Rivoi News, August 25, 2026 – All India ABG (NCC) Girls High-Altitude Expedition was given a warm welcome at Chikhad. 28 girl cadets of NCC interacted with the elders, women and children of Chikhad.
The team was welcomed in traditional Himachali style. This investment at Chikhad became a beautiful celebration of India's cultural diversity, women power and national unity. With the blessings of the people of Chikhadna, the expedition is now moving towards Kafnu, from where the challenging trans-Himalayan trek to Karzok, Ladakh will begin.
🇮🇳 APARAJITA – PARANG LA 2026 | NARI SHAKTI IN ACTION 🇮🇳
The All India NCC Girls High-Altitude Expedition received a heartwarming welcome at Chikhar.
28 NCC girl cadets interacted with elders, women and children of Chikhar. The team was given a traditional Himachali welcome.… pic.twitter.com/oMyXlb0HIG
— National Cadet Corps (@HQ_DG_NCC) August 25, 2026
Earlier, Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh had flagged off the All India Girls High Altitude Long Track 'Aparajita – Parang La 2026', the flagship adventure activity of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), during an event organized in New Delhi on 18 August 2026. The trek will pass through the Parang La Pass (5,578 m, 18,300 ft) connecting the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh with the Changthang area of ​​Ladakh and is considered one of the most challenging high-altitude trekking routes in the country.
This team is being led by three women officers representing the three services. 28 girl cadets are participating in this campaign, whose average age is 19 years, out of which the youngest competitor is only sixteen and a half years old. In his address, the Defense Minister described the participation of young girls in such challenging high-altitude operations as a powerful testimony to the courage, determination and growing capabilities of the women of the country.
The expedition team consisting of officers, medical staff, trainers and support staff will complete the trek of approximately 250 km in 30 days through the most inaccessible and challenging terrain of the Himalayas. The expedition route includes Kibber, Dumla, Thaltak, Bongrojan, Parang La Pass, Dak Karzhong, Norbu Sumdo, Kiangdom and Korzhok, passing through high-altitude desert, glaciers, snow fields and river valleys.