A Complete Guide to the Balang Ri Trek

The Balang Ri Trek is a short but truly stunning high-altitude hike that sits just above Demul Village in the beautiful Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Reaching an impressive height of nearly 4,953 meters, this ridge-top provides one of the highest natural viewpoints you can access without needing technical skills.

As you make your way along the trail, you'll meander through windswept slopes, vibrant wildflower-studded ridges, and expansive alpine terrain. The journey culminates in a breathtaking 360° view that showcases the raw beauty of Spiti.

At the summit, you are treated to sights of 18 villages (including Demul, Komic, Hikkim, Langza, Lhalung, Rama, Kibber, Gette, Tashigang, Dhankar, Mudh, Sagnam, Tailing, Mane, Sumling, Lingti, Kaza, and Hull), three rivers - Spiti, Pin, and Lingti and some of the valley’s most famous monasteries, such as Key, Dhankar, and Tangyud.

Rich in spiritual and cultural significance, especially during the Namkhan Festival, Balang Ri is more than just a trek, it offers a glimpse into the very essence of Spiti. During the Namkhan Festival, usually celebrated in August, Balang Ri transforms from a silent high-altitude ridge into a vibrant spiritual gathering place for the people of Demul and surrounding villages. As part of this pre-harvest ritual, villagers - led by young men - hike up to the summit, carrying fresh prayer flags, offerings, and the collective hopes of the community. The usually barren ridge is alive with color and sound: prayer flags flutter wildly in the wind, villagers chant mantras, and traditional horns echo across the valley.

Note: Balang Ri top is also referred to as Balari Top or Phalari Top

Trek Snapshots:

• Duration: One-day
• Distance from Kaza: 25 km
• Highest Altitude: 16250 ft
• Total Trek Distance: 8.1 km (both-ways)
• Base: Demul village, near Kaza in Spiti
• Permits: Not Needed

Can beginners attempt the Balang Ri Trek?  Yes, beginners can attempt the Balang Ri Trek, but it’s important to be well-acclimatized and reasonably fit. The trail itself is not technically difficult. It’s a steady uphill walk of about 3 to 4 km one way, but the high altitude makes the climb physically demanding. Shortness of breath, fatigue, or mild altitude symptoms are common if you're not adjusted to the elevation. Spending a day or two in Demul before the trek, staying well-hydrated, and pacing yourself will make a big difference. With basic trekking shoes, warm layers, and a gradual pace, beginners with some prior hiking or good stamina will find Balang Ri a challenging but deeply rewarding experience.

➤What to Watch out for

1) Flora and Fauna

The trail to Balang Ri Top from Demul Village is a breathtaking high-altitude hike that weaves through the stark yet stunning landscape of Spiti Valley. From the Demul Stupa, the path gently climbs and opens up to expansive views. In summer, the trail is dotted with tiny alpine wildflowers, purple saxifrages, yellow potentillas, and hardy Himalayan blooms that peek through the dry, windblown soil. Marmots occasionally dart across the trail, and the silence is broken only by the flutter of prayer flags at the summit.

2) Views From the Top

Standing atop Balang Ri Top, nearly 5,000 meters high, you'll be greeted by the breathtaking expanse of the Spiti Valley. The full 360° panorama showcasing the rugged beauty of barren ridges, deep valleys, and age-old villages that dot the landscape like tiny oases in this high-altitude desert. On a clear day, you can spot 18 villages spread out before you. You also see 3 of the most iconic river valleys of the region- the Spiti, the Pin, and the Lingti alongside the iconic monasteries of Key, Dhankar, and Tangyud.

➤ Suggested Itinerary

Balang Ri is a short trek that can be done at any time of the day, but we recommend starting early in the morning for the best experience.

• Demul Stupa is approximately 5 km from Demul and 27 km from Kaza. If you are starting from Kaza with your own vehicle, it’s recommended to start by 5:30 AM to reach Demul Stupa by 7 AM. If you are staying overnight in Demul, take the HRTC bus at 7:30 AM to reach Demul Stupa by 8 AM.
• Guides are not mandatory for this trek, but are available if required. Note: You can reach out to Sonam (+91-9015240914) or Angdui (+91-7650815753) if you are looking for a guide or a homestay in Kaza or Demul.
• Start the trek by 8 AM and target reaching the hilltop before 10:30 AM. This will give you enough time to soak in the views from the top.
• Start your descent by 11 or 11:30 AM.
• Return to Demul if you have already booked your homestay for the day. If you are planning to travel to Kaza, book your mode of transport in advance as there are no public transport options available after the 7:30 AM bus to Kaza.

➤ Detailed Trail Information

The trail to Balang Ri starts from the Demul Gompa. You trek through open patches of the cold desert landscape of Spiti, before reaching the top.

This trek can be divided into 3 sections :

1. Demul Stupa to Balang Ri: 2.6 km | 90 mins
2. Balang Ri to Diversion Point: 2.1 km | 1 hr
3. Diversion Point to Demul village: 3.7 km | 2 hr

Section I: Demul Gompa to Balang Ri

Trek Distance: 2.6 km
Trek Duration: 1.5 hrs

• Start from the trailhead just behind the Demul Stupa.
• You can see the complete trail all the way till Balang Ri top from this point and need to follow the same.
• The trek starts with an unpaved path for about 200 meters. Post this, the trail is well marked and has stone paved sections in between.
• At the end of the stone paved section, the trail turns leftwards. This can also serve as the first break point on the trail.
• As you move towards the top, there are 2 sections (Of about 20 meters each) where the trail is next to a cliffside. These are the only tricky sections on the trail.
• After crossing these 2 sections, the last climb is steep and the trail is exposed. After climbing this section, you will arrive at the Balangri Top. There’s a Gompa situated at the top with Tibetan prayer flags all around.

Section II: Balang Ri to Diversion Point

Trek Distance: 2.1. km
Trek Duration: 1 hr

• Follow the same trail that you took earlier on the way back.
• At the end of the stone paved path, there’s a diversion (marked on the GPX file) from where you can follow the trail to Demul village.
• If you are travelling through your own vehicle and have parked at the Demul Stupa, you can ignore this diversion and follow the same trail that you took earlier to reach Demul Stupa.

Section III: Diversion Point to Demul Village

Trek Distance: 3.7 km
Trek Duration: 2 hrs

• From the diversion point, the trail to Demul village is clearly marked as it’s often used by locals.
• The trail avoids the road to Demul village and is a comparatively shorter path. It merges with the road after about 2 kms.
• Throughout the trail, you can see the Demul village at a distance and are trekking towards it.

➤ Best Time to do the Balang Ri Trek

The Balang Ri trail is located at 16,250 ft above sea-level and is only accessible from late May to early October. But we recommend September to October as the best time to do the trek.

May and early June: Snow may linger on the trails, making access more challenging. Still scenic, but only suitable for well-prepared trekkers.

June to September: The weather is relatively mild, and the trail is free of snow. However, in late July & August, there are chances of occasional spells of rain which can make the trail slippery. Around the second week of August, just before the harvest season, the Namkhan festival is celebrated in Demul. On the final day of the festival, there’s a race organised by the locals to the Balang Ri to replace prayer flags and welcome new ones. The celebration extends into late evening celebrations atop the ridge. If you are interested in experiencing the local culture of Demul village, this is the best time for this trek.

September to early October: Less crowded than peak summer, crisp mountain air, and autumnal hues across the landscape. Night temperatures during this time may drop below 0 degrees.

➤ How to Reach the Balang Ri Trek

The Balang Ri trek starts from the Demul Stupa located about 5 km from the village of Demul and about 27 kms from Kaza.

How to Reach Balang Ri Trek by Car

The trek starts from Demul Stupa, which is accessible by road. The drive from Kaza to the starting point is around 27 km and takes around 1 to 1.5 hours. You can use this Google Map Link for easy navigation.

• If you are driving from Manali, you can use this route to navigate: Manali > Kunzum La > Kaza > Demul (Google maps link).
• If you are driving from Shimla, you can use this route to navigate: Shimla > Rampur > Lidang > Demul (Google maps link).
• If you are staying overnight in Demul village, you can drive to the starting point using this Google Map Link. However, the road to Demul Stupa and Demul village is not tarred and gets damaged if it rains in the area. If you are travelling in July & August, it is recommended to speak to the authorities at the HRTC bus stand in Kaza as they can provide the latest status.
• Note: There’s a detour to Demul from Lidang before reaching Kaza if you are coming from Shimla side. Also, the route from Manali to Kaza is only open from mid May to mid October depending on the snow & road conditions. Irrespective of the starting point of your journey, it is strongly recommended to stay overnight in Kaza and then spend another night in Demul to acclimatize well before the trek.

There are no formal parking spaces at the trek start point, but there’s ample open space for you to find a spot on the roadside here. This is unmonitored parking. Park at your own risk.

How to Reach Balang Ri Trek by Public Transport

To get to the trek by public transport, you’ll first need to reach Kaza. You can get to Kaza either from Manali or Shimla.

1. If you are travelling from Kullu/Manali: There’s a HRTC bus that runs from early June to late September from Kullu to Kaza. It starts from Kullu at 4 AM and reaches Kaza by around 5 PM.
2. If you are travelling from Shimla: You’ll need to travel to Rampur or Rekong Peo. From Rampur, there’s a bus to Kaza that starts at 4 AM. From Rekong Peo, there’s a bus to Kaza that starts at 5 AM.

Note: Please book the tickets in advance through the HRTC website as the ticketing counters usually are crowded due to the low frequency of these buses.

From Kaza– Once you have arrived in Kaza, there’s a bus from Kaza to Demul everyday at 5 PM. It is recommended to take this bus to Demul village, stay overnight in a homestay in Demul. Then take the return bus the next morning at 7:30 AM and get down at the Demul Stupa, which is the starting point of the trek. Once you arrive in Demul in the evening, there’s a village coordinator who will assign a homestay to you. You can also reach out to Sonam (+91-9015240914) or Angdui (+91-7650815753) in advance if you are looking for a guide or a homestay in Kaza or Demul.

➤ Frequently Asked Questions about the Balang Ri Trek

1.  Is there any permission required to do the Balang Ri Top Trek?

No. There are no permissions needed to do the Balang Ri Top Trek.

2. How difficult is the Balang Ri Trek?

The Balang Ri Top trek is a moderately difficult trek considering the high altitude (~16250 feet). Make sure you spend at least 1-2 nights in Kaza or Demul to acclimatise well before attempting the trek. While the trek has its challenges, it’s equally rewarding. From the top, you get a panoramic view of 18 villages of Spiti valley, confluence of 3 rivers (Lingti, Spiti & Pin) and distant monasteries and gorges.

3. Are there any food stalls and water sources on the Balang Ri Trek ?

There are no food stalls or water sources on this trek. Carry 2-3 liters of water since the entire trail is exposed and can get very hot during summers.

4. Can I do the Balang Ri Trek alone?

Yes, you can do the Balang Ri trek alone. If you need a guide, you can contact your homestay in Demul or Kaza and they can arrange it for you. You can also reach out to Sonam (+91-9015240914) or Angdui (+91-7650815753) if you are looking for a guide or a homestay in Kaza or Demul.

➤ Places to Visit After Completing the Balang Ri Trek

1. Demul Village & Stupa- Just around 2 kms from the trek starting point, you get to experience sustainable community life and traditional homestays in Demul Village. Walk up to the Demul Stupa for views over the valley.
2. Langza Village- Just 5 kms from Demul is the fossil-rich hamlet of Langza with a giant Buddha statue overlooking the valley and panoramic views.
3. World’s Highest Post Office- Visit the World's Highest Post Office at Hikkim, a 25 km drive from Demul. Send a postcard from 14,400 ft, and cherish this unique experience.
4. Komic & Tangyud Monastery- Visit one of Asia’s highest motorable villages with the fortress-like Sakya monastery perched above a deep river valley.
5. Lhalung Monastery- A 2 hrs drive from Demul, Lhalung is one of Spiti’s oldest (10th-century) gompas known for its ancient murals and spiritual ambiance.
6. Dhankar Monastery & Dhankar Lake- About 35 kms from Demul is the iconic cliff-hanging Dhankar Monastery overlooking the confluence of Spiti and Pin rivers. You can also hike to a serene alpine lake from there.

➤ Trek Contribution

Trek documented and written by Kuldeep Yadav as part of the Great Backyard Trail Documentation Challenge, where trekkers from around the country come together to contribute information on quick day-hikes out of popular cities or tourist destinations. This is aimed at growing awareness about quick hiking routes in India by making information about them more accessibile.