The Changthang plateau a sweeping terrain of vast pasture lands and remote villages. A landscape that is home to some of the highest and largest salt water lakes in the western Himalayas. Tso Moriri at 4,500m / 14,760ft is the largest of these lakes ringed by an austere range of brown barren hills. The Changthang is also home to the semi-nomadic Changpa shepherds who roam this wilderness in search of fodder for their Pashmina wool producing goats and herds of yaks. This trek traverses a part of the Changthang and spills over into the similar landscape of Spiti in the neighbouring state of Himachal Pradesh.
ITINERARY
Day 01: We welcome you on your arrival at the Indira Gandhi International
Airport in New Delhi and escort you to your hotel where you stay overnight.
Day 02: Take the morning flight to Leh and check into your hotel. Afternoon
free to wander around the bazaars and relax. A couple days in Leh is
strongly advised due to the high altitude.
Day 03: We visit the ancient monasteries of Shey with its enormous state of
Buddha and Thikse one of the most important Gompas in central Ladakh which
has some beautiful wall paintings besides gilded statues of the Buddha. In
the afternoon we drive down to the famous Hemis Gompa in a secluded grove
of poplars. Return to your hotel for the night.
Day 04: Visit the secluded Stok royal palace the Spituk monastery and the
Tibetan Camp of Choglamsar and get further acclimatized for the days ahead
before returning to your hotel for the night.
Day 05: Drive from Leh to Rumtse village - 4000m / 13,129ft on the
Manali-Leh Highway. Begin our trek to Kyamar - 4420m / 14,497ft. 4 hours.
The trail enters an enchanting vast land where the weathered Changpa nomads
are to be seen roaming in search of rich pasture for their flocks of sheep
and herds of Yaks. This was also once the legendary salt route.
Day 06: Kyamar - Kumur La - 4770m / 15,656ft. & the Maldanchan La at 4805m
/ 15,760ft to Tisaling at 4805m / 15,760ft. 5 - 6 hours. The trek continues
through a colour splashed gorge and goes on to Chorten Sumda. Its an easy
one hour walk before an ascent begins towards the Kumur La pass from where
you get great views of the Kangyatse chain of hills and the and the Indus
valley.
Day 07: Tisaling - Shibuk La - 4875m / 15,990ft to Pangunagu at 4800m /
15,744ft. 5 hours. Once on the pass we are afforded with a birds eye view
of the salt water Tsokar lake at 4400m / 14,432ft and the sweeping Rupshu
valley ahead. The descent to this brackish lake famous for its enormous
salt deposits is a leisurely one. Camp near the lake just off the vast
Morey plains.
Day 08: Pangunagu - Nuruchan - 4630m / 15,186ft. 5 hours. We walk along the
shores of the lake to the other end and if lucky get to see herds of Kiang
and numerous migratory bird species. From the other side of the lake the
trail turns right and enters the Nuruchan village. Camp.
Day 09: Nuruchan - Horlam Kongka La - 4900m / 16,072ft & the Kyamayuri La -
5410m / 17,748ft. to Gyamabarma (4950m / 16,236ft. 6 hours. The trail leads
into higher altitudes and after crossing tow high mountain passes descend
to the small campsite at Gyamabarma.
Day 10: Gyamabarma - Yalung Nyau La - 5440m / 17,843ft to Korzok village at
4550m / 14,924ft. 6 hours. Trek over the Yalung Nyau La pass to the quaint
village of Korzok, on the northwestern shores of Tso Moriri. After spending
time exploring this ancient monastery we camp near the lake for the night.
Day 11: Korzok - Kyangdam - 4550m / 14,924ft. 6 ½ hours. We trek along the
western shore of the sapphire blue Tso Moriri to Kiangdam a vast shrub land
on the south shore of the lake.
Day 12: Kiangdam - Norbu Sumdo - 4450m / 14,596ft. 6 hours. The trail heads
south after crossing the Pare Chu river and climbs steadily emerging into
the Parang Chu valley.
Day 13: Norbu Sumdo - Parang Chu Camp 1 - 4850m / 15,908ft. 5 hours. The
trail continues to climb gradually along the valley on the right bank of
the river till we reach our campsite.
Day 14: Parang Chu 1 - Parang Chu 2 - 5000m / 16,400ft. 5 ½ hours. The trek
continues south passing a narrow gorge all the while involving a series of
climbs and descents across valleys.
Day 15: Parang Chu 2 - Parang La - 5500m / 18,040ft. to Jugstok - 4800m /
15,744ft. 7 hours.
The moraine strewn face of the Parang glacier has to be crossed as the
treks winds its way up to the Parang La pass. A rocky path takes us to the
saddle of the pass from where you are rewarded with breathtaking views of
the Ladakh and Lahaul mountain peaks. Far below you can see the silvery
Parang Chu river making its way to the east. Camp overnight at Jugstok.
Day 16: Jugstok - Kibber - 4300m / 14,104ft. 7 hours. A steep descent is
involved as we walk towards the Sampa Lungpa valley. Crossing another pass
the Thaltak La at 4600m / 15,088ft we get extensive views of the distant
Lingti valley east of Kaza town. Crossing smooth grassy hills we reach the
small hamlet of Dumla from where we walk over to Kibber village said to be
the highest permanently inhabited village in the world. Overnight.
Day 17: Kibber - Tabo - 3050m / 19,004ft. We are met by a Jeep which takes
us to Kaza via the strategically located Ki monastery on a solitary rock
face high above the Spiti river basin and on to the over 1000 year old Tabo
monastery. Close by there is a newly built Gompa and a painting school
founded by the Dalai Lama. Overnight at Tabo.
Day 18: Drive from Tabo to Manali over the 4590m / 16,087ft Kunzum La and
the 3980m / 13050ft Rohtang Pass. 12 Hours. We arrive at the resort town of
Manali in the lush green Kullu valley by late evening and check into a
hotel.
Day 19: Rest day at Manali with a bit of local sightseeing.
Day 20: After breakfast drive to Delhi and check into a hotel for the
night.
Day 21: Day at leisure in Delhi. Transfer to International airport by late
night or early morning to catch your international flight.
Contact us for cost
PRICE INCLUDES:
- Domestic flights (Delhi - Leh - Delhi)
- Land transportation as mentioned in the program by a private vehicle with an English speaking chauffeur.
- Accompaniment: the assistance of a local staff: guide, cook (and cook helpers for large groups).
- The Jeep for the carrying of individual camping, cooking and collective material.
- Lodging : hotel in Delhi and Leh, camping during the Nature Safari
- Meals : full board except the meals in Delhi and Leh
PRICE DO NOT INCLUDES:
- International flights
- International airport taxes
- Visa fees
- Repatriation assistance
- Main meals in Delhi and Leh
- Admission fees for the visits of temples, monuments, monasteries and museums planned
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Tips
