Kanamo Peak Trek is one of the most thrilling high-altitude treks in our country. Himachal Pradesh is renowned for its numerous high-altitude treks and expeditions. Doing the Kanamo Peak summit means a lot. Kanamo Peak Trek is located in the heart of Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh. The altitude of this summit is 19,600 feet, which is almost 20,000 feet. Trekkers often refer to it as “White lady” as you can witness the majestic Himalayan peak with a height of 6000 m. This is one of the only few summits where you climb nearly 6000 m without any requirement for technical climbing skills.
In the Kanamo Peak Trek, you start your journey from Kibber, which is an ancient village in the Spiti Valley. This trek is beautifully curated through high-altitude deserts, mountains, and snowfields. When you are on the trek, you will witness stunning sunrises over the Himalayas. Once you start in the snow-covered region, you get the panoramic view of Kinnaur, Ladakh, and Lahaul.
Kanamo Peak Summit is less crowded than other high-altitude treks in the Himalayas. Not many trekkers opt for this trek, as it requires the fittest of the fittest. But the thrill in this trek is inimitable. Attempting a summit of about 20,000 feet is not everyone’s cup of tea. However, the view from the top of the summit is worth all the difficulties. You will get a picture-perfect vision of miles and miles of snow-covered huge mountains.
History of Kanamo Peak Trek
The word “Kanamo” means “White Lady” in the local language of Spitian. This peak probably got this name due to the snow-covered summit. When the sunlight falls over the peak, the range looks very majestic. The Kibber village which is the home to this trek is one of the highest inhabited villages in the world. Today, not many people know about this village as it is situated in a very remote area. However, in ancient times, this was a hugely accessible Spiti trade route. This route once connected Tibet to India.
Before the 2000s, Kanamo was largely unexplored by the trekkers. As we all know, Mountains are the home of God. In the Spiti region, Kanamo Peak is considered sacred which means people have barely ascended it. In both Hinduism and Buddhism, mountains like Mount Kailash, and Mount Nanda Devi are the abode of God. Due to this belief, Kanamo was a lesser-known non-technical summit to the trekkers. In the late 2000s, high-altitude trekking became very popular. Even people with no mountaineering started exploring high-altitude treks. Treks like Stok Kangri became very popular among the trekkers. However, Kanamo Peak Trek was an underrated summit for a long time.
Today, trekking has become popular among the youth. The routes are well-developed and easy to access. Due to this, many 6000m summits are becoming crowded. Now, Kanamo Peak Trek is gaining a name among people who want to do high-altitude summits without mountaineering experience. Local people are also supporting the summit for eco-tourism.
Highlights of Kanamo Peak Trek
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About 6000m non-technical summit!
The mountains are huge! But, not all the mountains have this good elevation. Summits over 6000m are considered pro-level. You need excellent skills to summit these mountains. But Kanamo Peak is a beginner-friendly trek. If you have experience on 5000m treks without mountaineering experience, you can do this trek. Kanamo Peak is 19,600 feet tall and you can summit it without professional mountaineering gear. You only need a very good fitness and strong will.
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The journey starts from Kibber
Your Kanamo Peak Summit starts from one of the majestic villages of our country. This village is at an altitude of 4,200 m which makes it one of the highest inhabited villages in the world. Before the trek, you need 2 or 3 days for acclimatization. You can experience this cultural gem with lots of monasteries and dry mountains. At night, you'll be all by yourself under the beautiful sky. No internet, silent mountains, and cold breeze will fill your heart with peace.
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Majestic panoramic Himalayan views
When you ascend the summit, you will see some of the most beautiful Himalayan ranges. On the top of the summit, you will have a 360 panoramic view of Pin Parvati Pass, Kinnaur ranges, Ladakh mountains, and the beautiful Lahaul ranges. It feels like standing above the clouds surrounded by beautiful valleys.
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Beautiful and achievable adventure
This trek can truly push your limits! The summit starts before dawn and you have to trek for about 12-14 hours. Go for this trek only if you are powerful both physically and mentally. You have to walk over rocky trails, steep climbs, and many more. Snow can also make your trek more difficult. Every meter to the summit is a kind of test. But remember, your strength and focus will surely result in beauty and adventure.
Trekking is only done right when you are not causing any harm to the place and culture. If you are thinking about Kanamo Peak Trek, plan it in a sustainable way. Respect the local customs, follow the suggested trails, and carry back all the waste. Connect to the local people and try to experience their culture. Have local food, visit monasteries, and get involved in the high-altitude lifestyle.
Difficulty Level Of The Kanamo Peak Trek
Most trekkers rate this trek as moderate to difficult. The difficulty level increases not due to the high altitude but the endurance. You don’t need mountaineering expertise to summit The Kanamo Peak but you surely need lots of physical strength.
Trekking at about the height of 6000 m is not easy. These summits are often rated as Difficult. Once you start walking over 4,500 meters, you might start feeling breathless. The air starts becoming thinner and people often face AMS problems. Trekkers should stay 2-3 days in Kibber village for acclimatization.
Your physical fitness is the biggest challenge in Kanamo Peak Summit. If you are not fit, you can’t do this trek. You need to make your body and mind very strong before planning this trek. On the summit day, you will trek for 12-14 hours. Long hours ascending the summit can be very challenging. You have to carry your backpack which aids the difficulty level. The climbs are very steep and the resting time is very low. Prepare your body weeks before starting the Kanamo Peak Trek. If you can run 5km in under 40 minutes you are good to go.
Kanamo Peak Trek does not require any mountaineering skills. The trekkers don’t require ice axes or any special mountaineering tools. If you are equipped with your trekking gear, you can do this summit. But! If you don’t have any experience in high-altitude trekking, a big no for you. Mountains are beautiful but can be very dangerous. If you know nothing about high-altitude trekking, don’t choose this summit. You should gain experience in treks like Rupin Pass before Kanamo Peak Trek.
Best Time To Visit Kanamo Peak Trek
The best time to summit Kanamo Peak is from mid-June to mid-September. Most of the high summit treks are open only in the summer. In winter, reaching the base camp is even very difficult. You can do a winter Spiti tour as it looks like a town from a fairytale. However, you can’t do the summit in winter because the roads to Kibber may be closed. The temperature may drop to -15 ℃.
If you like snow then you can plan your trek in June. You can see snow on the summit or even at the base camp. Daytime, the temperature can be around 5-10℃. At night, it can drop to -2 to -5℃. Acclimatization can be difficult in this season. If you have good experience in snow trails then you can do this summit in June.
In July, the trail will be much clearer. You can do this trek much more easily. There will be no snow in the base camp. It will be green and beautiful. Daytime temperature can range from 8 to 12℃ while night can be around 0 to -3℃. You may also witness wildflowers blooming in meadows.
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Kanamo Peak Trek in August
August is the best time to summit Kanamo Peak. You will find clearer trails and the temperature will also feel nice. People are often concerned about the monsoon as landslides are quite common during this time. However, Spiti is in the rain-shadow area, and it remains dry even in the monsoon. The high-altitude meadows will be covered with flowers and the scenes will be unmatchable.
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Kanamo Peak Trek in September
The tail will be dry and you can experience the Autumn of Spiti. The visibility will be excellent in September and the changing colors can steal your heart. Plan your trek in early to mid-September as it may start snowing at the end of the month.
How To Reach Kanamo Peak Trek?
To start your Kanamo Peak Trek, you have to reach Kibber village. This is a very remote location and there is no direct bus from any big cities. You can reach Kibber either from Manali or Shimla.
Route 1: Manali To Kibber
Manali is a very famous hill station in Himachal Pradesh. You can take a bus from Delhi or Chandigarh to Manali. This is the most preferred route to Kibber. Both HRTC and private bus services are available. But the route only opens from June to October. Take an overnight bus and you will reach Manali the next morning.
After reaching Manali, you can look for direct buses to Kaza. HRTC also has direct buses, checking the bus timings and seat availability ahead. Some other private taxis and shared jeep survives are also available.
After reaching Kaza, you have to travel to the base point of Kanamo Peak. You can take a shared taxi as the distance is only 18 km. After reaching the Kibber, you should rest for at least 2 days before starting your trek.
Route 2: Shimla To Kaza
You can take an overnight bus from Delhi or Chandigarh. Many shared taxis and private buses also provide these services.
This is a longer router to Kaza but the road conditions are much better. You can travel to Kaza via Shimla all year round. You can take a bus from Shimla to Reckong Peo. The next day, take a bus to Nako or Tabo. Now you have to travel from Tabo to Kaza.
Take a taxi from Kaza to Kibber. After reaching Kibber, you have to trek for around 7 km to reach the base camp.
