Parang La Pass Trek
Trip Details
Trip Type: Trekking Holiday India
Region: Spiti Valley - Himachal / Changthang - Ladakh
Grade: Challenging
Duration: 13 days
Max Altitude: 5600m
Batch Dates: Custom Dates Only
Parangla Pass Trek Overview
The ParangLa Pass Trek take you from the beautiful Spiti valley in Himachal over high passes to the picturesque lake of Tso Moriri in Ladakh and then on to the rugged mountains of Rumtse. It is one of the most beautiful trails in the Western Himalayas going over Parang La with its grand view and Changpa territory.
A nomadic community, living off flocks of yaks and sheep, the Changpas have a timelessness about them. Trading in pashmina, yaks and living in yak hair tents called rebos, they have adapted to the harsh dry air of the Changthang.
The trek is also a great one to catch sight of high altitude wildlife such as kyangs or Tibetan Wild Asses (their only other cousins are the wild asses of Rann of Kutch in Gujarat), the highly endangered black-necked cranes, bar-headed geese and Tibetan wolves.
Trip Cost
This is a custom departure tour and so please write to us for prices and more info on this trek.
Parangla Pass Trek Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: The participants arrive in Manali.
Day 02: Manali - Kaza (3900m)
Duration: 8 hours
The drive to Kaza takes one past Rohtang pass (3970m) and Kunzum La (4551m). From Rohtang, the road descends into the Lahaul valley to Gramphu, from where the road forks towards Kunzum and Kaza. Till Batal, the road continues through the rugged Chandra river valley. On the way, are great panaromic views of the Bara Shigri glacier, one of the biggest in the Himalayas.
Day 03: Acclimatise around Kaza
Soak in a bit of Spitian culture with a visit to the ancient monasteries in Dhankar and Tabo. Towards evening, drive upto Kibber, the highest motorable village in the world and the ancient monastery at Ki. Camp for the night in Kibber.
Day 04: Kibber - Dhumle (4260m)
Duration: 2 hours
On the first day of the trek, the trail descends through a gorge and arrives at the last village of the trek, Dhumle.
Day 05: Dhumle - Thaltak (4560m)
Duration: 5 hours
The trail now turns into a steep climb to take you to the next camp on a meadow at Thaltak.
Day 06: Thaltak - Base of Parang La (5000m)
Duration: 6 hours
The trail takes you down a steep path down to the Parilungbi gorge before ascending to the campsite. The majestic Parilungbi peak stands to the South of Parang La. Look out for one of the rare sightings of bharal, marmot etc.
Day 07: Base - Karsha Gonma (4930m) via Parang La
Duration: 7 hours
The Parang La at 5600m is one of the highest passes in Western Himalayas and offers some grand views. Descend from the pass to Karsha Gonma which is at the head of the Pare Chu valley.
Day 08: Karsha Gonma - Umna (4680m)
Duration: 5 hours
It's a relaxed walk after the strenous pass. The only challenge is a stream crossing before reaching the campsite.
Day 09: Umna - Rachu Lamo (4470m)
Duration: 5 hours
It's an easy walk, the trail keeping next to the Para chu river most of the way.
Day 10: Rachu Lamo - Chhumik Shirde (4300m)
Duration: 5 hours
The trail continues next to the Para Chu river. But the campsite is set on the far bank and the day's challenge is to cross the river.
Day 11: Chhumik Shirde - Kyangdom(4350m)
Duration: 5 hours
The trek continues on the flat ground of the Changthang plateau with some spectacular views along the way.
Day 12: Kyangdom - Korzok (4267m)
Duration: 8 hours
Walking through the Para Chu valley, the valley suddenly opens up and the landscape turns greener as you approach the lake. The valley is famous for the wild life mainly comprising of Kyang (wild ass). The day might seem never-ending, because though Karzok looks near enough, it takes 8 hours to finally reach the campsite. But the walk is worth it with all the flora and fauna that one gets to see.
Day 13: Karzok - Leh
Duration: 6 hours
We will drive back to Leh today via Mahe Bridge. Trip ends in Leh.
- Accommodation on twin sharing basis in tents.
- Camping Tents, Kitchen tents, Dining Tents, Western Style Toilet Tents.
- Sleeping bags (Down Feather/ Primaloft).
- Insulated sleeping pads.
- All meals as detailed in the itinerary and safe drinking water.
- Guides, Cook and camp staff.
- Pack animals (Horses/Mules) to carry loads on the route with personal portage up to 10kg/person
- All HP/ J&K state Forest Permits where applicable
- All transport Manali to Kaza and Karzok to Leh
- All hotel stays in Manali and Leh
- Any food in hotels.
- All expenses of personal nature like bottled water, drinks, tips, telephone calls, mineral water etc.
- Personal Clothing.
- Medical and evacuation expenses, we strongly recommend purchasing a suitable insurance cover - asc360 provides adventure insurance in the Indian Himalayas.
- Any transport outside of mentioned inclusions.
- Any expense incurred due to force majeure such as landslide, bad weather or reasons beyond our control.
Pack:
- Backpack 40 - 50 Lt with rain cover - Goes on the horse/porter
- Day Pack 15 - 20 lt with rain cover- to carry your camera, water bottle, trail layers, trail food etc.
Footwear:
-Trekking Shoes: Please do not wear sports shoes as on most treks, as we go higher it gets harder to use sports shoes.
Socks:
- 2 -3 pairs of trekking socks.
- 2 pairs of woolen socks - ideal to sleep in and best to use when in camp. We do not recommend them while trekking
Clothing:
- Pants: 3 pairs (including the ones you wear) - Ideal are the quick dry trekking pants. Alternatively, track pants are also comfortable to trek in.
- T-shirts 3 pairs (including the ones you are wearing) - Preferably quick dry, full sleeve t-shirts You can also choose to get T-shirts with collars, they offer extra protection for the neck from sunburns.
- Fleece Jacket
- Rain & Wind Protection
- Down filled / Hollow fiber fill insulated Jacket
- Thermal liners - 1 pair upper and lower (optional).
Accessories:
- Warm Cap
- Gloves
- Sun Cap
- Sunglasses with UV protection.
Other recommended necessities:
- Toiletries - sunscreen SPF 40+, moisturiser, lip balm, soap, toilet paper.
- Repair Kit (needle and thread).
- Headlamp/ Torch.
- Camera.
- Water Bottle- Ideally keep two bottles 1 liter each.
- Trekking Pole - Optional.
- Plastic Packing covers. (Please pack all your gear in waterproof plastic bags so that your clothes etc do not get wet while on horses or porters. Also, carry extra plastic bags in case you need to pack wet clothes.)