trek (more on this ahead on this page) that should be attempted only by experienced trekkers.