LAMAYURU MARKHA AND RUPSHU TRAIL - ( 21 Days )
This rewarding trek leads from the stark mountains of Ladakh and
Zangskar into the sweeping high altitude plateaus of Rupshu with its
expansive grazing pastures. The entire trek offers you spectacular
views and sights of unusual rock formations besides a chance of
spotting some of the rare wildlife that inhabit this austere land.
Price:
2/3 people 840 euro per person
4 and above 750 euro per person
Day 01: We welcome you on your arrival at the Indira Gandhi
International Airport in New Delhi and escort you to your hotel where
you stay overnight.
Day 02: Take the morning flight to Leh and check into your hotel.
Afternoon free to wander around the bazaars and visit the Leh palace.
A couple days in Leh is strongly advised due to the high altitude.
Day 03: Today we drive to Lamayuru - 3420 m), 5 h. En route, visit of
the monasteries of Alchi and Lamayuru.
Day 04: Lamayuru - Prinkiti-La at 3726m / 12,221ft to - Wanla - 3550m
/ 11,844ft. 5 hours. Visit the Lamayuru monastery built in the 16th
century and said to be the biggest in western Ladakh. The Gompa hugs a
cliff side overlooking a deep canyon and houses numerous intricately
done wall paintings. From here the trail descends to a valley from
where it climbs steadily towards the Prinkiti La pass and then
gradually slopes down to the village of Wanla. Camp overnight.
Day 05: Wanla - Hinju - 3900m / 12,792ft. A 6 hour walk through an
arid and barren valley takes us to the small village of Phanjila from
where the trail turns into another valley besides the Ripchar river to
Hinju. Camp overnight.
Day 06: Hinju - Konke La -4950m / 16,236ft to Sumdha at 4150m /
13,612ft. 7 hours.
The trail ascends steeply towards the Konke La pass from where you are
afforded extensive views of glacial fields, sweeping barren valleys
dotted with splashes of green. From the pass the trail leads downward
over mountain ridges to the village of Sumdha. Camp overnight.
Day 07: Sumdha Chenmo - base camp below Dungdungchen La - 4050m /
13,284ft. 6 hours. We now descend towards the tiny village of Lanak at
3750m / 12,300ft then climb up towards the base of Dungdungchen La.
Camp overnight.
Day 08: Base of Dungdungchen La - 4050m / 13,284ft -over the
Dungdungchen La at 4700m / 15,416ft. to Chilling at 3350m / 10,988ft.
6 hours. A steady climb to this small pass from where again you are
rewarded with glorious views. The trail then winds downwards to the
large village of Chilling on the banks of the Zanskar river. This
village is known for its fine metalwork particularly exquisitely made
cups and cutlery and local gold ornaments. Camp overnight.
Day 9: Chilling - Skiu - 3510m / 11,512ft. 5 hours. The trek now
converts into a river crossing by a cable cart over the Zanskar. We
leave our pack ponies behind and get new ones once we're across. From
the other side we pass the village of Kaya before we reach Skiu, a
pleasant walk away. Camp near the village.
Day 10: Skiu - Markha - 3850m / 12,628ft. 6 hours. A leisurely trek
that involves a number of river crossings across the Markha river. At
times the water may be low solely depending on the weather conditions.
We camp near the Markha village with its green fields on the banks of
the Markha river.
Day 11: Markha - Hankar - 4000m / 13,120ft. 4 hours. The trail
involves a day of a few river crossings till you reach the Umlung
Gompa high up on a hillside. The climb is stiff one but there are good
views of the valley far below. The Umlung village is a little ahead
and from here the walk is almost a level one to Hankar village. We
camp at the foot of the soaring Kang Yaze peak - 6400m / 20,992ft.
Day 12: Hankar - Langthang Chu campsite at 4250m / 13,940ft. 6 hours.
The trail now leaves the Markha valley and heads south alongside the
Langthang crossing it several times before we reach the delightful
camping site. Camp overnight.
Day 13: Langtang Chu - Yakrupal - 4700m / 15,416ft. 4 hours. The trail
ascends through a valley and fords a stream emerging onto a moraine
wall after which the valley narrows till we reach the base of the
pass.
Day 14: Yakrupal - Zalung Karpo La - 5200m / 17,056ft. on to Sorra /
Kurna Chu -4200m / 13,776ft. 5 - 6 hours. The trail goes uphill over
the Zalung Karpo La pass and then slopes towards the west zigzagging
its way down into the valley. Camp near the village of Sorra.
Day 15: Sorra - Dat - 4200m / 13,776ft. 5 hours. The trail goes along
the river into a spectacular canyon with a small clear stream and a
copse of prized willows. The valley widens out and then after a climb
emerges into another valley which we follow upstream passing quite a
few mani walls right up to Dat a fertile and green village in a
landscape of harsh browns. Camp overnight.
Day 16: Dat - Yar La - 5000m / 16,400ft. to Lungmoche at 4010m /
13,152ft. 6- 7 hours. Today we cross over from the Zanskar mountains
into the vast sweeping plains of the Rupshu valley. An easy climb
takes us to the pass where a large Chortens stands adorned with prayer
flags. Ahead stretch the undulating landscape of Rupshu as we head
down to the abandoned village of Lungmoche. On the way there are
chances of spotting a herd of Kiangs - the Tibetan Wild Ass which
inhabit the rolling plains of the Rupshu and Changthang. Camp
overnight.
Day 17: Lungmoche - Sangtha - 4300m / 14,110ft. 3 hours. The trail
goes through a large stretch of desert and then tapers off into
scrubland. Further you come across Chortens and mani walls just as we
enter the Sangtha village which may be deserted as it is the winter
home of the Changpa nomads who travel long distances on the high
plateaus grazing their livestock of sheep and Yak. Walk through the
barren landscape surrounded by distant hills to the Manali Leh Highway
where a Jeep awaits to take us over the 5060m / 16,596ft high Lachlang
La pass to the camping site at Sarchu. Camp overnight.
Day 18: Drive further south from Sarchu to Manali by jeep. The road
passes - Baralacha La and Rohtang La two passes, before reaching the
lush green Kullu valley and its northern most town of Manali.
Day 19: Rest day in Manali to take in the local sights. Overnight in a
comfortable hotel.
Day 20: A fifteen hour drive takes us to New Delhi where you check
into your hotel for the night.
Day 21: Day at leisure in Delhi. Transfer to the International airport
late night or early morning for an onward flight to your next
destination.
PRICE INCLUDES:
- Land transportation as mentioned in the program by a private vehicle with an English speaking chauffeur.
- Accompaniment: the assistance of a local staff: guide, cook (and cook helpers for large groups).
- The Jeep for the carrying of individual camping, cooking and collective material.
- Lodging : hotel in Delhi and Leh, camping during the Nature Safari
- Meals : full board except the meals in Delhi and Leh
PRICE DO NOT INCLUDES:
- Domestic flights (Delhi - Leh - Delhi)
- International flights
- International airport taxes
- Visa fees
- Repatriation assistance
- Main meals in Delhi and Leh
- Admission fees for the visits of temples, monuments, monasteries and museums planned
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Tips
