The Parang la Pass trek is truly an amazing trek in terms of both landscape and culture. It begins in the North Indian state of Himachal Pradesh and goes on into Ladakh over a period of 11-12 days.

Between Ladakh and Spitti there are many areas, which are untouched by man. Paranga is indeed one of the remotest areas for trekking. This area was opened for tourists only recently. The trek starts from Spitti, which is in Himachal Pradesh, and ends near Karzok Village, in Ladakh.

The trek goes along the Parachue River, around the Meghalodont mountain where one gets to see some very interesting sea fossils - the Chinese/Tibetan border is not too far from this point.

The Tsomoriri Lake is perhaps the main attraction of this trek - this lake is one of the most spectacular lakes of India. According to a legend this lake changes color seven times a day. There is a fair amount of wild life around the lake, and some very high mountains surround the lake.

You can see the Gaya Peak (7,605 meters) and the Mata Peak (6,650 meters). The Parangla pass is used by the locals to move in and out of the area for the exchange of goods and animals (barter system) – the inhabitants of the Spiti Valley sell horses to the Ladakhis and the Ladakhis sell yaks in exchange.

Suggested Program:

Day 01: Fly in to Kullu where a representative of The Himalayan Outback will meet you and drive you to Lossar in the Spiti Valley. This is a 7-8 hour drive. Spend the night in a quaint rest house amid beautiful surroundings.

Day 02: Drive from Spiti to Kaza, this is a four hour spectacular drive where you will get an opportunity to acclimatize and relax as air is thin at this high altitude. We spend this night in a rest house.

Day 03: Drive to the Tabo Monastery in the morning, this is a very old and beautiful Monastery. We then drive to Kibber via Kaza and set up camp there, Kibber is at 4500 meters along the drive you come across many several monasteries.

Day 04: Today we trek from Kibber to the Thaltak Meadow; this is a fairly easy 6-7 hour trek, with moderate ups and downs.

Day 05: Trek from the Thaltak Meadow to the base of the Parang La Pass: the first hour and a half is a steep walk down to the river and then we climb to the base of the Parang La Pass. Today our trek will take about seven hours.

Day 06: We begin from the base of the Parang La Pass to the top, which usually takes around three hours - the height of the Parang la pass is 6,100 meters. We cross over the Tung Glacier and, after a three-hour downhill trek, reach the Parachue River. We will set up camp after a two hour walk to Kharsa Yongma.

Day 07: We start our trek from Kharsa Yongma and head to Datang Yongma. Today is a fairly easy trek, though there are a few streams which we will be crossing.

Day 08: From Datang Yongma we take a six hour trek to Kitpabuseay crossing several streams on the way.

Day 09: The trek today takes us from Kitpabuseay to Kayandom going along the Tsomoriri Lake (4,650 meters). The Tsomoriri Lake is some thirty two kilometers long and five kilometers wide. Legend has it that the lake changes color seven times a day.

Day 10: We start early on a seven hour trek along the Tsomoriri Lake to Karzok Village. You see many snow clad peaks including the famous Gaya Peak (7,605 meters) and the Mata Peak (6,650 meters). We camp near Karzok village. There a famous monastery here known as the Karzok Monastery.

Day 11: The Himalayan Outback vehicles will come and pick us up from here and drive to the hotel in Leh. A site seeing tour in Leh will be arranged.

Day 12: Fly back to Delhi from Leh.