Tia to Pachathang Trek – Trek No 13
Trip Overview
Tia to Pachathang Trek
The Tia to Pachathang Trek in Ladakh offers an exhilarating adventure through the rugged and stunning landscape of the region. This trek is also a lesser-known gem, providing a unique and off-the-beaten-path experience for avid trekkers seeking to explore the pristine beauty of Ladakh. Starting from the picturesque village of Chilling, the Pachathang Trek takes you through remote valleys, high-altitude meadows, and challenging mountain passes. The trail also adorned with vibrant wildflowers, majestic mountains, and glimpses of the traditional Ladakhi way of life. The journey also offers encounters with the local nomadic communities, enriching the cultural experience. The trek also typically spans around 7 to 8 days, covering a distance of approximately 65 to 70 kilometers. The trail presents a mix of moderate to difficult terrain, including steep ascents, descents, and rocky paths, making it suitable for experienced trekkers with a good level of fitness. One of the highlights of the Pachathang Trek is the opportunity to witness the stunning Markha Valley and its breathtaking landscapes. The trek offers panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, dramatic gorges, and serene rivers. Crossing the Kongmaru La pass, which stands at an altitude of around 5,130 meters, provides a sense of accomplishment and mesmerizing vistas of the surrounding mountains. Throughout the trek, trekkers may camp in picturesque locations, experiencing the joy of camping under the starlit Ladakhi sky. The serene camping spots offer a chance to rejuvenate, connect with nature, and appreciate the tranquility of the mountains. While embarking on the Pachathang Trek, it's essential to be well-prepared with the right trekking gear, acclimatize properly, and follow eco-friendly practices to preserve the delicate mountain ecosystem. Local trekking agencies often organize guided tours, ensuring a safe and enjoyable adventure.Conclusion and Summary
In summary, the Pachathang Trek in Ladakh is a captivating and lesser-explored trek that provides a perfect blend of challenging trekking, stunning landscapes, rich culture, and an immersive experience in the heart of the Himalayas. It's a must-try for trekking enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable adventure in the majestic land of Ladakh.Trip Highlight
Scenic Landscapes:
- Mountain Passes: Traverse through high-altitude mountain passes like Tia La (5,200 meters) and Pachathang La (5,150 meters) offering panoramic views.
- Valleys: Wander through stunning valleys adorned with vibrant flora, especially during the summer months.
- Rugged Terrain: Experience diverse landscapes, from barren and rocky terrains to lush green patches along the way.
Cultural Encounters:
- Local Villages: Encounter remote villages, interact with the locals, and get a glimpse of their traditional lifestyles.
- Monasteries: Visit ancient monasteries like Hemis Monastery, steeped in Tibetan Buddhist culture and history.
Wildlife and Nature:
- Wildlife Sightings: Spot various Himalayan wildlife such as marmots, Himalayan blue sheep (bharal), and possibly even snow leopards if you’re lucky.
- Flora Diversity: Observe the diverse range of flora, especially in the summer when the landscapes burst into colors with blooming flowers.
Adventure and Challenges:
- High Altitude Challenges: Experience the thrill of high-altitude trekking and conquer challenging terrains.
- Camp Life: Camp under the stars in breathtaking locations, offering a serene experience amidst nature’s beauty.
- Weather Variations: Encounter varying weather conditions due to the high altitude; be prepared for sudden changes in temperature and possible snowfall even in summer.
Spectacular Views:
- Panoramic Landscapes: Enjoy jaw-dropping vistas of snow-capped peaks, vast valleys, and meandering streams.
- Sunrise and Sunset: Witness stunning sunrises and sunsets against the backdrop of the Himalayas.
Personal Growth and Reflection:
- Self-Discovery: Trekking in such remote and awe-inspiring landscapes often leads to personal introspection and growth.
- Team Bonding: Forge strong bonds with fellow trekkers, sharing experiences and supporting each other through the journey.
Itinerary
Upon arrival Leh airport, pick-up and transfer to hotel. After tea/coffee rest in hotel to get acclimatization. Evening walking walking tour in Leh bazaar. Overnight at hotel.
Drive by car from Leh to Tia. One can cut the drive also into more then one day as there are many interessting monasteries as Spituk, Phiyang, Basgo, Likir, Alchi and Rizong on the way. Tingmosgang, the huge village below Tia, is also worth spending a day with walking possibilities around. In Tia you can find a nunnery and two monasteries (Tia and Katsa). The Trek starts just below the bridge on the right side of the Phacha Tokpo River at an altitude of 3.445 m. After leaving the last houses one comes across a big prayer-wheel and continues upwards towards Tia Dok, a former used „summer village“ with empty small huts and bare fields, not cultivated since more then 5 years. There are many pleasant camping-possibilties, the highest on 4.000 m on a patch of grass with small rivers.
Follow the river always on the east side towards North. There is a path one has to follow, which goes steadily upwards. After reaching 4.600 m, one has to cross 2-3 times streams coming from the east, which shouldn’t be a problem. When having difficulties with the altitude it is advisable to have an additional camp here as afterwards there are rare possibilities. At 5.000 m there are two beautiful lakes with camping possibilities in between.
Getting higher and higher to the North one comes across two more lakes at 5.100 m. The scenery is really spectacular with vast rock-areas including beautiful lakes, higher peaks and passes on three sides and some glaciers very close by. The last 100 m of alttude to the pass are quite steep over loose rocks and one needs Schwindelfreiheit und Trittsicherheit. Especially with groups and horses one has to take care of stone-falls and small landslides. Finally the pass is reached and offers great views to all sides. On the north-side is a glacier-field of around 1 km without crevasses to cross and go down. The terrain after that is first quite loose with rocks and exhausting to walk, but later it becomes better and a path more abvious. The first Camping-possibility is at 5.030 m, but one can continue a bit as there are more possibilities every half walking hour
Always following the Spangmarmo river, sometimes on the west-, sometimes on the east side, one gets slowly lower. The path is still clear and changes between grass, boulder-areas and rocky flats. The river-crossings can be done without wading through – at least in late August. While going down one gets glimpses into other valleys. There is a rare wildlife to spot, but quite some Yaks belonging to the people from the lower villages. So some Doksas are inhabitet by people collecting the dung as burning-material for the winter. Spangmarmo is such a Doksa. One can camp a little further away at 4.550 m.
Still going down on the west side of the river one can spot in the distance the village Gongma Lhargyab with approx. 20 houses. A primary school and a small gompa-room. One has to take care not to miss the way leading down to the bridge in the beginning of the village. Afterwards there is a second bridge to cross another river coming down from the mountains. Just before the village of Yokma Lhargyab is a camping-possibility at 3.940 m
First one should take the possibility to discover a bit more of Yokma Lhargyab, one of the rare ladakhi places, where buddhist families keep chicken and the middle school consist of 11 children. The quality is not so bad for a gouvernment-school as they have really good and dedicated teachers, singing with them every morning „We shall overcome“! They are happy to experience a little their english with foreigners. The last bit of this trek leads along a gorge towards the muslim village of Parchatang. Parchatang is 3.500 m of altitude and a small vivid village with lots of children. Crossing the there very deep and steep gorge by a bridge one reaches a non-tarred road of 7 km going down to meet the Nubra-Valley ar 3.100 m
Drive back the car. 150 km via Khardong-la to Leh or use the chance to discover more of the Nubra Valley, especially going to the most western village of Turtuk, belonging to Pakiastan until 1971 and having a balti culture there. It is a village on only 2.880 m with two crops a year (second is buckwheat), a mosque from the 16th century and a little buddhist gompa maintained by buddhist employees living in that village. Houses and people look quite different from rest of Ladakh so it is a little like glimpsing into another country. Also with the military camps and the military airport in Thoise one can experience the special situation of Ladakh lying so close to the Pakistan-border. Afterwards for sure one could visit at least the beautiful villages of Hundar and Deskit in the Nubra-Valley.
Early morning on time transfer to Leh airport to catch flight to Delhi. Trek Ends
Departures & Availability
The set departure dates listed are specially quoted and specified for group joining option. Let us know if the set departure dates are not suitable for you- another dates which are suitable for you can certainly be added by us.
Check Available Dates
Start Date | Price | Availability |
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All trip prices are per person based on double occupancy, are subject to change without notice and do not include airfare. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars.
Price include
- All transportation by Toyota Qualis, Innova or Scorpio.
- Two men tent, Kitchen and dinning tents.
- Kitchen equipment’s and Toilet Tent.
- Stool, Table and mattresses.
- Food veg and non-veg.
- Cook, helper and guide.
- Ponies for Luggages for Trekking with Camping.
- Monument entrances, wild life fees and camping charges.
- GST
Price Excludes
- Any flight tickets.
- No accommodation in Leh is included in Trekking Packages.
- Sleeping Bags, trekking shoes and clothing.
- Any Kind of Personal Expenses or Optional Tours / Extra Meals Ordered
- Any thing not specifically mentioned under the head “Prices Included”.
- Tips, Insurance, Laundry, Phone Calls.
- Any Kind of Drinks (Alcoholic, Mineral, Aerated)
- Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/ stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control.
Gears And Equipment
Trip Information
Tia to Pachathang trek takes you along the wide diversity of people and village in which they reside and further move up towards the mesmerizing glaciers and lakes of great view. this trek is quiet challenging and requires you to be physically fit. Highest Point of this trek is Zamjunmo-la (5,410m). Trekking sector are Tia, Dhakshang Lhartse/ Zamjunmo-La/ Spangmarmo/ yokma lhargyab/pachathang. Best season to Trek is from mid June to September. This trek is focusing on People, Villages, Glacier and Lakes.
This is 6 nights & 7 days trekking package. Morning Drive to Tia village and from there on start walking toward Tia drok, a former summer village site which now consists of empty small huts and bare fields, not cultivated for more than 5 years. One may have altitude problem by getting higher and higher towards north. The path is clear and changes between grass, boulder-areas and rocky flats. The river-crossings can be done without wading through – at least in late Augus. So it is bit physically challenging trek. By reaching over Zamjunmo-la to Base Camp, scenery is really spectacular here with vast rocky areas including beautiful lakes, higher peaks and passes on three sides and glaciers very close by. In this trek One can either choose to return to leh or use the opportunity to discover more about the Nubra Valley, especially visiting the most western village of Turtuk that used to belong to Pakistan until 1971. It is a village situated at 2.880 m and it can harvest two crops a year (second is buckwheat), a mosque from the 16th century is also there and a little buddhist gompa maintained by the buddhist’s employees living in the village. Houses and people look quite different from the rest of Ladakh’s villages so it is like taking a glimpse of a whole other country. Also with the military camps and the military airport in Thoise, one can experience the exclusive situation of Ladakh’s location close to the Pakistan border. Afterwards one could visit the beautiful villages of Hundar and Deskit in the Nubra-Valley.
Tia to Pachathang Trek Route Map
Gallery
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Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
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