This trek will go through the ChangTang plateau up to the Tsomoriri lake in Korzok (traditional end of the Tsomoriri trek). We propose to extend this trek by continuing along the Tsomoriri lake to its extreme south and then visit the Phirtse river valley up to the village of Pang. Because some areas are not accessible with high water level, this trek can only be organized at the end of the season when water levels are low.
It is a quite long trek (18 days) with long distance (total of 225km) with an average camp altitude of 4800m, so a very good acclimatization before the trek is an absolute pre-requisite.
For those who prefer the standard Tsomoriri trek we can perfectly shorten the trek to 10 days and stop the trek at Korzok where a taxi can be easily organized to return to Leh. However , even shortened to 10 days, it will remain a high altitude trek where acclimatization is a must.
We also add an extra day to visit a small glacier lake (5650m) below the icy slopes of the Spangnak Ri (6400m)
Total positive elevation gain : 5400m total trekking time : 60h total distance : 225km
Itinerary :
Day 1 : From Rumtse to Chorten Sumdo
Day 2 : From Chorten Sumdo to Tisaling (at the bottom of the Thratsang La) passing through 3 passes above 5000m (Kyamri La, Mandalchan La and a 3rd unnamed pass)
Day 3 : From Tisaling pass the Thratsang-la and camp at Nabukha (The standard trail pass through the Shinbuk La , but views around the Thratsang la trail are more beautiful)
Day 4 : Nabukha to Thukje camping on the shore of the Tso Kar (hoping to observe the black neck crane who lives close the lake)
Day 5 : From Thukje camp head south of the Tso Kar lake to camp at Startsabuk
Day 6 : From the camp climb up to an unknow pass to have a beautiful rear view of the Startsabuk lake, then go down to Rajun Karu a nomad camp site.
Day 7 : From Rajun Karu, pass the Kyamayuri La and reach the Gyama Barma nomad camp site
Day 8 : Day dedicated to the visit of a small glacier lake just before the icy slopes of the Spangnak Ri
Day 9 : From Gyama Barma pass the Kostse La and go down to the pastures of Gyama Gongma
Day 10: Climb up to the Yalung Nyau La from where the Tso Moriri lake can be viewed for the first time and go down to Korzok Phu for camping.
Day 11: pass the Korzok village and start hiking south along the Tsomoriri lake up the Gyaling Giak camp site located on a small beach on the shore of the Tso Moriri lake
Day 12 : From Gyaling Giak reach Kyangdam at the extreme south of the Tsomoriri lake and camp here
Day 13 : Start going up the valley of the Phristse La up to camp before the Manechan La
Day 14 : Pass the Manechan La and camp after the site of Thargang
Day 15 : Continuing going up the Phristse valley and camp at Zozognong
Day 16 : passing the Thekalung La and descending to the Tratstago camp site
Day 17: From Trastago continue towards Pang , passing the nomad camp site of Numa
Day 18 : Short hike to Pang where the taxi will be waiting for driving the team back to Leh.
