Itinerary
Day 1
ARRIVAL DAY
Pick up: On arrival at Delhi airport Meal plan: B Accommodation: Hotel Activity: Half day sightseeing Welcome to India! Upon your arrival at IGI airport in Delhi, our tour representative will escort you to the pre-booked hotel. After completing check-in formalities, you can rest and in the afternoon you will be visiting DILLI HAAT and walk around the neighbouring streets to be familiar with the culture of Delhi before sinking into the cosiness of your bed. Enjoy an overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.
Day 2
DELHI SIGHTSEEING
Meal Plan: B L Accommodation: Hotel Activity: Delhi sightseeing After breakfast, you are ready to explore India’s power-centre for a splendid journey where you can explore Delhi’s culture, history, food, market-place and monuments. Delhi, the country’s historic as well as modern capital, has been shaped by various empires from different eras. Exploring Delhi’s iconic monuments and heritage sites, immersing in its flavourful culinary delights and diverse traditions, visiting landmark sacred sites, soaking in its history and culture and shopping at busy marketplaces — these are just some ways to experience the capital city, one of the most visited places not just in India, but the entire world!
Day 3
NEW DELHI – SHIMLA
Travel from New Delhi to Shimla by air Check-in at the hotel Briefing about the day Bring a copy of ID proof and 2 photographs. For foreigners, a copy of the passport and visa. Network is available ATM is available Shimla sightseeing Meal Plan: B L Stay: Hotel After an early morning breakfast, we transfer you to the airport to catch the flight to Shimla, where our representative meets you and drives you to Shimla Hotel. Stay on schedule as the entire team will be gathering back at the hotel at 6 p.m. Meet the other members of your team as well as your trek leader. Your trek leader will give you a briefing on your journey, and you'll need to test your gear and confirm the sizes of your climbing boots.
Day 4
Shimla to Kafnu
Altitude: Kafnu 2,400m/7,900ft. Distance: 200km, 7 hours Drive. Pick-up: Shimla Hotel at 6.30 am. Transportation is included in the cost. Meal Plan: B L D Attraction: Hydroelectric power project on the Bhaba river. Keep a fleece jacket handy while travelling to Kafnu. Stay in a Guest house. . The journey starts from the foothills as way north from Shimla, now over populated with tourists but still retaining its colonial underpinnings & charm of a splendid hill station. We take the route to Rampur Bushahr and before descending in altitude we gain to see the towns of Kufri and Narkanda and the endless apple orchards along the way. We continue on the Recong Peo state highway all the way up to Wangtu from where the road to Kafnu takes a steep ascent, with the hillside covered in concrete, marking the huge hydel power projects in the valley above. Kafnu is a small settlement with most residents depending on the hydel power projects for their livelihoods. We check in to one of the very few guest houses or a home stay here depending on availability and personal preference.
Day 5
Kafnu to Mulling
Altitude: Mulling 3,250m/10,700ft. Altitude difference: 850m/2,800ft. Trek: 11km, 8-9 hours. Moderate to Difficult level walk. First half is gradual and the second half is a difficult ascent. Spot Bhaba Hydro Project, India’s first underground dam. Trek in the forest (Silver birch, Pine and Oak trees). Natural water sources available on the way. Packed lunch for the day (bring one lunch box with you) Meal Plan: B L D Stay in tent The day starts early as we rise to start our first trekking day. Post breakfast we leave Kafnu behind and take the northward road across the village, beyond the dam and continue for 4 KM’s until we arrive at an under construction electricity project with a few heavy vehicles passing by, and at first it may not be as pleasing a start as expected but the things take a turn quickly as we reach the end of this motorable section as it turns left and crosses over to the true right of the river, but we continue straight with the river staying on our left side for the day. The trekking trail paves way for a beautiful landscape as we shuffle between pine forests and small meadows. Wild strawberries can be found in abundance almost midway of our journey today. The arrival of Mulling is rather abrupt. As soon as you make it across a steep but short section of boulders the trail suddenly opens up into a vast meadow spanning as far as the eyes can see. There is a forest hut almost a KM ahead and visible, and the camping grounds extend further upstream, for up to 2.5 KM ahead of this hut and we can choose to camp anywhere across this section. While most groups camp near the landmark, we prefer to go ahead, to find more seclusion and cut short the next day’s journey. A huge boulder amid scattered silver birch trees, a perfect camping spot with the opportunity for some low intensity bouldering.
Day 6
Mulling to Kara
Altitude: Kara 3,550m/11,700ft. Altitude difference: 300m/1000ft. Trek: 6 km, 4-5 hours. Easy walk on rocky terrain, last 1km is a steep ascent. Enough water sources available on the way. Camp near the Lake. Hot lunch at the campsite. Meal Plan: B L D Stay in a tent. Today our journey to Karah is an easy one and we can start the day without a hurry. After breakfast we set out into the scattered forest ahead of us gradually climbing up the trail, with small boulders all across to catch our breath. After less than 2 KM on the trail we come across a beautiful campground with small streams cutting across. The trail slightly descends towards the river ahead of its confluence with another stream coming from the north west. We cross the river either over the boulders at this spot, exhibiting the phenomenon of the subterranean river, where the river basically flows underground. These boulders are generally covered with snow during the early summer months, forming a snow bridge. The trail after crossing the river is steep for a short duration and we start heading in the north east direction. After some traversing across the zig zag trail we finally arrive at a junction from where the trail becomes gradual and we can see all the way ahead of Karah for up to 3 KM. We continue towards these pastures where we are likely to find shepherds and their flock.
Day 7
Kara to Pushtirang
Altitude: Pushtirang 4,100m/13,500ft. Altitude difference: 550m/1800ft. Trek: 5km, 3-4 hours. Moderate walk, continuous ascent. Enough water sources available on the way. Terrain is a combination of stone and loose mud. First attraction is crossing the mountain stream. Last day with Bhaba river. Views: Hansbeshan Peak, Nimish Khango, Tari Khango and Pin Bhaba Pass. Hot lunch at campsite Meal Plan: B L D Stay in a tent. On the third Trekking day, the excitement is high as we start the day by crossing the river. Albeit the river is segmented into 4-5 smaller streams, making it less challenging, it can be an adventure for some. Especially if it has been raining upstream or if anyone crosses it during the evening. After the stream crossing we are again to the true left of the river and continue in the north direction for some while, gaining altitude gradually, and the trail starts to turn slightly towards the west. The trail is steep on either sides for another 2-3 KM before some viable camping spots with boulders scattered all across. Continuing on this trail we finally arrive at the Phutsirang camp site, which requires descending slightly for the last 200 meters.
Day 8
Pushtirang to Mangrungse via Bhaba Pass
Altitude: Mangrungse 4,150m/13,600ft, BhabaPass 4,900m/16,100ft. Altitude difference: 800m/2,600ft. Trek: 12km, 10-11 hours. Day is difficult and tiring. Continuous steep ascent till Pass, after Pass steep descent for 3km and then gradual descent till campsite. Limited water sources near by the pass. Start early in the morning. Pin River can be seen from the pass. Scenery will change, from lush green to cold desert. Keep flotters/flipflop handy to cross the river. Packed lunch for the day Meal Plan: B L D Stay in a tent. The trek of Mangrungse via Pin Bhaba is a big challenge owing to both the altitude gain and the significant distance after crossing the pass. We must start the day before dawn and start climbing towards the pass to compensate for the duration and avoid any weather changes which usually happen post afternoon. The climb begins from the Phutsirang camp itself and it is recommended to warm up prior to starting the day or at least take it easy by taking short steps as we start trekking. After spending over 1.5 to 2 hours we are ahead of the scree zone which is a difficult and slightly dangerous stretch. We arrive at a relatively flat ground which is covered in snow for most part of the year and can be used as an advance camp in case of a small group, and is camped at by shepherds. The climb from this campsite takes another 2 hours. After reaching the pass, we rest and enjoy the views and are able to see the stark change in the valley across with the colors of Spiti already showcasing their vivid charm. We quickly loose altitude and it is a long journey to the Mangrungse campsite. We are now walking alongside the Pin river and depending on the month in which we are trekking we may have to cross the river to get to its right or we may be lucky enough to cross it over a snow bridge. The trek to Mangrungse campsite can take 4-5 hours as the trail is steep initially mixed with glacier, scree, boulders & a few small crevasse, so be sure to follow your guide. Mangrungse campsite is at the confluence of another valley which descends down from the Pin Parvati pass and the trail can be seen in the distance across the river on the opposite side.
Day 9
Mangrungse to Mudh / Kaza
Altitude: Mud 3,750m/12,300ft. Altitude difference: loose 400m/1,300 Trek: 17km, 7-8 hours. Easy walk but long and tiring. Gradual descent on mountain trail and flat walk on road. Carry sufficient water from the campsite. Start early in the morning. Mudh village is famous for its peas farming. Packed lunch for the day Meal Plan: B L D Stay in a guest house either Mudh or Kaza. The last day of the trek features remarkable twists in landscape as the colors of Spiti are ever changing as far as the horizon. The long distance is time consuming but the low gradient makes it easier. We come across flocks of Sheep and Yaks on the way and the river crossings have wooden bridges, which make the journey easy. Apart from the short ascent from Mangrungse campsite to get back on the main trail and slight elevation gain at Bara boulder, 4 KM ahead, we descend all along the way to Mud, where a final uphill hike takes us right into the village. Mud is a small village with beautiful terraced fields striking a contrast with the desert landscape of Spiti. The trek concludes with a rewarding end. The drive further to Kaza takes another 2 hours and we can reach by early evening to check into one of the hotels. It is worth spending 2-3 days in Kaza to explore nearby destinations such as Key Monastery, Hikkim, which boasts the world’s highest post office, and other prominent places.
Day 10
Acclimatization + Rest day
Acclimatization Hike
Day 11
Kaza to Manali
Driving Distance: 200km, 9-11 hours. Leave early in the morning. You’ll reach Manali between 6:00 pm and 7:00pm. Stay at Manali is included in the cost Meal Plan: B L Returning from Kaza (3800 meters) to Manali requires crossing the Rohtang Pass. Enjoy a heart-warming 9-hour trip and return home with a plethora of wonderful memories. Follow this Pin Bhaba Pass Trek itinerary to get the best experience. If you have spare time in-store, you can extend the trek to 8 days and keep a day handy to explore the Mudh village in the last lap of your journey
Day 12
MANALI – NEW DELHI
Meal Plan: B In the evening, transfer to the bus station to catch the Manali-Delhi bus. It is at this point that the journey comes to an end. You may explore Manali after breakfast. Be sure to visit Hadimba, Vashisht's hot water springs, and perhaps even the Naggar Roerich Art Gallery.
Cost (Euro 900)
A minimum of Seven adults is required to operate the trip.
OPTIONAL
1, The applicable rate for a single supplement euro -180 Hotels in New Delhi, Shimla, Manali
2, The price for a single tent for camping euro 80
3, Off Loading cost for Bag by porter or Mule - euro 75
Inclusion
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Accommodation: Day 1,2 Hotel at Delhi, Day 3 Hotel at Shimla, Day 4-10 Camping and Day 10 Hotel at Manali
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Meals (veg+egg) – As per Itinerary
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Trek equipment: Sleeping bag, Mattress, Utensils, Tent (twin sharing) kitchen & dining tent, Toilet tent, Rope Helmet, snow Boots and Crampon (If required)
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Support: Mountaineering qualified & professional trek leader, Guide (number of guides depends on group size) High altitude chef, support staff
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First aid: Medical kit, Stretcher, Oxygen Cylinder
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Transportation: As per the Itinerary
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Mules: To carry the central luggage
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All necessary permits and entry fee
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Service from Delhi - Delhi
Exclusion
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Any kind of personal expenses, such as phone calls, room service, laundry or alcoholic beverages not mentioned in itinerary
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Any kind of evacuation charges
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Mules or property to carry personal luggage
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Anything not mentioned under the head
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Vaccination
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Any cost associated with an early departure from the expedition
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Tips for local staff (this is a discretionary payment but most team are happy to contribute and typically this will cost about euro 70 – 100 per person
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Entry visa and Airfare
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Any unscheduled hotels and restaurant meals
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Travel insurance
SINGLE ROOM AND TENT
You may reserve a single room in Delhi/Shimla/Manali during the trip for an extra fee of Euro 180.
A single tent for every camping night is available for an extra fee of 80 euros.
THE OFFLOADING OF BAGS
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Offloading a backpack will cost you 75 euros and will involve a porter or mule. The bag needs to be water-resistant. The backpack can only be 11 kg in weight. Bags, suitcases, and carts are not permitted.
Additional Information
The safety of our trekkers is our top priority in an emergency. Our Trek Leaders are skilled in dealing with medical situations, particularly those brought on by altitude. In more serious circumstances, the trekker will be taken on a stretcher as soon as possible to the closest hospital. The participant is responsible for covering any costs associated with using the medical facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult is the Pin Bhaba Pass trek?
Pin Bhaba pass trek difficulty is moderate to difficult. The trek starts from Kafnu, which has a decent altitude of 2,420 meters. Thus we have to gain an overall altitude of almost 2,500 meters. The trail is gradual until the campsite of Karah, after which the inclination of the slope increases moderately up to the campsite of Phutsirang. The trail is really steep from Phutsirang half way to the pass, and for the latter half it is moderately steep. After we reach the pass it is a descent all the way to the next campsite of Mangrungse. The trek can be really long up to Mud with a total distance of 18 KM on the last day between Mangrungse and Mud. Pin Bhaba trek distance is 52 KM in total. It is recommended to prepare yourself for the trek to make it both feasible and enjoyable
Will there be any Mobile phone network available on Pin Bhaba Pass Trek?
You will find mobile phone networks — Airtel, Vodafone and BSNL at the base camp. But after that, there’ll only be an Airtel 4G network at Kafnu.
On the other side of the pass, Kaza has a mobile phone network and internet connection but don’t count on them to be reliable.
Where will I find ATMs on Pin Bhaba Pass Trek?
Rampur Bushahr is the last place en-route Kafnu to make withdrawals to keep some cash handy. All major private and public sector banks have their ATMs and even branches in Rampur.
Once you cross the pass, Kaza has an SBI ATM, but there have been regular reports of it being out of order or out of cash.
Therefore, Rampur Bushahr is your best option if you want to withdraw cash. Although there is no opportunity to spend money while on the trek (except in case of a buffer day being used).
Why should I go for this trek?
There are infinite reasons to embark on the Pin Bhaba Pass Trek. For starters, the crossover trek across the lush, green landscapes of the Bhaba Valley in Kinnaur to the rugged, desolate, and pink-hued regions of the Pin Valley in Spiti is a journey worth remembering. While you catch a glimpse of the enchanting Chandratal Lake, there is also the turquoise blue river and little brooks that come across your path while you make your way from the forests into the grasslands of Mulling. Hiking through the Kashmir-like meadows of Karah invokes awe.
On the other hand, camping in the river delta of Phutsirang could be one of those cherish able memories that enrich your life and gets etched forever. The ancient Himachal culture and traditions in the remotest hamlets and visiting the Buddhist monasteries could be something to look forward to. Thus, you should plan your Pin Bhaba Pass Trek itinerary likewise.
Is There Electricity available in Pin Bhaba Pass Trek?
Kafnu is the last point that is electrically connected. However, the electricity is extremely intermittent and can be absent for most of the day.
So, we strongly encourage you to bring additional batteries for your cameras and a power bank with more than 10,000 mAh to last you the entire trek.
Beware that the power from your batteries will drain faster in the cold temperatures of this region. So, put the batteries in a small pouch and keep them inside your sleeping bag to keep them warm during the night.
Hamlets and visiting the Buddhist monasteries could be something to look forward to. Thus, you should plan your Pin Bhaba Pass Trek itinerary likewise.
What kind of tents and sleeping bag provided to us?
We use four-season tents and the sleeping bags we use are rated from -15 to -20 degree celcius.
Overview
TRAIL TYPE : A Cross over trail through passes
REGION : Himachal Pradesh
MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : 16100 ft
GRADE : Moderate
DURATION : 12 days / 11 Nights (Including Rest day)
TREKKING DISTANCE : 51 Km
GROUP SIZE : 12 – 15 People (Minimum requirement – 7 people)
EXPERIENCE : Beginners can apply / Any trek
SUITABLE FOR : 12 + Years
FITNESS : Cover 5 Km of distance in 30 min without stress
BASE CAMP : Manali
SEASON : July, August, September, October, November
SERVICE FROM : New Delhi – New Delhi (All Inclusive)
MEALS : Meals while on Trek – veg + Egg
STAY : Camping, Hotel / Guest house
RAIL HEAD : Kalka – Nearest to Shimla
AIRPORT : Jubbarhatti airport, which is 22 Km from Shimla
About the Trek
Far off from the hectic city life, Bike and Trek Adventure provide the true escape you seek. Standing on the snow-covered mountain passes, you can breathe in the ultimate peace and serenity that your mind requires to let go of the daily grind. Whether you are a first-time trekker or an experienced one, every Himalayan trek has multiple surprises in store for you.
Himachal Pradesh, located in the heart of the great Indian Himalayas, offers a variety of exciting trekking routes to meet your specific needs. Among the numerous magnificent Himalayan treks, the Pin Bhaba Pass Trek is one of the most breath-taking magnificence of the gorgeous Himalayan pinnacles
The Pin Bhaba Pass Trek is a high-altitude mountain pass at 4910 meters. It connects Bhaba valley at Kinnaur with Spiti's majestic Pin valley. Witnessing the stunning snow-capped Himalayan mountains spanning the area would keep you in wide-eyed amazement. The breath-taking views of the majestic Kinnaur, Pir Panjal, Lahaul, and Spiti ranges will be with you for the rest of your life. Every trekker loves glimpses of lofty Himalayan mountains, and this journey provides a plethora of chances to do so.
Majestic Meadows Of Karah
Karah - located at the confluence of three grassy, green valleys, is a popular stop in the Pin Bhaba Pass Trek. It is through these high-altitude grasslands you can get the closest to Kashmir. You've probably seen countless lush green meadows, but the enchanting beauty of Karah possesses a unique essence.
While huge snow-capped mountains encircle the pastures, steep slopes merge gracefully with sprawling valleys. Pashmina sheep can frequently be spotted grazing on these meadows. You may also find delicate pink wildflowers dotting the landscape. The sunrise over these manicured fields and steep mountainous hills is one of the most beautiful sights on the entire trek.
The startling beauty of dark forests
If you want to see exquisite flora on your trekking expedition, this is the place to be. The vast coniferous trees of the Bhaba Pass look incredible, with fresh brooks running through parts of the region. Some hikers have mentioned the visual grandeur of these trees as one of their favourites. There are a lot of luscious green pine and deodar trees.
Mulling grassland's dark forests are equally well-loved and praised for their beauty. The Bhaba river, which runs through the beautiful grasslands of Mulling, heightens the scenic beauty of the place. One of the main reasons for the trek's popularity is its fantastic collection of grasslands, forests, and meadows.
What makes Pin Bhaba Pass a great Trek?
The Pin Bhaba pass trek has a phenomenal landscape that changes dramatically throughout the trek. We drive eastward from Shimla across the lesser Himalayas and follow river Sutlej all the way to Wangtu, where the Bhaba river confluences with Sutlej.
As we start making our way in the northern direction we start our approach to the Great Himalayan range. The allocation of "great" to a Himalayan range is attributed to its massive altitude. This range averages at altitude of 5000-6000 meters. Parang La, Baralacha La and Pin Parvati pass are some other passes that are part of the Great Himalayan range in this region.
As we reach the Pin Bhaba pass and crossover to the other side, we enter the Zanskar Range. An enormous change occurs in the landscape as we cross from these high passes from south to the north. The green and rugged terrain of the low and high Himalayas give way to the rocky plateaus of the zones of Spiti, Ladakh and the Trans-Himalayas. The landscape change is attributed to this change in altitudes and mountain ranges that happen throughout the trek.
What to expect?
On a Technical Trek the average day could involve more than 7 hrs of walking. These trips might cover difficult and glaciated terrain where use of ropes and technical mountaineering equipment like crampons, harness, carabiners, descenders etc could come into play. On these trips one is required to stay at high altitudes for lengthy periods of time and hence acclimatization is always a big concern. These treks can also throw a bit of surprise largely because of the unpredictable nature of the terrain and the snow/ ice conditions in the high mountains and hence we always have a contingency day of two built into the plan.
These trips would last more than two weeks and go to wild, remote places completely cut off from civilization. Trekking peaks also come under the same category as the level of technicality required to climb a trekking peak is similar.
Key Highlights
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Pin Bhaba Pass is a great and a more beautiful alternative to the more treacherous sister trek of Pin Parvati Pass.
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A medley of stunning new landscapes greets you every single day.
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Bask in the serenity of the river delta of Phutsirang, which makes for an unbeatable campsite. Coming across river deltas is very rare in Himalayan treks.
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Crossing a mountain pass perched at 16,125 ft. is something a few treks bring you. The Pin Bhaba Pass crossing brings you beautifully closed to the encircling peaks.
Eligibility
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Age: Anyone above 12 years of age.
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First-time trekkers can apply
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The participant has to be in good physical condition and possess the energy to accomplish 4 km in 30 min without feeling rushed.
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The ascent should be possible with a 10- to 12-kg back load
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Pulse rate at rest must be in between (60-90 per second)
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Blood pressure reading must be between (Diastolic 75-85, Systolic 100-130 Hg)
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Respiratory rate at rest must be in between (12 – 20 breaths per minute)
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Should not have liver and kidney issues
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Should not have diabetes Mellitus, Asthma, Epilepsy, Heart problems, High BP
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No pacemaker implant
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Trekkers below 15 years should have a company of a parent / guardian
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Trekkers between 15-18 years can come solo with the disclaimer form signed by parent/ Guardian