The trekking options range from short, day-long walks up and down
mountain slopes to visit monuments or monastic settlements (or across
a ridge to enjoy the sheer beauty of the lunar landscape), or long,
trans-mountain treks involving weeks of walking and camping in the
wilderness. For example, the trek from Lamayuru in the Indus Valley to
Darcha in Lahoul, across Zanskar Valley, takes nearly three weeks and
crosses 2 major mountain ranges. Most of the established routes
traverse the Zanskar range, which separates the Indus Valley from
Zanskar. The 10-day Markha Valley trek, the 11-day Lamayuru- Padum
traverse and the 4/5-day Stok-Khangri round trek are the more popular
ones. In recent years, parts of the Ladakh range, which lie between
the Indus and Shayok valleys, have also become available for trekking.
The trekking Season normally extends from early June to mid-October.
But short, localised treks within the central Indus valley can be
undertaken even in May. On the other hand, some routes are suitable
only for the late autumn as during the summer the tracks are submerged
due to excessive flow of water, as is in the case of the
Hemis-Markha-Padum trek. The winter access to Zanskar is actually
along the frozen surface of the Zanskar River called Chaddar route.
This route, though difficult and highly demanding in terms of
arrangements, is perhaps one of the most exciting and memorable foot
journeys in the world.
Day 01: TIMOSGAM / HIMIS SHUKPACHAN
:
The trek to HIMIS Shukpachan
crosses over to passes Rongtill-la
(5000 Mts.) and Maptak-la (4800 Mts.). Hemis Shukpachan is a large
village with to be visited. Trek time: 5 hours.
Day 02: HIMIS SHUKPACHAN / YANGTHANG:
An easy walk which crosses over
a pass Tso Mangchen-la (4600 Mts.). Camp at Yangthang near the stream.
Trek time: 4 hours.
Day 03:
YANGTHANG:
Today is a rest day or visit the Ridzong Gompa the
most peaceful and hidden among the hills. Trek time with visit to
Gompa: 6 hours.
Day 04:
YANGTHANG / LIKEER:
Easy walk to Likeer village, cross a pass
Chogotse-la (4200 Mts.). Likeer is a big village with a large
monastery belonging to the yellow sect. Overnight at Likeer. Trek
time: 6 hours.
Day 05: LIKEER / RAFTA : A long dry walk today, Rafta is a small place
with only three families. Trek time: 7 hours.
Day 06: RAFTA / UMLA: We cross a pass Mandang-la (4100 Mts.) and
descend to Umla, a nice camping place. Trek time 4 hours.
Day 07: UMLA / TAROO: An easy walk upto Taroo village, we also cross a
small pass. Taroo is a big village of 60 families. vernight in camp at
Taroo. Trek time: 4 hours.
Day 08: TAROO / PHYANG: An easy walk to Phyang village. Phyang is considered one of the
important Monastery in Ladakh. From Phyang drive to Leh. Trek time : 4
hours
