How Difficult is the Kanamo Peak Trek?

Kanamo Trek is amongst the most challenging treks in India with its difficulty level being high. The trail of the trek passes through the beautiful Spiti and Lahual valley to finally take the trekkers to the Kanamo Peak which is located at a height of 19,600 feet. The passage is diverse, sometimes quite steep but other times a smooth flat terrain, making it a diversified experience in trekking for joining in. You would be walking 4 to 5 hours on an average per day for upto 7 days to finally mark your summit at the Kanamo Peak. Therefore, it’s advisable to add a good exercise schedule in your daily routine as well, to keep yourself in physically good shape to not face any problem during the trek like cramps and fatigue. The basics like walking, jogging, squats and stair climbing would be sufficient though you may add other exercises as per your bodily requirements. Try to be consistent with the exercise schedule and keep repeating the exercises for longer duration.

How many days does the Kanamo trek take?

The level of difficulty of the trek is moderate to difficult and it takes around 7 days to complete it via the route from Kaza where you reach from a road route via Manali.

What is the total length of the Kanamo trek?

The overall distance covered during the trek is around 27 Km which can be usually covered between 7 days at ease with a trek of 3 to 4 hours each day.

Do you need any special training for the Kanamo trek?

The difficulty level of the Kanamo trek is considered difficult, but you won’t require any special training to participate in the trek. The trek doesn't involve a very steep mountainous trail, it also has smooth and shaded pathways which makes the passage pleasant to hike. You may still include a basic set of exercises in your daily schedule like walking, cycling, swimming and other such cardiovascular activities.

How much heavy backpack should you pack for trek to Kanamo Peak?

Your backpack should have the capacity to carry at least 60 Litres of weight. Don’t worry if you have packed extra stuff, you can also hire potters to accompany you and carry at least 20-30 litres of your load.

Kanamo Peak Trek, Spiti Valley - Book Now

Kanamo Trek, in Spiti region, Himachal Pradesh is amongst the most difficult and renowned treks amongst the trekkers in India because it takes you through various challenging trails which are also pleasing to eyes with their enchanting scenic natural beauty of the surrounding snow-clad mountains.

The journey to the Kanamo Peak which is situated over an impressive height of 19,600 feets starts with your arrival in the Manali which is the heart of Himachal Pradesh.The thrilling journey that would take you off to the world of mountains and haven, sets off at Batal via Kullu and Spiti Valley. The charisma of the long trekking would finally land you at the Chandratal lake situated at an altitude of 14,000 feet.

You would garner a wholesome experience of himalayan culture during the trail through the himalayan villages like Kibber, Tashi and other destinations of the trek. Even though the trek is long with a trail of 27 km, the plan of the expedition is tailored so that trekkers don’t feel exhausted at any point. Everyday trekkers would cover a short distance and get good time to spend in nature's laps around the different sites like Kinnaur ranges, Pin Parvati Pass and others they pass by. You’d experience the beautiful sunrise and sunset views at the majestic Bara Shigri Glacier and the pristine Chnadratal lake after a long trek through the shaded trails, rough and steep terrains.

Maximum altitude - 19,600 feet

Duration- 7 days and 6 nights

Trekking distance- 27 km

Trail type- Moderate to Difficult

Rail head- Jogindernagar railway station

Airport- Bhuntar Airport

Snow Season- Throughout the year except during the monsoon season.

Service available (months)- May to October

Base camp- Manali

Best season- May to early June and September to mid-December

Region- The trek would begin at Kaza, where you’d reach by a car/taxi from Manali. The trek would take you up to the region of Spiti Valley, ChandraTal Lake and Kanamo Pass.

Who can participate- The minimum age required to embark on the thrilling trek is 10 years.

Day 1: Start your journey from your home place and arrive in Manali. After spending a day at Manali you begin your journey to Batal.

Day 2: Travel from Batal to Chandratal. At Chandral spend the day there for the purpose of acclimatisation and brace yourself up for trekking. Enjoy the sight of pristine ChandraTal lake and Bara Shigri Glacier.

Day 3: Begin your journey to Kibber while trekking through Kunzum Pass, located at a height of 15,000 feet. Enjoy your overnight stay at kibber

Day 4: It would be a long and mesmerising day, when you walk to the Kanamo base camp from Kibberl passing through snowy lakes surrounded with the Kinnaur ranges and stay there overnight.

Day 5: Mark your summit to the Kanamo Peak, located at a height of 19,600 feet. After reaching the peak you’d be able to enjoy the views of Parang La Pass, Pin Parvati Pass and mesmerising Spiti Valley. Come back to the Kanamo base camp and stay there overnight.

Day 6: Descend to Kaza and check-in a hotel and enjoy rafting at Spiti Valley.

Day 7: Drive Manali from Kaza, where the trek is finally concluded.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Arrival at Manali

You’d arrive in the beautiful pictureseques of Manali and later on, would move towards Batal passing through Kullu and Manali valleys
Pass through the Rohtang Pass that separates Spiti valley and Lahual
Finally, arrive at Batal and go around the beautiful town of Batal. Enjoy a wholesome dinner and assemble the necessary things for the trek.
Enjoy an overnight stay at Batal.

The preparations for an outing in the mountains have to start with finding a suitable pair of trekking shoes and a backpack with a capacity of 50-60 litres with good hip and shoulder support.
Keep a walking stick along for trekking through the steep trails.
Pack dry snacks like energy bars, dry fruits to keep your energy levels up and an electral/ORS for hydration purposes.
You must pack extra clothes, choose synthetic clothes over cotton shirts/tops and it's advisable to keep a pair of thermal inner clothes if you’re prone to cold. Choose a padded jacket as your outer layer, make sure it has a hood as well.
Keep one or two extra pairs of trekking pants for minimum, pants with zip-off thighs and quick drying would be ideal for treks.
The other must-have items are- suncap to protect yourself from the sun’s harsh rays during the day, Hand gloves while handling snow, a woollen cap to keep yourself warm, at least 3 to 4 pairs of socks for cushioning and warmth especially for the extremely cold nights.
You should also add a head torchlight and rainwear in your itinerary to tackle the constant weather changes. The daypack you carry must be stuffed with water bottles, rainwear and emergency medicines.

Additional Essentials

Keep a light toilet kit with you consisting of a toothbrush, a roll on deodorant, moisturiser for skin, lip balm toilet roll and toothpaste. Make sure that you carry miniature size products and don’t overload on shampoos or soaps as you won’t be able to take a bath on the trek.
A personal medical kit is advisable to be carried by the trekkers, it should contain the most readily available medicines like Dolo 650 mg, Avomine, Combiflam, Digene, ORS, Knee brace. Take advice from your trek leader before taking any medicines.
Don’t forget to put essential documents- original photo identity card like aadhar, voter id, etc. At the trek all foreign nationals are required to share their passport and visa details during registration as well as upon arrival.

Tips for Kanamo Peak Trek

How To Reach

Trekking Routes

Best Time To Go

It is advisable to the trekkers to not bring any non-biodegradable material along and contribute to sustainable tourism.
While following the difficult Kanamo trek, all the participants must follow the instructions of the trek leader and guide for their own safety.
Keep some buffer days in hand to acclimate yourself to the higher altitudinal weather conditions of the trek through Manali.
All the participants are required to carry enough money at hand because you won’t find ATMs during your trek through the remote villages at higher altitudes.
Tea is a warm beverage and is usually consumed in hilly areas, but it gets very expensive on moving upwards. Therefore, you are suggested to carry tea bags to use during the trek.
Pack an efficient daypack with all the essentials like warm clothes, sunglasses, trekking boots, gloves, socks, woollen caps, medicines, rainwear, water bottles and other essentials.
The weather conditions are the most unpredictable on the mountains, on a sunny day it can be very sweaty to follow trails and soon the clouds might get heavy to pour down. Therefore, embrace yourself for frequent weather changes and don clothes accordingly.
Take a note that sunburn at higher altitude might happen quicker, so keep your skin and eyes safe with moisturiser and sunglasses.
Keep extra batteries for torches and other electronics handy as the batteries in cold might die quicker than at home.
Don’t forget to carry water bottles along and keep yourself hydrated throughout the trek.

Kanamo trek is one of the most sought-after trek routes amongst the mountaineers looking for challenges. It’s a good alternative to Stok Kangri and Friendship Peak which makes it even more popular, most of the year it’s covered in snow and during the months between May to September you can even see the greenery at the Kanamo summit. The trek is where the trekkers from across the nation arrive to escape the fast cities and gain a valuable soul stirring experience. As they climb up the camp to Kanamo peak located over an impressive 19,600 feet height, not only do the trekkers overcome obstacles of the journey but also enjoy the serene splendid beauty of the mighty mountains and calm valleys of Spiti and Lahual. It would be a beautiful journey on which you’d also get some exposure to the rustic valley culture and lifestyle. While following the trail one gets to enjoy the magnificent sights of Himalayan peaks of Parang La pass, Pin Parvati pass and the pristine ChandraTal lake. The highlights of the trek would be spending nights under the starry skies and enjoying the magnificent beauty of nature around a bonfire