TRIP FACTS
Region: Spiti & Changthang Ladakh
Duration: 14 Days.
Season: July / August & September.
Grade: Challenging.
Group Size : 15 Persons.
Maximum Altitude: 5600m .
Passes: Rohtang Pass (3978m) Kunzum La (4561m) & Parang La (5600m).
Accommodations: 13 Nights In Camp.
Activities: 9 Days Hiking / 1 Rest Day / 4 Days Drive.
Meals: 13 Breakfasts / 14 Pack-Lunch / 13 Dinners.
Trip Begin: Manali.
Trip End: Ladakh
INTRODUCTION
This route follows the traditional trade route between Ladakh and Spiti and there are some fantastic views from the high mountain source of the Pare Chu River. On this trek you will experience an amazing diversity of Landscape and Culture. On this trek we ascend through steep gorges and cross flower filled meadows, the breeding ground of famous Spiti horses, where you may spot Snow Leopard, Blue Sheep or Tibetan Ass. The journey ends at the breath-taking Tsomoriri Lake, which is home to many migrant birds.
HOW TO REACH MANALI
The nearest airport serving this beautiful hill station is situated at Bhuntar. Known as Kullu Manali Airport, it is at a distance of approximately 60 from Manali.
The road instead since there are some spellbinding picturesque views en route to be enjoyed. The destination has a good connectivity by road with cities like Delhi, Ambala, Chandigarh and Shimla serving as pivotal points. A number of bus services including private services like the very comfortable Volvo ply frequently from Delhi to Manali.
The closest railway station is Chandigarh (315 km) or Pathankot (290 km). You can make your travel bookings till either of these two cities and then take a prepaid bus or a cab till Manali.
- Ancient route connecting Spiti Valley, Ladakh and Tibet.
- Conquer Parang La pass at 5600 meters, trail passes along Tso Moriro Wetland Conservation Reserve.
- Spectacular landscapes and untouched wilderness, the Parang La trek turns the rawest form of nature into your reality.
- High-altitude lake of Tso Moriri at a height of 4500m is known for a plethora of indigenous birds.
- Karzok village is also home to a Buddhist monastery belonging to the Drukpa lineage and nomads who trade in Pashmina wool and salt.
- You also get to witness the splendid Kiangs in their natural habitat.
- The radiant confluence of the Pare Chu River and Phirtse Phu River greets you with a sprawling embrace.
DAY 01 - MANALI TO CHOTADARA, 99KM DRIVE 6 TO 7 HOURS.
Today an early departure from Manali, over land journey by jeep over Rohtang pass 3978m. Rohtang pass, which is the gateway to Lahoul –Spiti, Pangi and Zanskar. Along the Chandra River valley for 3-4 hrs until reaching Batal. Magnificent view of snow capped mountain of C.B. Ranges and Bara Shigri Glacier , Reach Chotadara by late Afternoon.
: Pack Lunch & Dinner
: Camp
DAY 02 - CHOTADARA TO KAZA VIA CHANDERTAL LAKE, 120 KM DRIVE 6 TO 7 HOURS.
We also cross another high pass today called Kunzum La (4551m) and enter Spiti valley. We take a respectful circular drive around this Shrine of Goddess Kunzum. Losar is the first village of Spiti. After Losar we drive through a number of small villages. This stretch of the road from Losar to Kaza also has some excellent views to look out for and it definitely is a landscape photographer’s paradise. The light conditions are just excellent. We camp beside Spiti River at Rangrik.
: Breakfast, Pack Lunch & Dinner.
: Camp.
DAY 03 - KAZA SIGHTSEEING & INNERLINE PERMIT FOR TREK.
After Breakfast leave for Kaza Sightseeing by visiting Ki Monastery & Gete Village (Highest Motorable Connected Road in World) & Kibber or the ancient monastery built on what is believed to be have been a crater of an extinct Volcano. The Gompa situated above the village is one of the best preserved in the region. On the return journey to Kaza you are rewarded with some excellent views of the Damul Village also visit Langza & Koumic Village.
: Breakfast, Pack Lunch & Dinner.
: Camp.
DAY 04 - KAZA TO DUMLA (4500M) VIA KI MONESTARY & KIBBER VILLAGE, 4 TO 5 HOURS.
Drive through Ki Monastery (4100m), we can also stop to visit the monastery. This monastery is dedicated to Maitreya Buddha and the current presiding head of the monastery is Rimpoche Rinchen Zangpo. Here you can see some magnificent art work and Thanka Paintings brought over from Tibet nearly 600 years ago. After this we will go further 5kms up to Kibber village, one of the World’s Highest inhabited village. It is a decent sized village with traditional houses. We begin our trek from Kibber to Dumla is an easy walk but take your time, Dumla is short after Pari Lungbi gorge. Setting off from here first short descent to Dumla through fields of Barley.
: Breakfast, Pack Lunch & Dinner
: Camp.
DAY 05 - DUMLA TO THALTAK MEADOW (4900M), 5 HOURS.
Descend to the gorge bed and start the climb towards the pass, a steep walk to Thaltak meadow where you camp for the night. You can see the snow clad Parang La in the distance glimmering in the sunlight. The scenery is wild and gorge is steep is deep. Even at this height the sunlight reflected from the walls of the gorge causes the temperature to soar.
: Breakfast, Pack Lunch & Dinner
: Camp
DAY 06 - THALTAK MEADOW TO BONROJEN (5020M), 6 HOURS.
This is a long and strenuous day walking to Bonjoren at 5020m. on the way excellent chances of seeing Marmots and Ibex.
: Breakfast, Pack Lunch & Dinner
: Camp
DAY 07 - BONROJEN TO DAK KARZONG (4940M), VIA PARANG LA (5600M),8 TO 9 HOURS.
Leave early for the pass. The final 4 kms is steep 2 hour climb to Parang La at 5600m. The pass lies on the trade route between Ladakh and Spiti valley. There are some great views of the Spiti and the Changthang valleys from the pass. Parilungi, a conical peak, is the first Ladakhi peak visible from Spiti. From the pass, we descend to the source of the Pare Chu River. After the pass, the landscape changes dramatically from steep gorges to broad plains.
: Breakfast, Pack Lunch & Dinner
: Camp
DAY 08 - DAK KARZONG TO DATANG YONGMA (4725M), 5 HOURS.
The route for the next 3 days is in fairly open valley with a well- marked trail on the left bank of the Pare Chu.
: Breakfast, Hot Lunch & Dinner
: Camp
DAY 09 - DATANG YONGMA TO RACHULAMO (4600M), 6 TO 7 HOURS.
Walk along the Pare Chu takes us to the camping ground at Rachulamo. On the way we may meet a few of the nomadic Changpa shepherds grazing their flock of sheep and goat.
: Breakfast, Pack Lunch & Dinner
: Camp
DAY 10 - RACHOLAMO TO CHUMIK SHILDE (4530M) VIA NORBU SUMDO, 5 TO 6 HOURS.
Today another five to six hours walk through boulders beside the Pare Chu River which also involves river crossing brings us to our campsite.
: Breakfast, Pack Lunch & Dinner
: Camp
DAY 11 - CHUMIK SHILDE TO KIANGDOM (4540M), 8 HOURS.
We walk the expansive Changthang Plateau which extends into Southern Tibet. This is Changpas’ land where they roam freely grazing their large flocks of sheep, goats and herds of Yak.
: Breakfast, Pack Lunch & Dinner
: Camp
DAY 12 - REST DAY & EXPLORE.
Today just relax at camp or go to climb nearby mountain to have a view or go to hike towards Phirtse phu.
: Breakfast & Pack Lunch
: Camp
DAY 13 - KIANGDOM TO KARZOG (4527M), 6 TO 7 HOURS.
We see the Tsomoriri Lake today and walk along its shore till we reach the only habitation on this otherwise desolate and isolated plateau- the village of Karzog. You get a good glimpse of hundreds of migratory birds that visit this large brackish water lake.
: Breakfast, Pack Lunch & Dinner
: Camp
DAY 14 - KARZOG TO LEH, 8 TO 9 HOURS.
Drive to Leh via Mahe Bridge.
: Breakfast, Pack Lunch
: No
OPTION DRIVE: KORZOK TO MANALI.
DAY 14: KORZOK TO MANALI VIA BARALACHA LA (4890M) - ROHTANG LA (3980M), 13-15 HRS.
KARZOK TO RUMTSE TREK EXTENSION - 21 DAYS
DAY 14: KARZOK TO GYAMA 6 HOURS TREK.CROSS THE SMALL PASS OF HORLAM LA (4500M).
DAY 15: GYAMA TO GYAMA NUMA 7 HOURS TREK.CROSSING THE RIVER TWICE, TODAY THE TRAIL CONTINUES TO GYAMA NUMA.
DAY 16: GYAMA NUMA TO RACHUNG KARU 6 HOURS TREK; IT FIRST ASCENDS TO THE PASS, KAZUR LA. AN EASY DESCENT TAKES YOU TO THE SUMMER PASTURE AT RACHUNG KARU.
DAY 17: RACHUNG KARU TO NURUCHAN 5 HOURS TREK, THE TRAIL GOES OVER A SMALL PASS THAT TAKES YOU TO NURUCHAN.
DAY 18: NURUCHAN TO PUNGUNAGU 6 HOURS TREK, THE TRAIL LEADS AROUND THE TSO KAR LAKE TODAY. THE PATH THEN DEVIATES FROM THE LAKE TO THE LEFT AND ENTERS PUNGUNAGU.
DAY 19: PUNGUNAGU - TISALING (4520M) 7 HOURS TREK, THE PATH NOW ASCENDS FOR 2 HOURS TOWARDS THE SHINGBUK LA (4950M).
DAY 20: TISALING TO CHORTEN SUMDO 7 HOURS TREK, A CHALLENGING DAY, TWO PASSES WILL BE CROSSED ON THIS DAY KYAMUR LA (5300M). & MANDALCHAN LA (5320M).
DAY 21: CHORTEN SUMDO TO RUMTSE (4040M), 5 HOURS TREK, WALKING THROUGH A GORGE, THE CHALLENGE OF THE DAY IS WHEN THE RIVER HAS TO BE CROSSED TWICE.
What is included in the tour
- The services of an educated Himalayan Yeti Adventure representative or escort / guide, well versed with native flora/fauna, topography & culture during the entire trek program.
- During the trek, all camping logistics and mules / porters/ to carry luggage. Participants will be required to carry only their day sacks with their daily essentials etc.
- Camping on twin sharing basis in 2-man tents, with foam mattresses, sleeping bags and kitchen tent, toilet tent etc.
- One Cook and camp helper/s with all necessary kitchen items, utensils etc.
- All transportation as per the itinerary, inclusive of transfers to the roadhead before the trek and transfer from the roadhead to your destination, after the conclusion of the trek.
- Boiled drinking water during the trek and warm water for personal ablutions in the morning.
- All meals during the trek program.
- Wildlife / environmental Permits and Levies, wherever required.
- All camping charges.
- Trek Briefing / debriefing & guides charges.
- Charges for following the global ‘Leave No Trace’ protocol.
- Insurance of the trekking staff
- Good medical / first aid kit with Oxygen Cylinders.
What is NOT included in the tour
- Any accidental, travel or medical insurance. It is advisable for the participants to get themselves comprehensively insured before the tour.
- Any expenses of a personal nature.
- Any and all evacuation charges (medical or otherwise), or hospitalization or physicians consultation charges. Your own insurance policy should also, ideally, cover this.
Insulated, waterproof boots are best. They have thick soles, rubber/leather uppers and insulation. Flip Flops/ Crocs.
Wool or synthetic socks with wicking liners promote warm, dry feet. (this item is to be bought by the clients themselves)
Layer your clothing so it can be adjusted to your activity level and the weather. Avoid cotton.
Base layer: Synthetics and wool retain warmth even when wet. Wear long underwears (top and bottem) that wicks away moisture, insulates well and dries quickly. Choose from microlight, lightweight or midweight versions based on the temperature and your activity level. A zippered top lets you adjust body heat as you stop and go. (this item is to be bought by the clients themselves, easily available in Decathlon Stores)
Upper Insulating layer: Polyester fleece makes a good insulating mid-layer since it retains heat when wet and breathes as you exercise.
Outer layer: A waterproof, breathable shell jacket and pants keep you dry and fend off wind.
Down feather jacket: - Can be used while relaxing or walking outside in the camp area.
Hat, Gloves and Accessories.
Keep your head and hands covered to prevent loss of body heat and to protect from sunburn.
A wool or synthetic hat, headband or balaclava retains heat; a wide-brimmed hat or a ball cap can shade your eyes on sunny days.
Sunglasses and sunscreen will protect you from burning UV rays which are especially intense when reflected off of snow.
COTTON SCARF good for dust and to protect neck from sunburn ,WATER BOTTLE, HYDRATION BAG.
Head Lamp & spare batteries.
CAMERA dustproof cover and spare batteries and memory card, GOPRO IS JUST GREAT.
MONEY BELT or secure portion of bag.
PERSONAL TOILETRIES including lip cream, hand wash (alcohol-based), sunscreen and TOWEL.
PENKNIFE , JOURNAL, SKETCH PAD, PLAYING CARDS, BOOK, READING LIGHT, SEWING KIT, etc.
Small PADLOCK for stored bag.
Trekking Day Bag upto 65 to 85 Ltr.
