Rupshu Valley Trek

Southeast of Leh this high altitude cold desert is the western extension of the Tibetan Plateau. Previously closed to visitors, this region offers some of the most amazing scenery to be found in Ladakh It is a land of monasteries and high passes, dissected by numerous mountain ridges and traversed by a number of ancient trading routes. We will venture in a mineral wilderness where only a few nomads live, totally reliant on their yak and sheep herds for their subsistence.

Duration: 14 Nights 15 Days

Grade : Challenging
Best Season : June to October
Altitude : 5200 Mtrs

1st Day : Arrive Delhi airport. Hotel transfer.

2nd Day : Delhi to Leh (3500 m) by plane. Afternoon at leisure in Leh, where we can take a walk to the colorful bazaar.

3rd Day: Leh to Hemis (3505 m) by car. Visit of the most famous and oldest monasteries of Ladakh (15th and 17th century), Thikse, Shey and Hemis.

4th Day : Hemis to Shang Sumdo (3850 m) in 4 h. Today we leave the Indus valley. We descend towards Martselang, then go up the valley, which is fairly narrow in some places, then continue along the riverbed to Shang Sumdo. A short and pleasant stage, in anticipation of thenext two long following days.

5th Day : Shang Sumdo to Latza Kongmaru (4800 m) in 7 h. We progress along the river whose banks are punctuated with ochre rocks. From Chukirmo village, the track leads into narrow gorges where ponies need to be unloaded twice and go up to the base of Kongmaru La.

6th Day : Latza gongmaru to Kongmaru La (5030 m) – Langtang Chu (4250 m) in 7 h. From the pass, there are great views north towards eastern Korakoram and China, whilst the southern vista is dominated by the shapely Kang Yatze (6400 m) and the Ladakhi range. We take a ridge trail and descend zigzagging across scree. Afterwards the path easily descends towards Nimaling summer pastures and Markha valley, the most beautiful valley in Ladakh.

7th Day : Langtang Chu to Yakrupal (4700 m) in 4 h. We climb up the large valley, and after crossing a stream follow on along a morainic wall.

8th Day : Yakrupal to Zalung Karpo La (5200 m) – Sorra (4200 m) in 5 h. We carry on upwards until the valley divides and take right. From the pass, we follow a ridge trail leading to another pass, then plunge into the valley.

9th Day : Sorpa to Dat (4200 m) in 5 h. We follow gorgeous woody gorges until they widen into a valley. Manis and shortens are spread on the trail leading Sara and Dat rivers. Dat is a green village, where cultivation and vegetation takes every fragment of land.

10th Day : Dat to Yar La (5000 m) – Lungmo Che (4010 m) in 6 h. An easy climb takes us to the pass, where we enjoy a dramatic vista over the Rupshu. Sometimes some “Khyangs”, wild donkeys, go up to the caravans, frightening our ponies.

11th Day : Lungmo Che to Sangtha (4200 m) in 3 h. Then transfer by jeep to Sarchu. The landscape completely changes into a vast arid plain. Tibetan nomads mainly populate the area. The road to Sarchuwinds its way up to the Lachlung La pass (5060 m).

12th Day : Sarchu to Manali (2000 m) by jeep. This journey is rewarded by magnificent landscapes. The road goes through amazing switch back roads, pass the blue Suraj Tal lake to Darcha and pass through Rohtang Pass (3954m) the last pass of this journey. The landscape is breathtaking. Rohtang Pass is a very wide pass, and is one of the most beautiful passes in the Pir Panjal. The view on both sides is exhilarating.

13th Day : Manali. Surrounded by snowy mountain peaks, Manali is also known as “Queen of Mountains”. It is a gloriously colorful market place for the surrounding villages. Visit old Manali, Hadimba temple and Vashisht village.

14th Day : Manali to Delhi (Private vehicle).

15th Day : Delhi. Day at leisure. Safety day for your international flight.