- Trek to an altitude of 5468 meters above sea level through the pristine Miyar Valley.
- Enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Kesar Yon Chhap and its seven emerald lakes on your trek.
- Traverse the 24 km long Miyar glacier and experience camping on a glacier.
- Cross thrilling streams while on the trek.
- Explore both Lahaul and Zanskar in one epic trip.
- Have extra days to acclimatise, explore and sightsee.
- A qualified team will ensure safety throughout the trek.
Lahaul to Zanskar Valley Trekking Expedition
10 Nights 11 Days Manali
₹135,000.00 + 5% GST
Kang La Trek (5465 meters) with YoloO Life
Kang La Trek starts in the picturesque Miyar Valley, known for its breathtaking wildflowers and pristine alpine pastures. You'll traverse the challenging Kang La Pass at a staggering altitude of 5465M, leading you to the dramatic Zanskar Valley in Ladakh. This pass has the longest glacial approach in the central Himalayas at 24 km and lies on the border of Himachal and J&K.
Kang La Trek is an incredible adventure that connects the Miyar Valley in Himachal Pradesh to Zanskar in Ladakh. This trek follows the traditional route used by Lahaulis, people from Lahaul, to cross over into Zanskar and on to Ladakh. It is one of the high passes on the Great Himalayan range, where you crossover from Himachal into Ladakh, which is the Trans Himalaya.
Kang La Pass trek covers a distance of 24 kilometres, and it involves trekking over a 24 km long, crevasse-infested glacier. This Lahaul to Zanskar trek is extremely remote and unfrequented, but it rewards those who undertake it with some stunning scenery. You’ll come across massive meadows carpeted with wildflowers, Gaddi shepherds with their huge flocks, sparkling streams, pristine glacial lakes, and Snow Mountains all around before crossing the Kang La Pass.
Once you cross the Kang La Pass, you’ll enter another different world – The Forbidden Kingdom of Zanskar with its arid lands and monasteries built into mountainsides and people so primitive that you’ll feel like you’ve just gone back in time. The Miyar Nala, as it is often known, is an exceptionally long valley, with the Miyar River running down into the Chandra Bhaga River at Udaipur over 50 kilometres below the Miyar Glacier.
Starting in Miyar Valley, where wildflowers abound, the trek to Kang La (pass) involves traversing over the 24 km long Miyar glacier and a climb up to 5468 m to reach Zanskar Valley. The Kang La Pass trek is a challenging adventure that caters to young, mindful explorers seeking a thrilling experience. It’s an opportunity to experience the remote and pristine beauty of the Himalayas and to connect with the people and their culture.
Kang La Trek with YoloO Loife: Highlights
Short Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Manali, take some rest, prepare for the trek, and explore the town.
- Day 2: Drive from Manali to Khanjar, and walk to the camp.
- Day 3: Trek from Khanjar to Yolithang.
- Day 4: Trek from Yolithang to Zardung.
- Day 5: Trek from Zardung to High Camp/Kesar Yon Chhap.
- Day 6: Trek from High Camp to Glacier Camp 1.
- Day 7: Trek from Glacier Camp 1 to Glacier Camp 2/Kang La Base.
- Day 8: Trek from Glacier Camp 2 to the base on the Zanskar side of the pass.
- Day 9: Buffer day for rest or contingency.
- Day 10: Trek from the base on the Zanskar side of the pass to Bardan, and drive to Gemoor Khar in Jispa.
- Day 11: Drive from Gemoor to Manali
Route and Itinerary of the Kang La Trek with YoloO Life
Arrive in Manali, take some rest, prepare for the trek, and explore the town.
- Trek distance: 0 km
- Starting altitude: 1700 m above sea level; highest altitude: 1700 m; resting altitude: 1700 m
- Your journey begins with your arrival at our Homestead, located 16 km before Manali. Take in the beautiful green surroundings and quaint atmosphere of the area. Meet our representative and get an introduction to what the next few days will entail. Rest up and prepare for an early start the following day.
Kang La Trek Starts: Drive from Manali to Khanjar, and hike to the camp.
- Total driving distance: 170 km
- Starting altitude: 1900 m above sea level; highest altitude: 3500 m; resting altitude: 3500 m
- After an early breakfast, we begin the Kang La Trek journey with a scenic drive through the Atal Tunnel and into the remote village of Khanjar in Lahaul. The drive offers spectacular views of the majestic Himalayas. Upon arrival at Khanjar, we’ll take a short walk away from the village and set up our first camp, where we can rest and recharge for the days ahead.
Trek from Khanjar to Yolithang.
Distance: 6 km
Starting altitude: 3500 m; highest altitude: 3727 m; resting altitude: 3727 m, above sea level
Embark on a 6 km trek to the heart of Miyar valley, an area known for its vast plains and towering rocky peaks. Often compared to Yosemite, the stunning scenery of Miyar is sure to take your breath away. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to cross the serene Gompa Lake before settling down for the night at a picturesque campsite by the Miyar river. The starting altitude of 3500m and highest altitude of 3727m provides an exhilarating yet manageable challenge.
Trek from Yolithang to Zardung.
Distance: 10 km
Starting altitude: 3727 m; highest altitude: 3880 m; resting altitude: 3880 m, above sea level
We continue our trek deeper into the valley, encountering thrilling stream crossings along the way. Our campsite for the night is at Zardung, which aptly translates to “land of boulders” in the local language. The landscape is dotted with boulders, giving the campsite a unique and adventurous vibe, with opportunities to try some bouldering.
Trek from Zardung to High Camp/Kesar Yon Chhap.
- Distance: 9 km, Starting altitude: 3880 m, Highest altitude: 4100 m
- Resting altitude: 3970 m, above sea level
Today’s trek takes us to a campsite that sits a little higher than Kesar Yon Chhap, which is famous for its seven emerald lakes. The location is considered sacred by locals and offers breathtaking views of the Miyar Glacier, which is the source of the Miyar Nala.
Trek from High Camp to Glacier Camp 1.
- Walking time: 7 hours, Starting altitude: 4100 m, Highest altitude: 4440 m, Resting altitude: 4440 m, above sea level
Today’s trek takes us over scree and moraine towards the snout of the glacier. The landscape changes from green meadows to one filled with rock and ice. We walk on the Miyar Glacier, which is a long but thrilling experience. Crossing the moraine, we finally set foot on the solid ice which feels like a relief. This is the first day we camp on the glacier, with snow and icy views surrounding us.
Trek from Glacier Camp 1 to Glacier Camp 2/Kang La Base.
Walking time: 6 hours
Starting altitude: 4440 m; highest altitude: 4900 m; resting altitude: 4900 m, above sea level
Another day on the Miyar glacier awaits us and we have to start earlier than usual to make our day’s progress easy owing to the better ice pack conditions before the day’s heat sets in on to the glacier. The climb is not really steep and most of it will be on solid ice barring one small section of moraine. A full day’s walk on an Antarctic landscape with the excitement of the dynamicity of walking on a glacier is sure to keep you occupied.
Trek from Glacier Camp 2 to the base on the Zanskar side of the pass.
Walking time: 8-9 hours
Starting altitude: 4780 m; highest altitude: 5450 m; resting altitude: 4400 m, ASL
The D-day of the Kang La trek has arrived and it will also be a long one. With the final ascent and an even longer descent to follow that will finally take us out of the icy slopes and onto solid ground, a welcome relief after two days of sleeping on the ice. We will be on our way just before or around day break and start walking the gentle incline before finally reaching the steep section just below the pass. We will be negotiating crevasses on either side of the pass which might involve the need to rope up and walk together. The descent from the top of Kang La is not without the risk of crevasses as well but, it’s a much shorter one. We will finally reach our camp on a small meadow by the stream
Buffer day for rest or contingency.
We factor in a buffer day, just in case of any unforeseen delays on the trek. When we don’t need it, we make the most of it another way.
Trek from the base on the Zanskar side of the pass to Bardan, and drive to Gemoor Khar in Jispa.
Walking time: 4-5 hours
Starting altitude: 4400 m; highest altitude: 5091 m; resting altitude: 3200 m, ASL
Today’s trek will feel like a welcome change after three tough days of trekking, add to that the sense of accomplishment of having covered the toughest part of your adventure and looking forward for the trek to culminate is irreplaceable. We will have an early start to the day with breakfast and then the final walking leg to the roadhead near Bardan where we’ll find our transport waiting to pick us up and drive us to Gemoor Khar, close to Jispa. The landscape of Zanskar is in stark contrast to Miyar and the rest of Lahaul. Enjoy the welcome change of getting back to civilization with the comforts of a warm bed and hot bath. Celebrate your accomplishment at the day’s end – Kang La isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
Drive from Gemoor to Manali
Total distance: 100 km
Starting altitude: 3200 m; highest altitude: 3200 m; resting altitude: 2000 m, ASL
We will make the drive back to Manali today via the Atal Tunnel. Lunch in Manali will be our final meal together as a group for the trip and a place we must make the most out of to celebrate the monumental Kang La Trek journey we have just accomplished.
Inclusions
- Accommodation for 11 nights. Manali to Leh.
- Transportation. Manali to Leh.
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 12
- Experienced tour leader/ guide.
- Courteous support staff.
- Safety communication devices like walkie talkies.
- Porter for carrying guest luggage upto 12 kg per person.
- Porter/mules for common supplies and gear.
- Drinking water.
- Group camping gear rental.
- First aid and support including oxygen cylinder.
Exclusions
- Any kind of personal expenses
- Food during the transit
- Insurance
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head “Price Includes”
Things To Carry On Kang La Pass Trek With YoloO Life
This is a list of essential items for individuals doing the Kang La Pass trek with YoloO Life. This list contains only those items which the participants are required to bring with them. The list excludes those items which are provided by YoloO Life on the trek. We have divided the items into five categories. All the items in the list are essential except for those marked as optional.
Trekking Gear
- Ruck sack bag with rain cover.
- Day Pack Bag
- Head Torch with spare Batteries.
- U V protection sunglasses.
- Water Bottles: 2 bottles
Footwear
- High-ankle trekking shoes
- Pair of light weight Slipper/Sandals for camps
Clothing
- Quick Dry Warm lowers – 2
- Full sleeves Sweatshirts and Sweaters – 2-3
- Pair of thick woolen socks.2-3 pair
- Thermal Body warmer Upper & Lower.
- Warm jacket – windproof
- Rain wear
- Pair of waterproof, warm gloves, woolen cap, muffler, hat
Toiletries
- Personal toiletries kit (Small Towel, Toilet paper, paper soap, Bar soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, cold cream, etc.)
- Sunscreen lotion small pack
- Lip Balm small pack. Qty-1
Utensils
- Small size, Light weight & Leak proof lunch box.
- Plate – 1
- Spoon -1
- Tea/Coffee (plastic) Mug – 1
Miscellaneous
- Camera (Optional)
- Carry your personal medicines. Consult your doctor before joining the trek.
- Dry fruits, Nuts, Chocolate/energy bars (Optional)
FAQS Of The Kang La Trek with YoloO Life
Safety@Yoloo.Life
Safety & Adventure Sports
The most basic yet prominent principle of indulging in any adventure activity is to take all the necessary precautions for safety.
We at Yoloo.Life, keep it all in account and ensure maximum safety measures to pre-plan the trip and minimize any kind of risk. We plan to mitigate the risk of high altitude-related problems by preparing and acclimatizing well and staying in comfort.
We strongly suggest you keep yourself adequately hydrated- possibly double your water intake.
- Ensure that you take all your medications along to avoid any health issues.
- Inform your friends and family before you depart for the trip and let them know that this will be a ‘No-Network’ zone.
We will be your point of contact throughout the entire trip. Our complete staff is trained and certified, including our wilderness first responders on the programs. So in any case, we will be there to help you out.
