The Shinkun East Expedition is an excellent exposure for mountaineers who is aiming to climb 6000m peaks in Indian Himalayas. Mount Shinkun East is situated at an altitude of 6081 meters in the Lahaul Valley on border of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh on the way to Zanskar Valley near very famous Shinkula Pass. Very less climbers climbed this mountain peak every year to explore the untouched beauty of Himalayas and The route to Mt Shinkun Peak is challenging yet rewarding full filled with beautiful landscapes and ridges.
Best Time to do Mt. Shinkun East Expedition
The best time to do Mt Shinkun East Expedition is between mid June to last week of September. You can enjoy cool yet clear weather in these months. This place experiences clear blue skies and less snowfall between July and August. It is easy to climb the peak during this period because of less snowfall.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Manali (2,050m)
Arrive in the bustling town of Manali, nestled in the Beas River Valley. Check into your hotel and spend the day at leisure, exploring Manali’s vibrant markets, ancient temples, and the lush green surroundings. In the evening, attend a pre-expedition briefing where your guides will discuss safety protocols, distribute gear, and finalize preparations. Overnight stay in a hotel.
Day 2: Manali to Jispa (3,300m) and Acclimatization.
Drive Distance: 92 km | Drive Time: 3 hours
On the second day, we will start from Manali in the morning. It is a journey of 3 hours which covers the Atal Tunnel. The route to Jispa is simply awesome with snowy roads and mountain peaks on both ends.
This route is like a paradise for trekkers. Do not forget to capture all these beautiful memories with your camera. We will reach Jispa by noon and relax in our tents. The rest of the day will be spent at Jispa by discovering the local points with hiking that will be your acclimatisation walk also.
In the evening, we will get back to our campsite and enjoy dinner. After dinner, it is time to enjoy the night’s sleep in our tents under the sky.
Day 03: Jispa to Shinkun Base Camp and Training Session
On day 3, we will start our trip in the morning after breakfast from Jispa campsite. We will start a drive from Jispa to reach Base Camp Shinkun East Peak. Today, we have to go through a difficult route. We have to walk on a rough road with many uneven surfaces.
You will witness the huge mountain peaks waving at you on both sides. We will cross a stream on the way. We will reach Shinkun Peak Base Camp by noon and set up camp and engage in a training session to familiarize yourself with the climbing equipment, including the use of crampons, ice axes, ropes, and safety protocols. After this season enjoy the mesmerizing nature of Shinkun Peak and get ready for dinner. Sleep well under the clear skies of Shikun East Peak.
Day 04: Load ferry to Advance Base Camp and back to base camp
The fourth day is going to be a challenging day of the expedition. In the morning, we will load a ferry our Equipments after breakfast. This ferry will take us to the Advance base camp from base camp, it is an also acclimatization day and we must get familiar with the trail conditions.
By evening, After dropping off the gear, we will return to Shinkun base camp from Advance base camp through a ferry. We will have dinner and have a night’s sleep in our tents in our Base Camp.
Day 05: Base Camp to Advance Base Camp
The fifth day is similar to the fourth day. We have to carry our rest of the equipments from Shinkun base camp to reach the ABC. It is again an acclimatization day and we have to get accustomed to the local weather conditions.
It is quite a difficult journey to reach the Advance base camp.Our overnight stay will be at Advance base camp. After a tiring day, we will enjoy a delicious dinner at the campsite and take earlly night’s sleep.
Day 06: Summit push to Shinkun east back to base camp
On day 6, at 12- 2 am we will start our summit march, we have to reach the Shinkun East summit 6,081 meters. Today, it is an important day of our expedition. So, you must get ready for another adventure that will come on your way. From the Advance base camp, we have to reach Shinkun East Peak. By 8 to 9 am at morning, summit day involves steep snow and ice sections, requiring technical climbing skills such as the use of crampons, ice axes, and roping techniques. Once at the summit, enjoy the panoramic views of the Zanskar and Lahaul ranges and spend some time on the top of the mountain. Capture some nice memories in your camera with the group.
We will start the return journey from Shinkun East top to reach base camp. By night, we will return to Base camp. We will accommodate ourselves in tents and enjoy dinner. After a tiring day, we will have a good sleep at night.
Day 07: Back to Manali from Base Camp
Today, it is the last day. We will start the journey from ShinkunBase camp after breakfast. We will take the same route that we took earlier to reach Shinkun East Peak. From Shinkun Base camp, we will drive towards Jispa and get back to Manali by night.
After reaching Manali, we will give a final goodbye to our team members and friends. We will separate from Manali with a smile and move towards our own destination.
INCLUSIONS
All car transfers from Manali to Manali as mentioned in the itinerary.
All meals during the trek.
Excellent Expedition guide, who will be a local to this particular area and has profound knowledge of the trekking trails and peaks.
Specialized Cook, Support staff till base camp
Stay in tents on a twin or triple-sharing basis during the trek.
Camping equipment like Sleeping bag, Carry mattress.
Technical equipment like climbing boots, crampons, harnesses, rope, etc.
Kitchen tent and toilet tent till base camp
All permit fees, camping charges, and forest permission are required for the trek.
Basic Medical & First Aid kit.
Participants will get an exclusive discount on all Fast&Up products.
EXCLUSIONS
Travel till Manali
Personal clothing & Personal Porter
Any kind of personal expenses
Toiletries
Tips to guide/porter/staff
Anything not mentioned in the inclusions of the package.
Personal Insurance
THINGS TO PACK
For Your Head:
Woolen warm cap to protect against cold winds
Balaclava for extra warmth
Bandana (can be used as a sweatband or to cover your face from dust)
For Your Feet:
2-3 pairs of regular socks
1 pair of thick woolen socks for warmth
Trekking boots with ankle support and good grip
Extra pair of comfortable sneakers or shoes to wear at the campsite
For Your Hands:
1-2 pairs of warm inner gloves
1 pair of waterproof gloves to keep your hands dry
Hand warmers (optional, but useful in very cold weather)
A pair of fleece gloves for extra insulation
Clothing: The Armor of the Adventurer:
1 pair of thermal innerwear (top and bottom) for base warmth
2 pairs of lightweight, quick-dry trekking pants
1 pair of windproof and waterproof Gore-Tex trousers
1 Gore-Tex or waterproof jacket for wind and rain protection
1 poncho (optional) for sudden rain
1 fleece jacket for light warmth
3–4 full-sleeve dry-fit T-shirts for layering
1 heavy down or padded jacket for extreme cold
Navigational & Survival Gear:
20L backpack (for water, snacks, fleece, etc.)
Duffel bag (provided by us; carried by mules/porters)
1 trekking pole (or 2 for better balance)
Tiffin box for packed lunch
Filter water bottle
Thermos flask (for warm water or tea)
Personal Care Compact:
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Face towel, tissues & wet wipes
Hand sanitizer & lip balm
Moisturizer (optional but helpful in dry climate)
Personal medication kit
Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
Illumination & Eye Protection:
Headlamp with extra batteries – a must-have for night treks and early morning starts
Sunglasses – Polarized, Category 4 with 100% UV protection and a wrap-around fit to guard your eyes from harsh sun glare and snowy reflections. Carry a backup pair just in case.
PREPARATION GUIDE
Have Previous Trekking/Mountaineering Experience.
Weight training the body. Walk uphill or stairs steps with a weighted backpack.
Strength training for the lower body and core. Do planks, crunches and cycling.
Climbing shinkun east requires a fit body and a conscious mind. One needs to be exercising regularly for the past couple of months.
Any high-altitude trek requires you to build a good amount of cardiovascular endurance. Jogging is the best exercise to increase your stamina.
You need strong legs to successfully finish a high-altitude trek. Squats are the best way to build leg strength quickly. Especially your thighs, glutes and knees.
For detailed advice and coordination, we’ll have a WhatsApp group.