Spiti to Ladakh Trek via Parang La

About Spiti to Ladakh Trek

Region: Himachal and Ladakh Himalayas
Max Altitude: 5577 mts
Best Time to visit: Mid-June – Mid October
Grade: Tough
Total Trekking: 140 Kilometer

If one has come to the Himalaya to hike across high passes and vast tree-covered mountainsides, one will be spoiled for choice in Lahaul and Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh. The old trade route to Ladakh and Tibet may have been tarmacked, but most of this remote and spectacular region is still only accessible on foot. Its trails, though well frequented in high season, are long, hard and high, punctuated by few settlements, so be ready for this unending exploration journey!

This is one of the most remote and challenging treks, crossing passes as high as 18,300 ft. We follow ancient trade routes still used by the nomadic herdsmen of Changthang. Spiti has only been opened to foreigners since 1993, Travel with the experts!

Spiti to Ladakh Treks Highlights:

-> 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 Tsomoriri Lake

-> A great way to appreciate the beauty of the region

-> Opportunity to visit ancient monasteries of Ladakh & Spiti and look into the ancient

-> Trekking an ancient trade route between Ladakh and Tibet

-> Buddhist culture from close proximity

-> Nights in Hotel/Guest House

Day 01: Delhi – Manali (575 kms/12-13 hrs)

Catch AC Volvo bus from Delhi in between 16:30 hrs – 17:30 hrs to Manali. Overnight journey. On the bus will stop for dinner and morning refresh before reaching Manali.

Day 2: Manali

Reach Manali by morning between 06:30 – 07:30 hrs. After reaching Manali, meet over representative and transfer to hotel for check in. Take rest for some time, later explore Manali town. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Manali.

Day 3: Manali – Kaza via Kunzum Pass (4550 m) 150 km/8 hrs

Morning after early breakfast we will travel to Kaza, from Manali we have two options for Kaza. One is via Atal Tunnel and other one via Rohtang Pass (3980 Mts). Rohtang Pass is the doorway to Lahaul valley. Afterwards, keep traveling over Kunzum La to Losar, which is the first village in Spiti Village. Arrival at Kaza by late afternoon and check into hotel. Kaza is the modern capital and head Quarter of Spiti Valley. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel.

Day 4: Kaza

This day is kept for expedition. Drive to Dhankar Monastery after breakfast. It is the former capital of Spiti and positioned above the junction of Pin and Spiti rivers. After this, continue towards Tabo Gompa, which is one of the greatest artistic treasures in Himalayan Area. Explore paintings and sculptures, which are more than 1000 years old. After visiting this area, drive back to Kaza for overnight stay.

Day 5: Kaza – Kibber – Dumla (4200m, drive 30 mins & trek 2 hrs)

We drive for about 45 mins to reach Kye Monastery. Visit the monastery and offer prayers for a good trek ahead. We continue on to Kibber village the start points of our trek. Kibber (4270m) is a scenic village and the roadhead for this trek. It used to be the highest inhabited village in Asia but now Hikkim in the vicinity has that distinction. Mt. Kanamo towers over this village. The pack animals are loaded here and we trek a short distance to our first campsite at Dumla with just 2 houses and farm fields all around. (2 hrs) Overnight Camp.

Day 6: Dumla – Thaltak (4600m, trek 4-5 hrs)

We gain over 400 meters throughout the day today. The landscape is amazing as we walk through the cold desert with snow-capped peaks and grassy meadows. We ascend gradually till we reach a flat ground and then descend slightly to the campsite at Thaltak. The campsite is multitiered and depending on the group size we could chooseour camping grounds. The campsite at Thaltak meadow offers great views overlooking a deep canyon. Overnight Camp.

Day 7: Thaltak – Bongrojen (5050m, trek 6-7 hrs)

A relatively longer day today, as we first descend steeply into the Parilungi Gorge which we then follow upstream, cross a river and climb a stony path through a remarkable rocky landscape to Bongrojen at close to 5000 metres. Overnight Camp.

Day 8: 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 9: Bongrojen – Parang La (5490m) – Dak Karzong (4850m, trek 5-6 hrs)

We make an early start to reach the pass. It is relatively easy to begin with but the last four km to the pass are quite steep. The pass is an old trade route joining Spiti and Ladakh. From the pass one gets mesmerizing views of the Changthang valleys in Spiti and Parilungi, a first visible and a distinctive Ladakhi peak. After soaking up the views we trek down to the source of the Pare Chu River. As we cross over the pass, there is a dramatic shift in the landscape from deep plunging gorges of Spiti to the broad flatlands of Ladakh. A few river crossings before we reach our camp. Overnight Camp.

Day 10: Dak Karzong – Datang Yongma (4650m, trek 3-4 hrs)

We continue on the wide plains of the Changthang on a wide trail. We camp on the left bank of the Pare Chu River bed. The days get easier as we lose altitude. Overnight in tents.

Day 11: Datang Yongma – Chumik Shilde (4330m, trek/6-7 hrs)

Trek again besides Parang Chu. We cross Racholemo and Norbu Sumdo to reach our campsite at Chumik Shilde. Overnight in tents

Day 12: 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 13: 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 14: Korzok – Gyama

Post breakfast, we shall trek across several large nomadic encampments to Gyama over Gyamsharma La (5440 mtrs). Overnight stay in the tent.

Day 15: Gyama – Rajung Karu

We shall trek to Rajung Karu by crossing Kyamayuri La today. Overnight stay in the camp.

Day 16: Rajung Karu – Nuruchan

Post breakfast, we will trek over the low ridge of Harlam Konka to a small hamlet and Gompa of Nuruchan. Overnight stay at Nuruchan.

Day 17: Nuruchan – Tso Kar

Our trek today will be to Tso Kar, which is one of the most beautiful lakes of the Changthang plains. Overnight at Tso Kar.

Day 18: Tso Kar – Tanglang La – Leh

After breakfast in the morning, we shall trek from Tso Kar to Tanglang La (5328 meters) and from here drive to Leh by jeep. On the way we will visit Hemis, Shey and Thiksey Monastery. On arrival at Leh check into hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Leh.

Day 19: Sham valley excursion upto Sangam

Sham valley excursion upto Sangam After breakfast you drive downstream along the River Indus on Leh – Kargil Highway. And start our sightseeing with Hall of Fame (Museum Constructed by India Army) near Leh is worth a visit for every Indian, and proceed further to Gurudwara Patthar Sahib Nestled deep in the Himalayas, A drive of another 4 km took us to Magnetic Hill which defies the law of gravity & further Driving through a picturesque landscape we reached the Confluence of The Indus and Zanskar River. After visiting above places, we drive back to Leh enroute visiting Spituk Monastery, built in 15th century during the reign of Grags ‘bum-lde, these new Gelug-pa monastery was built like fortress on the summit of crags. Later return back to Leh. Overnight stay at hotel in Leh.

Day 20: Leh – Delhi

In the morning after breakfast transfer to airport to catch a flight for onward destinations.