Chang-Thang is home to the Changpa’s (Nomads) which its landscape is a vast plateau that captivates natural beauty. Beginning the trek in Tsokar, we will trek over several passes (highest being Parang La 5600 m (18,372 ft.) before ending in Kibber. Due to the nature of the trek it is difficult and will require good physic as extreme cold temperatures is to be expected. After 11 days of trekking, we will eventually make our way to Manali visiting various monasteries and temples en route. Delhi will be your final destination of the programme.
Day 1
Arrival in Delhi
Guests will be received at the airport followed by a transfer to a hotel, where you will be staying overnight.
Day 2
Domestic flight Delhi – Leh
Altitude: 3500 m / 11,482 ft.
Transferral to a domestic airport where you will fly to Leh. Once reached in Leh, you will then be transferred to your hotel. Afternoon visit to a monastery within the town and sightsee of the Shanti Stupa and Old Fort of Leh.
Day 3
Sightseeing around Leh
We will drive to visit the Spituk Monastery which is close to Leh, with Phyang just 13 km west of Leh. Head back to the hotel for lunch. Afternoon spent at your leisure. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 4
Journey from Leh to Tsokar
Travelling Distance: 154 km
Altitude: 4628 m / 15,183 ft.
We will begin by leaving early after breakfast. En route we will visit to the Shey, Thiskey and Hemis Monasteries. In the afternoon, we will continue over the second highest motor able pass in the world called the Tang Lang La (5333 m / 17,495 ft.) to head towards the nomad headquarters at Tsokar. There we will explore the village and see the Gompa, accompanied by an evening stroll on the shore of a salt water lake. Overnight stay on a campsite.
Day 5
Trek 1 – Tsokar – Nuruchan
Trekking Time: 5 hours
Altitude: 4300 m / 14,107 ft.
The trail begins beside a lake through the plateau, where a herd of Kyang (wild donkey) can be seen there. Overnight in campsite close to a nomad village.
Day 6
Trek 2 - Nuruchan – Rachungkaru
Trekking Time: 6 hours
Altitude: 4400 m / 14,435 ft. (Over Horlamkongka La 4900 m / 16,076 ft.)
We will begin the day by spending around 11/2 hours ascending to the Horlamkongka La, followed by a gradual descent, continuing with a long walk to a beautiful campsite near the stream.
Day 7
Trek 6 – Rachungkaru – Gyama Burma
Trekking Time: 5 hours
Altitude: 4250 m / 13,943 ft. (Over Kyamayuri La 5200 m / 17,060 ft.)
The first 2 hours will be spent climbing to the Kyamayuri La before gradually descending to an easy trail, before reaching our campsite for an overnight stay.
Day 8
Trek 4 – Gyma Burma – Karzok/Tsomoriri
Trekking Time: 7 hours
Altitude: 4573 m / 15,003 ft. (Over Yalung Nyau La 5440 m / 17,847 ft.)
With a long day ahead, you will experience the many exquisite views of the lake from the pass. We will reach at the lake at Karzok (240 km south-east of Leh), where the Karzok Gompa and the nomads (Changpas) are just some of the outstanding features of this lake, which has a circumference of around 36 km. We will then explore the village and monastery, as well as a stroll along the shore of the lake. Overnight stay on campsite.
Day 9
Trek 5 – Karzok – South of Tso Moriri
Trekking Time: 7 hours
Altitude: 4350 m / 14, 271 ft.
The trail continues its way adjacent to the lake, which creates a long but pleasant walk. Overnight camp beside the Phertsephu River, which merges in to lake.
Day 10
Trek 6 – South of Tso Moriri
Trekking Time: 5 hours
Altitude: 4300 m / 14,107 ft.
The day will begin with a pleasant walk on the meadow; wild Rabbits and donkeys can be seen with occasional sights of wild wolves. The ducks in the Chhumik Shade spring can also be seen. Overnight camp.
Day 11
Trek 7 – Nurbu Sumdo – Umna
Trekking Time: 7 hours
Altitude: 4580 m / 15,026 ft.
We will wade through the chilled Para Chhu River, before continuing up the ancient route where monks and merchants once crossed, when Tibet was free; having exchange relation of culture and goods between Spiti and Tibet. Overnight camp at beneath the high mountainous range beside the river.
Day 12
Trek 8 – Umna – Largyup – base of Parang La
Trekking Time: 5 hours
Altitude: 4930 m / 16,174 ft.
We will continue in the same direction at time crossing several streams. The day will be quite an easy day. We will make camp at the foot of a glacier.
Day 13
Trek 9 – Largyup – base of Parang La
Trekking Time: 6 hours
Altitude: 5000 m / 16,404 ft. (Over Parang La 5600 m /18,372 ft.)
Today’s trek will begin with crossing over a glacier. It is advised to start early in the morning, so that you can enjoy the extensive view of Himalaya and Spiti valley from the pass. A steep descent to the campsite on a small patch of grass where we will stay overnight.
Day 14
Trek 10 – Base of Parang La – Thaltak
Trekking Time: 4 hours
Altitude: 4560 m / 14,960 ft.
A further descent to the gorge, where we will spend an hour walking through it before climbing to the beautiful campsite. After lunch you will enjoy your time to collect the fossils that can be found around campsite.
Day 15
Trek 11 – Thaltak – Kibber
Trekking Time: 5 hours
Altitude: 4200 m / 13,779 ft.
With our last day of trekking, we will descend to the Tumlay, further crossing a gorge to reach at Kibber; one of the highest permanently inhabited villages, where you can explore the village and its monastery.
Day 16
Journey from Kibber to Kaza via Kye Monastery
Altitude: 3500 m / 11,482 ft.
We will drive down to visit the famous Kye Gompa, perched high on a pyramid-like mountain. This belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Overnight camp at Kaza.
Day 17
Journey from Kaza to Tabo/Dhankar – Back to Kaza/Kalachakra in Kye
We will drive to the south to visit Tabo; a monastery that is founded in 996 A.D. often called the Ajanta of Himalayas. In trans Himalayas Buddhism, Tabo sanctity is next only to Tibet's Tholing Gompa. Dhankar - the ancient capital of the Spiti King – is one of the most incredibly situated Gompa’s in India; perched high on the barren rocky mountain slopes. Overnight stay in camp.
Day 18
Journey from Kaza to Manali
Travelling Distance: 190 km
Drive through several villages of Spiti over the Kunzum Pass, (4700m / 15,419 ft.). The views of the magnificent Himalayan Peaks can be seen here as we drive through the Chandra Valley, before an uphill drive to the Rohtang Pass (3950 m / 12,959 ft.). The Rohtang Pass provides a gate way of Lahaul -Spiti and Kullu before descending in to Manali. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 19
Journey from Manali – Delhi: Explore Manali
Travelling Distance: 570 km
Travelling Time: 16 hours
The morning will be spent by visiting the Old Manali Village and the Manu Temple. In Dhungri, you will also be able to visit the Hadimba Temple; a pagoda-style temple which is dedicated to a demoness in the middle of a cedar forest. You will be able to spend the rest of the day freely within the town until 3pm, when you will depart for the bus station. Overnight journey in bus.
Day 20
Delhi
Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be transferred to your hotel, where you can spend the day at leisure. Overnight stay on hotel.
Day 21
Flight Departure: Visit Old/New Delhi (Optional)
You will be given the opportunity to visit Old or New Delhi as you will have a full day free, before being transferred to the Indira Gandhi International Airport where you will depart to your onward destination.
