Tso Moriri Trek Via Parang La Ladakh | Itinerary

About This Tour

DIFFICULTY LEVEL : Difficult
ALTITUDE : 5440 m
TREKKING ROUTE : Rumtse – Kyamar - Kyamar La - Mandachalan La – Tisaling - Shibuk La – Pongunagu – Nuruchen - Horlam La – Rachungkharu - Kyamayaru La - Gyamar La – Gyamalhoma - Yarlung Nyau La – Karzok - Leh

The Tsomoriri Trek via Parang La is an exhilarating high-altitude adventure that takes you through the remote Changthang Plateau, a breathtaking land of vast meadows and towering mountain passes. At 5,440 meters, the Yarlung Nyau La Pass presents a thrilling challenge before descending into dramatic landscapes. Along the way, you’ll encounter the Chang Pa herders, Tibetan-origin nomads who rear yaks and the prized pashmina goats. Passing through Karzok village, once a key stop on the ancient Silk Route, the journey immerses you in Ladakh’s raw and untouched wilderness, making it a true Himalayan adventure. The trek culminates at the stunning Tsomoriri Lake (5,000m), a mesmerizing high-altitude lake in Ladakh.

The trail further leads trekkers across Shibuk La (5390 m) before descending 15 km to Pongunagu (4590 m), which presents the magnificent Tso Kar Lake glistening in the sunlight. Trekkers then traverse 16 kms through wetlands and open valleys until they arrive at Nuruchen (4670 m), home to many migratory birds and rare animal species. After another 12 kms of trek, the trail crosses Horlam La (4900 m) to reach Rachungkharu (4920 m), where Chang Pa nomads can be seen herding their yaks and pashmina goats.

Ascending 13 km, the trail leads trekkers to conquer Kyamayaru La (5410 m) and Gyamar La (5400 m) until they reach Gyamalhoma (5150 m). The trail showcases magnificent views of dry mountain landscapes and valleys throughout its path. The final and highest pass, Yarlung Nyau La (5440 m), offers a panoramic view before the 14 km descent to Karzok (4540 m), a remote village on the shores of Tsomoriri Lake (5000 m). Trekkers get to experience a marvelous view at the end of their journey when they arrive at the shimmering lake which is nestled between massive mountain peaks.

From Karzok, a 210 km scenic drive back to Leh (3500 m) completes this incredible high-altitude adventure. This trek is a test of endurance, but the unmatched beauty of Ladakh’s wilderness makes it an unforgettable journey.

Best Time for Tso Moriri Trek

The best time to trek to Tso Moriri Lake is from May to September when the snow melts, trails become accessible, and the skies remain clear. During these months, the Changthang Plateau comes alive with vibrant landscapes, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayas. Additionally, river crossings are manageable, and high-altitude passes remain free from heavy snow, making this season ideal for Tso Moriri Trek.

Itinerary

Day 01 Delhi - Leh (3500 mts/11480 ft)

Early morning transfer to airport to catch flight for Leh. On arrival at Leh transfer to hotel for relax and acclimatisation. This is necessary at Leh. Overnight stay at hotel. Leh: Leh is the fascinating capital of the Autonomous Hill Council of Ladakh, also known as Little Tibet. The important monasteries to visit in and around Leh are Shey, Thiksey, Hemis, Spituk, Shakar as well as the Shanti Stupa, Stok Palace and main Bazaar. The Leh palace dominating the town was the former home of the Namgyal Dynasty. The monastic festivals are very popular and Hemis, Phyang and Lamayuru festivals in summer are visited by lot of tourists who throng to see the Cham Dances.

Day 02 Leh Local Sightseeing

Full day sight seeing at Leh covering Hemis, Shey and Thiksey Monastery. Shey Gompa is about 15 kms from Leh. It used to be the summer palace of the kings of Ladakh. There are lots of Stupas and Gompas built around the palace. Shey palace was built by Deldan Namgyal in the beginning of 17Th century AD.Main attraction in Shey is the 12m Shakyamuni Buddha Tsomoriri Lake Trek statue inside the Dresthang Gompa. Thiksey Gompa, close to Shey is about 17 kms from Leh. The monastery is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Ladakh and belongs to the Gelukspa order. Hemis, about 45 kms south of Leh it is one of the most famous and largest monastery in Ladakh. It belongs to the Drukpa order and was founded in the early 17Th century. The setting is perfect with the monastery cradled in a lovely valley, surrounded by streams and fronted by long Mani walls. Overnight stay at the guest house.

Day 03 Leh - Khardung La - Leh

In the morning drive for the Khardung - La Pass. This is the ultimate challenge of the trip. It is the highest motorable road in the world taking you to a dizzy 5,600m! The view from the top is spectacular, stretching from the Indus valley in the South over the endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range to the giants of the Sesser Massif in the North. You can feel proud of a true achievement as you finish the trip with your final satisfying descent. Evening back to Leh for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 04 Leh - Rumtse (4000 mts/13120 ft)

Trek to Kyamar (4420 m) in 4 h. We stop at Hemis to visit its monastery, one of the largest and most important of Ladakh. Later, we will continue to Rumtse, where the trek starts. We enter a magnificent and vast area, where the Changpas - nomadic herders take their yak to pasture. We follow the ancient salt along the green Kyamar valley.

Day 05 Kyamar - Kumur La (4770 mts/14990 ft) - Tisaling (4805 mts/15760 ft) 5 -6 hrs

We start through beautiful color gorge towards Chorten Sumda. Easy walk for one hour then ascend towards Kumur La. From the top one can see the beautiful view of the chain of Kangyatse and the chain of Indus valley.

Day 06 Tisaling - Shibuk La (4875 mts/15990 ft) - Pangunagu (4800 mts/15744 ft) 5 hrs

From the pass we get a panoramic view of the Tsokar Lake (4400 mts/14432 ft) and the Rupshu valley. Then descend towards the lake, from witch the nomads collect some salt. We will camp near the winter camp of nomad people of Chanthang.

Day 07 Pangunagu - Nuruchan (4630 mts/15187 ft)5 hrs

Today we have an easy trek along the lake. On the way one can see many birds and Wild ass (Kyang) of Ladakh and Tibet plateau. At the end of the lake the trail goes right and enter the Nuruchan village.

Day 08 Nuruchan - Horlam Kongka La (4900 mts/16072 ft) - Kyamayuri La (5 410 mts/17745 ft) - Gyamabarma (4950 mts/16236 ft) 6 hrs

This is a high altitude route and we will cross two passes around 4900 m.

Day 09 Gyamabarma - Yalung Nyau La (5440 mts/17844 ft) - Karzok (4550 mts/14925 ft) 6 hrs

Trek over the Yalung Nyau La to Korzok, on the northwestern Tsomoriri Lake Trekking shore of Tso Moriri, the "Mountain Lake". We visit the Korzok monastery. Camp by the lake.

Day 10 Karzok - Kyangdam (4550 mts/14924 ft) in 6 h 30.

Walk along the western shore of Tsomoriri to Kyangdam, an expansive grassland on the southern shore

Day 11 Kyangdam - Narbu Sumdo (4450 mts/14924 ft) 6 h.

After crossing the river, the trail climbs up for a while and enter the Parang Chu valley.

Day 12 Narbu Sumdo - Parang Chu 1 (4850 mts/15910 ft) 5 hrs

We gradually ascend the Prang Chu valley, on the right bank of the river.

Day 13 Parang Chu 1 - Parang Chu 2 (5000 mts/16400 ft) 5-6 hrs

The trail passes through a narrow gorge involving many ascents and descents to the side valleys and streams

Day 14 Parang Chu 2 - Parang La (5500 mts/18040 ft) - Jugstok (4800 mts/15744 ft) 7 hrs

After the frontal moraine of the Parang glacier, the trail continues on the opposite bank, thorough a mass of fallen rocks. After making our way over a few patches of snow, we climb gradually up to Parang La. The top of this Pass presents spectacular viewpoints of the peaks and ranges of Lahaul and Ladakh. The Parang Chu, whose source is on the southern slopes of Parang La, can be seen below.

Day 15 Jugstok - Kibar (4205 mts) 7 hrs

Steep descend towards the Sampa Lungpa valley. After crossing a little pass, the Thaltak La (4600 m), one can see towards Parilungbi in the Lingti Valley and Shilla. We soon reach the little hamlet of Dumla, a tiny green oasis, then Kibar, which is the highest village in the world.

Day 16 Kibar - Tabo (3050 mts/)

Transfer by taxi, along the Spiti River (60 Km - 4 h). We reach Kyi in less than 3 hours and have all afternoon to explore this fascinating village and the jumble of the white buildings that is the Gompa, perched high on a rocky hill above the village. Afterwards, we visit the Tabo monastery, one of the most important Gompas, not just in Spiti but in the whole Tibetan Buddhist world. There is also a modern Gompa and a painting school founded by the Dalai Lama.

Day 17 Tabo - Kyato. Transfer by taxi.

On Arrival at Tabo and transfer to Kyato by Taxi.

Day 18 Kyato - Kunzum La (4590 mts/15056 ft) - Rohtang La (3980 mts/13055 ft) - Manali

Transfer by taxi. This is quite long drive, about 8 to 9 hours. We will cross two passes split by the Chandra valley. On arrival transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 19 Manali - Delhi

After breakfast visit old Manali, Hadimba temple and Vashisht village. In the evening drive to Delhi by AC Volvo coach. Overnight journey.

Day 20 Delhi

Arrival at Delhi by morning and from here drive to hotel for relax. In the evening transfer to airport to catch onwards flight.