Prang La Pass, Himachal Pradesh , 2024
Parang La is a high altitude pass going above 5540 meters connecting the high desert of Spiti to that of Ladakh. It used to serve as a traditional trade route between Spiti and Ladakh in ancient times. Parang La trek can be started from either Karzok village in Leh or from Chicham / Kibber village in Spiti. The trail takes you to a maximum altitude of around 5600 meters to Parang La & follows the Pare Chu river which goes to Tibet & re-enters India.
This remote trail follows the traditional trade route taken by the people of Spiti, Changthang and Tibet. It starts from the high altitude meadows of Kibber then leads into the Kibber gorges and from here the trail climbs to Parang La (5490m). Uninterrupted views on all sides from the pass is a big attraction on this trip. This high altitude pass is the source of the Pare Chu river, the only river that has its source in India, flows into Tibet and enters the country again in Spiti. Trekking across the pass, brings one to an almost incredible change of scenery as we walk towards the Rupshu plains of Changthang, known for the abundance of Kiangs (Tibetan Wild Ass).The landscape changes drastically on the other side of the pass as we hit the Changthang plateu, a land of high arid plains, snow capped peaks and beautiful lakes of Tso Moriri & Tso Kar.