Day 01: Arrive Delhi: On arrival transfer to the Hotel. Overnight at
Hotel.
Day 02: Delhi - Leh (3500 m): 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.
Day 03: AT LEISURE IN LEH: Again take it easy today and enjoy a tour around town. Leh is very
Tibetan, with the national dress, 'stove-pipe' hats and felt boots
with the turned-up toes as evidence. The Royal Palace, which dominates
the skyline above the town, is very reminiscent of the Potala in Lhasa.
And Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, large chortens, prayer flags and
mud-brick houses with flat roofs are a dramatic cultural change from
the hot, teeming frenetic rush of Delhi. Don't try to do too much on
this first full day!
Day 04: Sightseeing of Leh Palace and the Sankar, Shey, Thiksey and
Matho monasteries.
Day 05:
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.
Day 06: Zinchen -Yurutse (3844 m) in 5h: After by passing through this
beautiful valley, we ascend by following a very steep zigzag footpath.
By the time we reach Yurutse, it is 3h. Here, we meet the river which
comes from the Stok Kangri massif. Continue up to the campsite at the
base of Ganda La pass. Overnight Camp.
Day 07:
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.
Day 08: 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.
Day 09: 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.
Day 10:
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.
Day 11:
Nimaling - Kongmaru La (5150 m) - Shang Sumdo (3750 m) in 7h: Cross the Markha valley, follow long climb along the mountain side,
then zig zag road leads towards KongmaruLa. Follow a steep descent
into gorges and then keep walking on the left bank to Chukirmo.
Thereafter, cross right and left before arriving in Shang, a beautiful
camp in groves. There is a monastery an hour away from the village.
Overnight at Camp at Shang Sumdo.
Day 12:
Shang Sumdo - Hemis (3600 m) in 3/4h: Hemis is the most important monastery of Ladakh, and is 360 years old.
The gigantic Thanka, one of the largest in the world, is displayed
once every 12 years. The last time was in 2004. Overnight Camp at
Hemis.
Day 13:
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.
Day 14: Leh - Delhi by plane: Arrive Delhi and transfer to the Hotel. Day at Leisure, Overnight at
Hotel.
Day 15: Delhi Day at leisure Safety day for your international flight.
Day 16: Delhi Hotel - airport
transfer.
