Updated: 28 Apr 2008
The Basic itineray with some detail of the trek
Day 01 Arrival in Delhi. (5th August)
Get some rest and meet up with the rest of the group
Day 02 Fly to Leh and settle in
Day 03 Acclimatise to the altitude and do site seeing
Visit of the high Indus valley monasteries.
Shey houses the old summer palace of the kings of Ladakh. Its Gompa shelters an amazing Buddha, 12m high. The picturesque Thikse monastery is perched on top of the hill overhanging the Indus. The Hemis Gompa is one of the largest in Ladakh.
Day 04 Acclimatise to the altitude and do site seeing
Visit Stok royal palace, Spituk monastery and the Tibetan Camp of Choglamsar.
Day 05 Leh Marteslang by car/bus Chokdo (4050m) in
5 hrs. (trek).
We leave the Indus valley and head south. We walk
along the river, whose banks are punctuated with ochre
rocks.
Day 06 Chokdo Latza Kongmaru (4800m) in 5 hrs.
After crossing narrow gorges, we start our ascension
towards the Kongmaru La.
Day 07 Latza Kongmaru - Kongmaru La (5030m) Nimaling
(4650m) in 5 hrs.
From the pass there are great views north towards
eastern Korakoram and China, whilst the southern view
is dominated by the shapely Kang Yatze (6400m) and the
Ladakhi range. We follow a ridge trail and descend
zigzagging across scree. After soem time, the path broadens
out into the Nimaling summer pastures, used by Hankar and
Markha shepherds.
Day 08 Nimaling Hankar (4000m) in 5 hrs.
We steadily descend through meadows to Thachutse and
cross the Nimaling river. The trail follows the Markha
river now, and will do so for the next few days.
Day 09 Hankar Markha (3850m) in 4 hrs.
Several monasteries and ruins are scattered along the
trail to Markha. After Umlung the valley narrows and
becomes a gorge just before Markha. This large village
has a fort and a monastery perched on its northern
hill. The gompa is reputed to be one of the oldest in
Ladakh.
Day 10 Markha Chalok (3450m) in 4 hrs.
The trail passes through quite lush riverside
vegetation. En route, we come across more derelict
monasteries, some well maintained chortens and at
least one good example of a wolf trap. Wolves become a
nuisance during the winter as hunger forces them into
the villages.
Day 11 Chalok Shingo (4150m) in 6 hrs.
We criss-cross the Markha river. Bridges are set at
many of the most difficult crossing places. From a
tiny group of stupas, we leave the valley and continue
upwards along the side of a river bounded by willows and
wild rosebushes.
Day 12 (some adjustments, an extra day to bring down the hours of day 11, 13 & 14)
Day 13 Shingo Ganda La (4920m) Rumbak (3750m) in 7
hrs .
At the pass, colourful prayer flags flap in the wind with the
Zanskari mountain range in the background. After crossing the
pass, we descend steadily along the Jingchan river. We get
great views of Stok and the Stok Kangri mountain. (6121m)
Day 14 Rumbak Namlung La (4570m) - Stok (3700m) in 6
hrs - Leh (by Bus/Car).
Descending from the pass, we enjoy excellent views of
the Indus valley. Eventually, we reach Stok, which is
famous for its palace and museum.
Day 15 Back in Leh to rest
Day 16 Fly back to Delhi, have closing of the tour.
Day 17 Departure or further individual travels (21st August)