When I decided to embark on the challenging trek to Pin Parvati Pass Trek, there were two options available to me – starting from Kullu and starting from Spiti. After talking to a few experienced trekkers, I decided on the Kullu trail. And now that I have completed the trek successfully, I am extremely happy about my choice. Here is why I recommend trekkers the begin trekking from Kullu.

1. Better at Acclimatization

I believe that landing at Kaza in a day from the sea level will have its own issues. The long travels by car – from Delhi or Chandigarh to Manali and then Manali to Kaza – make the body more tired, than being acclimatized. To counter that, one needs to spend some time at Kaza.

On the other hand, travel from Barsheni avoids all these drawbacks. The travel is much shorter and much more pleasant than travelling to Kaza. This preserves the energy to start such a demanding trek.

Besides the travel, I personally feel that acclimatization happens better if one starts at a lower altitude and treks his way up over a relatively longer period. The forests and greenery in the Parvati Valley definitely help more than the arid Spiti Valley in preparing the body for higher altitudes.

2. Beauty Turns into Inspiration

I agree this is a personal preference! I like to walk a maximum distance looking up to the pass rather than going down and having my back to it. Both Parvati Valley and Spiti Valley are unique and beautiful but if I have to rank them on the beauty, then Parvati Valley will win by a huge margin simply because of the diversity that one comes across from Barsheni to the Pass. I would love to spend more time here than in the Pin Valley. Once you cross the Pass, the trek is typically ‘over’. So, you just keep walking to finish it and reach the road ahead. That makes your time in the Parvati Valley shorter and relatively ‘uninteresting’. That, I’ll consider as a huge loss!

3. A Test of Endurance

Pin Parvati Pass Trek is reputed to test the trekkers’ endurance and I’ll not do anything to dilute that reputation. I came prepared and passed the test carrying my 20+ kg backpack on my own through all the obstacles and pains offered by the trail. I’ll never choose a path that is claimed to be ‘easy’; because the rewards are also lighter. You can realize this only after the trek is over! Make the right choices to make the most of your trekking experience in the Himalayas.