Day
01: Delhi - Leh (Complete Rest in Leh for acclimatisation)
Take the morning flight for Leh. Check into the guest house
and relax the whole day. This is necessary for getting acclimatised.
Overnight at the guesthouse.
Day
02: Leh - Shey - Thiksey - Hemis
On this day you will go sightseeing trip to some ancient monasteries.
Shey
Gompa is about 15 kms from Leh. It used to be the summer palace
of the kings of Ladakh. There are lots of Stupas and Gompas
built around the palace. Shey palace was built by Deldan Namgyal
in the beginning of 17'Th century AD. Main attraction in Shey
is the 12m Shakyamuni Buddha statue inside the Dresthang Gompa.
Thiksey
Gompa, close to Shey is about 17 kms from Leh. The monastery
is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Ladakh and
belongs to the Gelukspa order.
Hemis,
about 45 kms south of Leh it is one of the most famous and
largest monastery in Ladakh. It belongs to the Drukpa order
and was founded in the early 17'Th century. The setting is
perfect with the monastery cradled in a lovely valley, surrounded
by streams and fronted by long Mani walls. Overnight stay
at the guest house.
Day 03: Leh - Spitok (drive) - Trek to Zinchen
(3200 M)
Leave Leh early morning by Jeeps and reach Spituk (1 hr).
Visit the Spituk Gompa, built about 500 years ago. Start the
trek from here by crossing a bridge and walking south-west
of the river Indus. The gorge section leads to the confluence
of Indus and Zinchen. Camp near the village of Zinchen. Overnight
in Tents.
Day
04: Zinchen - Yurutse (3900 M) via Rumbak
It's a gradual climb from Zinchen to Rumbak. From here one
gets fabulous views of the snow capped Stok Mountains. From
here we move along the Rumbak Nala towards Yurutse. At Yurutse
village you will find fields of barley and potatoes. Overnight
in Tents.
Day
05: Yurutse - Skiu (3100 M) via Ganda La
A gradual ascent followed by a steep climb gets one to the
Ganda la (4900 M). From here views extend south to the Zanskar
range and distant summits of the Himalayan range. This is
followed by a long descent to Shingo village. From Shingo
the trail heads into a narrow gorge leading towards Skiu.
At Skiu there is a confluence of the rivers coming from Markha
valley and Shingo. Overnight in Tents.
Day
06: Skiu - Markha(3800 M)
It's a very pleasant hike, up the Markha valley today with
the trail crossing numerous streams. Markha is a quaint village
with a deserted fort and a small village Overnight in Tents.
Day 07: Markha - Thochuntse
From Markha the country changes and the warm, relatively heavily
wooded sections of the lower Markha is left behind. One will
be required to cross the river several times as there are
no bridges here. Hankar, en route, is the highest village
in the Markha valley. Overnight in Tents.
Day
8: Thochuntse - Nimaling (4700 M)
Trek starts on a good path with several small inclines and
a series of grassy ridges. There are a series of mani walls
(walls carved with Buddhist prayers) and chortens en route.
This is one of the most beautiful high valleys in Ladakh and
is dominated by the Kangyaze peak. Overnight in Tents
Day
09: Nimaling - Kongmaru La (5150 M) - Sumdo
Today one will cross to the north of the Markha, climbing
to the top of the highest of the three passes, the 5,306 M
Kongmaru La, with its wonderful views from the top. There
are snow peaks in every direction and on a clear day the giants
of Karakoram, including K2, can be seen on the north-western
horizon. The trail descends to the Martselang valley, following
the Martselang stream to the village of Sumdo. Overnight in
tents.
Day
10: Sumdo - Hemis (4 Hrs Trek) - Leh
Today make an easy descent along the Martselang to where it
broadens into the valley of the Indus at Martselang village.
Board the awaiting jeeps. Visit Hemis monastery and after
that drive to Leh via Shey and Thiksey monastery. Overnight
in a hotel.
Day
11: Leh - Delhi
Transfer to the airport for the spectacular flight across
the main chain of the Himalaya to Delhi.
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