Parang La Trek
An ancient trade route connecting Spiti to Ladakh across one of the highest trekkable passes in India at 5580m. Parang La is remote, wild, and unforgiving — crossing vast glaciers, fording icy rivers, and navigating terrain that sees almost no other trekkers. The landscape shifts from Spiti's arid moonscape to Ladakh's stark beauty. This is expedition-grade trekking for those who want to go where almost nobody else does.
Warnings
⚠Extremely remote — no habitation for 8 days
⚠Multiple glacier crossings with crevasse risk
⚠River fording in waist-deep freezing water daily
⚠Altitude sickness risk is severe at 5500m+
⚠Weather can trap you at pass for days
⚠Full expedition team mandatory — guide, cook, horsemen
⚠Prior experience above 5000m absolutely required
⚠This is NOT a commercial trek — very few operators run it
⚠Carry 5 extra days of food as buffer
Campsites
Thalda
4,200mRiver flat. No facilities.
Bumjur
4,500mRiver flat. No facilities. Exposed.
Parang La Base (Spiti)
5,050mRocky ground below pass. Cold and windy. Glacier water.
Parang La Base (Ladakh)
5,100mMoraine campsite. Basic flat spots.
Chumik Marpo
4,400mHot springs area. Flat ground. A luxury in context.
Cost Estimate
Full expedition team mandatory. Very few operators run this — Aquaterra Adventures, Adventure Sindbad are established names. Rs 60000-80000/person with full logistics, horses, safety equipment, food for 12 days.