KangLa Pass Trek

KangLa Pass Trek

The Kang La trek begins in the Miyar valley in Lahaul, famous for its wildflowers and pristine alpine pastures, and crosses the Kang La pass to the Zanskar valley in Ladakh, a stark alpine world of rock and ice. Lying on the border of Himachal and J&K, Kang La has the longest glacial approach of any pass in the central Himalaya at 24 km. The trail ascends one of the longest glaciers in Himachal Pradesh to access the extremely remote village of Padam in Zanskar, with a total contrast of scenery and culture.

Itinerary

Day 1: Manali to Changut (10,500 ft) via Udaipur - 180 km Drive

Stop At: Rohtang Pass, Himalayan Ranges India
We leave from Manali early morning and drive across the Rohtang Pass to Udaipur in the Chandrabhaga valley. From Udaipur, we turn north into the stunning Miyar valley to the small village of Changut. Overnight in Changut.
Duration: 15 minutes

Meals included:
• Dinner: Veg-Egg Meals.
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in camps.

Day 2: Changut to Yolithang (12,300 ft) via Shukto - 10 km

Stop At: Lahaul Valley, Near Indo-Tibetan Border, Keylong 175132 India
We have a short drive till the roadhead at the village of Shukto, from where we cross the Miyar nallah on a swaying wooden bridge to start our hike. Just across the bridge is Khanjer, the last village in the Miyar valley. The trail winds up the village to the local temple and chorten. We will walk through the pea and cabbage farmland of Khanjer before crossing a couple of streams. From here, we walk across vast meadows for a couple of kilometres before coming to the campsite at the grazing grounds of Thanpattan. There is a chorten on a small hill. There is an initial steep section to the chorten after which views of the upper valley open up. There are huge rock cliffs on either side of the valley. We will pass through the grazing grounds of Tharang, filled with pink Himalayan fleece and the huge rock and ice faces of Tharang peak to our right. It is a short walk from Tharang to Yolithang, our campsite for the day.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in camps on twin sharing.

Day 3: Yolithang to Zardung (12,800 ft) - 10 km

Stop At: Lahaul Valley, Near Indo-Tibetan Border, Keylong 175132 India
The trail today is also fairly flat and easy. We will cross a boulder field near our campsite and descend to a vast grassland that continues for 3 km. On our right, another subsidiary valley offers views of a gigantic rock pyramid - a pass over this valley connects to Darcha on the Manali Leh highway. From here the valley turns slightly eastward to Gompa, another campsite with a couple of small lakes that relfect the surrounding mountains. From Gompa, we walk to Zardung. Zardung is a magnificent campsite with gigantic boulders, some of which are said to contain precious stones. The evening is well spent exploring the boulder area. Overnight in Zardung.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in camps.

Day 4: Zardung to Kesar Yon Chhaap (13,100 ft) - 10 km

Stop At: Lahaul Valley, Near Indo-Tibetan Border, Keylong 175132 India
Today is the most interesting day of all. The Miyar valley becomes even more beautiful as we walk towards the source of the Miyar river. We will cross a glacial stream coming down from our right (true left) - the stream is cold and wide and fans a distance of almost half a kilometre. From here, a short walk brings you to a section of the terminal moraine of the Miyar glacier, across which lies our campsite at Kesar Yon Chhaap - which literally means seven holy waters. There are seven emerald green lakes near our campsite, which you can explore in the evening - see if you can find them all! Overnight in Kesar Yon Chhaap.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in camps.

Day 5: Rest and acclimatisation at Kesar Yon Chaap

Stop At: Lahaul Valley, Near Indo-Tibetan Border, Keylong 175132 India
Today, we will take a day to acclimatise at Kesar Yon Chaap, getting ready to head to the Miyar glacier tomorrow.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in camps.

Day 6: Kesar Yon Chaap to Miyar Glacier Camp (14,600 ft) - 12 km

Stop At: Lahaul Valley, Near Indo-Tibetan Border, Keylong 175132 India
The trail becomes tougher from today with a dramatic change in landscape is well. The vast meadows are replaced with moraine and scree. We head up the lateral moraine on our right (true left), climbing up to some grassy slopes carpeted with wildflowers. After walking for about an hour or two, we start descending slightly on moraine again to the Jungpada glacier coming down from a subsidiary valley on our right (true left). We will cross the terminal moraine of the Jungpada glacier, with massive ice covered rock cliffs surrounding us. After crossing the glacier we climb through more scree and moraine before reaching the Miyar glacier. We set camp at a suitable spot on the glacier.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in camps.

Day 7: Miyar Glacier Camp to Kang La Base Camp (15,750 ft) - 9 km

Stop At: Lahaul Valley, Near Indo-Tibetan Border, Keylong 175132 India
After a long day yesterday, this day's trek is an easy walk up the Miyar glacier. The gradient is gradual and the we walk right up the middle of the glacier. The Antarctic landscape will keep you occupied throughout the day. We set camp on the glacier again today.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in camps.

Day 8: Kang La Base Camp to Temasa Tongpo (14,500 ft) via Kang La (17,900 ft) - 17 km

Pass By: Padum Mosque, Padum 194302
Today is the pass day, and we have a long climb and even longer descent ahead of us. We will walk along the left side of the glacier (true right) till the the confluence of two glaciers at the head of the Miyar valley. The glacier to our right (true left) leads to Kang La, though the pass is not the obvious saddle we can see from the base. We will skirt around the ridge on our left (true right) and climb to the pass, navigating through the heavily crevassed glacial slopes. From the pass, you can see a sea of rock peaks dominating the Zanskar region. We will descend along the glacier this side of the pass, also heavily crevasses, to a confluence of two valleys at the snout of the glacier. Though the descent is fairly long after an 18000 ft pass crossing, you will be glad to sleep on warm ground after two nights on the glacier.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in camps

Day 9: Temasa Tongpo to Padam (11,800 ft) - 15 km Trek, 12 km Drive

Pass By: Padum Mosque, Padum 194302
Today, we will descend along the beautiful Temasa Nallah, down to the roadhead near Padam. As you get closer to the foot of the Temasa Valley, you will see signs of civilisation begin to return. Once you descend to the roadhead, we will board our vehicles for Padam, the largest village in the Zanskar valley. Overnight in guest house / hotel in Padam.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in guest house

Day 10: Padam to Kargil - 230 km Drive

Pass By: Munshi Aziz Bhat Museum of Central Asian and Kargil Trade Artifacts, 147 Munshi Enclave, Kargil 194103 India
Today, we will drive over the 14,800 ft Penzi La pass from Padam to Kargil. You will see the gigantic Drang Drung glacier and a bunch of stunning lakes near the pass. Overnight in guest house / hotel in Kargil.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Guest House /Hotel Stay.

Day 11: Kargil to Srinagar

Pass By: Zojila Pass, 1 Indian National Highway Srinagar District, Sonamarg 191203 India
Today, we will drive on the Leh - Srinagar highway to Srinagar over the Zoji La Pass. Overnight in guest house / hotel in Srinagar. The trip ends in Srinagar the next morning.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Hotel / Guest House Stay

Day 12: Reserve Day

Pass By: Zojila Pass, 1 Indian National Highway Srinagar District, Sonamarg 191203 India
This day will only be used if the need arises during the trek due to bad weather or unforeseen circumstances. You are advised to keep a buffer day in your travel plan.

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.