Maximum Altitude: 17330 ft
Duration: 7 days
Difficulty: Difficult
The states of Uttarakhand and Himachal are famous for their mountain treks. And while many people can debate on which is better, I think you don’t have to choose. The trek to Lamkhaga Pass will give you the best of both worlds. Connecting one of the most beautiful places in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, Harsil, to the last village before the Indo-Tibet border, Chitkul, in HimachalPradesh, the Lamkhaga Pass Trek is unarguably one of the toughest treks in the Himalayas and certainly one of the least frequented ones due to its close proximity to the border.
Surrounded by towering peaks and terrifying glaciers, the Lamkhaga Pass Trek witnesses a significant height gain in a very short period of time because of which proper acclimatisation and a good physical fitness is imperative to successfully undertake this epic journey crossing from one state to the other. History has it that this enchanting Lamkhaga Pass Trek, which is comparatively remote by its location, was first crossed and enjoyed by Marco Pallis in 1933. Taking you across ever changing landscapes, culture and tradition, the trek passes via Kyarkoti which is also the base camp of the famous Black Peak Expedition and then crosses over scree, moraine, steep climbs, crevassed glaciers, boulders and finally the 5280 meters high Lamkhaga Pass to enter the enchanting village of Chitkul.
Itinerary
Day 1: Harsil to Kyarkoti
Situated amidst the incredible beauty of mountain peaks, Harsil is counted amongst some of the most beautiful places in the Garhwal region. The first day of the trek is a walk through very beautiful and dense forests, numerous waterfalls and unnamed streams. The stunning landscapes make your heart a little happier while the cool breeze makes your mind a little calmer. After crossing thick forests you will arrive at the lovely meadow at Kiarkoti which makes for a beautiful campsite.
Day 2: Kyarkoti to Lamkhaga Pass Base Camp
The second day, you will cross the river to the true left of the valley and trek to the base camp of Lamkhaga Pass at a height to 4420 meters. The ascent is steep and difficult due to snow slopes and moraines. Use of technical equipment might be necessary because of the treacherous terrain and narrow valley.
Day 3: Acclimatisation
It is the rewst day to acclimatise to the high altitude and prepare for the next day’s pass crossing which is going to be tough and taxing. Acclimatization is very important so that your body gets prepared for the summit.
Day 4: Lamkhaga Base Camp to Gundar via Lamkhaga Pass
The trek starts to the trickiest pass of Garhwal Himalayan region. The climb to reach the summit is steep and you will be needing equipment to traverse it. Leave the base early and head towards Lamkhaga Pass.The trail is through boulder region, the terrain is rough and needs to be crossed with care. After the tough and long trek the summit welcomes you, the snow covered mountains and glaciers will be visible from there. The view from the pass is mesmerising with glaciers and snowfields on either sides flanked by lofty jagged peaks of the Himalayas.It will be hard to take your eyes off them but you need to plan the descent soon after spending some time at the top. Use ropes for descent and reach Gundar campsite.
Day 5: Gundar to Dumti
Leave the campsite of Gundar early to reach Dumti on time. The trek is long and the descents are sheer. The route is enjoyable with the beautiful sceneries all around. Reach the campsite, setup the tents and retire for the night.
Day 6: Dumti to Rani Kanda
The trek from Dumti to Rani Kanda is a picturesque one and holds many surprises for you. Trek through the wide meadows with many wildflowers blooming all together. The pleasing view of Himalayas and the sight of waterfalls are enough to make your day good. It is a sight to behold.
Day 7: Rani Kanda to Chitkul
A gem from the Kinnaur region, Chitkul is the last village of India on the Indo-Tibet Border. The picturesque location and the scenic beauty of the place are what draw travelers towards it. The Kinner Kailash range gives the perfect backdrop and the blue Baspa river adds to the charm. And the last day of the trek takes you to this beautiful place. It’s the last day of the trek. Think about the memories you made on the route while spending your last night in the tents.
Best Time To Visit
Best time to travel to Lamkhaga Pass Trek is in summers (May – June) and Post Monsoon (September – mid October). The weather of Lamkhaga Pass Trek remains salubrious and pleasing during summers. The Himalayas are distinctly visible and the cool breeze adds charm to the vacation. Serenity and solitude are at its best during post monsoon at Lamkhaga Pass Trek. It’s the time when the region looks like Heaven on earth.
How To Reach
By Air: Jolly Grant Airport is the closest airport from Harsil, which is around 250 km away.
By Railway: Haridwar Railway Station, 250 km from Harsil, is the closest railway station. Haridwar is well connected by railway networks with major destinations of India.
By Road: Since Harsil is well-connected with all the major cities and towns of Garhwal, one can reach here easily by taking a bus or taxi.
