TREKKING IN LADAKH

TREKKING IN LADAKH

PADUM TO DARCHA VIA PHITSE

LA & BARALACHA LA

Highest Altitude: 4,950m

Duration: 9 Days

The Baralacha La is one of the most historically famous passes in the Himalayan. It is a double pass, at the convergence of the Tsarap Valley in the north, the Chandra Valley to the south, and the Bhaga Valley to the west. There is no shortage of campsites on the pass, complete with wildflowers and an impressive mountain backdrop.

Day 01 To 03: Padum To Tetha Village

(Follow stages 1 to 3 of the Dracha To Padum Trek)

Day 04: Tetha Village To Tanze

(Follow stage 4 of the Dracha-Padum trek, but stop near Tanze for the night.)

Day 05: Tanze to Phitse La Base

(Average walking time 7 hours)

Day 06: Phitse La Base To Camp

(Average walking time 7 hours)

Day 07: Camp To Kilang Sarai

(Average walking time 6 to 7 hours)

Day 08: Kilang Sarai To Baralacha La

(Average walking time 3 hours)

GETTING AWAY: From the pass, it is a double stage down the Bhaga valley via the campsites of Zing Bar and Paste to Darcha. If the thought of trekking on the road does not appeal, it should be easy to hitch a ride by truck to Darcha or the Kullu valley.

A pleasant alternative is to continue trekking down the Chandra valley to the lake Chandra Tal. This can be completed in two to three stages until you reach the Kullu-Spiti road below the Kun Zum la.

PADUM TO MANALI VIA UMASI LA

Highest Altitude: 5,340m

Duration: 9 Days

If one drove to Padum it is advisable to either include a rest day before trekking higher or complete this stage over two days. From Zongkul monastery the trail leads up the true left side of the Mulung Tokpo to a natural rock bridge. Cross the river here and ascend the grassy meadows before the route diverts up a steep ridge to enter a side valley on the true right of the main valley. There follows a tiring stage through an extensive boulder field to a wide glacial valley where a cluster of stone shelters and a small grassy meadow mark the overnight camp (4,490m).

Day 01: Padum to Zongkul Monastery

(Average walking time 6 to 7 hours)

Day 02: Zongkul Monastery to Base of Umasi La

(Average walking time 6 to 7 hours)

Day 03: Umasi La Base To High Camp

(Average walking time 7 hours)

Day 04: High Camp to Suncham (3,250m)

(Average walking time 8 hours)

Day 05: Suncham to Marchel

(Average walking time 3 hours)

Day 06: Marchel to Atholi/Gularbagh

(Average walking time 8 hours)

Note: Until recently most trekkers would take the bus from Atholi to Kishtwar and the following day catch the bus to Jammu or Srinagar and the Kashmir valley. However, this option is not recommended for the time being. The current political situation in Kishtwar is worse than in the Kashmir Valley with many of the J&K separatist groups active in the region. Option: The alternative is to continue trekking up the Chenab valley for three stages to the village of Kilar and onward transport to Manali and the Kullu valley. Day 07: Atholi/Gularbagh to Shoal

(Average walking time 2½ to 3 hours)

Day 08: Shoal to Istahari

(Average walking time 6 to 7 hours)

Day 09: Istahari to Kilar

(Average walking time 6 to 7 hours)

GETTING AWAY: The jeep road to Kilar has a regular bus service to Lahaul and Manali. One can also take a hike in a truck as an alternative and allow at least two days to reach Manali.

INDUS VALLEY TREK

Highest Altitude: 3,750m

Duration: 13 Days

Passing through a vast inhabited wilderness at the very heart of the Himalayas, the Indus valley region comprises of some of the least explored places of Ladakh. A motorable road along the old craven route through the hills between Likkir and Temisgong, makes a leisurely two-day hike, which takes in three major monasteries - Likkir, Rizong (also spelt as Rhidzong) and Tamisgang.

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi, catching a flight to Leh.

Day 2: Tour of Leh city, including its 17th century palace and Gompa.

Day 3: Tour of Shey, Tikse, and Hemis Gompas, the spiritual heart of the Indus Valley.

Day 4: Tour of Stok Palace, home of the hereditary rulers of Ladakh, and Spitok Gompa.

Day 5: Tour of Basgo, Alchi, and Likir Gompas. Camp at Likir.

Day 6: Trek over Pobe la (3,550 meters) to Yangthang.

Day 7: Trek to Rizong Gompa and back to Yangthang.

Day 8: Trek over Sermanchan la (3,750 meters) and Lago la (3,750 meters) to Ang.

Day 9: Trek to Temisgang, then over Bongbong la (3,630 meters) to Khaltse, then by jeep to Wanlah. Camp at Wanlah.

Day 10: Trek from Wanlah over Prinkiti la (3,725 meters) to Lamayuru. Camp at Lamayuru.

Day 11: Return by jeep to Leh.

Day 12: Morning flight to Delhi, on arrival check in a hotel and stay overnight.

Day 13: Depart- Delhi and transfer to airport for catching a flight to onward journey

CHADAR ICE TREK

Highest Altitude: 3,550m

Duration: 19 Days

The journey, as perilous and extraordinary as any in the Himalayan region, is known as "Chaddar". The Chaddar trek takes one to the giant "S" bench worn by the Zanskar Tiver as it surges from Padum to join the Indus at Saspol, 120-km northeast, and is one of the deepest and most spectacular canyons in the world.

Day 01: Arrival in Delhi and transfer into hotel theyre for an overnight stay.

Day 02: Morning flight to Leh.

Day 03: Tour of Leh city, including the 16th century palace and Gompa.

Day 04: Tour of Shey and Tikse Gompas, and Stok Palace.

Day 05: Visit to Basgo fort and Alchi Gompa, a remarkably well-preserved 11th century Gompa and one of the artistic treasures of the Himalayas.

Day 06: Drive to village of Chiling (3,550m), from where one begins the trek. A short ways from Chiling, step onto the frozen Zanskar River for the first time. Trek to Tilat Do. Overnight stay in the cave.

Day 07: Walk upstream on the ice to Bakhula. Overnight stay in the cave.

Day 08: Walk through tremendous canyons, inaccessible in any other season, to Nyarak. Overnight stay in the cave.

Day 09: Continue on the frozen river to Sarakdo. Overnight stay in the cave.

Day 10: Walk to Hanuma, the first village and most likely the first people that can be seen since leaving Chiling. Overnight stay in the village house.

Day 11: Hanuma to Pishu, another small village. Overnight stay in the village house.

Day 12: Pishu to Karsha, site of the largest monastery in Zanskar. Overnight stay in the village house.

A JOURNEY TO SOUTHERN ZANSKAR TREK

Highest Altitude: 5,080m

Duration: 26 Days

Most of the visitors travel to the remote parts of Zanskar region for trekking. Numerous trails wind their way north from Padum to Central Ladakh, west of Kishtwar and south to Neighboring Lahaul - all along hard hikes that involve strenuous ups and downs. The two main routes leading in to Zanskar, despite they region's isolation is those from Kargil and from Manali to Padum.

Day 01: Arrival in Delhi and transfer to a hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 02: Train to Chandigarh, jeep to Pinjore, stay overnight at Hotel.

Day 03: Jeep to Manali, on arrival checks in at Hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 04: Day at Leisure in Manali, and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 05: Day free in the Kullu valley, to explore the surrounding region.

Day 06: Travel by jeep over to Rohtang Pass (3,978 meter), the gateway to the Lahaul valley, to Darcha.

Day 07: Trek to Rarig, a prosperous farming village.

Day 08: Trek to Zanskar Sumdo, where one camps by the shore of the raging Barai Nallah.

Day 09: After crossing the Barai Nallah by Cable Bridge, trek towards Shingo La base camp.

Day 10: Rest and acclimatize with the surroundings.

Day 11: Trek over 5,080 metre Shingo La to the high pasture of Lakang.

Day 12: Continue down the valley in the shadow of the massive arrow-shaped Gumbaranjon (peak) to Kargyak, one of the highest villages in Zanskar.

Day 13: Trek to the village of Testha.

Day 14: Trek to Purni, where the Kargyak and Tsarap rivers merge to form the mighty Lingti Chu.

Day 15: Trek to Phugtal Gompa, one of the world's most spectacular sights. Its location, spilling down a sheer cliff face from the mouth of a massive cave, is a staggering one.

Day 16: Trek to the friendly village of Tangtse, at the base of the gorge leading to Phirtse La.

Day 17: Trek to Shingsaw, the base camp for pass crossing.

Day 18: Trek over Phirtse La (5350 metres) to base camp.

Day 19: Trek to Chumik Marpo.

Day 20: Trek to Sarchu Serai, on the banks of the Yunan River.

Day 21: Trek to Kilang Sarai, where one will meet the Manali to Leh road.

Day 22: Travel by jeep to Keylong, the capitol and administrative center of Lahaul.

Day 23: Continue by jeep over Rohtang Pass to Manali.

Day 24: Rest day in Manali.

Day 25: Jeep to Kullu, then catch a flight to Delhi, on arrival check into a hotel for an over night stay.

Day 26: Depart- Delhi and transfer to airport for catching a flight to onward journey.