Lamkhaga Pass Trek

The Lamkhaga Pass at 5265 m is one of the challenging high passes which connects Kinnaur valley of Himachal Pradesh with Harsil in the Northeastern Garhwal region of Uttrakhand. The Lamkhaga Pass trek starts from Chitkul the last Village of Vaspa valley in Himachal, though it can be done from the Harsil side also. It is a fairly remote trek, which was first crossed by Greek-British author and mountaineer Marco Alexander Pallis in 1933. An Inner Line Permit is required if going from Chitkul to Harsil, but it doesn’t require permits if starting from Harsil and ending at Chitkul. This beautiful trek especially in the Garhwal side takes you through some of the most remote areas of Himachal and Uttarakhand. Harsil is famous for Wilson cottage built in 1864 and Gangotri is a 2 hrs drive from Harsil. The best time to go for this trek is May End to Mid-July and End of Aug to Oct end.
Prior to this trek, it can be combined with a Bhaba pass and later finishing trek at Harsil. It can also be combined with Auden’s col or Gaumukh – Tapovan trek.

Detailed Trek Itinerary
Day 1 – Delhi / Chandigarh to Shimla (2270m).
Arrive at Delhi or Chandigarh airport, pickup and drive to Shimla. Evening explore Shimla.

Day 2 – Shimla to Kalpa (2960m).
Early departure from Shimla, as its long journey to Kalpa. On the way pass through Kufri, Narkanda, Rampur along the Satluj River and finally at Kalpa. Check into hotel.

Day 3 – At Kalpa.
Rest and relax, visit Kalpa village and enjoy the breathtaking view of Kinner Kailash.

Day 4 – Kalpa to Chitkul (3450m) drive 3 hrs, Trek to Nagasti – Rani Kanda (3700m), 7 kms, 5 hrs.
Today an early start from Kalpa to Recongpeo and along the Satluj River to Rakcham. Enter in Sanga or Vaspa valley to Chitkul. A short exploration of Chitkul village and trek starts from here. Chitkul is last village in Vaspa valley, which is situated at above right bank of Vaspa. Its an easy walk to Ranikanda mostly on rough road. Which will give a acclimatization walk as well. The trail goes through the fields.

Day 5 – Trek to Dumti (4050m), 9kms, 5 hrs.
An easy walk today to Dumti along the right bank for several hours. Cross few stream before Dumti. At Dumti valley widens up.

Day 6 – Trek to Gundar (4450m), 15 kms, 7 hrs.
Today leaving camp short trek to the temple than on the Riverbed. A few hours before camp large stream to be cross by bridge. If no bridge, camp before the bridge. It could be impossible to cross afternoon if there is no bridge. Nice campsite at Gundar meadows. The valley widens with many camping grounds as you start approaching Nithal Thatang and SuthiThatang.

Day 7 – Trek to Base camp (4700m), 5-6 hrs.
From Gundar 3 hrs to glacier. Either take the glacier to cross river or cross river near the glacier. Now climb up along the stream for an hour to reach base camp. Small campsites.

Day 8 – Trek to high camp (4900m), 3-4 hrs.
Leaving camp climb to high camp II which is at the snout of the glacier. The climb is steep.

Day 9 – Trek to Lamkhaga pass (5265m) – Base camp (4800m), 11 kms, 7-8 hrs.
From camp climb 2 hrs to reach glacier than along the glacier for an hour. Finally steep climbing on loose rocks for 2 hrs to the Lamkhaga pass at 5265m. Steep descent from Lamakhaga pass for an hour on rock which can be very difficult to descent. Reach the glacier and along the glacier for 45 minutes than short descent to base camp. Large camping ground with mountain and peaks in front.

Day 10 – Trek to Kyarkoti (3800m), 16 kms, 7-8 hrs.
Leaving camp, descent through boulders and rocks to Riverbed. 3-time stream crossing.
From camp descent on rock for an hour than along the ridge to a stream to cross. Now descent on a good trail along the left bank of river, which will bring you to a large riverbed. Cross the river and follow the trail in the right bank of river. Continue for 2 hrs to reach Kyarkoti campsite. Wonderful camp surrounded by wildflowers. A small lake near the camp can be visit.

Day 11 – Trek to Harsil (2400m), 14 kms, 7-8 hrs.
Today a long day ahead and early starts recommended. Leaving camp at first through meadows for several hours than forests. After the temple its long descent through thick forest to Harsil. Overnight in guest house.

Day 12 – Visit Gangotri and drive to Uttarkashi – Dehradun /Haridwar or Rishikesh.
Early departure from Harsil to visit Gangotri and return back to Harsil. Finally drive along the Bhagirathi River to Uttarkashi and continue to either Rishikesh or Dehradun.

Day 13 – Drive to Delhi

Trek from Kaza, Spiti to Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
“A long trek in three phases, excellently organized with first-class guides and support team. Even when we reconfigured the third phase at short notice, Prem got everything in place. A tough trek!”
Bhaba pass – Lamkhaga pass – Sahastratal – Mayali pass – Kedarnath
14 Aug to 22 Sept – 40 Days
Mr. Henry E, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom