TSO MORIRI LAKE SOUTH EAST TREK

Season: July to September
Duration: 2 days drive/ 7days trek
Grade: Moderate to Strenious

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. This lake is situated at an altitude of 4,600m above sea level, at a distance of 240 km from Leh city. It is pearl shape and contains large mineral deposits. Karzok village is situated on the South West bank of this lake. Karzok village is situated at a height of 4'650m and it's the world's highest inhabited village. Karzok monastery and its inhabitants the nomad's known as changpas; are most outstanding features of this lake, who lives in Robos (Tent made from Yak wool) during summer looking after their flocks of sheep. Which produce Pashmina wool, one of the finest and costliest varieties. The circumference of this lake is around 36 km.
An isolated, wonderful, less traveled and hardest 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 1'000 years old. Tabo monastery built by Rinchen Zangpo in 997 A.D. is also as the Ajanta of the Himalayas.
Starting of our trek from Kibber (4'250m), we walk 5'00 m down to the Parilungbi gorge. Stepping over the moraine stretches, crevasses and glaciers, we climb to the mighty pass of Parang-la (5'450m). Following the Pare Chu, which flows towards South to the Tibet frontier near Chumar village and again enters in Spiti valley, we'll arrive at the lake, beyond your imagination and expectation; called Tso-Morari.
Itinerary
Rumtse - Tsomoriri to Kibber Trek Best time: July to October Short description: A beautiful trekking that departs from the high-altitude Tsomoriri Lake, taking one over the high Parang La pass into the Spiti Valley, finishing at Kibber village. Spiti resembles Ladakh & Zangskar in its Tibetan-style Buddhist culture and has many interesting monasteries to visit.

Day 01: Early morning flight from Delhi to Leh,
transfer to hotel and rest.

Day 02: Morning sightseeing - Shanti Stupa, and Sangkar Gompa;
lunch at hotel, afternoon rest.Day 3 : Sightseeing around Sham, the lower part of Ladakh, visiting the Likir and Alchi monasteries.Day 4 : Leh to Rumtse by jeep, en route visit Shey, Thikse and Hemis monasteries. Great ride including visits of the famous monasteries high above Indus river.

Day 03: Visit Shey, Thiksey, Hemis Monastries
Full day sightseeing with guide and pack lunch to SHEY / THIKSEY and HEMIS monasteries.
SHEY : Situated on a hillock 15 km. upstream from Leh was once the residence of the royal family. According to tradition, it was the seat of power of the pre-Tidetan kings. A 7.5 meter high copper status of Buddha, plated with gold and the largest of its kind is installed here.
THIKSE : Spectacularly sighted, Thiksey is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive gompa. There are several temples in this gompa, containing images stupas and wall painting of Buddhas which are exquisite.
HEMIS : It is the wealthiest, best known and biggest gompa in Ladakh. Its popularity stems from the major annual festival held here in summer. The festival is in honour of Guru Padma Sambhav's birth anniversary. It also has the largest Thanka, which is unfurled once in 12 years (next in 2004).

Day 04: Leh - Khardungla Pass (18,380 ft)
After breakfast, start for a full day excursion to Khardungla pass. The Khardungla pass, which is the highest motorable pass in the world, has been recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. At the top, you can enjoy the natural beauty of snow-capped mountain. In the evening return to the hotel and spend the night there.DAY 4)Leh - Hemis (3505m) by bus

Day 05: Rumtse to Kyamer 5 hours.
The first day is an easy walk with two river crossings after leaving behind the Leh - Manali Road.

Day 06: Kyamar to Tisaling 5 to 6 hours.
Two passes to be crossed today - Kumur La (4770m) and Mandal Chan La (4850m). This is the day many trekkers suffer in the thin air of some 4900m above sea level.

Day 07: Tisaling to Pangunagu 5 to 6 hours.
Crossing one pass, Shibuk La (4900m), with a slow ascent and descent. Good chance to see Wild Ass ( Skyang ). Camp near the lake Tso Kar.

Day 08: Pangunagu to Nuruchan 4 to 5 hours.
Walking along Tso Kar for much of the time on the trail.

Day 09: Nuruchen to Rajung Karu 3 to 4 hour.
The shortest day of this trek with many encounters of the nomadic people of the high plateau.

Day 10: Rachunkaru to Gyama 5 to 6 hours.
Great day of trekking over Kyamayuri La ( 5410m) and Kartse La with fine views of snow peaks.

Day 11: Gyama to Korzok 6 to 7 hours.
Trek leads over Yalung Nyau La ( 5440m) offering stunning views of lake Moriri. More encounters with nomads as we near the great Tsomoriri.

Day 12: One day rest in Korzok and explore around Tsomori-ri: -
After early morning the afternoon visit around the lake. Have dinner and spend the night in the tent.

Day 13: Tsomoriri - Korzok - Puga - Tsokar - Tanglangla - Leh
In the morning, drive to Mahe village. The village is famous for the scene of shooting fountain and white clouds hanging upon. Drive to Puga valley, which is famous for Butan gas. Then visit Tsokar via Polokongka pass, which is at an altitude of 4090 mts. You can also visit Thugke gompa. Continue driving towards Leh via Tanglangla pass, which is at a height of 5350 mts and is the second highest motorable pass in the world. After reaching Leh in the evening spend the night in the hotel.

Day 14: At Leisure in Leh
Spend the day by rafting on Indus River, which starts from Phe to Nimu. Enjoy the lunch at the banks of Indus. In the afternoon return to the hotel. Stay overnight in the hotel.

Day 15: Leh - Delhi (flight)
You will be transferred to the airport to catch a flight to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, you will be transferred to the hotel for wash 'n' change and will be preceded to the international airport to catch a flight to onward destination.