Parang La Trek

You will arrive at ISBT Kashmiri Gate by 8 pm to board the bus to Manali. The Volvo Semi—sleeper bus—takes 13 hours to reach your destination. You will board waiting vehicles to drive to the lodge away from the bustle of the city at Haripur – 15km away.

Meet with your guide and staff for the trip. Acclimatization and last-minute shopping. You can take a few short walks around the village to keep yourself active.

Start at 7am for a drive over Rohtang Pass (4000m) and Kunzum La (4590m) and continue on a rough road to Kaza. Follow the Chandra River upstream until Kunzum La, and then follow the Spiti river to Kaza.

After breakfast, you will drive to Dhankar Monastery. Visit the monastery and then trek 1.5hrs to reach the Dhankar Lake (4136m). Spend some time at the lake before returning to Kaza in the late afternoon.

After breakfast, you will drive to Langza village. Visit the village, walk, and take in great views of Chau Cau Kang Nilda. Spend some time at the village with a short hike. Return to Kaza in the late afternoon.

Drive for about 45 minutes to reach the Kye Monastery. View the morning prayers and drive onward to the road head for your trek. Today is a short walk along gradual slopes. You will camp next to a small stream in the Chicham fields.

Walk to a vast plateau above the Thaltak Meadows. Revel in the harsh, stark beauty as you hike, with great views of Kanamo Peak en route. Descend from the plateau to camp in the bowl-shaped meadows.

Get ready for a relatively long day! You will start with a steep descent into the Paralungbi Gorge, follow it upstream to Jagtha. Then, start climbing up on the scree laden path to the base of Parang La.

After an early breakfast, start the climb to the top of the Parang La Pass. The walk is gradual at first and then turns steep in the last 2 hours. From the top (5580M), view the peaks of Ladakh, the Changthang valley, the Parilungi peak and the source of the Pare Chu River. Cross over to the wide, undulating plains of Ladakh. Descend onto the glacier and carefully make your way across a few river crossings before reaching camp.

Continue on the wide plains of the Changthang on a wide trail. You will camp on the left bank of the Pare Chu riverbed. The days get easier as you lose altitude.

Another day of walking on similar terrain before reaching Racholamo in the mid-afternoon. You will have lots of time to bask in the surroundings and take some wide-sweeping pictures of the majestic plains.

Start the day early to ford the Norbu Sumdo River and across to Chumik Shilde. Norbu Sumdo was the meeting ground of kings from both Ladakh and Spiti. The river goes onward to flow in Tibet. Cross the river and trek until you reach one of the most beautiful campsites on this trail, where spring water and meadows boast plenty of grass and wildflowers all around. Get your first views of the TsoMoriri from Chumik Shilde.

Walk across mostly flat land to reach the edges of the lake. The camp is named after the Kiangs (wild Tibetan asses) that roam uninhibitedly here. The lake is a nesting ground for many rare migratory birds.

Revel in your accomplishments via relaxing at the lake, reading, sleeping, or exploring the area. There are also lots of birding opportunities! Admire the twin peaks of Chamsher (6622m) and Lungser Kangri (6666 m) dominating the lake’s backdrop.

Prepare for a long travel day ahead! Head to Karzog along a dirt track, then onwards to Leh. You will arrive later in the evening.

After an early breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your flight—an incredible one-hour flight over the greater Himalayas with spectacular views of K2 (8611 m) among others. You will then arrive back in Delhi, where your trip ends!