Overview

Opening up a brilliant view of the Kinnaur-Lahaul-Spiti area from a height of 19, 600 feet, Kanamo Peak is a fascinating trek. It offers a different quality of the Himalayas—arid mountain deserts and sparse vegetation with only a touch of snow in the summit stretch.

On the way you will stop at exotic villages of Spiti and get to experience the delights of their harvest season in August. The villages on the Kaza to Kibber stretch are famous for growing sweet green peas and the lush green patches of pea fields amidst the mountain desert is a sight to behold!

Another highlight of this trek is the mixed ground of snow and boulder moraine or scree. This makes for a loose base and a precarious trek. You can overcome the risks with a little support from your trek guide and by learning the trick of walking with big and bold steps. Though you are not likely to find deep snow in Kanamo in August until the summit climbing stretch, strong advice goes for carrying crampons and other snow trekking essentials.

The Kanamo Peak trek demands a good level of fitness and a few high-altitude treks to the trekker’s credits. We have made this trip agreeable with an entire day for acclimatization and rest at the base camp, but nothing can make up for faltering fitness.

Start following a health regime as per our guide for difficult level treks at least three months prior to the trip.

Brief Itinerary

Day 3:- Acclimatization day at Kibber

Who Can Go:-

Here are the fitness criteria one has to match absolutely for conquering Kanamo Peak with us:

• Experience of any high altitude trek at least 1 trek.
• The climber must be fit and have sufficient stamina to cover 5 km of distance in 30 minutes without a stress.
• A goods carrying benchmark relevant in this expedition, the climber should be able to carry a 10 to 15 kg expedition bag pack.
• Heart problem, high blood pressure, asthma, and epilepsy cannot be reconciled on this mission. The climber must not have these conditions mentioned above.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1:-(Manali to Kaza)

You will take you by the road to Spiti from Manali. There is always a possibility of getting caught up in traffic snags on this otherwise beautiful road especially around Rohtang Pass from where a spectacular view of could be found. The Manali-Leh highway offers interesting vistas of arid mountains throughout the journey but disappoints travelers with ill-maintained, rutted roads. Our advice—reach one day early in Manali and start off at dawn to enjoy the scenic route devoid of traffic. On reaching Gramphu, you would be directed towards Kaza road leading to our first stop.

Crossing Batal, you will be ushered into Spiti Valley. Picturesque villages surrounded by green patches of agricultural fields are a treat to the eyes and this view will remain with you till Kaza at the height of 11,980 feet. Here we will stop for the night at a guest house. Dinner will be served from the TTH house.

Day 2:- Kaza to Kibber

We will take you on an hour’s drive from Kaza to Kibber situated at an altitude of 14,108 feet. Boarding here will be provided at a guest house in the village neighborhood. Zigzagging through the cold deserts you will reach the village by lunchtime. The rest of the day could be spent exploring cultural sites in and around. The ancient Key Gompa is situated in Kaza.

The Monastery’s high reaches offer you a great view of the surrounding valley and the Spiti River flows by silently many feet below.

Spend your hours in the shadowy alcoves of the monastery in company of the monks, going over prayer verses hidden in olden artifacts and manuscripts. Giving you the first taste of the rocky terrain of the mountain desert, an acclimatization walk will be conducted in the afternoon and the evening reserved for exploring village life.

Day 3:- Acclimatization Stay

To prepare you for the heights, this day will be kept for acclimatization in Kibber situated at an altitude of 14,108 ft.

Day 4:-Kibber to Kanamo Base Camp

The dry grass and desert valley of Kibber offers a challenging trek on this day. Continuous ascent for the first 3 hours will be followed by a slow descent on a total 6-7 hour trek. The trail goes through a number of small villages with flourishing harvest fields and a couple of mountain lakes which are the main source of water in Kaza town. The path is filled with a variety of flowers among which the beautiful Brahma Kamal deserves a special mention.

Pay attention to your water supply on this day, making sure to carry at least 2 liters. The lakes on passage are the only drinkable water source that you could find.

At the height of 15,748 feet in the Kanamo Peak base camp, close to the Kanamo Lake, you will be resting for the night.

Day 5:- Kanamo Base Camp to Kanamo Peak and back to Base Camp

Your ascent summit-ward will begin at the break of dawn as the sky slowly comes to light and the mountain ranges all around emerge from the darkness. The cold is something to be aware of in these wee hours of the morning, so, you must layer up wisely. To guard yourself from the bitter wind, wear bacalavas. Today, you will be given packed breakfast and lunch to be had stopping on the way at a favorable hour.

Loose stone chips fill up the whole trail and in the last phase snow will be found. In this scenario, stepping with a firm toehold is very important; the trick is to take large and careful steps. Avoid falling with support from your trek guide. The trek to summit is mixed with parts of sheer ascent and relaxing flat walk. In the ascent of 7 hour, the last 3 hour stretch will be a snow climb, be prepared for this with crampons. You will find a surface of scree and snow and as you go higher up, the snow will deepen.

Get ready for a spellbinding view of the Greater Himalayas from Kanamo top. An interesting bird’s eye view of the entire Kinnaur-Lahaul-Spiti territory will welcome you. The renowned passes—Parang La and Pin Parvati can be seen clearly at a distance. To the back of Kanamo you will find a massive glacier and snow on the nearby peaks.

The Kanamo summit is expected to remain free of extreme snow, but you must be careful to prepare adequately for the last phase of snow mixed scree.

The descent to base camp will be relatively easy and take lesser time, approximately 5 hour.

Day 6:- Base Camp to Kaza via Kibber

This day, after breakfast you will be trekking your way back to Kibber, stopping for lunch here followed by a drive back to Kaza. The path is full of scenic brilliance with a magnetic backdrop of the mountains left behind.

Day 7:- Kaza to Manali

The way back to Manali will be by the familiar road, the drive starting at 4 am in the morning. Transportation will be exclusive of our charges.

How to Reach

Like the onward journey, buses leave from Manali to Delhi between 4 and 5 p.m. Your tentative arrival at Delhi may be anywhere between 6 a.m and 10 a.m. Plan your onward journeys only post noon giving enough buffer for bus delays.

Cost Terms

In the event of cancellation of trek/adventure activity services due to any avoidable / unavoidable reasons we must be notified of the same in writing. Cancellation charges will be effective from the date we receive advice in writing, and cancellation charges would be as follows: -

Trek Essential

Fitness

Fitness regime for:

• Easy Treks:  View | Print | Download
• Moderate Treks:  View | Print | Download
• Difficult Treks: View | Print | Download

Calculate Your BMI 

Map

FAQ

Risk & Respond

High Altitude Treks: Risk and Response A high altitude trek calls for an adventurous attitude, but embarking on an adventurous trip without calculating the risks is utter stupidity. That’s why we have listed a few risks and the response planned by TTH to minimise or address the risks in the best possible way.

Risk: Altitude Before you start the trek, it is important to understand the implications of high altitude on your body. Be aware of symptoms of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) like mild headache, nausea and general discomfort.

Response: If you feel any of these symptoms, inform the trek leader on priority and follow his instructions. Every campsite has as stretcher, fully equipped first aid kit, oxygen cylinders to address the situation.

Risk: Weather Weather is unpredictable in the Himalayas. Though we are always observant about the changing weather, no one can guarantee a snowfall, rain or Sun. Do understand that your security is of utmost importance to us and we will not proceed any further from the campsite if the weather is not favourable.

Response: The decision of the Trek Leaders and Guides to proceed or wait for the weather to get better will be final.

Risk: Injuries Often, while trekking over difficult terrains, you might have minor injuries like leg sprain, bruises etc. Serious injuries like fractures or major cuts are very rare.

Response: All our Trek Leaders are Certified Wilderness First Aid responders. They are trained to handle emergencies and can tackle minor injuries with a well-equipped first aid kit. In case of serious injuries, the patient is carried on a stretcher to the nearest road-head and is led to nearest medical centre.

Risk: Lack of communication devices In the remote areas of the Himalayas, mobile networks do not reach. On a trek, one is cut off from the world of calls, SMSs or watsapps.

Response: We rely on walkie-talkies and runners to communicate between the campsites and the base camps