Parang La Trek

Descending through the gorge and arrive at the last village of the trek, Tumlay, at the distance of around 500 Mts. one can see the Parang – La and the snow capped mountains all around. This had been an ancient trade route between Spiti and Tibet. This route was not only the medium of trade but also through this trail only there was exchange of culture and traditions that flowed from Tibet to Spiti. People also call Spiti Little Tibet, all the monasteries on Spiti has touch of Tibetan architecture. In olden days merchants used to come from Tibet to participate in trade fair, which was held at La – Darcha, they used to bring pashmina, silver and other commodities. There had been lot of explorations in early nineteenth century, two Indian brothers Nain Singh and Kishan Singh, popularly known as pundits, became great explorer of the country. These two brothers were infecting the pioneer map – makes of Tibet and central Asia. Nain Singh’s last journey started in the year 1973 – 74 from Leh via CHANGTHANG, vast grassland almost devoid of any habitation, to Nagchuka and thence to Assam via Lhasa covering 3,000 km. These types of adventures went on till the end of the century then the new era began. Mountaineers and explorers started appearing in the Himalayas both for the purpose of climbing and for the explorations. Most of them came with definite motives. Among those were Henry Haversham, Godwin Austin and Alexander Cunningham. Cunningham visited Ladakh twice, first in 1846 and then 1847 and along with others fixed the frontiers between Ladakh and Tibet and later between Ladakh and Spiti. He also conducted his study on determination of snow – line and cataclysms of the Indus and Satluj.

Today we will start our trek from Demula Trek to Thalthak

The Parang La trail is direct Spiti to Rupshu route it is hikers dream, the Parachu valley all the way leads to the Rupshu’s high plains and further to the famous salt lake of Tso-moriri and the trail to Hanle and Tashigang. Today’s walk is steep descend through the Parilugui gorge. The majestic Parilugui Summit stands erected towards south of Parang La. One can occasionally catch the glimpses of Himalayan Wild Life comprising of Bhral, Marmot etc. Ibexes are also found but very few. Here one can find lots of fossils proving the point that this part of Himalayas was Sea in the ancient times, which was known as Tethys Sea. That is why people also call it as largest natural museum. After one hour of descends and three hour ascends you reach the campsite. An amazing landscape more like a lunar touch, it looks like the sets of one of the flash Gordon movie.

Here you will enjoy the panorama of Himalayas at the right side of the pass; summit of 6400 Mts. stands erected. To the side of Largyup it is glacier all the way where as towards the other side it is dry. Descending down the glacier out of which Parachu originates. Around 4 Kms. of glacier walk with incredible view of massive mountains cape. Then further 2 Hrs walks through the Parachu Valley to LARGYUP.

Easy, enjoyable walk but has to cross the stream twice or thrice. Here the topography is different to both of trail towards right you can find high snow capped mountains where as towards left is bit dry and along moves ParaChu river, which flows all the way to the Tibet frontier near Chumar village then again enters the Spiti and joins Spiti river at Sumdo. During the day twice have to cross the small steams. As we walk through the main Valley we can see lot of adjoining valleys with snow-clad summits. Camping site is splendid.

Walking all the way beside the Para Chu River. And through widely extended Parachu Valley with numerous beautiful side valleys. we get to the campsite along the Parachu River.

Early morning River crossing is involved then walking through the Parachu valley suddenly the valley opens and the landscape here is greener. Chang thang valley, Tibet’s 600 miles – wide, 15,000 ft. – high northern steppes, inhabited by Changpa’s, the up country pastoral community. The Changpa’s have retained their nomadic glory, inspire of the continuing hardships and harsh weather. They live at the higher regions of Changthang at heights above 4.500 mts. Their means of livelihood depends upon their herds of Yak, Sheep, Goats and horse with which they migrate from one pastoral land to another. Within Changthang they can be spotted by their Ribose (black Yak hair tents) Changpa’s are warm-hearted people, devoted to their families and flocks they are Buddhists, socially active and love music and dancing. Their social contacts are confined to Rebo – dwellers. Their tents are adequately furnished with sheepskin mats and their day – to –day provisions stored in goatskin bags and goat hair sacks. They prefer to sleep by the side of their flocks right in the open even in winters when the temperature is almost 40 degree centigrade below zero to guard their animals from preying animals during summer they move to mountain areas and in winter they come to sunny open fields along the Indus Basin and camp along the river sometimes if the winter is severe many animals die for want of fodder. Their economy revolves around their Sheep, Goats, Yaks, which are used as measures of exchange and wealth e.g. horse can be exchanged for two yaks, and one yak can be exchanged for 10 sheep or goats. They are primarily meat eaters and relish yak meat most. They show surprise when they see someone eating vegetables. They are very found of tsampa and also take salted butter tea they are very found of jewellery and embroidered caps. The dresses are colorful prepared from cloth woven by them. Both man and women have their ling hair in plaits. They treat all types of ailments with their own herbal medicines. Only in case of serious trouble do they call an Am chi Lama. A remedy for severe cough is pricking of the ear. Cauterizing treats severe headaches and other kinds of pains. These nomads are now they pick members of an established industry, the soft woolly – down called pashmina, from long hair of goats. The valley is famous for the wild life mainly comprising of Kyang (wild ass). Which you will see a lot in the herds and rabbits.

Walking along the Tso-moriri Lake. The largest lake in the Rupshu district, length – 15 miles, width – 3 to 5 miles and depth 248 ft the water is brackish. On its western shore stands Korzok monastery. The present building was erected around 1850, but the origin of the shrine goes back to Mon and Dart times possibly before the 9th century.

On Arrival Check Into Hotel. O/Night Stay At Leh