Cadets traverse 5,578-metre Parang La Pass on 250-km, 30-day expedition from Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh
Karzok, Ladakh, September 16: Twenty NCC girl cadets from across India have successfully completed the challenging ‘Aparajita–Parang La 2026’ All India Girls High Altitude Long Trek, traversing one of the most demanding high-altitude routes connecting Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti Valley with the Changthang region of Ladakh.
The flagship adventure activity of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) culminated at Karzok, Ladakh, on September 16, where the expedition was formally flagged-in by Director General NCC Lt Gen Virendra Vats and Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dipti Mohil Chawla.
The expedition involved approximately 250 kilometres of trekking over 30 days, taking the cadets through glaciers, snowfields, river valleys and other challenging high-altitude terrain.
Crossing the 5,578-Metre Parang La Pass
The highlight of the expedition was the crossing of the Parang La Pass at an altitude of 5,578 metres.
The strategically and geographically significant pass connects the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh with Ladakh’s Changthang region, requiring participants to negotiate difficult terrain and high-altitude conditions.
The cadets began their journey from Kibber in Himachal Pradesh and successfully completed the route at Karzok in Ladakh.
The expedition tested the participants’ physical endurance, mental resilience and ability to work as a team in a demanding environment.
30 Days Across Extreme Terrain
Over the course of 30 days, the 20-member cadet team traversed approximately 250 kilometres through some of the most challenging landscapes of the Himalayas.
The route included:
- High-altitude mountain terrain
- Glaciers
- Snowfields
- River valleys
- The 5,578-metre Parang La Pass
The cadets were accompanied by NCC officers, instructors, medical personnel and support staff, ensuring that the expedition was conducted with appropriate logistical and medical support.
Operating at extreme altitude requires careful acclimatisation, physical conditioning and constant monitoring of participants. The presence of medical and support teams was therefore an important component of the long-duration expedition.
Flagged Off by Rajnath Singh
The expedition was formally flagged off from New Delhi on August 18, 2026, by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Nearly a month later, the successful completion of the trek at Karzok marked the culmination of the expedition.
The journey from Kibber to Karzok provided the participating cadets with exposure to two distinct high-altitude regions and an opportunity to experience the geographical diversity of the Himalayan landscape.
Building Leadership and Endurance
Speaking at the flag-in ceremony, DG NCC Lt Gen Virendra Vats congratulated the cadets and the accompanying staff for successfully completing the expedition.
He highlighted the role of such adventure activities in developing leadership, self-confidence, teamwork and endurance among young people.
A long-duration high-altitude expedition requires participants to function collectively, overcome physical challenges and make decisions under difficult circumstances.
For NCC cadets, such activities are intended to complement classroom and institutional training by providing practical experiences that build confidence and resilience.
Encouraging Young Women in Adventure Activities
A key objective of Aparajita–Parang La 2026 was to promote greater participation of young women in adventure activities.
By undertaking a demanding high-altitude expedition, the cadets were given an opportunity to experience challenging terrain and develop confidence in handling physically and mentally demanding situations.
The expedition also provides an example of the growing participation of young women in organised adventure and outdoor activities.
The initiative forms part of the NCC’s broader effort to provide youth with opportunities that encourage discipline, leadership and personal development.
Promoting National Integration
The expedition also had a strong national integration component.
The 20 cadets were selected from different parts of the country, bringing together young women from diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds.
Living and trekking together for 30 days required the cadets to cooperate closely, share responsibilities and support one another throughout the journey.
Such interaction can help strengthen bonds among young people from different parts of India while reinforcing a shared sense of national identity.
The Parang La Challenge
At 5,578 metres, Parang La presented one of the expedition’s most demanding challenges.
High-altitude environments can involve low oxygen levels, rapidly changing weather, extreme cold and difficult terrain. Crossing such terrain over an extended period requires preparation, acclimatisation and disciplined movement.
The successful completion of the pass by all 20 cadets represents the culmination of sustained preparation and coordinated expedition support.
NCC’s Adventure Training
Adventure activities form an important part of NCC training, providing cadets with opportunities to develop qualities that extend beyond conventional academic or institutional learning.
High-altitude trekking in particular combines physical fitness with navigation, teamwork, environmental awareness and the ability to operate under demanding conditions.
Expeditions such as Aparajita also provide cadets with first-hand exposure to some of India’s most challenging geographical environments.
Key Takeaways
- 20 NCC girl cadets from across India completed the expedition.
- Aparajita–Parang La 2026 concluded at Karzok, Ladakh, on September 16.
- Expedition covered approximately 250 kilometres.
- Duration: 30 days.
- Cadets crossed Parang La Pass at 5,578 metres.
- Route connected Kibber in Himachal Pradesh with Karzok in Ladakh.
- Terrain included glaciers, snowfields and river valleys.
- Team was supported by NCC officers, instructors, medical staff and support personnel.
- Expedition was flagged off by Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on August 18.
- Objectives included developing leadership, confidence, teamwork and endurance.
- Initiative promoted young women’s participation in adventure activities.
- The expedition also sought to strengthen national integration among NCC cadets.
The successful completion of Aparajita–Parang La 2026 marks a significant high-altitude adventure achievement for the NCC, combining physical endurance and Himalayan exploration with its broader objectives of youth development, women’s participation and national integration.