Duration: 13 Days; Grade: Moderate to Strenuous ; Season: 15th June - 15th October
High and arid region; region between Ladakh and Zanskar; large diversity of landscapes; excellent views from the jagged 5000 metre Kongmaru La pass; green oasis of Starting at
$1,161 per trip
An early morning transfer to the domestic terminal of the airport for the flight up to Leh. This surely is one of the most sensational scheduled flights in the world, taking you right over the top of the Greater Himalaya Range before dropping down in a series of steep turns, to land at the small airport at Leh. Flight time is approximately 1½ hours. You will be met on arrival, and driven through Leh to check into the Hotel. Leh is at an altitude of 11,500ft/3,500m, so we therefore we recommend that the rest of the day be spent resting to help adjust to the altitude. Leh - Spituk - Zinchen (3200 m) in 4h: We will drive 10 km to Spituk from where we will start our trek. We cross Indus River, and then enter the valley of Zinchen River. Near the village in that valley, we will have our first camp after a 4 hr walk.
Yurutse - Ganda La (4900 m) - Skiu (3510 m) in 6/7h: From the base camp above Yurutse, follow the path along the mountainside, then follow the zig zag steep path up to cross GandaLa. Then, there is a long descent towards Shingo. After 2 hours' descent beyond Singo, arrive in the Markha Valley. A few hundred meters further, and we will reach Skiu. Overnight Camp.
Skiu - Markha (3850 m) in 7hFrom Skiu: follow a good path on the right bank of Markha where one can find great vegetation. Then cross the river and pass through barren plains arriving at Chaluk. Thereafter, walk along the left bank of river until another crossing and a small climb towards Markha village. Good camp site beyond the village and near the river. Overnight Camp.
Markha - Hankar (4000 m) in 4h: Start trekking towards the main valley on the right bank (the path is sometimes difficult in the river bed) and pass the monastery of Humlung. Then carry on trekking along the right bank and arrive in Hankar, where there are several houses. Overnight Camp in Hankar.
Hankar - Nimaling (4650 m) in 4h: The p ath improves, and crosses a broad valley on the right side. The valley becomes narrow and higher, and crosses bridges to the left bank before reaching Tchatchuste. We climb pastures to reach Nimaling, which is one of most beautiful high valleys in Ladakh, and is dominated by the Kang Yaze. Overnight Camp in Nimaling.
Hemis-Thiksey-Shey-Leh: We will visit the Hemis monastery, then drive to Shey Monastery. This one has a 7.5m copper statue of Buddha plated with gold; the largest of its kind. We drive to Thikshy Monastery, which is situated on a hill top. There are several temples and wall paintings of Buddha. Close by is the summer palace of the old raja of Leh. This monastery is 800 years old, and silver and gold statues can be seen in it. Overnight Camp.
Ngawang Lhundup
A decade ago Nawang Lhundup incorporated Moonlight Travels and registered the organisation with the Jammu & Kashmir Government Tourism Department. Ever since we have been organising adventure and leisure holidays in the Ladakh and Zanskar regions.
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