PARANG LA PARANG LA TREK July 26-Aug 11, 2019
PARANG LA: INTRODUCTION The Parang La trail follows the traditional trade route between the people of Spiti, Changthang and Tibet. It begins after the high-altitude meadows of Kibber, breeding ground of the famous Spiti horses and also known to be snow leopard country. A challenging trek for the enthusiastic walker in one of the more spectacular areas of Ladakh, the trail descends the Kibber gorge and then climbs over the Parang la (5600 m). Parang La is the source of the Pare Chu river, the only river that has its source in India, flows into Tibet and enters the country again in Spiti. Trekking across the pass, brings one to an almost incredible change of scenery as we walk towards the Rupshu plains of Changthang, known for the abundance of Kiangs (Tibetan Wild Ass). On the last two days, we camp on spectacular campsites, one being on the southern edge of the Tso Moriri(4522m), a high-altitude lake 26 Km long and nearly 5 Km wide. This lake is also the breeding ground for the bar-headed geese, black-necked crane and the Brahminy ducks. We also visit one of the Changpa settlements in a bowl, high above Karzog, where they breed pashmina, one of the major trade items in these high passes. Click here for a video preview!
PARANG LA: FACT SHEET DATE OF TREK: JULY 26 AUG 11 DURATION OF TREK: 15 DAYS REPORTING POINT: DELHI GRADE OF TREK: CHALLENGING HEIGHT: 5600M ACCOMMODATION DAY ACCOMMODATION MEAL PLAN DAY 0 OVERNIGHT BUS TO MANALI N/A DAY 1 OAKWOOD CHALET/ SIMILAR ALL INCLUSIVE DAY 2-4 SAKYA ABODE / SIMILAR ALL INCLUSIVE DAY 5-13 TREKKING CAMP ALL INCLUSIVE DAY 14-15 HOTEL KANG LHA CHEN/ SIMILAR ALL INCLUSIVE ITINERARY CHART DAY START POINT END POINT DST. DAY0 DELHI MANALI 538KM DAY 1 MANALI MANALI REST/ EXPLORE DAY 2 MANALI KAZA 202KM DAY 3 KAZA KAZA (DHANKAR LAKE) 50KM DAY 4 KAZA KAZA (VISIT LANGZA) 32KM TIME ALT(M) 13 9 5 6 2050-2050 3700 3700 3700
DAY 5 KAZA DUMLA DRIVE 20KM TREK 5KM DAY 6 DUMLA THALTAK 4.5 KM DAY 7 THALTAK BONGROJEN 8 KM DAY 8 BONGROJEN DAK KARZONG (PASS DAY) 2.5 KM to pass + 7.5KM Descent 3 4 9 10 4200 4600 5100 4900 DAY 9 DAK KARZONG DATANG YONGMA 9.75 KM 5 4775 DAY 10 DATANG 9 RACHOLAMO 18.5 KM YONGMA 4600 DAY 11 RACHOLAMO CHUMIK SHILDE 12KM 6 4540 DAY 12 CHUMIK SHILDE KIANGDOM 8KM 3 4500M DAY 13 KIANGDOM Rest/Contingency day - 4500M DAY 14 KIANGDOM KARZOG - LEH 240 KM 10 3500M DAY 15 LEH LEH AIRPORT 5KM 15M TOTAL COST: INR 110,000 + 5% TAX TRIP ENDS!
PARANG LA: DETAILED ITINERARY DAY ZERO: DELHI MANALI (2050M) Arrive at ISBT Kashmiri Gate by 8pm to board the bus to Manali. The Volvo Semi Sleeper bus takes 13 hours to reach our destination. Board waiting vehicles to drive to our lodge away from the bustle of the city at Haripur 15km away. DAY ONE: MANALI OAKWOOD CHALET, HARIPUR (2050M) Meet with your guide and staff for the trip. Acclimatisation and last-minute shopping. Take a few short walks around the village to keep yourself active.
PARANG LA: ITINERARY DAY TWO: MANALI KAZA (HOTEL) (3700M) We start the drive by 7am, drive over Rohtang Pass (4000m) and Kunzum La (4590m) and continue on a rough road to Kaza. We follow the Chandra River upstream until Kunzum La and then follow the Spiti river to Kaza. DAY THREE: ACCLIMATISATION DAY IN KAZA (3700M) After breakfast, we drive to Dhankar Manastery. Visit the monastery and then trek 1.5hrs to reach the Dhankar Lake (4136m). Spend some time at the lake and return to Kaza in the late afternoon.
PARANG LA: ITINERARY DAY FOUR: ACCLIMATISATION DAY IN KAZA (3700M) After breakfast, we drive to Langza village. Visit the village and walk and take in great views of Chau Cau Kang Nilda. Spend some time at the village with a shot hike and return to Kaza in the late afternoon. DAY FIVE: KAZA - KIBBER - DUMLA (4200M) We drive for about 45 mnutes to reach the Kye Monastery. View the morning prayers and drive onward to the road head for our trek. Today is a short walk through gradual slopes. We camp next to a small stream in the Chicham fields.
DAY SIX: DUMLA - THALTAK (4600M) A gradual ascent of approx. 400m brings us to a vast plateau above the Thaltak Meadows. Harsh, stark beauty all around today with great views of Kanamo Peak en route. We descend from the plateau to camp in the bowl-shaped meadows.
PARANG LA: ITINERARY DAY SEVEN: THALTAK BONGROJEN (5100M) A relatively long day today. We start with a steep descent into the Paralungbi Gorge, follow it upstream to Jagtha, and start climbing up on the scree laden path to the base of Parang La. DAY EIGHT: BONGROJEN DAK KARZONG (PASS DAY) (4900M) After an early breakfast, start the climb to the top of the pass. The walk is gradual at first and then turns steep in the last 2 hours. From the top, 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. We descend onto the glacier and carefully make our way across a few river crossings before we reach camp.
PARANG LA: ITINERARY DAY NINE: DAK KARZONG - DATANG YONGMA (4775M) 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. DAY TEN: DATANG YONGMA - RACHOLAMO (4600M) Another day of walking on similar terrain reaching Racholamo in the mid-afternoon. Lots of time to take in the surroundings and take some wide sweeping pictures of the majestic plains.
PARANG LA: ITINERARY DAY ELEVEN RACHOLAMO - CHUMIK SHILDE (4540M) We 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 sides - Ladakh and Spiti. The river goes onward to flow in Tibet. We cross the river and trek on till we reach one of the most beautiful campsites on this trail - spring water and meadows with plenty of grass and wild flowers all around. We get our first views of the Tso Moriri from Chumik Shilde. DAY TWELVE: CHUMIK SHILDE - KIANGDOM (4500M) 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.
PARANG LA: ITINERARY DAY THIRTEEN: KIANGDOM EXPLORATION /CONTINGENCY DAY (4600M) Relaxed day to read, sleep, walk by the lake. Lots of birding opportunities near the shores of the lake. With the twin peaks of Chamsher(6622m) and Lungser Kangri (6666 m) acting as backdrop to the lake, it makes an amazing sight. DAY FOURTEEN: KIANGDOM - KARZOG - LEH (240KM; 10 hrs A long day to drive out by dirt track to Karzog and then onwards to Leh to reach by late evening. DAY FIFTEEN: LEH HOTEL - LEH AIRPORT After an early breakfast, drive to the airport for your flight. An incredible one-hour flight over the greater Himalayas with spectacular views of K2 (8611 m) among others. Arrive Delhi. Trip ends! TOTAL COST: INR 110,000 + 5% TAX
PARANG LA: COST BREAKDOWN COST INCLUDES ALL TRAVEL FROM DELHI AND BACK TO LEH (ROAD) (NON-AC SUV/ AC COACH) ALL ARRANGEMENTS FOR STAYING AND CAMPING WHILE ON TRIP ACCOMMODATION ON TWIN SHARING BASIS IN TENTS/ REST HOUSE/ HOTEL ALL GROUP CLIMBING GEAR (ROPES, ANCHORS, SLINGS, ETC.) SAFE DRINKING WATER ALL MEALS GUIDE FEE/ PEAK FEE/SANCTUARY FEE/ROYALTY/PERMITS WHERE APPLICABLE PORTRAGE UPTO 15KG/PERSON ALL TREKKING ARRANGEMENTS MOST EXPERIENCED GUIDING TEAM, CAMP STAFF AND COOKS COST EXCLUDES SLEEPING BAG RLY STN/AIRPORT TRANSFERS IN DELHI ANY STAY AND MEALS IN DELHI BOTTLED WATER ITEMS OF PERSONAL CLOTHING EXPENSES OF PERSONAL NATURE (LAUNDRY/PHONE CALLS/ALCOHOL/CIGARETTES/INSURANCE/CAMERA FEE/ETC.) ANY COSTS ARISING OUT OF UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS BAD WEATHER/LANDSLIDES/ROAD CONDITIONS/ANY OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL TIPS AND GRATUITIES (WE RECOMMEND 5-10% OF YOUR TRIP COST TO BE DISTRIBUTED AMONG THE TEAM) PERSONAL CHOICE PLEASE NOTE FLIGHTS NOT INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE-MENTIONED COST SINGLE SUPPLEMENT RS 18,500 + 5% TAX, FORCED SINGLE SUPPLEMENT IN CASE THERE IS NO ONE TO SHARE YOUR ROOM WITH RS 9,500 + 5% TAX
PARANG LA TREK: THE NEXT STEPS Have any questions? Email us Ready to go? Book your place by filling in this form. Make your payment here. Once you fill in your form, we'll get in touch with you with all the necessary details. PLEASE NOTE: Filling in the booking form does not guarantee a spot on any trek. You will receive a separate confirmation email once the booking form is submitted. We look forward to hosting you on your next Adventure!