Highest Altitude: 4,820m

Duration: 5 Days

Alternate Trek: Sumdo Chinmu Village To Alchi Via The Stakspi La

The old caravan route to Lamayuru diverges from the Kargil-Leh road at the Fatu-la. As one descends from the pass, one can appreciate the impressive line of Mani walls and contents, which lead down to the village.

Day 01: Lamayuru To Wahlah

(Average walking time 3 ½ to 4 hours)

Day 02: Wanlah To Hinju

(Average walking time 4 to 5 hours)

Day 03: Hinju Via Konze La To Camp

(Average walking time 6 to 7 hours)

Day 04: Sumdo Chinmu To Base Of Dung La

(Average walking time 3 to 4 hours)

OPTION: SUMDO CHINMU VILLAGE TO ALCHI VIA THE STAKSPI LA

From Sumdo Chinmu follow the trail down the valley past the base of the Dung la. This entails following a rough trail, which crosses the river several times before it diverts to a side ridge to the north of the valley. The trail then leads up and over to the village of Sumdo Choon.

(Note: Sumdo Choon 'little village, Sumdo Chinmu 'big village')

At Sumdo Choon there is a small monastery affiliated with Alchi. Above the village there is a trail leading to the base of the Stakspi la (4, 970m). On the second stage there is a short, steep ascent to the Stakspi la and grand views of the Ladakh range. The trail descends quite steeply to a small grazing area and shepherds' shelter and a possible campsite. (This is a useful camp spot if one is doing the trek in reverse out from Alchi.) It is a further three hours down to Alchi (3,200m), where there is a regular campsite cum restaurant close to the monastery. A further three to 4-km along the jeep track takes one to the Alchi Bridge and the main highway to Leh.

Day 05: Dung La To Chiling (3,350m)

GETTING AWAY: The road was completed to Chiling in October 1995, however, there is no bus service yet. The alternatives are to arrange for a jeep to come from Leh to pick one up, or to trek down the valley for a further stage to Nimmu and the Indus valley.

A further option is to trek up the road to the pulley bridge over the Zanskar River. Cross the river and then continue on the opposite, true right side of the river to the confluence with the Markha valley. The trek up the valley to the confluence should take no more than two to three hours and from there it is a further two hours to the village of Skiu.

For most people Kargil is just an overnight stop on the road between Srinagar and Leh or Padum. Yet before 1947 its position at the confluence of the Suru and Drass Rivers made it an important trading town, linking Kashmir and Ladakh with Gilgit and Baltistan.

Highest Altitude: 5,290m

Duration: 7 Days

Alternate Trek: Kanji To Lamayuru Via Yogma La

Villagers and Buddhist monks have followed the treks out of the Suru Valley for many generations and much of the trade between the Zanskar Valley and the Indus was Lao carried out from Suru Valley only. For most people, the trek to Pannikhar to Heniskot or Lamayuru is an extension of the trek from Pahalgam in Kashmir. The trek can be completed from the end of June when the snow begins to melt on the highest pass; the Kanji La.

Day 01: Panikhar (3,350m) To Parachik (3, 550m)

(Average walking time 5 hours)

Stage 02: Parachik To Shafat (3,850m)

(Average walking time 6 hours)

Day 03: Shafat To Rangdum (3,980m)

(Average walking time 5 hours)

Day 04: Randgum (3, 980m) To Kanji La Base Camp (4, 250m)

(Average walking time 5 to 6 hours)

Day 05: Kanji La Base Camp To Camp

(Average walking time 7 hours)

Day 06: Camp To Kanji Village (3, 875m)

(Average walking time 2 to 3 hours)

Day 07: Kanji Village To Heniskot

(Average walking time 2 to 3 hours)

This option takes three to four stages to complete. From Kanji village follow the trail up the valley coming in from the east to camp below the Yogma la. This trek up the valley takes a couple of hours through the outlying fields and small settlements, which are occupied by the villagers during the summer months.

The climb on the next stage to the Yogma la is deceptively easy and affords good views of the immediate gorge country. The descent to the meadow below the pass takes a further 1-½ hours. Camp here, or continue down to the Shilakong gorge, further three to four hours, with steep descents in places.

On the third stage one descends through spectacular gorges where huge cliff faces block out the sun for all but a few hours each day. Along the valley floor there are plenty of river crossings, which can prove hazardous after a summer storm. The time taken to reach Shila village, at the foot of the gorges, can therefore vary greatly. On average it takes five to six hours, leaving time the same day to visit the Wanlah monastery.

On the final stage, the trail leads up to the Prinkiti la. This is a hot stage once the sun hits the narrow gully. From the pass it is a further hour down to the monastery at Lamayuru.

GETTING AWAY: If travelling from Heniskot to Leh, remember that most vehicles leave Kargil in the early morning, so one should be at the trailhead by 9.00 am to ensure one gets to Leh that evening. Getting to Kargil is more relaxed, as most vehicles don't reach Heniskot till 3.00 PM. Alternatively, if going onto Lamayuru, the drive from Heniskot over the Fatu la takes about one hour.

For extending trek out of Lamayuru, then one will have to backtrack over the Prinkiti la; then continue to Alchi or to the Markha valley to Leh. Alternatively, head to the Zanskar valley and Padum via the Singge la before returning by road to Panikhar and Kargil.