Northwest Logo

Zanskar combined with Rupshu

Nomads and High Passes

Duration of Trek:    19 Days
Best Time:              Mid June to End of September
Highest Point:          Korzok la {5400m}
Focus:                             Monasteries, Monks, People Villages
Highlight:               Remote villages, High mountain Passes
Physical Challenge:             Moderate overall

Day 01 Leh to Kargil: After Breakfast drive to Kargil enroute visitalchi, Basgo Palace, Liker Monastery  and Gurudwara Pathar Shab .Arrive at Kargil by evening. Overnight Hotel.

Day 02:kargil to Raru: Morning drive to Raru village on the banks of the Lungnak river is a site of ancient rock carvings which date back to the 8th century. During the day we shall visit the monastery of Bardan gompa. This monastery is located on the trek route. Our trek begins inÊ Raru village. The day is a relatively easy walk to Lechar, going up down and across a wood bridge following the Tserap river up and down though Ichaer village, set in a rocky landscape. The campsite is at Dorzong village. 

Day 03 : Trek Dorzong to Kalbok 5/6 hrs. Easy walk and trail continues to follow the Tserap river. We trek past the villages of Tsethang, and Surley, overnight campsite KALBOK. 

Day 04 : Trek Kalbok to Phukthal Gompa. 5/6 hrs. The confluence of Tserap and Karyak rivers. While passing through the little village of Purni we will continue our trek a little further to reach Phukthal Gompa. We shall visit the famous Phukthal monastery during the day. Phukthal is by far the most spectacularly located monastic establishment in Ladakh. The Phukthal complex spills out of the mouth of a cave high up on the vertical mountainside of a gorge through which a major tributary of the Lung-nak river flows. The foundation of Phukthal dates back to the early 12th century. Overnight campsite at gompa. 

Day 05: Trek Phukthal to Tangtak gompa 6/7 hrs, From the Phukthal monastery ascend along the Tserap river. Many downs and ups follow the main valley of gorge and rocky landscape, crossing some streams along the way. And good chance to see wild life, such as Himalayan mountain sheep and snow leopard. This day is very long and steep. The track rises and keeps on ascending till Shade village. We can see the junction of Tserap and the Stongday river on the other side of the river. It is possible to use this trail towards Yarshun, Mashu, Tangthak. After leaving the junction and walking for about 2 hrs, there is river crossing just before the very nice campsite near the river bank. 

Day 06 : Trek day trip to Shade 3/4 hrs. Explore the village, meeting the locals and back to camp.

Day 07 : Trek Tangthak to Hormoche via Naylokungtse la 4900 mtr and Gotungla 5250 mtr 7/8 hrs. In morning easy climb gradually up through the beautiful valley, past a volcanic mountain gradually to the pass. From the top you have a very nice view. After easy walk but long way to get to the next pass, in between that the nice view of lake is spectacular. From the second pass it is steep, giving lovely views of the lake and the majestic volcanic mountains. You might be surprised with a rare glimpse of a snow leopard, or the more common Ibex and yak. Over night campsite. 

Day 08 : Trek Hormoche to Sathak village.{6/7 hrs} from the camp easy walk along field, passing along the Tserap river. Up and down through nice landscape, rocky, gorge, and cross a river coming from Tibet border. Set up camp Sathak village.

Day 09 : Trek Sathak to Tsokmesik {6/7 hrs} From the camp continue on the left side until reaching the first small pass. From the pass very nice view of gorge landscape of rock and river bank, chance to see Ibex. This day many up and downs as trail passes through beautiful way along the river bank. Set up camp.  

Day 10 : Trek Tsokmesik to Morang la base. 4/5 hrs {4200 mtrs} Today is easy walk following the narrow valley passing through stream river and bushes and gradually up to camp. Set up about 4450 mtr.  

Day 11 : Trek to Lungo via Morang la 5300 mtr, 17300 ft, 6/7 hrs. From the camp very steep climb till Marang la pass {5300m} and rest at top. The trek down on other side is initially steep, leading to a broad plateau. From her the trek is a gentle descent through many valleys till Lun {4100mt} set up camp.  

Day 12 : Trek Lungo to Sangtha 6/7 hrs. Morning from the camp start trek along the river following it downstream . En route cross a small village of Nomad from Karnek region and cross Stupa ""chorten"'. you may be meet the peoples from Tibet nomads. Over night camp near river bank. 

Day 13 : Trek Sangtha to Pangche do {Nomad village}Toady is easy walk along the stream river passing small village & Monasteries chance to see ""Kang"" wild horses. After noon meeting with nomads visit House. Evening, interesting to see animals like yak, ship, goat, Coming from mountain. Over night camp.  

Day 14 : Trek Pangchen do to Walthang {Nomad camp} via Pangche la 5350 mtr 6/7 hrs. After breakfast, gradual climb till the pass, on the way passing many yak and blooming flowers. From pass see descent on other side following trail along river. Passing through Rupshu, nomads are living this area. And see big plateau and open valley with snowy peaks from the pass. Over night camp Nomad area.  

Day 15 : Trek Walthang to Nuruchan 4/5 hrs. from the camp easy walk very flat till to camp. Over night camp near river bank. 

Day 16 : Trek Nuruchan to Rachung karu via Horlamkonga 4/5 hrs. From the camp easy ascent to the pass, around one hour 30 minutes. The trail run towards north east just after crossing the pass through the valley. The camp site is across the river at the base of the Kyamayurla pass. Over night camp. 

Day 17 : Trek Rachungkaru to Gyamalhoma via Kyamayurla pass 5300m, 6/7 hrs. Start climbing Kyamayur la pass 5300 m as soon as you leave your camp. This takes around 2hrs at average speed. After the pass the trail leads towards north east and at the end of the valley trail start ascending another small pass called Gyamaila {5150m} from where you can have view of a group of peaks. Walk down towards north east and cross a small river and the Gyamala homes are reached after another river crossing which is also a base for Korzok la.  

Day 18 : Trek Gyamalhoma to Korzok via Korzok la {5400m} 6/7 hrs Start an easy ascent to the Korzok pass along the stream . It takes around 2hrs to reach the top, which gives an exquisite view ofÊ the lovely Tsomo Riri lake. Then steep down to Korzok village. Over night camp.

Day 19 : Korzok to Leh Drive 220 km 6/7 hrs. After breakfast drive along the Indus river. And on the way pass many villages, famous Hot spring water. Over night at Leh.

Tour end.