Trip Overview

The long and winding trek from Spiti valley to Changthang (Ladakh) and then onto Tibet is a trans-Himalayan trek which retraces the ancient and renowned trade route between Spiti and Tibet.

Parang La is perched at an altitude of 5,600mts and connects the Spiti valley to Ladakh, a high-altitude mountain desert. On the Spitian side of Parang La, the Parilungbli river meanders and the trekking trail runs parallel to it and ascends up to the pass and opening into Ladakh. 

The trip starts from Chicham, where we will acclimatize for two days and hike around Ki, Kaza and Langza to prepare ourselves for 8 days of high altitude trekking.

The trek through the high-altitude mountain desert originates in Chicham in Spiti Valley – the highest inhabited village in the world and culminates at the village Karzok by the banks of the beautiful Tso Moriri, Ladakh. The meadows of Chicham are filled with exotic wildlife such as the Himalayan snow leopard and the magnificent horses of Spiti. The trail cuts across a gorge that leads to Dulma. From Dulma, there is another steep route to the meadows of Thaltak.

We will also trek on to the Rupshu plains of the Changthang Plateau, which also happens to be the eastern-most tip of the Tibetan Plateau. Keep your eyes open for sightings of rare Himalayan wildlife. 

From here, the trail meanders through Datang Yongma, Racholemo, Norbu Sumdo and then crosses over to Chumik Shilde. From here we will reach the southern bank of Tso Moriri, a lake of unparalleled beauty. The lake runs almost 27 km in length and 8 km in width. During the mating season, the lake is a playground for Brahmini ducks, black-necked crane and bar-headed geese to name a few. The trail runs alongside the shore of the lake and will finally end at Karzok. Set in a spectacular setting Karzok is one of the highest villages in the world at 4595 meters. Karzok is connected by road to Leh, the capital of Ladakh. There is another road leading to Manali via the famed picturesque Leh-Manali highway. you can choose if want to continue to Leh or get back to Manali. 

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive in Chicham - Acclimatize

Team Mountaineerz will be happy to greet you in Chicham. We will settle you in at our camp for the rest of the day. Unwind and take in the environs. Walk around and initiate the process of acclimatization in the Himalayas. Go through your checklist and finish off last minute essential shopping (from Kaza) for the trek. Though, it is advisable to trek light with special import on the clothing and gear.

In the evening we'll get together for “round the bon fire” conference with the other climbers and the team members of Mountaineerz who would be your guides on the expedition. Break the ice with some great dinner and chill with your fellow climbers.

Make sure you drill your guides and instructors with any questions or doubts you may have pertaining to the trek. They will be happy to answer your questions and share with you a few tricks of the trade and tips to make your adventure a happy and successful one.

Mountaineerz only has a few asks of you…

Please ensure, for your own trekking pleasure you pack a big heart and only the absolute essentials.

We humbly ask of you, never ever argue with your guides and instructors while on the trek. Remember, they only have your best interests in mind and any decision they take is taken keeping your safety and the success of the expedition in mind. Any and all decisions taken by the guides and instructors will be deemed as final.

Be patient and respectful towards your fellow climbers. Remember, up there, you only have your wits and your fellow climbers.

Remember to get your camera along

Included

  • Accommodation in comfortable tents during trek

  • Stay in Kibber 2 nights

  • All meals while on trek (veg/non-veg)

  • Transportation as mentioned in itinerary 

  • Specialized High Altitude Camping and Trekking equipment

  • First Aid and all safety equipment like static rescue rope, seat harness, carabiners, pulleys, snow stacks etc

  • Services of Wilderness First Responder and mountaineering courses qualified guides, local assistant guides, cook, helpers, porters and trip manager

Excluded

  • Cost of any kind of insurance

  • Cost of evacuation or hospitalization

  • Cost arising due to change of itinerary due to natural calamities like landslides etc

  • Any expense of personal nature

  • Any expense not specified in the inclusion list

  • Personal porter charges

  • Stay in Leh, Kaza or Manali

  • transport from Manali to Kibber

  • transport from Karzok to Leh or Manali

Good to Know

This trip requires physical fitness. Trekkers must be fit and have sufficient stamina to cover 5 km of distance in 30 minutes without stress. Guests should be able to carry a 10 to 15 kg expedition backpack.Please ensure, for your own trekking pleasure you pack light and only the absolute essentials.This tour is not recommended for those with heart problems, high blood pressure, asthma, or epilepsy.The tour cost is Chicham to Karzok. If you wish to continue to Leh please choose from add-ons. If you wish to stay in a 3 star cottage before and after the trek please choose from add-onsNo matter how much you train and how fit you are, you still might develop life-threatening altitude illness. If you do not feel well at any point on the trip – suspect altitude illness and immediately inform your guides. When in doubt- always descend immediately to lower elevation! Remember to bring your camera! Be patient and respectful towards your fellow climbers. Remember, up there, you only have your wits and your fellow climbers. We humbly ask of you, never ever argue with your guides and instructors while on the trek. Remember, they only have your best interest in mind and any decision they take is taken keeping your safety and the success of the expedition in mind. Any and all decisions taken by the guides and instructors will be deemed as final.

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive in Chicham - Acclimatize

Team Mountaineerz will be happy to greet you in Chicham. We will settle you in at our camp for the rest of the day. Unwind and take in the environs. Walk around and initiate the process of acclimatization in the Himalayas. Go through your checklist and finish off last minute essential shopping (from Kaza) for the trek. Though, it is advisable to trek light with special import on the clothing and gear.

In the evening we'll get together for “round the bon fire” conference with the other climbers and the team members of Mountaineerz who would be your guides on the expedition. Break the ice with some great dinner and chill with your fellow climbers.

Make sure you drill your guides and instructors with any questions or doubts you may have pertaining to the trek. They will be happy to answer your questions and share with you a few tricks of the trade and tips to make your adventure a happy and successful one.

Mountaineerz only has a few asks of you…

Please ensure, for your own trekking pleasure you pack a big heart and only the absolute essentials.

We humbly ask of you, never ever argue with your guides and instructors while on the trek. Remember, they only have your best interests in mind and any decision they take is taken keeping your safety and the success of the expedition in mind. Any and all decisions taken by the guides and instructors will be deemed as final.

Be patient and respectful towards your fellow climbers. Remember, up there, you only have your wits and your fellow climbers.

Remember to get your camera along

Included

  • Accommodation in comfortable tents during trek

  • Stay in Kibber 2 nights

  • All meals while on trek (veg/non-veg)

  • Transportation as mentioned in itinerary 

  • Specialized High Altitude Camping and Trekking equipment

  • First Aid and all safety equipment like static rescue rope, seat harness, carabiners, pulleys, snow stacks etc

  • Services of Wilderness First Responder and mountaineering courses qualified guides, local assistant guides, cook, helpers, porters and trip manager

Excluded

  • Cost of any kind of insurance

  • Cost of evacuation or hospitalization

  • Cost arising due to change of itinerary due to natural calamities like landslides etc

  • Any expense of personal nature

  • Any expense not specified in the inclusion list

  • Personal porter charges

  • Stay in Leh, Kaza or Manali

  • transport from Manali to Kibber

  • transport from Karzok to Leh or Manali

Good to Know

This trip requires physical fitness. Trekkers must be fit and have sufficient stamina to cover 5 km of distance in 30 minutes without stress. Guests should be able to carry a 10 to 15 kg expedition backpack.Please ensure, for your own trekking pleasure you pack light and only the absolute essentials.This tour is not recommended for those with heart problems, high blood pressure, asthma, or epilepsy.The tour cost is Chicham to Karzok. If you wish to continue to Leh please choose from add-ons. If you wish to stay in a 3 star cottage before and after the trek please choose from add-onsNo matter how much you train and how fit you are, you still might develop life-threatening altitude illness. If you do not feel well at any point on the trip – suspect altitude illness and immediately inform your guides. When in doubt- always descend immediately to lower elevation! Remember to bring your camera! Be patient and respectful towards your fellow climbers. Remember, up there, you only have your wits and your fellow climbers. We humbly ask of you, never ever argue with your guides and instructors while on the trek. Remember, they only have your best interest in mind and any decision they take is taken keeping your safety and the success of the expedition in mind. Any and all decisions taken by the guides and instructors will be deemed as final.