Takling La Trek

Trip Details

  • Trip Type: Trekking

  • Region: Spiti - Himachal

  • Grade: Moderately Challenging

  • Duration: 14 days

  • Max Altitude: 5274m

  • Batch Dates: Custom Trips only

Takling La Trek Overview

The Takling La trek connects the rain shadow regions of Spiti and Ladakh. It runs parallel to the much more well known Parang La Trek.

 

The trek starts in Kioto, to the north of Kaza but meets the Parang La trail 8 days into the trip. The first few days of the trek are over old trails that are now largely unused because of the road and the popularity of Parang La amongst trekkers.

 

The Takling La trek take you from the completely isolated environs of the Takling pass in Spiti to the equally stunning Tso Moriri lake in Ladakh. It is one of the most beautiful trails in the Western Himalayas in terms of the variety offered with its grand views and Changpa territory.

Trip Cost

This is a custom departure tour and so please write to us for prices and more info on this trek. 

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Takling La Trek Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Manali
Arrive in Manali in the morning and check into your hotel. Walk around town and orient yourself to your surroundings. Final gear check and prepare for the climb ahead. Overnight in a hotel.

 

Day 02: Manali - Kioto(3200m)
Duration: 8 hours

The drive to Kioto  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: Acclimatize around Kioto

Kioto is a small village, 40 km before Kaza. We explore the area, take short walks and acclimatise our bodies to the higher altitude.

 

Day 04: Kioto - Chungar (4400m)
Duration: 7 hours

We start our trek today a few kms from Kiotoand follow the Takling Nalla into a gorge. Crossing the Nala, we gain height again. The route weaves through many mud spires with pebbles, rocks and boulders embedded in them. We make our way to the campsite at Chungar, high above the left bank of the Takling Nalla.

 

Day 05: Chungar
Take the day to walk around the campsite as we acclimatise.

 

Day 06: Chungar - Takling Maidan (5000m)
Duration: 6 hours

Start the day with a steep ascent and then descend to the Charkula stream. Moving on, we cross the snout of the Takling Glacier and climb a steep moraine scree slope to reach our campsite at the base of the pass.

 

Day 07: Takling Maidan - Takling Pass (5274m) - Takling Sumdo(4800m)
Duration: 7 hours

The pass is relatively close to our campsite but is not visible until we reach close to the top. Once atop the pass, the views open up. The other side of the pass has a glacier that needs to be negotiated while descending. We camp at the valley floor, next to a stream.

 

Day 08: Takling Sumdo - Nyima Tik Tikki (4650m)
Duration: 5 hours

We continue gradually descending to reach the confluence of the Parang Chu and the Takn Chu. This is where the trails of the Parang La and Takling La merge.

 

Day 09: Nyima Tik Tikki - Rachu Lamo (4470m)
Duration: 5 hours

It's an easy gradual 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 - Tso Moriri (4450m)
Duration: 5 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). Camp midway on the lake's banks on the way to Karzok.

 

Day 13: Tso Moriri - Karzok (4267m)
Duration: 8 hours

Walk along the lake right up to the Karzok village. 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 14: Karzok - Leh
Duration: 6 hours

We will drive back to Leh today via Mahe Bridge. Trip ends in Leh.

  • Camping Tents, Kitchen tents, Sleeping bags (Holofill) and Carry mats.
  • Nutritious, high-calorie vegetarian food will be served for the whole trek.
  • Guide, cook and camp helpers.
  • Porters/ Horses to carry loads on the whole route.
  • Participants are not expected to carry any loads other than a small daypack with a camera, some trail layers and some trail food.
  • Two people will be accommodated in one tent.
  • Transport Manali hotel to Road Head and back.
  • Hotel accommodations in Manali for 1 day before the trek.
  • All expenses of personal nature like drinks, tips, telephone calls, mineral water etc.
  • Food in Manali
  • Accommodation Leh on return.
  • Medical and evacuation expenses, we strongly recommend purchasing a suitable insurance cover.

Pack:
- Backpack 40 - 50 Lts with rain cover.This you will need in case you choose to offload your larger pack onto a horse/porter
- Day Pack 15 - 20 lts - You will use this 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 the sports shoes. We recommend shoes with a good hard sole and also ankle support preferable water proof. While we do not subscribe to any particular brand you can try the Quechua forclaz 100, 500 or 600.
Socks:
- 2 -3 pairs of cotton socks.
- 2 pairs of woolen socks ( these are 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 light weight synthetic pants. Alternatively track pants are also comfortable to trek in. We do not recommend you get Denims or Jeans as they get hard to trek in.
- Tshirts 3 pairs (including the ones you are wearing) - Preferable cotton t-shirts that are full sleeves. You can also choose to get T-shirts with collars, they offer extra protection for the neck from sun burns.
- Synthetic Fleece Jacket - 1 pair.
- Wind proof/ Water proof Jacket - 1 pair.
- Down filled / Hollow fiber fill insulated Jacket - 1 -pair ( optional - get this if you want to stay extra warm at camps.)
- Thermal liners - 1 pair upper and lower (optional).
Accessories:
- Raincoat/ Poncho - what ever you get make sure it is something that will cover your daypack and camera too.
- Warm Beanie - make sure it is something that covers your ears. You can also use buffs, scarfs etc in addition to your beanie.
- Gloves - Lightweight synthetic gloves made of Fleece or you can also use woollen gloves.
- Sun Cap- 1 no
- Sun Glasses with good UV protection.
Other necessary things that we recommend you get:
- Toiletries - Sunscreen SPF 40+, Moisturizer, Lip balm, Soap, Toilet paper.
- Repair Kit (needle and thread).
- Headlamp/ Torch.
- Camera.
- Water Bottle- Ideally keep two bottle 1 litre 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.)