This trek distills the very essence of Ladakh and in a short span of time, provides intensive experience of the land, its people and culture. Linking two of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh at its either end, the trail passes through  dramatic desert mountains cape with vivid verdant villages tucked away into the hillsides.

Highlights include the gompas at  Lamayuru, Wanla, the Sumdochoon valley, inhabited by descendants of Nepalese craftsmen brought by the king of Ladakh in the 18th century renowned for their metalwork in copper, tin and silver, and Alchi and ancient wood carvings at Sumdah Chenmo, all made in the 11th century by  lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo.

 

Area: Ladakh
Season : June to October
Altitude: 5,250 mtrs/ 17720 ft approx. (Highest Point)
Duration: 11 Days
Grade: Moderate

Day 01 : Delhi - Leh Early in morning flight from Delhi gets to Leh in less than two hours. From the airport you would be
transferred to a hotel. Where they would be housed on full board. Leh is at an altitude of 3500 mts. And all guests are
advised to rest for the entire day. A successful trek in Ladakh requires you to acclimatize well Early in the morning
transfer to airport. From here catch a flight for Leh. Upon arrival at Leh transfer to hotel for full day acclimatization.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel/guest house.

Leh : Leh is the fascinating capital of the Autonomous Hill Council of Ladakh, also known as Little Tibet. The important
monasteries to visit in and around Leh are Shey, Thiksey, Hemis, Spituk, Samkhar as well as the Shanti Stupa, Stok Palace and main Bazaar. The Leh palace dominating the town was the former home of the Namgyal Dynasty. The monastic festivals are very  popular and Hemis, Phyang and Lamayuru festivals in summer are visited by lot of tourists who throng to see the Cham Dances.

Day 02 : Leh Full day sight seeing at Leh covering Hemis, Shey and Thiksey Monastery.

Day 03): Likir to Yangthang across Phobe La (9 kms/4 to 5 hrs.)
Morning after breakfast you will be driven by taxi to Likir which is just 58 kms. away. Likir Village (3650 mts.) is the
starting point of our trek. Although the distance is short, the route is warm, without any shade or water and we need to
traverse two passes. From Likir the route heads west up to Phobe La (3580m) and beyond this lies Sumdo village. The trail
goes steadily upwards till you get to Chagatse La (3630m). Across the pass is the village of Yangthang (3630m) where we camp for the night, next to a stream. The Ridzong Monastery lies about an hour south of Yangthang.

Day 04 : Yangthang to Hemis Shukpachen across Tsermangchen La (8 kms 2/3 hours)
Today is an easy walk despite the pass because both the approach and the descent are of gentle gradients. The trail heads north, descending for a bit, crossing a stream before climbing up west again to Tsermangchen La (3750m). After a short rest at  the pass we head down to Hemis Shukpachen. The village, named after the grove of cedars, is one of Ladakh?s prettiest. There are several sparkling streams surrounded by shady willows and large barley fields that provide a touch of green to the otherwise desolate, Rocky Mountains.

Day 05 : Hemis Shukpachen to Ang across Mebtak La (10 kms/ 3 hrs)
Again this is a fairly easy day. The trail goes upward between two hillocks west of the village upwards until it veers south
and  climbs steeply up to the Mebtak La (3750m) marked by prayer flags. From the pass we head down the gorge to Ang, a
charming village with apricot orchards, where we camp for the night.

Day 06 : Ang to Temisgam and Nurla (8 km/ 3 hrs)
Today is the last day and very easy as it's downhill all the way on to the main road. From Temisgam there would be a taxi
waiting to take back everyone to Leh.

Day 07 : Nurla to Tar

Day 08 : Tar to Mangyu

Day 09 : Mangyu to Alchi

Day 10 : Alchi to Leh by Car Day 11): Leh - Delhi Depart for Delhi by the morning flight.

For the more adventurous a drive to either Manali or Srinagar can also be arranged on request. The road journey is covered in two days with an overnight halt at either Serchu, which lies on the Leh-Manali highway, or Kargil, which lies on the
Leh-Srinagar highway.