Grand Ladakh Trekking - 22 Days

A very interesting trek beginning at Lamayuru and walking up the less traveled Ripchar valley with its small villages, nomadic settlements and pastures where you see a wide variety of flowers from end of July to end of August and birds too. You cross some high passes with excellent views of the Karakoram and the Zanskar ranges. The initial part of the trek till Chilling is less traveled. From Chilling you cross the Zanskar River by a pulley cable and continue into the Markha valley-most popular and considered one of the best valleys in Ladakh. This trek is not difficult but is demanding in stages due to the terrain. The average walking time is 5-6 hours.

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Delhi. Upon arrival you will be met by our representative and transferred 30 minutes to hotel. O/N.
Day 02: Early morning transfer for flight to Ladakh. Arrival and transfer to Hotel. Afternoon free.
Day 03: Sightseeing at Shey, Thikse and Hemis monasteries.
Day 04: Drive to camp at Uleytokpo visiting Alchi monastery enroute.
Day 05: Drive to Lamayuru. Visit the monastery built in the 10th century and one of the oldest monastic sites in Ladakh.

Day 06: Trek starts .The trail heads down the valley before turning east to Prinkitila (3506m). Descend from the pass to the scenic village of Wanla. Camp overnight.

Day 07: Hinju: - Follow a nice wide path till the village of Penji from where you leave the main trail and head up the Ripchar valley to Hinju.

Day 08: Continue up the valley to grazing areas which support the village summer camps to camp at the base of Konzela.

Day 09: Begin a short but steep climb to Konzela (4950m) for views of the Zanskar range. A long and steep descent brings you to a camp by the river at Lanak.

Day 10: Chilling (3390m): - Follow the left bank of the river to the village of Sumda then go up the ridge to another pass - Dunduchunla (4435m) and descend to camp near the village of Chilling, the inhabitants of whom are the only ones who are the main metal workers making Ladakhi copper utensils.

Day 11: Skiu (3390m):- Cross the Zanskar by pulley cable and follow a lovely trail to camp at Skiu.

Day 12: Markha (3810m):- A full walking day. Cross the Markha River at two places to the village of Chalak. Beyond this settle-ment is an impressive line of chortens and a huge mound of goat horns. Follow the Markha River to the village of Markha to camp overnight.

Day 13: Thachungtse:- Follow the main trail passing the monastery at Humlung to the village of Hankar. We now go away from the wide valley and go up a narrow valley to the pastures at Thachungtse. (5-6hrs).

Day 14: Nimaling (4700m):- Approx. 3-4hrs from Thachungtse, the trail climbs steeply to the plateau and pastures of Nimaling with impressive views of Kangyassey peak.

Day 15: Rest day at Nimaling. Optional hike up the left shoulder of Kangyassey.

Day 16: Chogdo:- Begin a gradual climb of about 2 hrs to the top of Kongmarula (5030m), the highest point on the trek with excellent views of the Stok range and the Karakoram range of mountains. Descend to the wooded gorge to camp at Chogdo.

Day 17: Shangphu: - Follow the Shang Tokpo (stream). Go up Shang la at 4900m and descend to camp.

Day 18: Ladakh:- Descend from Mathola to the village at Matho. Drive to Ladakh visiting Stok Palace and museum on the way back.

Day 19: Free day in Ladakh.
Day 20: Extra day to be adjusted in case of flight cancellation or exchanged for an Agra extension.
Day 21: Fly Ladakh- Delhi.
Day 22: Departure Delhi for final Departure.age walking time is 5-6 hours.

Travel in Ladakh