TREK LAMAYURU TO INDUS VALLEY
LAMAYURU TO INDUS VALLEY TREK
Ladakh has amazing landscapes and the summer being the ideal time to visit, visitors to India prefer to be in cooler places like these, while the rest of the country is sizzling in the heat. Monasteries, old palaces, high passes, villages in the arid landscape are the highlights on this fascinating trek.
Landscapes and monasteries of Ladakh
The arid, yet mountainous landscape of Ladakh makes it a unique tourist attraction in India. Crossing great passes, passing through villages, visits to the great monastery of Lamayuru to the monastery of Spituk at the gates of Leh, make this arguably, the finest route in the region. Our adventure in this desert-like frontier begins at the largest monasteries of Ladakh: Shey, Hemis, and Thiksey.
Standing on a hill overlooking a land tinged with fabulous ocher, the serene monastery of Lamayuru is in itself inspiring. The landscape is fascinating; changing hues from ocher to purplish to shades of red. Two high passes to cross at 4,800 m and 4,900m make the trek exciting and even more, adventure awaits us as we cross the Zanskar River. After reaching a place called Chilling, we encounter villages in the middle of what appears to be a lunar landscape. We cross the highest pass at 5000m and enjoy superb views of Ladakh, Zanskar, Kang Yatsé, and Stok Kangri before arriving at Sputik.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit the most beautiful monasteries of Ladakh
- Small villages and isolated monasteries
- A superb trek at altitude with little difficulty
- Splendid panoramas with the crossing of three big passes.
Gallery
Itinerary
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Departure for Delhi
Depending on arrival time, a short night at a hotel close to the airport or wait in transit at the airport.
From Delhi Airport, we catch a domestic flight to Leh and fly over the Himalayan range. Check-in at the hotel. Day of rest and acclimatization at Leh.
- Accommodation: Hotel Grand Willow or Hotel Mahley
We begin our excursion to the Upper Indus Valley and visit the great monasteries of Shey, Hemis, and Thiksey. Shey was once the kingdom's capital in the 13th century. We continue to Hemis, spiritually the most important monastery in Ladakh and home to a group of 500 monks. Established in 1605, its geographical location has saved it from looting. Our next stop is at the Thiksey Monastery, located on the right bank of the Indus, about twenty kilometers from Leh. This monastery, dedicated to Maitreya (the future Buddha), was rebuilt in the 15th century.
- Duration of hike: 2 hr
- Accommodation: Hotel Grand Willow or Hotel Mahley
- Accommodation: Guest House
Before embarking on our trek, we visit the Lamayuru Monastery which is perched on a rock overlooking the village. The surrounding landscape is remarkable, changing colors with the shift in daylight. After crossing the Prinki La Pass (3,700m), we walk down to the village of Wangla. In the late afternoon, we go to the temple of Rinchen Zangpo who is said to watch over the village of Wangla.
- Duration of hike: 4hr
- Ascent: + 350m
- Descent: - 550m
- Accommodation: Tented Camp
We drive along the Yapola River to reach the villages of Phanjilla and Hinju (4000 m). We then hike in the wondrous setting of an arid valley endowed with colorful mountains and rocky summits often crowned with ice. Even the smallest pool of water here sprouts an oasis of greenery.
- Duration of hike: 4 hr
- Ascent: + 600m
- Accommodation: Tented Camp after Hinju
- Duration of hike: 6 hr
- Ascent: + 1000m
- Descent: - 800m
- Accommodation: Tented Camp in Phullu (4,100m)
We hike along the river and gaze at the sharp rocky needles shooting up into the sky. Then we come across a rare sight; a bit of greenery, a few trees, and barley fields. The village of Sumda Chenmo is near. After visiting the small monastery we enjoy our lunch by the river. Soon after lunch, we start the climb up to the Dundunchen Pass.
- Duration of hike: 4 hr
- Ascent: + 300m
- Descent: - 400m
- Accommodation: Tented Camp
- Duration of hike: 4 to 5 hr
- Ascent: + 500m
- Descent: - 1 300m
- Accommodation: Tented Camp
After the exciting crossing of the Zanskar River on a basket, we walk through the Markha Valley. It’s an easy walk along the flats.
- Duration of hike: 4 hr
- Ascent: +150m
- Descent: -50m
- Accommodation: Tented Camp
We leave the Markha Valley and hike through another valley that is quite narrow and leads to the hamlet of Shingo. We then continue walking until we reach the foot of the Ganda La Pass.
- Duration of hike: 5 hr
- Ascent: + 1000m
- Accommodation: Tented Camp
On the last leg of this beautiful trek, we cross the Ganda La Pass (4,985m) and enjoy splendid views overlooking the whole of Ladakh, Zanskar, and Stok Kangri. We then head down to Rumbak where we set up camp.
- Duration of hike: 5 to 6 hr
- Ascent: + 585m
- Descent: - 1,010m
- Accommodation: Tented Camp
We descend through the gorges of Rumbak to Zinchen where our vehicle awaits our arrival. We drive through a lovely winding road overlooking the Indus valley to finally reach Leh. On the way, we stop at the Spituk Monastery. Lunch at Leh and afternoon free.
- Duration of hike: 2 hr
- Accommodation: Hotel Grand Willow or Hotel Mahley
Transfer to Delhi for your return flight.
End of our services.
NOTES
Indicative price and conditions for tailor-made or group tour
Number of participants 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Price per person in US$ : 1635 1410 1282 1215 1160 1112 1062
What's included
- Night with full board in guest house or bivouac outside Leh
- Hotel on Bed & Breakfast basis in Leh
- Oxygen available, if necessary
- Local English-speaking guide for the entire stay in Ladakh
- Cook assistant(s), mule driver(s) and mules, depending on the group size
- Kitchen and camping collective equipment at the bivouac, including tent for two, mess tent, cooking tent, toilet, table, and chairs, mattresses ...
- Entrance fees, trekking permits, and park entrances according to route
What's not included
- Visa for India to get in advance
- International flight
- Compulsory repatriation insurance
- Tips, personal expenses, drinks, sleeping bag, etc.
Suppliments
(fare can be changed according to airlines company)
Single room during a trip in Ladakh: $.165
