Rumtse – Tso Moriri — Across the Changthang

The High Crossing

This is Ladakh at its emptiest and most exhilarating: a week crossing the Changthang plateau's string of 16,000–17,800 ft passes, past turquoise Tso Kar and the salt flats, sharing the land with kiang herds and Changpa nomad camps, ending at the vast blue of Tso Moriri.

The Route

Rumtse → Kyamar → over Kyamar La and Mandalchan La → Tisaling → Ponganagu at Tso Kar → Nuruchan and Rachungkharu nomad grounds → Gyamar Barma → Korzok La → descent to Karzok village on Tso Moriri.

Best Time, Permits and Difficulty

June–September. Difficult through sustained altitude — almost every camp sits above 15,000 ft, so acclimatize thoroughly in Leh and consider a Sham or Markha warm-up. Inner-line permits for the Tso Moriri region are required and arranged with your operator.