Chang-Thang to Spiti

Day 1 Arrive Delhi

Arrive Delhi by evening, reception at airport, transfer to your hotel, and night in hotel.

Day 2 Delhi –Leh: (3500 m)

Transfer to the domestic airport to take the flight to Leh over majestic Himalayas. You will be landing at 3500 mtrs from the sea level. On arrival at Leh airport our representative will transfer you to the hotel. To get acclimatized, you will relax till the mid-day and leave for excursion after the lunch in the hotel. Walk to Shanti Stupa dominate the Leh town, Royal Palace built by 5th Dalailama in 17th century which looks like a little Potala of Lahasa. Stroll in the Bazzar and night in the hotel.

Day 3 Leh-Phyang-Likkir- Leh

Leave to Likkir in the direction to west of Leh following the Indus valley. Here you will visit majestic monastery of 7th century of Gylukpa sect (Red hat). Way back take bifurcation to visit the Phyang Monastery which was founded 446 years ago (reckoning from 1977) by TashiChozang. There are sacred shrines and various wall paintings to be seen which dates back from the royal period. The protected deity of the monastery is ApchiChoski Dolma. After visiting the monastery, stroll in the village and drive back to Leh, night in the hotel.

Day 4 Leh– Stok palace - Mathomonastery– Leh-52 kms (both way)

Leave to visit the summer home of the royal family of Ladakh, Stok Palace is built in 1820by King TsepalNamgyal, reflects the rich history and lifestyle of the royal family, its architecture is a fine meld of the traditional and the contemporary architectural styles, library that houses 108 volumes of the Kangyur (collection of teachings of Lord Buddha)
The in-house museum contains precious objects, it has a notable library including all 108 volumes of the Kangyur. Later take a stroll in the village to have glimpse of the local people’s life.
Drive to Matho located opposite of Thiksey monastery, Gompa of Matho is found in early 15th century (1410) and belong to the Sakaya order of Tibetan Buddhism which is known for a 600 years old Thangka and for its annual Oracle MathoNagrang Festival. Monastery house small chapel on the top story containing images of Sakayascholar and other lamas, adjoining museum precious Thankaout of which some are said to brought from Tibet during15th century .Evening back to Leh, night in hotel

Day 5 Leh to Rumtse 4040 mtrs. 75 kms.

Leave earlyto the starting point of the trek,on the way visit known monasteries of Indus valley named Shey-Thiksey and Hemismonasteries.
Shey, once the capital of Upper Ladakh before being supplanted by Leh, monastery houses rich murals painting,well restored and represents the 18 Arhats (disciples of Buddha who attained enlightenment).
Thiksey, a majestic monastery perched on a rocky outcrop built in the 15th century during the first wave of expansion of Gelugpa sect in Ladakh. At the entrance, there are painting of protective deities and the great masters of the sect.
Hemis monastery, built by Namgyal dynasty in1630. The monastery belongs to Drukpa sect of Buddhism, its mural painting represents the different divinities dated back to 18th sanctuary.
Further drive to Rumtse the starting point of trek where you will meet the trekking crew who will accompany you throughout the trek, night in camp.

Day 6 Rumtse to Kyamar, 40 50 mtr5. 5 hours Trek 1

Day start walking along the road side for a while, later follow the river and has to cross later.The valley you are walking in get wider at the places and narrowing at certain places, finally at the point it turns to the north toward nomad settlement where camp site will be established. Night in the camp.

Day 7 Kyamar to Tisaling4200 m. over Kumarla and Mandachandla -6- 7 hours, Trek 2

As it is a long day so the early start is advised, Trail goes up following the River, gradual ascent to Kumur la 4900m, enjoy the spectacular view on the Chang-Thang range, then steady descend to river bank, wade through river and again ascent to the next pass Mandachandla, Now easy descend toward the Camp site on pasture land of Tisaling. Night in the camp.

Day 8 Tisaling to Tukje (4267 mtrs) viaShibuk over Shibukla(4980 mtrs) 6- 7 hours.Trek 3

2 hours trek till the pass, again spectacular view of the surrounding Himalaya, descend to Shibuk, where Marmot can be seen playing hide and seek. Now easy flat track on the large valley to the Nomadeheadquarter atTukche, on arrival in Tukcheestablish the camp, later visit the village and smallgompa perched high on the top of village. Stroll on the shore of lake to watch the birds and lake changing its color frequently while sun setting. Night in camp.

Day 9 Tsokar to Nuruchan (4300 mtrs.) 4 hours.Trek 4

Trail goes beside the lake,we cannot stop gazing the astonishing reflection of the arid mountains on lake and its banks are adorned by the crest of white salt, just are breath-taking. Time to time nomad setting is seen while traversing plateau. Wild life as of solitaire kyang (Wild Donkey) or in herd can be seen. Day ends up at the southern direction of the lake, night in camp.

Day 10 Nuruchan to Rachungkaru (4400mtrs.) over Horlamkongkala (4900 mtrs.) 6 hours. Trek 5

Gradual walk for1h.30 to the pass, enjoy the view of surrounding hills and mountains of Chang-Thangs, take easy descend followed by a long walk to the beautiful campsite locate near the stream. Night kin camp.

Day 11 Rachungkaru to Gyamaburma (4250 mtrs) over Kyamayurila(5200mtrs.) 5 hours. Trek 6

As it’s not a long day, Morning at ease, followed by easy climb of 2 h. toward the pass, breath for a while to admire the surrounding, later descend gradually and follow the easy trail that leads to the campsite. Night in camp.

Day 12 Gyma Burma to Karzok (Tsomoriri 4573 mtrs 7 hours. Over Yalungnyaula (5440 mtrs) Trek 7

Day is going be long, hence advised to start bit early than previous day, once at the top of the pass, you will enjoy the excellent view of turquoise colour lake Tsomoriri and surrounding Himalaya peaks close to the Indo-Tibetan frontiers. Long descend till Karzok village the headquarter of nomad, visit KarzokGompa and nomadic village which are most outstanding features of this lake. its circumference is around 36 kms., if time allows stroll on the shore to get the opportunity to observe the different species of birds and to experience the reflection of the colorful mountains while sun set (in clear day). Night in camp.

Day 13 Karzok to South of Tsomoriri, (4350 mtrs.) 6hours. Trek 8

Leave Karzok, walk along the TsomoririLake toward south direction, magnificent reflection of the mountain on lake can be witnessed, at the end of the lake your will cross a Phertsepho river which merge to the lake. Campsite will be set at meadow on idyllic place. Night in camp.

Day 14 South of Tso-moriri to Nurbu-sumdo (4300 mtrs.) 5 hours. Trek 9

Pleasant walk on the meadow, wildanimal as of Rabbits anddonkey, occasionally visible wild wolves, the ducks in the Chhumik Shade spring can be spotted. After a while you will cross the Pare Chhu River at the large span to avoid the current of flow and meander toward Tibet territory. Camp site of Sumdo is set beside the stream. Or one can camp before river and cross it by next morning. Night in camp.

Day 15 NurbuSumdo to Umna (4580 mtrs.) 7 hours. Trek 10

You have joined the ancient barter trade route which once was popular among Monks and merchants while Tibet was free and there was prosperous exchange relations of culture and goods between two countries. You will walk alongside of river following the opposite flow on beneath of high mountain range. Valley get narrower as compare to vast plateau of Chang-Thang. Camp site set on the green patch. Night in camp.

Day 16 Umna to Largyup, base of Parangla (4930 mtrs.) 5 hours. Trek 11

Second day along the river in same direction, more you approach toward base camp valley get bit wider and altitude rise higher. You will face multiple rivulet crossing which are really chilled. Camp site will be set at the foot of glacier at the base of Parangala. Night in camp.

Day 17 Largyup to base of Parangla (5000 mtrs.) 6hours over Parangla (5600 mtrs.) Trek 12

The day is tough for pony (horses), it can worsen in early season when fresh snow layer is thicker and not frozen. It plays same role for trekkers as well. Therefore it’s advised to start earlier as possible. Follow the guide instruction while walking in glacier, it will take around 2 to 3 hours of time to reach at the top. Once at the top a vast horizon opens in front of you toward the Spiti valley and to the East you just came across. Easy descend to other side of base. Camp site is smaller as compare to previous site. Night in camp.

Day 18 Base of Parangla to Thaltak (4560 mtrs.) 4hours. Trek 13

Zig-Zag descend to the gorge, after a short walk through gorge steep trail goes up to the plateau of Thaltak. After hard days of the crossing the pass and spend two nights in higher altitude at both side base of the pass, its worth to relax by afternoon at this idyllic place. As this area belongs to the ancients Tethys Sea one can collect the fossil or stroll around. Night in camp.

Day 19 Thaltak to Kaza (3600m)via Kibber (4200 mtrs.)- Kye (4100m) 5 hours. Trek 14

Last day of trek. Easy trail traverse the slope and descend to the Tumlay, here you will join the road head, walk to Kibber by crossing the scenic bridge built over the deep gorge is said to be the home to elusive snow Leopard. Reached to one of the highest permanently inhabited village of Kibber. Visit village and drive down to Kaza, the administrative headquarter of Spiti region. On the way visit Kye monastery magnificently built on the top of the hill. Evening stroll in the tiny town of Kaza which gives the impression of an ancient era market place. Night in hotel.

Day 20 Kaza to Manali (2000m) 8h overKunzum 4550m

Leave to Manali, road leads through several villages of Spiti valley, the last village of the valley is Losar. Short uphill drive till Kunzum pass (4550 m.) offers extensive view of the snow caped mountains. Temple located at pass is dedicated to the Goddess Kunzum adorned by prayer flags, pay homage to the goddess and continue driving by alpine Chandra valley under beneath of sheer mountains to join the lush green valley of KulluManali. Night in hotel.

Day 21 Exploration around Manali

Walk through the alleys of old Manali to explore the life of mountain people, Temple dedicated to the saint Manu, further to visit pagoda shape wooden temple of Goddess Hadimba that is famous for its association with Mahabharata, located in middle of giant cedar forest. Further to Nagar castle is a mountain architecture example of the valley. Over view on another wooden temple of Pagoda shape dedicated to Goddess Tripura sundry, if you are interested visit the well-known art Gallery of Russian painter Nicolas Roerich, Stroll in typical Himalayan village. Evening back to Manali. Night in the hotel.

Day 22 Manali- Chandigarh- 260kms. 7h, Train to Delhi

Early morning Leave to Chandigarh, your journey will be passing by several villages and tinny hamlets. Major part of drive across the Himalayan foot hills is scenic adorned by terraced field and remaining is the plain of Punjab and Haryana, grows varieties of crops round the years. Subject to the time availability visit rock garden of Chandigarh built by Neck Chand by the waste of construction material when this modern city was being build. Evening train to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, transfer to hotel, Night in hotel.

Day 23 Delhi and Departure

Early morning Leave to Chandigarh, your journey will be passing by several villages and tinny hamlets. Major part of drive across the Himalayan foot hills is scenic adorned by terraced field and remaining is the plain of Punjab and Haryana, grows varieties of crops round the years. Subject to the time availability visit rock garden of Chandigarh built by Neck Chand by the waste of construction material when this modern city was being build. Evening train to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, transfer to hotel, Night in hotel.