Surely one of the most fascinating treks in Himalayas with starting of the trek from Kibber (4250m), a remote village in Spiti mountains of Himachal Pradesh, we walk 500 m down to the Parilungbi gorge and then stepping over the moraine stretches, crevasses and glaciers, we climb to the mighty pass of Parang-la (5450m). Following the Pare Chu, which flows towards South to the Tibet frontier near Chumar village and again enters in Spiti valley, we will arrive at a mesmerizingly stunning lake, beyond your imagination and expectation; called Tsemoriri.
Rupshu valley lies sandwiched between Ladakh in the north, Tibet in the east and Zanskar in the west. It is a part of the Changthang Plateau and is categorized by high arid plains, remote villages, snow-capped peaks and beautiful high altitude azure-blue lakes, the largest being Tsemoriri at 4,500 meters. Truly remote, this area is only accessible for a few months every summer and is inhabited by Changpas- nomadic yak and pashmina goat herders of Tibetan Origin who wander this area crossing over high altitude mountain passes.
Our trek will take us across these passes to their summer settlements to witness a unique human culture, far away from reaches of the modern world. The scenery is wild and vast with snow capped peaks lining the far horizon and the area is also the home of some rare wild life like Kyang, blue sheep, ibex and the famous Himalayan snow leopard. The final leg of our trek leads us over a high mountain pass of the shore of beautiful Tsemoriri Lake, surrounded by over 6000 meters high snow wedded peaks. This lake is alive with an abundance of very rare migratory birds. The trek ends at the enchanting Tsemoriri and from here we transfer to Leh.
- International airport to hotel in Delhi transfer by small coach/ medium or large cars as per the group size
- Sightseeing/ monument visits as per the itinerary
- Delhi to trek beginning point and back to Delhi transfers
- Transfer to international airport in Delhi after the trip
- Transportation of porters, cook, kitchen staff to trek beginning point and back to their places after the trekking
Accommodation – city hotels with breakfast & remaining on full board
- Hotels as per the program
- Trekking duration camps with all meals
- Gala dinner at Delhi with expedition mementoes/ souvenirs
Staff
- Porters for the trekking part
- Cook and kitchen helper (01)
- Trekking guide (01) from trek beginning point to trek end point
- Local sightseeing/ city/ monument guide
Equipment
- Trekking tents for the members
- Trekking tent for cook+ helper and trekking guide
- Ground mattresses
- Kitchen tent, chairs, tables, stools, utensils, crockery and cutlery
- Toilet tents and toiletries
- Medical kit
- Maps and directions
Administrative assistance to the expedition team
- Cargo Management for big groups
- Insurance of the staff and porters for trekking trips like Kangla Pass
- Inner Line permits/ restricted area permits
The cost doesn’t include
- Air tickets of the expedition members
- Any kind of insurance of the clients
- Personal expenditures of the clients
- Helicopter rescue
- Personal sleeping bags and sacs
- Cargo handling charges
Skiing supplement
- If you want to ski down from some point, you can write separately.
SPITI TO LADAKH TREKKING ALONG THE ANCIENT NOMADIC TRADE ROUTE
Few years ago, LONELY PLANET included this trek (Kibber to Tsemoriri over Parang La pass) in world’s top 10 trek routes. In earlier times, the traders of Tibet, Ladakh and Changthang valley used to reach La Darcha fair of Kaza for trade through this route where Changspa nomads came mainly to barter wool and barley in exchange for salt. While trekking on this route we come across several fossils belonging to the Tethys Sea and enjoyed clear views of stunning Mt. Kanamo towering above the landscape.
Kaza, the start point of this trek expedition is approachable from Shimla and Manali so we keep the meeting point open to access from any side. The name of campsites after Parang La may be find in different names, which is quite obvious as the plains on other side of pass go with you for three days. Different guides prefer camping at different sites, so the names are different.
We will provide you all travel services in Delhi and journey to Kaza from your desired route.
Day 01: Kaza to Kibber- Kaza to Kibber is a nice uphill drive of 18 Kms and almost half the way we stop at a popular monastery of Spiti named Kee and the house of Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo’s 19th reincarnation. If you are lucky or plan your holidays accordingly, you can seek his blessings in this monastery. Rinchen Zangpo was the great translator who translated more than 160 Sanskrit spiritual books into Tibetan language and he was the pioneer master spreading monastic education in Trans Himalayan Mountains. Kee monastery holds about 150 in house monks and it is one of the great learning centres. Further we drive to Kibber which is an ancient village at the height of 4270 Metres. Rest of the day is free to walk in the village and get acclimatized with the altitude and surroundings. Overnight stay at a home stay or tent.
Day 02: Kibber (4270 M) to Dumla (4550 M)- 18 Kms/ 4 hours: The day can be started easy as the trek is not much hard but it will take time because of the first day and some distance moving through the boulders. These stones shine like gold in the sunlight and evening they become dark and quite, yes we see Mount Kanamo in front of us while trekking this day. We camp at Dumla.
Day 03: Dumla to Thaltak Ground (4875 M)- 07 Kms/ 5 hours: After continuing the climb for a few Kms, one obtains a spectacular view of Kang Nilda (6303m) to the southeast .To the northwest one can see several peaks standing above Kunzam Pass. The trail then descends for about an hour to reach Thaltak camping ground. We camp at Thaltak Ground.
Day 04: Thaltak to Jagtha (4785 M) and further trek to Bonrojen (5180 M) – 14 Kms/ 7 hours: The trail descends precariously over shifting shelves of sand and debris of moraine: goes down to the Parilungbi gorge and continues along the river as far as Jagtha camping ground. Some people camp here but our guides have decided to move further to Boroglen or Bonrojen which is 6 Kms further from Jagtha. After Jagtha, we have steep climb for some time and later we find are two Glaciated valleys, one to the north and the other to the south. Our destination trail follows the northern moraine and reaches Boroglen/ Bonrojen Camping ground. We camp here for the night.
Day 05: Bonrojen to PARANG LA (5578 M) to Dak Karzong (4940 M) – 10 Kms/ 5 hours: Today we trek to cross Parang La. After making its way over scree and a few patches of snow, the trail climbs gradually up to Parang La. The top of this Pass presents spectacular viewpoints of the peaks and ranges of Lahaul and Ladakh; and Parang Chu, whose source is on the southern slopes of Parang La, can be seen below. The last two hours are quite challenging but it rewards you with the honour to stand at the top of ancient trade route of Ladakh and Tibet traders. You can see the first glimpse of Paralungbi peak as the first peak of Ladakh this side, both sides are open to see and enjoy, the Spiti and the Changthang Valley from the top.
We start getting down from the top towards the flow of Para Chu River and join the vast length of plains where we are free to camp anywhere. We camp at Dak Karzong for the night.
Day 06: Dak Karzong to Datang Yongma (4725 M)- 12 Kms/ 5 hours: Today we cross the river close to campsite and follow the left bank of Pare Chu. Now the valley becomes broaden and we can see the huge area of about sixty Kms stretch through Kharas, Dokpo Phirtse, Dakar, Kuru and Thaktote, which are places where Changpas (Tibetan Nomads) stays during summer time. We cross the small tributaries and reach to our campsite Datang Yongma.
Day 07: Datang Yongma to Chumik Shilde through Norbu Sumdo (4660 M) - 16 Kms/ 6 hours: Today we cross the Para Chu River and trek further to the right side where landscape changes from dusty plain to green pasture ground. We prefer to start early because the winds can be strong in the afternoon, we meet Changpas (Tibetan Nomads) on this route and we can see the route going towards Chumur Village which is the bordering village of India towards China and restricted to visit.
Day 08: Chumik Shilde to Tsemoriri (4510 M) - 14 Kms/ 5 hours: Today we meet a wonderful and exciting day of trekking tour through pasture and sandy patches of the valley becomes broader and broader. Leaving Chumik Shilde and crossing stream finally arrive at Tso-moriri Lake at Kiangdom- named after the kiangs (wild Tibetan asses) which roam here freely. The lake is 24 Kms in length and 6 Kms wide. Changpas can be seen with their flocks of sheep, goats and yaks near around the lake. Kyang, Tibetan wild ass), birds like: bar headed goose, the migratory birds, black-necked ducks are also found around the lake.
Day 09: Tsemoriri to Karzog (4527 M)- 15 Kms/ 6-7 hours: This is your last day of trek along the shores of Tsemoriri Lake following the spectacular view of Lungsar Kangri Peak which offers a background tough to forget. The walk is longer than it looks and with the afternoon winds you will be tired when you reach Karzog. Our guide will take you to the ancient monastery in Karzog and later we camp here at Karzog.
Day 10: Drive to Leh (213 Kms)- 8-9 Kms
Day 11: Some sightseeing and rest.
Day 12: Fly to Delhi and later we transfer you to international airport
CLIMBINGB OPTIONS of MENTHOK KANGRI
If you spend 4 more days, you can climb Menthok Kangri (one f the famous Kangri Peaks with just one days trek to BC from Karzog).
Getting there: Your nearest international airport is Delhi where you will meet with our expedition manager. After essential visits to IMF and cargo (if required), you will be escotrted towards the initial point of your adventure as per the program details.
After the expedition/ adventure journey, you arrive back to Delhi. After de briefing (in case of expedition) and farewell ceremony, you will be driven to international airport to board flight back to your home.
Airtickets: We have our partners in almost every foreign countries, so if you need any assistance in your air tickets bookings, you are always welcome to speak to us to know about our partner close to you.
Cargo Management: We have strong tieups with the cargo management companies to get your consignments clear timely in Delhi. In maximum cases, you will only need to spend just 2 hours for getting your consignmwent delivery. Once you send the documents and the boxes details, we start locating them in India.
Insurance : It is a condition of joining our trips that you must be adequately insured. All persons are expected to arrange their own insurance. Polices should cover any potential risks involved in such adventure.
Our hotels and camps: We offer you best economy hotels in cities and towns and till base camp we provide you very comfirtable tents with maximim possible faciltiies in the mountains. For the trekking, Jeep Safaris, MTB and other adventure journeys, we provide the most luxurious camps fitted with dining areas and modren toilet facilities.
Adventure India briefing: We have excelent maps, images and movies of majoriety of our adventure expeditions/ joiurneys and sports. A short briefing in our offices is highly recommended so the team understands logistics, forecarst problems and know where the solutions would be. We stress on planning, planning and planning in any adventure expediton and till now we have remained successful in all of our expeditions just because of our planning. So we need you to be an active part of it.
Rescue and helicopter evacuation: if the expeditons are well planned, rescue operations can be avoided. In the history of 14 years, we didn’t encounter any seviour requireemtn of rescue but still we can tie up with the agencies to provide helicopter evacuation on your request and willingness to pay the charges.
Peak booking formalities: already mentioned in detail in our mountaineering formalities in India link. For necessary applications either you can check the website of IMF or speak to us.
Ground transportation: We provide the ground transportation compriseing of best available cars/ copaches in fine roads and rough trucks in remote areas of the Indian mountains.
Porters and ponies: We provide ponies till base camp and HAP/ LAPs as per the requirement of the expedition.
Fuel and gases: Fuel (aftwer BC) is not a part of cost included section, but we will manage Butane / Butane propane gases for you on your timely request.
Trek & BC food : We offer a mixture of Vegetarian and Non vegetarian food till BC including the several herbs we have individually discovered with the medicinal values and capacity to keep the body warm. We have cooks who make Korean, Japnese and Continental food along with Indian food.
Our guides & instructors: Our guides are basically trained till BC trekking and support to establish BC. But our instructors do have good experience of mountaineering who can join the expeditions to higher levels too.
Ground Support system: We have fantastic ground support system developed in collaboration with the local people of nearest villages, army camps, porters and local guides. We have re discovered the use of traditional communication system also along with the setellite phones to stay in touch with the groups after BC. Our BC staff is trained to keep information of the groups at ABC and between and act as per the situation.
Cost Includes & not: The cost includes all hotels, guest houses, camps till BC, food till BC, ponies, porters, LAP/ HAP, food & tents for the porters, cooks and staff at BC, insurance of our permanenet staff, food for LO, cargo management, all transportation, all sightseeing, liasioning and coordination, trekking guides and BC management. The cost doent include IMF fees and environment levies, State Government fees and environment levies, porters insurance, clients air fares, helicopter evacuation, extra porters requirement from the BC, extra days at or above BC and any expenditure on personal level including clients insurance/ visa etc.