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PARANG LA TREK, SPITI in HIMACHAL PRADESH
to LADAKH
This is a varied and remote, high-altitude trek in the starkly beautiful trans-Himalaya.
Commencing in the dramatic Spiti Valley, a region rich in ancient Buddhist heritage and
interesting Gompas, the trek follows an ancient trade route towards Tibet to reach the
remote Changthang plateau in eastern Ladakh. Until recently, the territory through
which it passes was barred to foreigners.
The trail starts by descending to the rocky Parilungbi gorge below Kibber and crossing
steep scree and moraine before ascending the Parang La (5592m), the source of the Pare
Chu River. Once across the pass, the trail follows a broad valley fringed by peaks to the
confluence of the Pare Chu and the Phirtse Phu rivers. The scenery undergoes
considerable change as you proceed to the open Rupshu plains of Changthang, home to
an abundance of Kiangs, or Tibetan Wild Ass.
The trek takes you to the azure-blue, high-altitude lake of Tso Moriri (27kms long),
which is a breeding ground for bar-headed geese, black-necked cranes and Brahminy
ducks. On this stark plateau, fringed by snow-capped mountains, nomadic yak and
pashmina goat herders (Changpas) eke out an existence in the summer months.
Trip Duration: This trip is 19 days, with arrival in Delhi on Day 1 and departure from Delhi
on Day 19. There are 8 trekking days.
Grade: Tough - this trek requires a high level of trekking stamina. As a guide,
participants should feel comfortable hiking over hilly and rocky terrain on
7-8 hour outings on consecutive days.
Altitude: Much of the trek is spent over 4000m. High point at Parang La (5592m).
_________________________________________________________________________________
30 Tower Street Cirencester Gloucestershire GL7 1EF. telephone/fax 01285 650 906 email info@traverseline.co.uk www.traverseline.co.uk
Style: The trek will be lead by an experienced, personable guide and supported
by a team of porters. Once on trek, you will camp in tents.
Best Time: Mid-July to mid-September
Trek Leader:
Your trek leader in India will be one of our four highly experienced guides, the choice depending
upon availability: Asta Bir Maharajan, Surendra Singh Rana, Tek Bahadur Budhathok, or Ajeet
Bajaj. Please consult our website for biographies and photographs.
Itinerary:
Day 1 - Arrive in Delhi
You will be met on arrival by our representative and transferred to the Ashok Country Resort in
New Delhi. This is a comfortable hotel with a pool, set in gardens in a quiet suburb, with good
proximity to the airport; it’s an easy vehicle ride into central Delhi.
Overnight at the Ashok Country Estate.
Day 2 - Delhi
Optional full day or half day guided city tour of New and Old Delhi.
Overnight at the Ashok Country Estate.
Day 3 - Delhi to Kullu by air, then drive to Manali (2050m)
In the morning, you will be transferred to the domestic airport terminal to board a flight to
Kullu. On arrival at Bhuntar airport, you will be met by your trekking guide and a driver and be
driven by vehicle up to the small hill-town of Manali, a journey of about an hour. After arrival,
explore Manali at leisure. Overnight in The Banon Resort Hotel in Manali.
Day 4 - Manali (Acclimatization Day)
Morning trek to up towards Patalsu (4470m) to assist acclimatization. Evening at leisure.
Overnight in the Banon Resort Hotel in Manali.
Day 5 - Manali to Kaza (3689 M), drive 201km/8hrs
Drive by jeep over the Rohtang pass (3978 M) and drop into the Lahaul valley to meet the river
Chandra. One can see the beautiful Chandra Bhaga range and the Bara Shigri Glacier in the Pir
Panjal range. Climbing again you’ll cross the Kunzum la (4700m) and enter the beautiful Spiti
valley, with its barley fields, willow and poplar groves hemmed in by barren, windswept
mountains. After a long drive you’ll arrive at Kaza, the administrative centre of Spiti. Overnight
in the Banjara Kaza Retreat in Kaza.
Day 6 - Kaza to Kibber (4118 M), drive 15km/1hr
We drive on to the small village of Kibber, which is reputed to be the highest village in India,
and which has a dramatic and desolate location. On the way, make a visit to Tabo Gompa, a
World Heritage Site, which has some of the best Indo-Tibetan art remaining in the world. There
are nine temples in the complex, dating back from the 10th to the 16th centuries. Overnight in
tents.
_________________________________________________________________________________
30 Tower Street Cirencester Gloucestershire GL7 1EF. telephone/fax 01285 650 906 email info@traverseline.co.uk www.traverseline.co.uk
Day 7 - Kibber
A day is spent in Kibber for acclimatisation. Make a visit to Kyi
monastery. This is the oldest and largest monastery in Spiti, and
has a truly spectacular setting on a hillock overlooking the main
valley. Following an earthquake in 1975, when it was partially
destroyed, the gompa has been fully restored. There is a priceless
collection of thangkas and you can visit the prayer rooms. Kibber
monastery can also be visited. Overnight in tents
Day 8 - Kibber to Thaltak (4645m), via Dumla, 7 hrs
After breakfast the trek starts by descending steeply for
about one hour to the narrow Parilungbi gorge. The trail
then crosses the Parilungbi River and climbs to a green,
cultivated area near Dumla. After climbing further for a
few kilometres, one gets views of Kang Nilda (6303 m)
rising in the southeast. To the northwest one can see
several peaks rising over the Kunzum Pass. The trail then
descends for about an hour to reach Thaltak camping
ground (4645m). Overnight in tents.
Day 9 - Thaltak to Borochin (5076m), via Jugtha (4352 m), 7 hrs
Today the trail descends over shifting shelves of sand and moraine debris, cuts down again to
the Parilungbi gorge and continues along the river as far as Jugtha camping ground. From
Jugtha, the path rises steeply and continuously over more scree and moraine. At the top of this
difficult climb you’ll reach two glaciated valleys, one running to the north and the other to the
south. The trail follows the northern moraine to reach Borochin camping ground. Overnight in
tents.
Day 10 - Borochin to Dak Kardom (4884m), via the
Parang La Pass (5592m), 8hrs
After a walk of one hour, the trail climbs gradually up to
Parang La (5592m). From the top of the pass there are
spectacular views of the peaks and ranges of Lahoul and
Ladakh, and the Spiti and Changthang valleys. Descending
the pass, you will cross a heavily-crevassed glacier to reach
Dak Kardom. Overnight in tents.
Day 11 - Dak Kardom to Humna (4744m), via Largyup,
7hrs
Having crossed the Parang La, the scenery changes from
steep terrain crossed with gorges, to broad, high-altitude
plains fringed by peaks, where there is a genuine sense of
space and remoteness. Continue along an open valley,
following the Pare Chu river to Humna. Overnight in tents.
_________________________________________________________________________________
30 Tower Street Cirencester Gloucestershire GL7 1EF. telephone/fax 01285 650 906 email info@traverseline.co.uk www.traverseline.co.uk
Day 12 - Humna to Nurbu Sumdo (4515m), via Racholamo (4593m), 6-7hrs
Continue to follow the Pare Chu River until the confluence with the Phirtse Phu river at Nurbu
Sumdo. At Nurbu Sumdo one can see the ruins of an old fort built by Sengge Namgyal in the
17th century, and it was in this region that at the earliest signs of the Drokpas (yak and sheep
herders) were discovered. Overnight in tents.
Day 13 - Nurbu Sumdo to Kiangdom (4546m), via Chumak Shelte (4532m), 5-6hrs
Today the trek is mostly on flat, sandy terrain as you cross open plains and dried lakebed to the
southern tip of oval-shaped Tso Moriri, at Kiangdom. Tso Moriri is a high altitude, azure-blue
fresh-water lake, surrounded by stark 6000m mountains. The lake breaks into several channels
to create a vast wetland, the breeding ground of several rare species of birds. The region is also
home to an abundance of wildlife - commonly seen are kiang (Tibetan wild ass), fox and
marmot. You may be lucky and spot a Tibetan wolf. Overnight in tents at Kiangdom.
Day 14 - Kiangdom to Karzok
(4580m), 7hrs
Today is an easy-going, albeit long
walk with few ups and downs. You’ll
continue round the fringes of the lake,
crossing dry sections of the lake bed.
The views across Tso-Moriri to
Lungser Kangri (6666m), the highest
peak around the lake, are
unforgettable. Overnight in tents.
Day 15 - Tso-Moriri Lake
Day at leisure to explore the area and
visit Karzok village, a permanent settlement of the Changthang Nomads, and its Gompa.
Overnight in tents.
Day 16 - Tso-Moriri to Leh
Morning drive to Leh. You will be met on arrival at your hotel by a representative. Evening at
leisure and the chance to explore Leh market. Overnight in a Category A (Superior) hotel in Leh
(see note about hotels in Leh, below).
Day 17 - Leh
After breakfast, guided sightseeing of Shey, Thiksey & Hemis monasteries.
Shey Palace was built in 1645 by Deldan Namgyal as a summer residence for the kings of
Ladakh. It is the oldest palace in Ladakh, and above the palace is a ruined fortress from an
earlier period. In 1655, the same king built the two-storey Shey Gompa adjacent to the palace.
The Gompa has a 12-m high seated Buddha; the statue is made of gilded copper sheets and is
the biggest metal statue in the region.
Thiksey Gompa is the most beautifully situated monastery in Ladakh, perched in a
commanding position on a hill above the Indus. Its buildings are arranged on a number of
levels which lead up to the private apartments of the lamas-incarnate located on the summit.
From here there is a magnificent view of the valley. The gompa possesses a rich and beautiful
collection of hundreds of hand-written and painted prayer books.
_________________________________________________________________________________
30 Tower Street Cirencester Gloucestershire GL7 1EF. telephone/fax 01285 650 906 email info@traverseline.co.uk www.traverseline.co.uk
Hemis Gompa is the largest and wealthiest Gompa in Ladakh, and by inference one of the
most important. It was built in 1620 by the king-architect Singe Namgyal, a great patron of
Buddhism. He filled Hemis with golden statues, stupas set with precious stones and thangkhas
brought from many places, including Tibet. The lamas of Hemis were associated with the
Ladakhi royal family and became quite prosperous, owning much land and supervising many
smaller, scattered monasteries. Although only about a dozen lamas actually live here, Hemis has
several hundred lamas attached to its subsidiary monasteries.
Overnight in your hotel in Leh.
Day 18 - Leh to Delhi by air
Transfer to the airport in time for your flight back to Delhi. You will be met on arrival and
transferred to the Ashok Country Resort. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at the Ashok Country Resort.
Day 19 - Delhi to Onward Destination
Transfer to the International airport in time to board your return flight to the UK.
Extensions
A range of extensions can be made, should you wish to spend more time before or after your
trek exploring the region. We recommend you call our office to discuss the range of options
available. However, here are a few suggestions in Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh:
1. Trekking Peaks at Tso Moriri: For those who have more time, as well as the
inclination, it’s possible to make a detour from this trek to take in one or more of the
6000m Trekking Peaks that surround Lake Tso Moriri (including the highest, Lungser
Kangri, at 6666m). By the time you reach Tso Moriri, having crossed the Parang La, you
will be suitably acclimatised for an attempt on one of the surrounding summits. Peaks
are within the grasp of novice climbers.
2. Rafting: White water rafting opportunities exist on the Indus and Zanskar rivers in
Ladakh, as well as on the Beas river south of Manali, amongst other offerings.
3. Shimla: The summer capital of the Raj between 1864 and 1939, this is an archetypal
hill-station strung out along a 12km ridge overlooking the Himalaya. There’s plenty of
crumbling colonial charm and good places to stay and eat. Shimla is either accessible
from Delhi or Kullu/Manali and is a whole day’s drive from either start point. Shimla
can also be approached by train from Delhi via Chandigarh, and then transferring to the
highly enjoyable mountain railway at Kalka. Allow 2 days for this approach.
Hotels in Leh
In Leh, all hotels have standard rates governed by the local association depending upon their
category i.e. A, B & C. Reservation is totally dependent on the rooms available at the time of
booking followed by making an advance payment. If you are travelling to Ladakh, we will
endeavour to find our clients rooms in category A hotels (Superior), of which there is a range to
choose from.
_________________________________________________________________________________
30 Tower Street Cirencester Gloucestershire GL7 1EF. telephone/fax 01285 650 906 email info@traverseline.co.uk www.traverseline.co.uk
Important Note
As you will be travelling in a mountain environment, please note that actual travel may alter
owing to factors such as prevailing weather conditions and group acclimatisation. Activities and
timings may vary slightly from those outlined, and decisions relating to pace and route will be at the
discretion of your guide, who will at all times endeavour to enable the group to meet its objectives
safely. All of our treks have been designed to ensure that proper acclimatisation takes place.
Chart Showing Trek Gradient
height given in metres
6000
Parang La
5000
4000
Sleep Height
3000
High Points
On Foot
2000
Vehicle
Vehicle
1000
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Price
Group Size 4 5-7 8-12
land only price per person £ 2025 1905 1625
Single Room Supplement £ 210
Notes:
1. single room supplements apply to Hotels “off” trek. On Trek, we would ask you to share a tent with another member of your
party where suitable.
2. Prices are subject to variation according to changes in local fares and room rates.
Price Includes:
Airport and departure service in Delhi, Kullu and Leh - All land transportation including
arrival/departure by an A/C vehicle in Delhi and Non A/C vehicle from Kullu onwards -
Internal Flights Delhi to Kullu (outward sector) and Leh to Delhi (return sector) - 3 nights at the
Ashok Country Resort in Delhi (bed & breakfast) - All other off-trek accommodation where
stated (full board) - Accommodation in tents with all meals during trek - Guide, porters and
their insurance, mules and all expenses on trek (trek luggage limited to 15kg for porterage) -
Sightseeing in Delhi (1 full day) with English speaking guide and local Ladakhi English speaking
guide in Leh - Entrance fees to monuments when sightseeing - Trekking fees where applicable -
Government Service Tax of 4.9% on all services included.
_________________________________________________________________________________
30 Tower Street Cirencester Gloucestershire GL7 1EF. telephone/fax 01285 650 906 email info@traverseline.co.uk www.traverseline.co.uk
Price Excludes:
International flights and taxes - Personal and medical insurance (including air evacuation) -
alcoholic and mineral beverages throughout the tour - personal expenses such as telephone calls
or laundry - all meals, except breakfast, when in Delhi - international departure tax - all gratuities
- any emergency expenses brought about by events beyond the control of Traverse Line or the
Company’s representatives in India - charges made for cameras/camcorders at monuments
When to go
Both the Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh lie in the trans-Himalayan region, in the
rain-shadow of the main Himalayan range, and weather patterns are therefore not governed by
the movement of the Asian monsoon. These regions have extremely dry environments and the
sun shines for a significant proportion of the year. However, much of the land, even the bottom
of the principal valleys, lie at altitudes in excess of 3000m; temperatures are very low during the
winter months, and passes are generally closed (the Kunzum La is closed from mid-October to
mid-July). The best time to trek therefore is during the summer months, between mid-July and
mid-September. If you wish to extend to more southerly parts of India, it’s perhaps best to steer
towards the end of this period to avoid high temperatures and the monsoon.
_________________________________________________________________________________
30 Tower Street Cirencester Gloucestershire GL7 1EF. telephone/fax 01285 650 906 email info@traverseline.co.uk www.traverseline.co.uk
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