New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on August 18 flagged off the National Cadet Corps’ (NCC) All India Girls High Altitude Long Trek ‘Aparajita-Parang La 2026’, bringing together 28 girl cadets for a challenging 250-km expedition across the Himalayas.
The 30-day trek will take the cadets through the Parang La Pass at an altitude of 5,578 metres (18,300 feet), connecting Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti Valley with the Changthang region of Ladakh.
The expedition is being led by women officers from the three Services and has been designed to promote leadership, endurance, self-confidence, teamwork and national integration among NCC girl cadets.
28 Girl Cadets Take on 30-Day High-Altitude Challenge
The expedition features 28 girl cadets, with an average age of 19 years. The youngest participant is 16-and-a-half years old.
The cadets will be accompanied by officers, instructors, medical personnel and other support staff as they traverse some of the most difficult terrain in the Himalayan region.
Key figures from the expedition
- 28: Girl cadets participating
- 250 km: Approximate trekking distance
- 30 days: Duration of the expedition
- 5,578 metres: Height of Parang La Pass
- 19 years: Average age of participants
- 16.5 years: Age of the youngest cadet
From Spiti Valley to Changthang
The trek will cross high-altitude deserts, glaciers, snowfields and river valleys along a route connecting Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh with Changthang in Ladakh.
The planned route includes:
- Kibber
- Dumla
- Thaltak
- Bongrojen
- Parang La Pass
- Dak Karzong
- Norbu Sumdo
- Kiangdom
- Korzok
The route is regarded as one of India’s most demanding high-altitude trekking corridors, requiring substantial physical endurance and acclimatisation.
Rajnath Singh Highlights ‘Nari Shakti’
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Rajnath Singh described the participation of young women in the expedition as a demonstration of the courage, determination and growing capabilities of India’s ‘Nari Shakti’.
He said adventure activities of this nature can help young people develop qualities that extend beyond physical fitness.
The Defence Minister highlighted the trek’s role in developing:
- Leadership skills
- Mental resilience
- Discipline
- Self-confidence
- Endurance
- Teamwork
- Self-discovery
He also expressed confidence that the cadets would return with a stronger understanding of their own capabilities and resilience.
Cadets Asked to Prioritise Safety and Himalayan Ecology
Rajnath Singh also urged the expedition team to maintain a strong focus on safety, environmental protection and engagement with local communities throughout the trek.
He advised the cadets to follow instructors’ guidance, avoid unnecessary risks and adopt a zero-waste approach to minimise their environmental footprint.
The cadets were also encouraged to interact respectfully with communities along the route and learn about their local culture and traditions.
Adventure Training to Strengthen NCC’s ‘Nari Shakti’ Push
The expedition forms part of the NCC’s broader effort to use adventure activities as a platform for developing leadership and resilience among young cadets.
The initiative also aims to strengthen the participation of girls in challenging adventure activities and promote the values of Nari Shakti and national integration.
Cadets from different NCC Directorates across the country are participating in the expedition. Their diverse regional, linguistic and cultural backgrounds are intended to reinforce the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’.
Expedition Team Selected Through Merit-Based Preparation
The expedition is being conducted in two phases. A preparatory and acclimatisation trek was first undertaken in the Bhaba-Pin Valley sector, after which the final group of girl cadets was selected on merit.
The selection and preparatory process was designed to ensure that participants are adequately prepared for the physical and environmental demands of the Parang La expedition.
NCC Officers and Defence Officials Attend Flag-Off
Director General, NCC Lieutenant General Virendra Vats, along with senior NCC and Ministry of Defence officials, attended the flag-off ceremony in New Delhi.
The expedition is ultimately aimed at using a demanding Himalayan challenge to build confidence, leadership, teamwork, endurance and national integration among NCC girl cadets, while showcasing the growing participation of young women in adventure activities.
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