Itinerary -
DAY 01: MANALI – KAZA (3800m, drive 200 kms/7-8 hrs)
We will pick you up from a designated area in Manali and drive to Kaza. This is a beautiful drive which takes one through the famous Rohtang pass and the high Kunzum pass (4550m). Check into the hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight in a hotel/guesthouse
DAY 02: KAZA SIGHTSEEING (3800m)
We rest today for better acclimatization. One can explore the local market, do some last minute shopping and also take a short tour to the famous Ki monastery which will be followed by an acclimatization hike. Overnight in a hotel/Guesthouse
DAY 03: KAZA – KIBBER – DUMLA (4200m, drive 30 mins & trek 2 hrs)
After breakfast we drive to the highest village in the world, Kibber (4205m) and from here trek for a couple of hours to reach Dumla. We camp in the fields. Overnight in tents
DAY 04: DUMLA – THALTAK (4600m, trek 4-5 hrs)
Today we climb to a high ridge and then descend to the beautiful meadows at Thaltak. Campsite has beautiful views and overlooks deep gorges. Overnight in tents
DAY 05: THALTAK - BONGROJEN (5050m, trek 6-7 hrs)
It’s a long and strenuous day. We go down to the Paralungbi gorge and then hike upstream. We cross a river and climb up through a rocky trail to reach the campsite. Overnight in tents
DAY 06: BONGROJEN – REST/ACCLIMATISATION DAY
We rest here for better acclimatization and giving our legs some rest before we attempt the pass. One can go on exploratory hikes today. Overnight in tents
DAY 07:BONGROJEN – PARANG LA (5490m) – DAK KARZONG (4850m, trek 5-6 hrs)
We start early for the pass. It will take about 2-3 hours to reach the Parang La (5490m). Like all passes this one also offers fabulous views of both the Spiti valley and the Changthang valleys. The steeprocky landscape of Spiti leads to the open landscapes of the Pare Chu. We walk for around 3 more hours from the pass to reach the campsite at Dak Karzong. Overnight in tents
DAY 08: DAK KARZONG – DATANG YONGMA (4650m, trek 3-4 hrs)
We descend along the open plains of the Pare Chu to reach Datang Yongma. Overnight in tents
DAY 09: DATANG YONGMA – CHUMIK SHILDE (4330m, trek/6-7 hrs)
Trek again besides Pare Chu. We cross Racholamo and Norbu Sumdo to reach our campsite at Chumik Shilde. Overnight in tents
DAY 10: CHUMIK SHILDE – KIANGDOM (4450m, trek /3-4 hrs)
Today we walk across the plains to reach Kiangdom at the southern edge of Tso Moriri. This place gets its name after the Kiangs (wild Tibetan asses) which graze here. This place is also a bird watchers paradise. Overnight in tents
DAY 11: KIANGDOM – KORZOK (4500m, trek 6-7 hrs)
Today’s is a long and very beautiful walk on the shores of the lake. View of the lake with Lungser Kangri (6666m) in the backdrop is extremely scenic. We will visit the ancient monastery at the Korzok village. This being the last day of the trek we have a small party in the night. Overnight in tents
DAY 12: KORZOK – LEH (3500m, drive 213 kms/7 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Leh. This is an enjoyable drive and will take about 7 hrs.
Please Note: If any bookings need to be arranged for accommodation at Leh we can organize it. Sightseeing can also be organized here.
Trip Ends With Sweet Memories !!!
Transport Options (MANALI – LEH)
For travel from Manali to Leh , one can choose between air and road. For air travel, the closest airport is leh(leh ladhak) airport. There are a couple of flights that link this airport to Delhi airport
Weather Details
Ladakh is the highest region in India with a minimum elevation of about 3000m. This dry cold desert area experiences hardly any rainfall as the high Himalayan ranges block the Indian monsoons. There is some amount of rainfall as one goes south of the Indus valley. Zanskar region experiences an occasional storm in the months of July & August.
In winters the temperatures are almost always below freezing. During spring time the temperatures start rising and touch about 15 deg Celsius during day time. As the summer approaches the day time temperatures would further rise to about 18-20 deg Celsius. Autumn(Sep - Oct) is when the temperatures start to fall again and hovers between 10 - 15 deg Celsius. Ladakh normally experiences a first heavy snow fall in December.
Best time for trekking in Ladakh would be mid June to end September
Please keep in mind that the above information is not exact and does not account for sudden changes. Whatever the temperatures and conditions rest assured we will be prepared to handle it with ease as we use equipment of very high specifications
List of Essentials
Mountain/adventure travel requires one to be adequately equipped with the right kind of personal gear. Since one is travelling in the wilderness there will be hardly any opportunity to buy anything once you hit the trail so we urge you to carefully pack everything into your bags. Also please keep in mind you can rent out or purchase equipment from our Gear Store, if required.
Shirts / T-shirts – 2/3
Jeans / Trekking Pants - 2
Windproof jacket of decent quality (no flimsy wind cheaters please!) preferably with a hood
Warm and thick Fleece / Full-sleeve Woollen sweater
Thermal inner wear (upper & lower)
Woollen cap
Woollen gloves
Woollen socks & regular socks (3-4 pairs)
Scarf/muffler (optional)
Comfortable Trekking/Hiking shoes (shoes with a thick sole are recommended)
Lightweight floaters/sandals/slippers
Raincoat / Poncho
Small light weight towel
Water bottle (sturdy ones, no empty Bisleri bottles!!)
Cap / Hat to keep the strong sun away from your face
Sun glasses
Walking stick / Trekking pole
Sunscreen Lotion
Lip Balm
Torch / Flashlight (with extra batteries)
Medicines, if requiring any specific medication
Personal toiletries
Books, if you like reading
Day pack/small bag which you will carry on your back every day and keep your essentials in it
Carry rain cover for your bags
Keep a few poly bags or waterproof bags in your bag in which if required you can put your belongings in case of heavy rain
Camera if you like (with fully charged batteries)
…LOADS OF ENTHUSIASM!! AND A PLEDGE TO LEAVE NO TRACE
Carry your stuff in a duffel bag, soft shoulder bag or a rucksack. Avoid suitcases, trolleys or any other hard luggage. As you will be walking long distances carrying a rucksack, avoid bringing unnecessary items on the trek. Please avoid carrying expensive watches, jewellery and electronic items on the trek.
NOTE: In case you are planning to put your bag on a mule or taking a porter please get a duffel bag or rucksack and keep it in mind that there is a possibility that the bag at times might brush against a rock or a tree and get slightly damaged so don't get very expensive bags. Also in case of damage we shall not be held accountable.
Disclaimer
Great Indian Outdoors (P) Ltd. takes utmost care to ensure safety of its clients. However in the case of any unforeseen mishaps, Great Indian Outdoors (P) Ltd. will not be liable for any injuries caused or for loss of life. All disputes rising due to the above are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in New Delhi/Delhi only. All participants are required to sign an Indemnity Form before the start of the program, without which they would not be allowed to take part in the trip/program/activities.
Duration: 12 Days
Season: Jun-Sep
Grade: Vigorous +
Region: Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh
Sketch Itinerary
DAY 01: MANALI KAZA (3800M, DRIVE 200 KMS/7-8 HRS)
DAY 02: KAZA SIGHTSEEING (3800M)
DAY 03: KAZA KIBBER DUMLA (4200M, DRIVE 30 MINS & TREK 2 HRS)
DAY 04: DUMLA THALTAK (4600M, TREK 4-5 HRS)
DAY 05: THALTAK - BONGROJEN (5050M, TREK 6-7 HRS)
DAY 06: BONGROJEN REST/ACCLIMATISATION DAY
DAY 07: BONGROJEN PARANG LA (5490M) DAK KARZONG (4850M, TREK 5-6 HRS)
DAY 08: DAK KARZONG DATANG YONGMA (4650M, TREK 3-4 HRS)
DAY 09: DATANG YONGMA CHUMIK SHILDE (4330M, TREK/6-7 HRS)
DAY 10: CHUMIK SHILDE KIANGDOM (4450M, TREK /3-4 HRS)
DAY 11: KIANGDOM KORZOK (4500M, TREK 6-7 HRS)
DAY 12: KORZOK LEH (3500M, DRIVE 213 KMS/7 HRS)
Description
Talk about trekking in the corners of the world or shall we say talk about another world! This is what this remote trek is all about. Get set to be transported to a world of barren mountains with snow clad peaks, vast arid landscapes, expansive azure blue lakes and ancient monasteries dramatically perched high on top of cliffs. This landscape was inaccessible until not so long back due to its proximity to Tibet.
This remote trail follows the traditional trade route taken by the people of Spiti, Changthang and Tibet. It starts from the high altitude meadows of Kibber then leads into the Kibber gorges and from here the trail climbs to Parang La (5490m). Uninterrupted views on all sides from the pass is a big attraction on this trip. This high altitude pass is the source of the Pare Chu river. The landscape changes drastically on the other side of the pass as we hit the Changthang plateu, a land of high arid plains, snow capped peaks and beautiful lakes of Tso Moriri & Tso Kar. These plains are only inhabited for a few months every summer by the hardy Tibetan Changpa nomads and their herds of yaks and pashmina goats. The region is also home to rare wild animals such as wolf and kiang (wild ass)
The trek ends at Korzok, a permanent settlement of the Changpas on the banks of Tso Moriri. Tso Moriri Lake is at an altitude of over 4000 m, it is 28 kms long and about 8 kms at its widest. The view of the lake with Lungser Kangri (6666 m) in the background is unforgettable. From Korzok an enjoyable drive will get us to the town of Leh, capital of Ladakh region
This trek is for experienced trekkers as it involves crossing a high Himalayan pass and previous experience of camping at around 4500 -5000m will help
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRIP
Crossing a 5000m+ Himalayan pass
Walking a remote trail with contrasting landscapes of valleys on either side of the pass
Stark Himalayan landscape of Spiti region challenging our very ideas of mountain beauty
Camping on the banks of Tso Moriri lake
Opportunity to visit ancient monasteries of Ladakh & Spiti and look into the ancient Buddhist culture from close proximity