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CHANGTHANG NOMADS
Ladakh
"off the beaten route" ...
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Tso-Moriri
is a huge mountain lake in the South East Ladakh, in the Rupshu (Chang-Thang Plateau, geographically- a part of Tibetan plateau) region.
Karzok village (4'650 m) is situated on the South West bank of this lake and its the worlds
highest inhabited village. Karzok monastery and its inhabitants the nomads known as changpas. who lives in Robos (Tent made
from Yak wool) during summer looking after their flocks of sheep.
An
isolated, wonderful, less traveled trek far in the mountains of Ladakh and Great Himalayan ranges. The first part of
the trekking tour is in Spiti valley, visiting the ancient villages and monasteries like: Kee, Dankhar, Lalung, Tabo, Kungri
and Langza. Some of these monasteries are more then 1000 years old. Tabo monastery built by Rinchen Zangpo in 996 A.D. is
also known as "the Ajanta of the Himalayas".
Starting
of our trek from Kibber (4250m), we walk 500 m down to the Parilungbi gorge. Stepping over the moraine stretches, crevasses
and glaciers, we climb to the mighty pass of Parang-la (5450m). Following the Pare Chu, which flows towards South to the Tibet
frontier near Chumar village and again enters in Spiti valley, well arrive at the lake, beyond your imagination and expectation;
called Tso-Morari
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Region:
Spiti, Rupshu,Changthang Plateau, Ladakh,
Total
Days: 21, Trek days: 12,
Grade:
Moderate to Strenuous,
Maximum
elevation: 5450m Parang La,
Best
Season: End of June to September.
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Day 01: Arrival
in New
Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi - Manali. Drive.
Day: 03 Manali
- Kaza (3600m.) (240km.) Drive 10 hrs.
Day 04: Kaza-
Dankhar- Tabo 60 kms, Drive
Day 05: Tabo
-Pin valley -Kee -Kibber (4,205 M) Drive
Day 06: Kibber
to Thaltak (4550 mtrs) 6 hrs. trek.
Day 07: Thaltak
to Jugtak (4850 mtrs.) Base
camp parangl la. 5 hrs.
Day 08: Jugtak
to Parang la (5450 mtrs.) Karsha gongma (4800 mtrs.) 6 hrs.
Day 09: Karsha
gongma to Dokpo Phirtse (4700M) 5 hrs.
Day 10: Dokpo
Phirtse to Lukung (4515 mtrs. ) 5 hrs.
Day 11: Lukung
to Norbu sumdo (4300 mtrs.) 5 hrs.
Day 12: Norbu
sumdo to Kyangdom (4573 mtrs.) 4/5 hrs.
Day 13: Rest
& exploration day. Or climb a peak nearby lake.
Day 14: Kyangdom
thanrgang over manechan la (4765 mtrs.) 6 hrs.
Day 15: Thargang
lanyar. 7 hrs.
Day 16: Lanyar
to thelakong la to camp by the river. 6 hrs.
Day 17: camp
to pang to Leh. 5 hrs. trek. Drive.
Day 18: Visit
monastery of Shey - Thikse - Hemis - Leh.
Day 19: Visit
Monastery of Alchi - Phiyang - Spituk - Leh
Day 20: Transfer
to the airport. Fly Leh - Delhi.
Day 21: fly
back to home.
Option :-
Day 14; Kyangdom
to Karzok. trek
Day 15: Today
visit the Changpa campsites on a large meadow above Karzok.
Day 16: Drive
Karzok - Mahe - Leh (226 kms / 7 hrs).
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| Changthang Nomads ( Photo by Roberto ) |
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TRIP ITINARARY
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21 days
Cost Includes:
Hotel accommodation at 3 star
basis New
Delhi, Manali and Leh.
Transportation by jeep Manali
– Kaza, Kaza-Kibber. Pang-Leh. Sight seeing of Spiti valley
Deluxe bus Delhi
– Manali, Leh – Delhi air fare.
All meals: bed tea, break
fast, packed lunch, hot drinks, snacks, dinner.
Staff: Guide, cook, helpers,
trekking mules/horse.
All trek gear and accessories,
Camp fee and national park
fees.
___________________________________
Cost excludes:
Sleeping bags, Alcohal, personal
laundry,
Personal insurance. Entrance
fee at monasteries. Tipping.
15 days
Cost includes:
Jeep Transportation Manali
– Kaza. Pang – Leh or Pang – Manali.
Manali – Delhi deluxe bus,
All meals, staff, trek gear
and accossories, trekking mules. camp fee.
Cost excludes:
Hotel accommodation, sleeping
bag, alcohol, personal laundry, insurance,
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Day 1 Arrival in New Delhi: Meeting upon
International airport, transfer to hotel, excursion around Delhi.
Day 2 Delhi - Manali.
Drive.
Day 3 Manali - Kaza (3600m.) (240km.) Drive 10 hrs.
Over
land journey by jeep over Rohtang pass 3978mtrs.Rohtang pass, which is the gateway to Lahoul Spiti, Pangi and Zanskar passing
to through Chandra Valley, enroute having magnificent view of snow capped mountain of C.B. Ranges and BaraShigri Glacier.
These ranges are part of Pir Panjal range of lower Himalayas. Passing through Kunzum la (4551m) we arrive at first village
of Spiti called Losar (4000m). By the evening arrival at Kaza. Kaza is a beautiful place and sub-headquarter of Spiti region.
Over night stay at hotel.
Day 4 Kaza- Dankhar- Tabo 60 kms, Drive
Today at first we visit Lalung monastery in beautiful Lingti
valley. On the way have a wonderful view of SHILLA PEAK. However monastery is more older than Tabo monastery as it says by
the monks at Lalung. Drive back to the main Spiti valley to visit Dankhar monastery,
located on a small hill. Dankhar traditionally was the old capital of Spiti valley. 120 old and young monks are receiving
religious training .45 minutes gradual walk towards Dankhar Lake. Visiting Dankhar drive to Tabo. Tabo, an ancient monastery
of Spiti celebrated its millennium jubilee in 1996
Tabo
Monastery, which is 1,000 years old. Built in 996A.D. by Rinchen Tsangpo, Monastery is also known as Ajanta of Himalaya.Sherlang,
Duang Domlang gompa regard by many as only next to Tholong monastery in Tibet. Monastery has large number of scriptures, peaces
of arts, wall painting, Thankas and stucco. Archeologically the most important monastery of Spiti. Over night stay in hotel.
Day 5 Tabo -Pin valley -Kee -Kibber (4,205
M) Drive
Pin valley is known as Land of Ibex and Snow-Leopard. Visit Kungri gompa in Pin valley and people in valley called Bhuzen are of Tibetan origin who migrated
to this valley in 10th century. The most famous is the Chamurti horse, one of the fines breed in India. Visit Kee
gompa: chosen place for 2000 Kalachakra ceremony. More then 260 young monks receiving religious training here. By the evening
arrive at Kibber. Over night stay at Camp or hotel.
Day 6 Kibber to Thaltak (4550 mtrs) 6 hrs. trek.
First day of Trek, leaving Kibber behind descent 500 meters.
To the narrow Parilungbi gorge. Cross the Parang Chu by bridge and follow a small stream until Dumla village 400 mtrs. Dumla,
which is last inhabitated village on route. Now 900 mtrs. Gradual climbing, arrival on a ridge, from where splendid and spectacular
view of Shilla Peak 6303m. to southeast half an hour down to the campsite of Thaltak.
Day 7 Thaltak to Jugtak (4850 mtrs.)
Base camp parangl la. 5
hrs.
Now trail descend 400 mtrs. Down to Parilungla Chu. Cross the river, Climb to saghthag over moraine stretch. Further gradual and exhausting climb to reach the glaciated valley, one to the north
and one to the south. Follow the moraine stretch towards north and then arrive at the campsite of Jugthag at as altitude of
4850m
Day 8 Jugtak
to Parang la (5450 mtrs.) Karsha gongma (4800 mtrs.) 6 hrs.
An eventful day for those who have never climbed this height
Before. From camp climb up gradually to Parangla on patches of snow panoramic views of Peaks of Ladakh, Lahoul and Spiti for
below in the NW you can see the Pare chu which original from this pass. 4 km. Descend
through crevasses and glacier then cross the Pare chu. Following
the left site of river arrive at campsite of Karsha Gongma.
Day 9 Karsha
gongma to Dokpo Phirtse (4700M) 5 hrs.
Today we cross the river close to campsite and follow the right
bank of Pare Chu. Now the valley becomes broaden .Sometimes on riverbed or above river the trail goes to campsite of Dokpo
Phirtse. 60 kms stretch through Kharas, Dokpo phirtse, Dakar, Kuru and Thaktote, which are places where Changpas stays during
summer time. Gentle and easy walking along the Pare Chu. Small tributuries to be cross before arriving the Dokpo Phirtse camp
site.
Day 10 Dokpo Phirtse to
Lukung (4515 mtrs. ) 5 hrs.
Today again easy walking
along the right bank of Pare-chu.Now the valley becomes wide as you follow the Pare-chu.At different places you come across
Patches of grass at nomads summer place.
Day 11 Lukung to Norbu sumdo (4300 mtrs.) 5 hrs.
Short stretch along the
right bank until arriving a place where a stream joins with pare-chu. The trail goes further to chumar village in Tibet. Pare-
chu river to be cross at this point and trek up to right and valley. Walk towards right hand valley. As you trek upwards the
landscape changes from dusty plain to green pasture ground. Here you will be welcomed by Changpas. (Tibetan nomads) Overnight
camp at Norbu Sumdo.
Day 12 Norbu sumdo to Kyangdom (4573 mtrs.) 4/5 hrs.
A wonderful and exciting day of trekking tour, here landscape changes dramatically. Walking
through pasture and sandy patches the valley become broader and broader. Walking through Chumik Shailfo and crossing stream
finally arrive at Tso-moriri Lake. The lake is 24 kms in length and 6 kms wide. Changpass can be seen with their flocks of
sheep, goats and yaks near around the lake. Kyang, birds like: bar headed goose, the migratory birds black-necked ducks are
also found around the lake.
Day 13 Rest & exploration day. Or climb a peak nearby lake.
Day 14 Kyangdom thanrgang over manechan la (4765 mtrs.) 6 hrs.
Today follow the trail that goes upwards to the Phirtse-phu River. In the beginning the valley
is narrow with rugged rocks. Altitude makes no difference as we follow the left bank of river. Crossing streams gentle climb
to Manechanla-la and campsite of Thargang.
Day
15 Thargang lanyar. 7 hrs.
Leaving camp behind today again follow the
left bank of stream. Small pass of Lanyar la to be cross. This region is dwelt by Ladakhi changpass (nomads) looking for their
sheep for summer grassing. Two hour later arrive at the campsite of Lanyar. Splendid
view around the campsite of Zanskar range.
Day 16 Lanyar
to thelakong la to camp by the river. 6 hrs.
Long and exhausting day trek, gradual ascent to the pass, extensive view of the barren plateau
Kyangchu thang. After crossing Thela Kong la follow the Zara Chu. Several time Zaru Chu have to cross. By the evening arrive
at the campsite of Khalad.
Day 17 camp
to pang to Leh. 5 hrs. trek. Drive.
Now trek downwards following the Zara Chu and crossing some time on left, some time on right.
Lastly arrive at Pang Tented summer camp on Manali-Leh highway. Drive to Leh over Taglang La 5314 mtrs which is
the 2nd highest motorable pass on the world. Over night stay at hotel.
Day 18 Visit
monastery of Shey - Thikse - Hemis - Leh. we visit
monasteries of Shey, the old capital of Leh, and the monasteries of Thikse and Hemis. Return to hotel by evening.
Day 19 Visit
Monastery of Alchi - Phiyang - Spituk - Leh. Today, we drive west along
the Indus River visiting the monasteries of Phiyang, Spituk and Alchi. Return to Leh by evening
Day 20 Transfer
to the airport. Fly Leh - Delhi. Transfer to your hotel. Afternoon free.
Day 21 fly
back to home. transfer to the international airport.
Option
Day 14 Kyangdom to Karzok. trek
Along the lake for 7 hrs to Karzok village.
Evening visit Karzok gompa.
Day
15 Today visit the Changpa campsites on a large meadow above
Karzok. Spend the day watching nomadic life at work. Return to Karzok by late afternoon. Overnight at Camp.
Day 16 Drive
Karzok - Mahe - Leh (226 kms / 7 hrs). A long day's drive back to Leh via Mahe Bridge and travelling
along the Indus river valley gets us to Leh by late afternoon.
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