Trekking Itinerary:
Day 01): DELHI - LEH (Complete Rest in Leh for acclimatisation)
Take the morning flight for Leh. Check into the guest house and relax the whole day.
This is necessary for getting acclimatised. Overnight at the guesthouse.
Day 02): LEH - SHEY - THIKSEY - HEMIS
On this day you will go a sightseeing trip to some ancient monasteries in this area.
Shey Gompa: is about 15 kms from Leh. It used to be the summer palace of the
kings of Ladakh. There are lots of Stupas and Gompas built around the palace. Shey
palace was built by Deldan Namgyal in the beginning of 17'Th century AD. Main
attraction in Shey is the 12m Shakyamuni Buddha statue inside the Dresthang
Gompa.
Thiksey Gompa, close to Shey is about 17 kms from Leh. The monastery is
considered to be one of the most beautiful in Ladakh and belongs to the Gelukspa
order.
Hemis, about 45 kms south of Leh it is one of the most famous and largest
monastery in Ladakh. It belongs to the Drukpa order and was founded in the early
17'Th century. The setting is perfect with the monastery cradled in a lovely valley,
surrounded by streams and fronted by long Mani walls. Overnight stay at the guest
house.
Day 03): LEH - SPITOK
(drive) - TREK TO ZINCHEN
(3200 M)
Leave Leh early morning by
Jeeps and reach Spituk (1 hr).
Visit the Spituk Gompa, built
about 500 years ago. Start the
trek from here by crossing a
bridge and walking south-west
of the river Indus. The gorge
section leads to the confluence
of Indus and Zinchen. Camp
near the village of Zinchen.
Overnight in Tents.
Day 04): ZINCHEN -
YURUTSE (3900 M) via
RUMBAK
It's a gradual climb from Zinchen to Rumbak. From here one gets fabulous views of
the snow capped Stok Mountains. From here we move along the Rumbak Nala
towards Yurutse. At Yurutse village you will find fields of barley and potatoes.
Overnight in Tents.
Day 05): YURUTSE - SKIU (3100 M) via GANDA LA
A gradual ascent followed by a steep climb gets one to the Ganda la (4900 M). From
here views extend south to the Zanskar range and distant summits of the Himalayan
range. This is followed by a long descent to Shingo village. From Shingo the trail
heads into a narrow gorge leading towards Skiu. At Skiu there is a confluence of the
rivers coming from Markha valley and Shingo. Overnight in Tents.
Day 06): SKIU - MARKHA (3800 M)
It's a very pleasant hike, up the Markha valley today with the trail crossing
numerous streams. Markha is a quaint village with a deserted fort and a small village
Overnight in Tents.
Day 07): MARKHA - THOCHUNTSE
From Markha the country changes and the warm, relatively heavily wooded sections
of the lower Markha is left behind. One will be required to cross the river several
times as there are no bridges here. Hankar, en route, is the highest village in the
Markha valley. Overnight in Tents.
Day 08): THOCHUNTSE - NIMALING (4700 M)
Trek starts on a good path with several small inclines and a series of grassy ridges.
There are a series of mani walls (walls carved with Buddhist prayers) and chortens
en route. This is one of the most beautiful high valleys in Ladakh and is dominated
by the Kangyaze peak. Overnight in Tents.
Day 09): NIMALING - KONGMARU LA (5150 M) - SUMDO
Today one will cross to the north of the Markha, climbing to the top of the highest of
the three passes, the 5,306 M Kongmaru La, with its wonderful views from the top.
There are snow peaks in every direction and on a clear day the giants of Karakoram,
including K2, can be seen on the north-western horizon. The trail descends to the
Martselang valley, following the
Martselang stream to the
village of Sumdo. Overnight in
tents.
Day 10): SUMDO - HEMIS (4
Hrs Trek) - LEH
Today make an easy descent
along the Martselang to where
it broadens into the valley of
the Indus at Martselang village.
Board the awaiting jeeps. Visit
Hemis monastery and after that
drive to Leh via Shey and
Thiksey monastery. Overnight
in a hotel.
Day 11): LEH - DELHI
Transfer to the airport for the spectacular flight across the main chain of the
Himalaya to Delhi.
Trip & services end.
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