A very nice circuit between 2 fantastic monasteries in a mineral atmosphere, ideal for a first experience in Ladakh. This course allows one to fully savor the simple lifestyle and scenery of Ladakh: ancient Monasteries scattered on steep cliffs edge, beautiful villages, cultivated fields surrounded by desert rocky landscapes, snow covered peaks like the Kang Yatse peak (6400m) the highest peak of the Ladakh range.

>SEASON: june to end of september

>GRADE : Moderate (grade explanation): 3 passes above 4500m, some rivers to be crossed in the Markha valley.

>LUGGAGE DURING TREKKING: During trek your main luggage will be carried by pack animals (horses or mules). You simply carry a day pack with water bottle, camera, sun-screen, spare jacket, etc. - a small load that allows full enjoyment of the trek. A trek bag is ideal for your main luggage, plus a small lockable bag for travel clothes or anything that you do not need during trek which you can leave at hotels locker room/safe deposit box in Leh for free of charge.
Kitchen crew, guide(s) all along the trek.

>CAMPING TREK : in tent all along the trek.

Itinerary

D-1: arrival in Leh: transfert to hotel (3500 m) or Guest House.

D-2 and D-3: acclimatization in Leh (3500 m): visit of the Indus Valley, villages and monasteries: Phyang, Spituk, Thikse

D-4: drive to Lamayuru monastery by jeep/taxi (around 7h).

D-5: trek to Wanla: 4h
We cross the first pass: Prikita La (3800m). The descent leads us in some narrow gorge and an opened valley where is located the village of Wanla.

D-6: Wanla-Phanjilla : 4h
We follow the valley and the Yapola River. Camp to Phanjilla.

D-7: Phanjilla-camp below the Konzka la pass (4300 m): 4h
At Phanjilla we leave the valley to follow the bank of the river Ripchar until Hinju. Camp after Hinju.

D-8: crossing the pass (4950 m)-Sumda (4300 m)
The ascent to the pass is gradual, the last part is a little bit steep, long descent through meadows. We set up our camp on the river bank.

D-9: Sumda-Dudunchula (4800 m)-Chilling: 7h
Long stage: we cross the Dudunchu pass (4h30) and we descent to Chilling: we enter a narrow valley, this valley opens up just before Chilling.

D-10: Chilling-Skiu (3850 m): 5h
We cross the river Zanskar and follow an easy path until Skiu along the Markha River.

D-11: Skiu-Markha (3800m): 7h
The route is on the right bank of the river, many cultivated areas, we cross the river and we continue on a plateau until the village of Chaluk. Markha is a little bit further.

D-12: Markha-Nimaling (4700m): 7h
After Hunkar we take on the left in a narrow valley, we climb upward the Nimaling plain where we have nice view of the KangYats (6400 m). Camp to Nimaling.

D-13: Nimaling-Shang via Kongmaru la pass (5150 m): 8h
We cross the pass by gradual slopes, the descent is steeper, we reach a canyon. This canyon leads us in an U-shape valley and the seetlement of Shang encircled by cultivated fields.

D-14: Shang-Hmis: 3h
In Hemis visit of the famous monastery.

D-15 : drive back to Leh by jeep/taxi

D-16 : rest day

D-17 : transfert to airport and flight back to Delhi.

Our Price Includes

1. - transfert airport hotel and return, transport by land or / and by air
2. - nights in leh, Manali, delhi with breakfas.
3. - 2 days sighseeing in Indus valley with a registered cultural guide.
4. - Cooking and camping charges
5. - Tented accommodation and equipment during the camping trek. (We will provide two man tents, dinning tents, kitchen gear, dining table, chairs, toilet tents, shower tent.)
6. - A government licensed English speaking Guide during the trek, a cook along with their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment and a general first aid kit.
7. - Donkeys.
8. - Boiled and purify drinking water for the trek.
9. - All our government taxes, tourist service charge, vat.
10. - reconfirmation of the international flight.

Our Price Excludes

1. - international flight, travel insurance taken in your country (accident /repatriation), lunch, diner in Leh, Manali and Delhi.
2. - Indian visa
3. - tips for the staff.
4. - your personal equipment (sleeping bag, jackets ).
5. - your own medicine
6. - expenses due to unforeseen situations (strike, flight cancelled)
7. - entry fees for the cultural sites