The fascinating mosaic created by the wondrous natural wealth of Ladakh and Zanskar offers you numerous trails that traverse this absorbing hi-altitude desert region. High mountain passes, towering barren mountain ridges, deep river valleys with yawning canyons, vast sweeping plateaux sustaining incredibly beautiful wild flowers co -existing with the normal shrub and remarkable wind sculpted rock hills make this a trekkers paradise. It is here in this captivating land that Himalayan Summits offers you great treks and adventures.
The Chadar Winter Trek – 15 Days (Best
months: January and February)
Chadar means blanket though this trail doesn’t offer
the warmth that a blanket does. This once in a lifetime trail
on ice over the frozen Zanskar river has emerged as a must
do trek for all avid adventurers. The route traversing altitudes
of nothing less than 14,000ft / 4500 metres, goes over the
frozen Zanskar river traversing deep canyons and gorges otherwise
inaccessible during the summer months. And, under the solemn
gaze of greyish - white mountain peaks temperatures can plummet
to –anywhere between -25 to -30º c. Our halting
stages for camping at night are often caves in the hillsides.
The altitudes we traverse are all above 4500 metres / 14,000
feet. This is still a traditional winter route used by the
Zanskari folk to travel to Leh with no other options.
Click here for detailed Itinerary.
Jhunglam Trek 5200m : 10 Days : Grade Strenuous : Seasons Aug-Oct
This is one of the most adventurous treks on an isolated route far into the mountains with many rivers to be crossed.It is a real wilderness experience for adventure seekers, and the best period for exploration is from August – October when most of the snow has melted and the roaring rivers are passable.
Click here for detailed Itinerary.
Likir 3500m / 11,480ft - Tingmosgam 3200m
/ 10,500ft: 3 Days
A two hour drive gets us to Likir on the Leh - Srinagar Highway
situated on the banks of the Likir Tokpo.
The trail goes through stunning moonscape, valleys and sparkling
streams and crosses two passes affording excellent views of the Zanskar
ranges. The trek ends at Temisgam a prosperous village with green
fields and white washed houses.
Click here for detailed Itinerary.
Lamayuru 3450m / 11.320ft to Alchi 3150m
/ 10,340ft over Tar La pass: 5 - 6 Days
124 Kms. west of Leh on the Leh Srinagar highway stands the dramatically
located Lamayuru monastery. The trail goes along a stream below
this awesome Gompa to Wanla village from where it continues over
the Prinkiti La at 3700m / 12,410ft and the 5200m / 17,060 ft
high Tar La. Excellent views and quaint villages on the route.
Click here for detailed Itinerary.
Sabu - Khalsar in Nubra Valley: 7 Days
It's a 3 hour walk to Sabu village with its stately poplar trees.
From here the trail heads uphill and crossing a sturdy bridge
goes through lush pastures and then beside a sparkling stream.
The Digar La at 5250m / 17,220ft has to be crossed before emerging
into the picturesque Nubra Valley. An extremely scenic trail giving
you views of towering snow clad mountains, vast plateaus and the
Shyok river valley.
Click here for detailed Itinerary.
Stok - Martselang: 5 Days
This enchanting trail heads south east from Stok and goes over
the Shang La at 4950m / 16,236ft and along the periphery
of the Markha valley towards the charming village of Martselang
close to the main Manali - Leh highway and the small hamlet of
Karu.
Spituk 3200m / 10,500ft to Stok: 3 - 4
Days
This trail by passes the track to the popular Stok Kangri peak
and traverses arid terrain and a few streams and crossing the
Stok La 4800m / 15,750ft heads down to Rumbak village and then
finally to the Spituk village and its famous monastery. Scenic
trail with good views all around of the Ladakh ranges.
Click here for detailed Itinerary.
Markha Valley Trek: 8 - 10 Days
The trail starts from Spituk village and heads towards the Markha
village through some of the most scenic areas in Ladakh. A portion
of the Hemis High Altitude National Park [4400 Sq.Kms] falls within
this route and you are likely to spot Bharal or Blue Sheep and
colourful birdlife and certainly the hyperactive marmots. Two
passes over 4800m / 15,750ft are crossed besides a few stream
and rivers forded as the trail offers you spectacular views of
valleys and towering snow clad mountain peaks.
Click here for detailed Itinerary.
Stok Kangri Expedition:
09 Days
The Stok Kangri a relatively easy mountain peak climb towers at
6250m / 20,506ft and is ideal for the amateur mountaineer and
the seasoned trekker. Ice axes and crampons are essentials on
this expedition. The trail winds through quaint villages giving
you glimpses of the simple Ladakhi lifestyle. A few streams have
to be crossed on this trail before you reach the base camp and
start the attempt of this glorious peak.
Click here for detailed Itinerary.
Lamayuru - Padum(Zanskar) Trek: 13 Days
This trans Ladakh trail starts from Lamayuru and winding through
river valleys, gorges and pastures lies sandwiched between the
Stok and Ladakh mountain ranges. Going from west to east, the
trail affords views of mountain peaks and picturesque villages.
The trail finally ends at Shang Sumdo with its typical farmhouses
and gurgling irrigation channels flowing through a green inviting
meadow. From here Karu on the main highway is a mere 8 Kms.
Click here for detailed Itinerary.
Lamayuru - Darcha: 21 Days
This trail goes through an awesome landscape and involves the
crossing of 7 mountain passes and walking through deep river valleys
and meadows besides craggy mountain slopes. This is one of the
popular trails and gives you interesting views of the typical
Zanskari villages and way of life. This trek after crossing the
Shingo La at 5100m / 16,278ft emerges into the Lahaul valley of
Himachal Pradesh from where its day's drive to the popular hill
resort of Manali.
Click here for detailed Itinerary.
Nubra Valley [Sabu > Nubra > Phyang]
13 Days
This fascinating trek through the arid region of Leh into the
fertile Shyok and Nubra valleys further north gives you insights
into two different landscapes. Far to the north you can see the
spread of the gigantic Karakorum mountain ranges glistening in
the sun, while before you the green patches of the Nubra villages
come as welcome relief in an otherwise stark and barren land.
This is a circular trek over the Digar La and then back to Phyang
near Leh by crossing the Lasirmou La.
Click here for detailed Itinerary.
Lato - Tso Moriri Lake 13 - 15 Days
This trail goes through the pasture regions of Rupshu valley and
the periphery of the Changthang plateau to emerge on the shores
of the beautiful Tso Moriri lake ringed by rolling golden brown
hills. The cobalt blue lake 65 Kms in circumference is one of
the largest water bodies in the Rupshu region.
Click here for detailed Itinerary.
Rumtse - Tso Moriri Lake 8 - 9 Days
This equally scenic trail through stark yet beautiful mountains
skirts the brackish Tso Kar lake and then heads on to the larger
Tso Moriri lake. Each day of the trail offers you enthralling
views of the surrounding landscape including the sweeping shrub
carpeted Changthang plateau home to a number of wild life species
including the Tibetan Wild Ass (Kyang), Tibetan Wolf, colonies
of marmots and picas, and the ingenious snow leopard. It is here
also where the nomadic ChanHSa tribe wander grazing their flocks
of Chigu goats.
Click here for detailed Itinerary.
The High Altitude Hemis National Park
Created in 1981 viewing the fragile environment
of Ladakh's flora and fauna, the Hemis National Park is spread
over an area of 3350 Sq.Kms and the first of its kind in the
Himalayas. Besides being an ideal safe haven for the endangered
Snow Leopard and Tibetan Antelope and four species of wild
sheep and goats it also represents the amazing biodiversity
existing in these mountains. Sixteen hundred people have remained
within the park growing barely and selected vegetables. One
of Ladakh's most well known treks- The Markha Valley Trail
– goes through a portion of this expansive park with
over 5000 visitors passing through every season. The best
sightings of animals is generally in the late afternoons and
early mornings. Some of the species that are found in the
Hemis National Park:
Snow Leopard: Uncia uncia "shan' in Ladakhi
Extremely difficult to spot. Endangered with an estimated
50-60 of them surviving in the park. Has a pale grey coat
with black rosettes. 30-55 Kg ±60 cm at the shoulder.
Distinctive feature – its thick long tail.
Wolf: Canis Lupis "shanku" in Ladakhi
There are estimated 20-50 sighted in the park. Weighs up to
75 Kg -60-100 cm at the shoulder. Has a grey or buff coat
and can be seen along the ridges.
Ibex: Capra ibex sibirica "skyin"
in Ladakhi
There are an estimated
The park sustains four species of mountain sheep and goats
of which the Blue Sheep or Bharal and the Ladakh Urial are
more easily sighted. The two other goats – the sturdy
Ibex and Argali are quite elusive and shy. While the coat
of the Urial is light brown, the Ibex is darker.
Himalayan Summits Wildlife Trek I: 12 Days
Leh - Zinchen - Rumbak Valley - Shingo - Skiu -Markha village-
Thachungtse - Nimaling - Gya - Latho Leh
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