Day 7 – Baldar to Mudh: The Final Trek Through Spiti Valley
After one of the toughest days of the expedition, waking up at Baldar felt different. Every muscle in the body was sore, but there was also a deep sense of satisfaction. We had successfully crossed Bhaba Pass.
Although Baldar Campsite is incredibly beautiful, continuous rain throughout the previous day had prevented us from exploring it properly. Early in the morning, the clouds slowly drifted across the valley while the surrounding mountains appeared calm after the storm.
Today's plan was simple—but not easy.
We had to trek approximately 15 kilometers from Baldar (3,900 m) to Mudh Village (3,810 m) before driving another 50 kilometers to Kaza.
Most of us assumed today's trek would be an easy downhill walk.
The Himalayas had other plans.
At around 8:30 AM, we started our final trekking day. The trail constantly surprised us with endless ups and downs. Every time we thought the climb was over, another uphill section appeared.
The altitude may have reduced slightly, but the trail demanded just as much endurance.
As we entered the landscape of Pin Valley, everything around us looked completely different from the green Bhaba Valley we had left behind a day earlier.
Gone were the dense forests.
In their place stood rugged mountains painted in shades of brown, grey and golden ochre.
The contrast between the two valleys was truly unbelievable.
Along the route, we crossed several narrow wooden bridges suspended above roaring mountain streams. Some of these bridges allowed only one person to cross at a time, making every crossing a small adventure in itself.
Hours passed.
We kept walking.
Slowly...
Patiently...
Together.
Finally, we spotted Mudh Village in the distance.
For a moment, everyone smiled.
But as every trekker eventually learns, seeing the destination doesn't mean you've reached it.
The village appeared close, yet it still took nearly two more hours of walking to get there.
After crossing another river and completing one final steep climb of nearly 100 meters, we finally stepped into Mudh Village.
That moment felt like crossing the finish line.
A Well-Deserved Break
The first stop wasn't our vehicle.
It was a café.
After seven days in the mountains, simple food suddenly tasted extraordinary.
We ordered:
French Fries
Sandwiches
Fresh Banana Juice
Nobody was in a hurry anymore.
One by one, all our fellow trekkers reached the café, and by around 3:30 PM, the entire group had reunited.
The trek was officially over.
But the memories had only just begun.
Kaza – One Last Evening Together
From Mudh, we boarded a Tempo Traveller for the two-hour drive to Kaza, the heart of Spiti Valley.
Our accommodation for the night was The Royal Potala Hotel.
The first thing everyone did after checking into the rooms was unpack their bags and spread out their wet clothes to dry after days of rain, snow and river crossings.
It felt wonderful to finally take a proper shower and sleep on a comfortable bed after several nights inside tents.
In the evening, our entire trekking group met once again at Café Piti, one of Kaza's popular cafés.
We spent hours talking about the trek, sharing photographs, laughing about the difficult moments and celebrating our achievement.
We also tasted some local Spitian food along with delicious snacks and coffee.
Looking around the table, it was hard to believe that just a week earlier most of us had been complete strangers.
The mountains have a beautiful way of turning strangers into lifelong friends.
Kaza to Manali – One Last Mountain Drive
The next morning, our group of ten trekkers hired a Tempo Traveller for the journey from Kaza to Manali.
We started around 6:30 AM.
This route is one of the most scenic yet challenging roads in Himachal Pradesh.
Some sections offered smooth mountain highways, while others were rough dirt roads carved into steep cliffs.
Several water crossings flowed directly across the road, forcing vehicles to slow down carefully.
Throughout the drive, one thought stayed in our minds:
"Hopefully the roads remain open."
Heavy rainfall can easily trigger landslides in this region.
Fortunately, luck stayed with us.
The drive through the magnificent Spiti Valley, followed by the famous Atal Tunnel, was breathtaking.
By around 3:00 PM, we finally reached Manali.
A Relaxed Evening at Mall Road
After days of trekking through remote Himalayan valleys, Manali suddenly felt busy and lively.
We checked into our hotel, freshened up and spent the evening exploring the famous Mall Road.
It was the perfect place to buy souvenirs, enjoy local cafés and simply relax after completing the trek.
That evening, every conversation eventually returned to one topic—
"Remember that river crossing?"
"Remember the snowfall at the pass?"
"Remember sliding down the snow?"
The memories had already become stories.
At around 7:00 PM, we boarded our overnight Volvo bus to Delhi.
Back to Delhi… and Back to Gujarati Food!
Early the next morning, we reached Delhi's ISBT Bus Terminal.
From there, we travelled to the Swaminarayan Temple Guest House at Bela Road, where we checked into a room and finally enjoyed something we had been missing for days—
Gujarati breakfast.
Hot Batata Poha, Fafda, Jalebi and Tea.
After spending a week eating trekking meals, that breakfast felt like a feast.
We rested for a while before exploring the nearby market and doing some shopping.
Lunch was even more satisfying.
A complete Gujarati Thali with fresh rotis, vegetables, dal, rice, chaas and Mohanthal reminded us how comforting home-style food can be after days in the mountains.
Homeward Bound
In the evening, we reached Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station and boarded the August Kranti Rajdhani Express once again.
As the train left Delhi, we spent hours looking through hundreds of photographs from the trek.
Each picture brought back a different memory.
The freezing rivers.
The endless climbs.
The snowfall.
The laughter inside the tents.
The new friendships.
The incredible landscapes.
The next morning, at around 6:00 AM, we reached Surat Railway Station.
From there, we booked a Rapido ride and finally reached home.
The journey had ended.
But the mountains had left something behind.
A little more confidence.
A little more patience.
And countless memories that will stay with us forever.
Final Thoughts
The Pin Bhaba Pass Trek is much more than a high-altitude trek.
It is a journey between two completely different Himalayan worlds—from the lush green forests of Kinnaur to the stark beauty of Spiti Valley.
It challenges your body with steep climbs, freezing river crossings, unpredictable weather and thin mountain air.
But in return, it rewards you with experiences that cannot be measured in kilometers or altitude.
Completing this trek with my friend Ketan Dangodra is something I will always cherish.
Every difficult climb, every rainy day, every campsite and every smile along the way became part of a story that we'll continue telling for years to come.
Some destinations give you photographs.
The Himalayas give you memories, friendships and a new version of yourself.
Until the next mountain…
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