Karzok, Ladakh, September 16, 2026: The All India Girls High Altitude Long Trek ‘Aparajita – Parang La 2026’, a flagship adventure activity of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), concluded successfully at Karzok in Ladakh on Wednesday, marking the completion of a challenging 30-day expedition undertaken by 20 NCC girl cadets from across the country.
The expedition was flagged-in at Karzok by Director General NCC Lt Gen Virendra Vats and Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Smt Dipti Mohil Chawla on September 16, 2026.
The trek was designed to expose young women cadets to demanding high-altitude conditions while promoting adventure, leadership, endurance, teamwork and national integration. The participants successfully traversed the Parang La Pass at an altitude of 5,578 metres, one of the challenging high-altitude passes connecting Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti Valley with the Changthang region of Ladakh.
20 Girl Cadets Complete Challenging Himalayan Expedition
The expedition brought together 20 NCC Girl Cadets selected from different parts of India, giving them an opportunity to undertake a demanding journey through some of the most challenging terrain of the Himalayan region.
Beginning from Kibber in Himachal Pradesh, the team covered approximately 250 kilometres over 30 days, eventually reaching Karzok in Ladakh. The route took the cadets through glaciers, snowfields, river valleys and other difficult high-altitude landscapes.
The expedition required the participants to negotiate varying terrain and challenging environmental conditions while maintaining discipline and coordination throughout the journey. Officers, instructors, medical personnel and support staff accompanied the cadets during the trek to ensure operational, logistical and medical support.
The successful completion of the expedition demonstrated the cadets’ ability to adapt to demanding conditions and work collectively during a prolonged high-altitude adventure.
Rajnath Singh Flagged Off Expedition from New Delhi
The ‘Aparajita – Parang La 2026’ expedition was formally flagged off by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh from New Delhi on August 18, 2026.
The expedition subsequently embarked on its Himalayan route, taking the cadets from Kibber towards the Parang La Pass before continuing into the Changthang region of Ladakh.
The journey was conceived as more than an adventure trek. It sought to provide young women with direct exposure to high-altitude adventure activities and challenging outdoor environments, while encouraging them to develop qualities that are important for leadership and teamwork.
Focus on Women’s Participation in Adventure Activities
A key objective of the expedition was to encourage greater participation of young women in adventure activities.
Through the challenging route, NCC provided the participating cadets with an opportunity to test their physical endurance, mental resilience, coordination and decision-making abilities in a high-altitude environment.
Such expeditions also give cadets practical experience beyond conventional training environments. Working together over several weeks in difficult terrain requires discipline, mutual support and effective communication among members of the team.
The expedition therefore served as a platform for the cadets to develop confidence while gaining first-hand experience of the Himalayan landscape.
Strengthening National Integration
The participation of cadets selected from different parts of the country also gave the expedition a strong national integration dimension.
Bringing together young people from diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds allows participants to interact closely, share experiences and develop a greater understanding of one another.
The common challenges encountered during the 30-day trek required the cadets to function as a cohesive team, reinforcing the values of cooperation, mutual respect and collective responsibility.
The expedition thus combined adventure training with an opportunity for young cadets from across India to build bonds through a shared national experience.
DG NCC Congratulates Cadets and Staff
Speaking at the flag-in ceremony at Karzok, DG NCC Lt Gen Virendra Vats congratulated the cadets and staff for successfully completing the expedition.
He highlighted the role of such activities in developing important qualities among young people, particularly leadership, self-confidence, teamwork and endurance.
The successful completion of the Parang La expedition also reflects the importance of structured adventure activities in the broader development of NCC cadets. Exposure to demanding environments can complement their regular training by requiring them to apply discipline, coordination and perseverance in real-world conditions.
The expedition’s conclusion at Karzok marks the culmination of a month-long journey across high-altitude Himalayan terrain. For the 20 participating NCC Girl Cadets, the experience provided an opportunity to challenge themselves in one of the region’s demanding environments while travelling across state and regional boundaries.
The ‘Aparajita – Parang La 2026’ expedition consequently stands as an NCC initiative focused on adventure, women’s participation, leadership development and national integration, bringing together young women cadets from across India for a demanding journey from Kibber in Himachal Pradesh to Karzok in Ladakh.
