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### (11 Nights / 12 Days)
#### Day 1: Arrive in Manali
- *Altitude:* ~2,050 meters (6,726 feet)
- *Activities:* Arrive in Manali by road (e.g., overnight bus from Delhi, 12–14 hours). Check into a hotel or guesthouse. Meet the trekking team for a briefing, gear checks, and permit arrangements (forest permits and, in some cases, Inner Line Permits for Spiti are required, handled by the operator). Rest and acclimatize.
- *Overnight:* Hotel/guesthouse in Manali.
#### Day 2: Manali to Barshaini to Kheerganga
- *Altitude:* Barshaini ~2,200 meters (7,218 feet), Kheerganga ~2,960 meters (9,711 feet)
- *Distance/Duration:* ~12 km trek, 4–5 hours; ~65 km drive, 2–3 hours
- *Activities:* Drive from Manali to Barshaini via Bhuntar and Kasol (2–3 hours). Start trekking from Barshaini through pine forests and along the Parvati River. Pass Rudra Nag waterfall and ascend to Kheerganga, a meadow with hot springs. Relax in the springs if time permits.
- *Overnight:* Tents at Kheerganga.
#### Day 3: Kheerganga to Tunda Bhuj
- *Altitude:* ~3,285 meters (10,777 feet)
- *Distance/Duration:* ~12 km, 5–6 hours trek
- *Activities:* Trek through dense forests and meadows, crossing wooden bridges over streams. The trail offers views of the Parvati Valley and peaks like Tosh Glacier. Reach Tunda Bhuj, a campsite surrounded by birch trees and towering cliffs.
- *Overnight:* Tents at Tunda Bhuj.
#### Day 4: Tunda Bhuj to Thakur Kuan
- *Altitude:* ~3,620 meters (11,877 feet)
- *Distance/Duration:* ~12 km, 6–7 hours trek
- *Activities:* Continue along the Parvati River, crossing a makeshift bridge (sometimes a pulley system if the river is high). The landscape opens into wider meadows with grazing shepherds’ flocks. Camp at Thakur Kuan, a flat meadow with a serene ambiance.
- *Overnight:* Tents at Thakur Kuan.
#### Day 5: Thakur Kuan to Odi Thach
- *Altitude:* ~3,800 meters (12,467 feet)
- *Distance/Duration:* ~10 km, 5–6 hours trek
- *Activities:* Trek through flower-filled meadows (seasonal, especially June–July) and past waterfalls. The trail ascends gradually, offering views of the Parvati Valley’s rugged beauty. Odi Thach (or Odithatch) is a shepherd’s grazing ground with expansive vistas.
- *Overnight:* Tents at Odi Thach.
#### Day 6: Odi Thach to Mantalai Lake
- *Altitude:* ~4,115 meters (13,501 feet)
- *Distance/Duration:* ~12 km, 6–7 hours trek
- *Activities:* A tougher day with a steady ascent toward Mantalai Lake, the source of the Parvati River. Cross moraines and rocky terrain, with the landscape becoming more barren. Reach the sacred lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks and a small shrine. Prepare for the high-altitude push ahead.
- *Overnight:* Tents at Mantalai Lake.
#### Day 7: Mantalai Lake to Pin Parvati Pass Base Camp
- *Altitude:* ~4,550 meters (14,928 feet)
- *Distance/Duration:* ~10 km, 5–6 hours trek
- *Activities:* Ascend steeply over rocky and snowy terrain toward the base of Pin Parvati Pass. The trail involves crossing streams and navigating moraines. The campsite offers views of the pass and surrounding glaciers. Rest early to prepare for the summit day.
- *Overnight:* Tents at Pin Parvati Pass Base Camp.
#### Day 8: Pin Parvati Pass Base Camp to Pin Valley Base via Pin Parvati Pass
- *Altitude:* Pass ~5,319 meters (17,450 feet), Pin Valley Base ~4,300 meters (14,108 feet)
- *Distance/Duration:* ~14 km, 8–10 hours trek
- *Activities:* Start pre-dawn (3–4 AM) for the pass crossing. Climb steeply over snowfields and glaciers (ropes and crampons may be needed). Reach Pin Parvati Pass for breathtaking views of the Parvati and Pin Valleys—lush green behind, arid Spiti ahead. Descend sharply into the Pin Valley, a stark contrast in landscape. Camp near the Pin River.
- *Overnight:* Tents at Pin Valley Base Camp.
#### Day 9: Pin Valley Base Camp to Mud Village
- *Altitude:* ~3,800 meters (12,467 feet)
- *Distance/Duration:* ~14 km, 6–7 hours trek
- *Activities:* Trek through the arid Pin Valley, part of the Pin Valley National Park, home to the snow leopard and ibex. Pass shepherds’ trails and small settlements like Tailing or Sangnam. Reach Mud (or Mudh), a traditional Spitian village with mud-brick houses and barley fields. Explore the village if energy permits.
- *Overnight:* Tents or basic guesthouse in Mud.
#### Day 10: Mud Village to Kaza
- *Altitude:* ~3,650 meters (11,975 feet)
- *Distance/Duration:* ~45 km drive, 2–3 hours
- *Activities:* Drive from Mud to Kaza, the administrative hub of Spiti Valley, via a rugged road through the Pin Valley. Check into a guesthouse, rest, and explore Kaza—visit Key Monastery or the local market if time allows. Reflect on the trek’s journey.
- *Overnight:* Guesthouse in Kaza.
#### Day 11: Kaza to Manali
- *Altitude:* ~2,050 meters (6,726 feet)
- *Distance/Duration:* ~200 km drive, 10–12 hours
- *Activities:* Long drive back to Manali via Kunzum Pass (4,551 meters) and Rohtang Pass (3,978 meters), weather and road conditions permitting. Pass through stunning Spiti landscapes, Gramphu, and the Beas Valley. Arrive in Manali by evening and celebrate the trek’s completion.
- *Overnight:* Hotel/guesthouse in Manali.
#### Day 12: Depart from Manali
- *Activities:* After breakfast, depart Manali for your next destination (e.g., overnight bus to Delhi or other travel plans). Expedition concludes.
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### Key Notes
- *Best Season:* Mid-June to late September (July–August for wildflowers, September for clearer skies). Monsoon can make river crossings risky; winter closes the pass.
- *Difficulty:* Strenuous; requires high-altitude trekking experience, endurance, and basic mountaineering skills (e.g., glacier crossing).
- *Gear:* Operators provide tents, meals, and group gear (ropes, crampons). Bring personal items like warm layers, trekking poles, and sturdy boots.
- *Permits:* Forest permits for Parvati Valley and Inner Line Permits for Spiti (if applicable) are arranged by the trekking team.
- *Highlights:* Pin Parvati Pass, Mantalai Lake, transition from Parvati’s greenery to Spiti’s barrenness, and remote Pin Valley villages.
This itinerary assumes a Manali-to-Manali loop with a drive from Kaza, though some treks end in Kaza or require additional travel to Shimla (adding 1–2 days). For a precise plan, consult a trekking operator, as adjustments may depend on weather, group fitness, or road conditions (especially Rohtang/Kunzum). Let me know if you need more specifics!