The Land of Changpa Nomads

Day 01:

Arrival in Leh and transfer to Maryul Guest house. Rest of the day for acclimatization.

Day 02:

Day for acclimatization and sightseeing of monasteries in the surrounding of Leh.

Day 03:

Leh- Zingchen- Rumbak 4000 m (4-5 hrs)

We drive from Leh to Spituk and continue on a dirt jeep road into a parched and exposed region.

After about an hr drive we will enter the Zingchen Valley where the Rumbak River flows into the

Indus which makes it way down a might canyon. Further into the valley lies a beautiful village of

Rumbak, inhabited by 15 families.

Day 04:

Rumbak - Ganda La Base 4500 m (3-4 hours)

From Rumbak it’s a short walk to our next camp, but very important one in terms of

acclimatization, as we will camp very high tonight and cross the high pass the next day. So, we

will not hurry and take our time to reach the camp at the Base of Ganda La. A short walk from the

camp we will come across the village of Yuruche, inhabited by only 1 family. From our campsite

there are spectacular views of Stok Kangri and the whole Stok range.

Day 05:

Ganda La Base - Skiu 3300 m via Ganda La 4900 m (5-6 hours)

It is a 2-hour ascent to the pass of Ganda La. The Stupas and prayer flags mark the top of the pass,

wher one may get glimpse of wildlife such as blue sheep, Marmots and Arghali. Views of the

lofty Zanskar Range and the distant Himalaya Range are spectacular. A gradual descent will

bring us to Shingo, from the trail goes through the beautiful gorge, with unusual rock formation

and colors, until it opens onto the green valley of Skiu. In this idyllic village lies an old monastery

and ruins of an old castle, once a rest stop for the Royal family on their way to Srinagar.

Day 06:

Skiu - Markha 3800 m (6-7 hours)

Following the Markha River, we will hike through a lovely valley on a fairly level path. The trail

crosses the river at various points, and passes winter settlements that contain Lhatos (religious

shrines for local deities) and Mani walls (stones inscribed with Buddhist prayers). During peak

season, a number of tented teahouses will be open for refreshment. Once we cross the river for

the final time, we will arrive in Markha, the largest village in the valley, inhabited by 20 families.

Day 07:

Markha - Hankar 3900 m (5-6 hours)

The Markha valley trail continues pass old stone-mills, a ruined castle and the auspicious

monastery of Techa, which proudly perches upon a cliff that looms above Markha. The path then

intersects the river several times before cutting through the last hamlets in the valley. After

leaving the village of Umlung, we will be afforded our first view of Kangyatse (6400m). The

village of Hangkar, the last one in the valley, will be our campsite for tonight.

Day 08:

Hankar – Yakrupal 4500 m (5-6 hours)

Today is a nice walk through the remote Langthang valley, where only a few other tourists find

their way. It’s only the villagers from Markha, who use this valley as a pasture ground for their

sheep, donkeys, yaks and horses. From Hankar we will follow the valley to the right along the

Langthang Chu River. The Langthang River has the tendency of rising during the day due to snow

melting in the mountains and by noon it becomes a dangerous river to cross. An early start in the

morning is therefore essential, as one has to cross the river several times. Yakrupal is a nice,

green campsite where both the horses and we will have a good meal.

Day 09:

Nimaling to Yakrupal: (4600 m/15180 ft) (6-7 hrs)

This day presents the challenge of up and down walking above 4500 meters. You cross first one,

then a second pass from which you have a fabulous view into Zanskar. Don’t forget to look for

wolves! During the afternoon, you will first drop deeply down to the Langtang Chu, then

gradually stroll up the valley towards your grassy campsite at Yakrupal.

Day 10:

Yakrupal – Tsokra 4000 m via Zalung Karpo La 5250 m (5-6 hours)

In the early morning, we continue up the valley to the pass of Zalung Karpo La, presenting us

with a spectacular view of the Zanskar range and the highest plateau in the world, the Chang Tang

plateau, stretching far into Tibet. The beautiful and lush campsite of Tsokra will be our home for

tonight. Kharnak means “black castle” in Ladakhi, and situated on a hill above the campsite one

can imagine the former palace of Khar where the king of Kharnak used to live. Now only the

ruins of this former kingdom remain, which the nomads believe is haunted.

Day 11:

Tsokra – Dat 4200 m (5-6 hrs)

A relatively easy day through beautiful wide, lush valleys. At Tangtse Sumdo the valley divides,

the left valley leading to Dat and the right to Zanskar, by the ‘Jumlam trek’, a trek where one

would really get wet feet with its 80 river crossings! We will pass several nomads’ camps before

reaching the tiny village of Dat, a settlement of stone huts and the winter headquarters for the

nomads in Kharnak. An old, whitewashed gompa stands out from the stonehuts, now deserted by

monks, but taken care of by the villagers.

Day 12:

Leh (5-6 hours hike & 4 hrs drive)

Here we meet our transport that has come to pick us up and drive through a wide, open valley

towards Taglang La (5350 m), before entering the Indus Valley and Leh.

Day 13:

Transfer to airport and fly to Delhi.