Changthang Passes *exploratory
We traverse an untrekked region of the Ladakh Range
**This trip page or our possible 2025 trip is a work in progress, the itinerary will be slightly altered over time. It is more likely to be a 20 or 21 day trip**
Our 2012 exploration (Flickr photos) revealed just how high and unexplored the Changthang and Rong part of the Ladakh Range is, with the local headman telling us that no trekkers had EVER crossed the Gongma La, the pass we were aiming for. We didn't meet a single other trekking group for the entire trip (2012 and 2018), during absolute peak season.
This time we aim to finish what we started, and climb a couple of satisfying 6k/20k hills, and of course have a rewarding journey. We start off similarly, from Namchang and take a similar but one day slower acclimatization plan up to a valley with a gorgeous cirque of mountains begging to be explored. Finally acclimatized, we will pop over the 5850m/19,188ft Gongma La to the head of another valley of temptations and check out an old pass for a possible trick over it. Dropping down, we briefly see a road on the other side of the valley. The huge Harong grassy plain (the banner above) is typical of the Changthang, and yet there are so few plains like this open to trekkers.
Heading back to recross the Ladakh range, we wander up a promising side valley first, thoroughly "exploring" it, then pop over the 5600m Yar La (unless we work out an alternative :) .
Over more than a decade of exploring, we have had two trips that we have backed out of the most ambitious section, due to worries about the strength of our horse team. In both cases, we were using local-local horses and not our usual tough horse-mule crew, so on this trip, Ram Lal will be along to ensure there are no logistical issues. No 5000m foals as in 2012!
This is classic high altitude trekking with an endless succession of delightful campsites, some rambling exploring, and 6000m scrambling. Do get in touch for a few further details!
