Hidden Valleys of Ladakh

On arrival in Delhi you will be met by a World Expeditions representative and transferred to your hotel. Should you arrive earlier in the day we are happy to assist with any optional sightseeing. Due to the differing times of arrival of group members and the early morning departure to Leh the following morning the initial briefing will be on ‘a need to know basis’ such as what to pack, ordering a packed breakfast, what time for departure from the hotel, arrangements for leaving gear in Delhi etc. Your World Expeditions kit bag will also be distributed after the briefing. Overnight group hotel. Note: The main briefing will be on arrival in Leh and sleeping bags, liners, insulated mattress and down jackets will be distributed. Note: If you are arriving in Delhi on a late night flight, you may like to arrive the day before the trip commences. Please talk to your World Expeditions reservations consultant or travel agent for pretour accommodation options. Overnight: The LaLit Delhi or similar

Meals:  Nil

We board the early morning flight from Delhi to Leh where you will be rewarded with spectacular views across the Great Himalaya and Zanskar ranges. On arrival in Leh it is essential to rest and start the all-important acclimatisation process. Our schedule today is flexible. We include a walk to the main bazaar and adjacent alleyways to gain a sense of Leh’s rich historic past. We can also wander to the nearby chortens at Changspa (situated close to our hotel) that are said to have been established over 1000 years ago – many centuries before Leh was founded. Overnight: Hotel Omasila or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

In Leh we visit the Kings Palace to appreciate its reconstruction undertaken over the past twenty years. The Sikh Road Museum also located in the Old city of Leh provides further insights into Ladakh’s proximity to the Sikh Road and Leh’s Trading relationships with Kashgar and Yarkand. By contrast, a visit to the Snow Leopard Conservancy offers invaluable perspectives into the snow leopards survival as well as other endangered wildlife species including the iconic Marco Polo sheep, the Ibex and the Pallas Cat. Overnight: Hotel Omasila or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

We include visits to Shey Palace – the capital of upper Ladakh until the Royal family moved to Leh in the 17th century. We also visit the nearby Alchi monastery perched on a sugarloaf mountain overlooking the Indus Valley. The monastery reflects an important link in Ladakh’s Tibetan Buddhist history as evidenced in the main Assembly hall as well as the multi denominational chapel built in the 1980’s and proof of the continuing vitality of Buddhism in Ladakh. While Alchi is one of the most visited monasteries in Ladakh we also visit the less frequented Matho monastery on the far side of the Indus River to gain a more serene perspective of Ladakh’s enduring Buddhist heritage. On return to Leh we can also ascend to the Shanti Stupa to help our fitness regime as well as gaining a further perspective of the upper Indus Valley. Overnight: Hotel Omasila or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

Attend Hemis festival, transfer to Shang Sumdo (3670m) (drive 40 minutes) trek to Shang village (3670m) (walk approx. 2 hours) We drive to Hemis monastery (passing Shey gompa and Alchi monastery) before joining the throng of Ladakh villagers who are attending the annual masked dance festival. The two day festival (we attend the first day) commemorates the India sage Padmasambhava who introduced Tantric Buddhism to the Himalaya in the 8th century. The festival consists of an elaborate series of mashed dances depicting the life of Padmasambhava and the moral victory of knowledge over ignorance. The festival is attended by a large congregation of Ladakhi people from throughout the Indus Valley. Besides the festival’s religious significance it is a time to renew acquaintances, visit the many stands and drink quantities of butter tea and barley beer. In essence the festival could be likened to a medieval fair reflecting much of the contemporary culture life of Ladakh. The festival ends by late afternoon giving us time to complete the short drive to Shang Sumdo and trek along the dirt road leading to Shang village and our campsite. A full on but highly rewarding day. Overnight: Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

A day to acclimatise with an accent to Shang Phu that affords panoramic views across the rugged Shang Valley. A visit to Shang visit is also included to glimpse something of the changing lifestyle of people living in rural Ladakh. Overnight: Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

The trek across the Gyuncho La is not particularly demanding and affords further opportunity to acclimatise en route to Chogdo village. We either camp close to the village or ascend just above the village to the nearby camp at Chuskyumo (4080m) Overnight: Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

We slowly ascend an impressive gorge leading to the base camp below the Gongmaru La. That afternoon we ascend further towards the pass to gain panoramic views of the Indus Valley while acclimatising for the next stage. From the camp we may also see marmots (Himalayan hyrax) and possibly blue sheep while birds of prey hover in the thermals in search of prey. Overnight: Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

An exhilarating stage. From camp it will take less than two hours to ascend the trail that zig zags to the pass which is clearly identified with colourful prayer flags offering homage to the gods or La’s that guard the pass. From the pass there are wonderous views that extend across the many 6000m peaks as far as the eye can see – including the 6000m peak of Kangyatse. We descend to the vast Nimaling plains where villagers from Hanker – the highest village in the Markha valley graze their yaks throughout the summer months. After a rest at Nimaling we descend to Hanker village and camp nearby in the serene valley leading to the Zalung La . Overnight: Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

From our camp we gradually ascend across the scant pastures, abandoned gazing settlements and ancient mani walls to our camp at the base of the Zalung La. En route there are several swift flowing stream crossings that may necessitate a change of footwear. Overnight: Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

From camp we enter a narrow gorge where snow leopard scats are regularly sited as we ascend steeply in places to the colourful prayer flags that define the Zalung Karpo La. From the pass views stretch across the vast Rupshu region with distant peaks that extend to the borderlands of Tibet. The trail then descends steeply to the valley floor to a delightful grassy camp at an abandoned site at Tsorka. Overnight: Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

After the vigour’s of crossing the pass this is a delightful stage. We enter a narrow gorge to reach a small river flowing from the settlement at Dat. The walk gradually ascends across grazing grounds and past impressive side gorges to the camp at Lagto Kamlung. Here the remains of impressive mani walls reflect a bygone era when nomads grazed their animals in this remote outpost of Ladakh. Overnight: Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

A full on day to complete the trek to abandoned settlement at Dat where we say bid farewell to our mule attendants and commence our drive to Tso Moriri. It will take the best part of 2 hours to reach the Manali to Leh highway before we continue across country to Tso Kar with possible sightings of the rare black necked crane. We continue over two passes and past Chang pa encampments (with their flocks pashmina goats) to reach the village of Kursoc, the headquarters of the Chang pa in this remote and wild region of Rupshu. We camp nearby in a sheltered grassy campsite. A long but exhilarating day. Overnight: Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

A full day to explore Tso Moriri and visit Korsac village. The day includes a range of options including walking to the shores of the lake and ascending the adjacent plateau that affords panoramic views of the entire lake that extends to the snow-capped Zanskar range (a reference to a map will confirm this is the Zanskar range that extends north of the Great Himalaya range to the borders of Nepal) We also visit Kursoc village and the small monastery established in the 18th century. Overnight: Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

An early start to complete the short ascent to the nearby plateau at sunrise. A fitting finale to our trek before we commence our drive to Leh. We follow a more direct route that heads directly to the upper Indus valley before we follow the course of the Lion River all the way back to Leh. Overnight: Hotel Omasila or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

An opportunity to rest and wind down and complete your sightseeing and shopping and preparing for your early morning flight to Delhi. Overnight: Hotel Omasila or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

An early morning flight to Delhi will afford more impressive views across the mountain ranges you explored the previous week. Trip concludes in Delhi. However, we recommend booking your international flights the next day in case of inclement weather causing your flight from Leh to be cancelled. Please contact us for accommodation options in Delhi or other arrangements you may have.

Meals:  B