Duration: 21 days, 9 days trekking
Accomodations: Camping on trek
Best time: May-October
Grade: Strenuous/ Vigorous
INTRODUCTION
The Rupshu is a large area to the south east of Ladakh, on the road linking Kulu & Leh. The altitude of the valley varies between 4500m (14850ft) & 5500m (18150ft). The climate, which is extremely cold and dry, makes for little agriculture but a lot of grazing land. That is why it is sparsely populated. The inhabitants are called Changpas, who lead a nomadic life traveling with their herds of goats, yaks, dogs and flocks of sheep. The latter are their main source of income. Trade and transport of goods by caravans between Ladakh, Lahoul and Spiti provide them with additional earnings
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVE DELHI. Our local representative will greet you at the international airport and help you transfer to the hotel.
DAY 2: DELHI TO CHANDIGARH TO MANALI (TRAIN/COACH). We will be transferring to a railway station for the high speed train to Chandigarh. The train journey will take 3 hours. On your arrival in Chandigarh, our representative will meet you and drive straight to Manali (1920m/ 6336ft), covering 338 kms . Arrive Manali and check into your hotel for overnight stay.
DAY 3: REST IN MANALI. (6,430ft/1,960m). Morning at your leisure. In the afternoon we will take a walk to Hadimba temple and in the evening drive to Vashist hot springs. Overnight in the same hotel.
DAY 4-5: MANALI - TO SARCHU TO BRANDINALA (9 hrs). We will drive to Sarchu via Rotang La, 3978m (13,051ft). This pass featured heavily in the early exploration of the western Himalaya and provides excellent panoramic views of the high peaks. From here you drop down into the region of Lahoul valley, then Kelong and Jispa. You then cross the formidable Baralacha La, 4,891m (16,046ft) and enter a much more arid, sparsely populated stretch. There are one or two lakes and impressive canyons and huge plains. Camp at Brandinalla.
DAY 6: BRANDINALA - SOKMIKCHIK (4050 m/13365FT - 4 hrs). After breakfast, we will leave for the trek, initially on the highway for about 3 kms.Then we turn left onto the valley, following the river Tsarap Chu on our right side, till we branch off the river to follow a small stream coming down from Morang La. Dinner and overnight in camp at Sokmikchik.
DAY 7: SOKMIKCHIK - TABOK (4550 m/15015 ft - 3 hrs) The trail rapidly gains altitude through a narrow gorge, with thorny bushes and willow trees for first hour & another steep climb of 2 hrs. Our camp that night is walled in by the mountains from all sides.
DAY 8: TABOK - TUZAK (4500 m/148050 ft) via Morang La (5250 m/17325ft -- 6 hrs). We start early in the morning on a long & steep ascent of 4 hrs. through a narrow valley till we reach the pass. We then descend down to a small valley and onto a narrow gorge, which will bring us to a small meadow beside a stream. Overnight in camp.
DAY 9: TUZAK - YABUK (4400 m/ 14520ft -- 5 hrs). Immediately after leaving camp the valley suddenly opens up. We make a steep ascent of 1 hour to a small pass and then descend down to Lun. Here we have a couple of river crossings before we arrive at our grassy campsite.
DAY 10: YABUK - ZARA (4250 m/14025ft -- 5 hrs). We walk gradually through beautiful mountains. We cross the river Zara and arrive at Sangastha to visit some nomads' houses. We will cross the river again and follow an easy dusty trail till we arrive at Zara. Overnight in camp.
DAY 11: ZARA - TSOKAR (4550 m/15015ft --5 hrs). This is an easy day trek. We turn right towards Pang and come out on the Leh-Manali road head just below the Tanglang La. We walk through more plains till we arrive at Tsokar, which means "The Salt Lake". A good day for bird watchers and we may see some herds of kyyangs (wild asses).
DAY 12: TSOKAR - HERMANLA (4850 m) - ROJANGKURU (4700 m/15510ft -- 6 hrs). We will walk along the right side of the lake before we reach below the pass. A steep ascent of 2 hrs. to the pass and then another half an hour will bring us to a beautiful meadow beside the stream coming from Kazur La. Overnight in camp.
DAY 13: ROJANGKURU - KAZUR LA (5300 m/17490ft -- 6 hrs). The trail stays on the right hand side of the stream before we reach below the pass. The climb to the pass takes 3 hrs. with the trail ascending steeply. Nice view of peaks over 6000m/ 19800ft. Descend down to the broad valley and another flat walk of one hour to our camp.
DAY 14: GYAMA - TSOMORIRI LAKE (4500 m/14850 ft -- 7hrs) After leaving camp we cross the stream and enter a narrow gorge and then a long descent to the Leh-to-Tsokar road. Easy walk from there of 1 hour to our camp.
DAY 15: TSOMORIRI. Day to explore the lake and also visit Karzok Monastery. Overnight in camp.
DAY 16: TSOMORIRI - LEH (3500 m/11500ft ; 218km --7hrs) After breakfast we depart for Leh. Upon arrival check in hotel; overnight at hotel.
DAY 17: LEH. After breakfast we leave for a full day excursion to Shey, Thiksey and Hemis monasteries. Return to Leh in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight in hotel.
DAY 18: LEH. After breakfast leave for halfday sight-seeing to Phyang and Spituk monasteries. Return to hotel for lunch. Rest of the day free for independent activities. Overnight in hotel.
DAY 19: LEH/DELHI (FLIGHT). Transfer to domestic airport in time to board your flight to Delhi. Arrive and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
DAY 20: RELAX IN DELHI. International flights usually leave after midnight, so sleep in and relax. Leave for the airport about 10 pm.
DAY 21: FLY HOME.
LAND COST: on request
What’s Included:
- All accommodation in Delhi and Leh with breakfast.
- Camping accommodation as per the program with all meals during the treks.
- Mule drivers and mules during the trekking.
- All monastery entrance fees, wild life fees and camping fees.
- English-speaking guide in monasteries and while trekking.
- Service of cook and attendants during the trekking.
- All camping equipment including North Face or equivalent sleeping tent, foam mattresses, dining tent and toilet tents
- All transportation from Delhi Airport pick-up to departure.
What’s not included:
- Medical and evacuation insurance
- Miscellaneous expenses and tipping to the staff
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and food in Leh and Delhi.
- International Air ticket to and from Delhi.
- A single supplement.
- Laundry and other services not mentioned in the package. If you need any arrangement, please let us know.
IMPORTANT TREK NOTES:
Whilst every effort is made to keep to the above itinerary, clients will hopefully appreciate that this is Adventure Travel in a remote mountain region. There will quite likely be changes to the itinerary in terms of anything from on-the-spot choice of campsite to when a rest day is taken. Weather conditions, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns off the beaten track, local availability of horses or yaks, can contribute to the need for changes. The Trek guide will do everything in his power to see that you are inconvenienced as little as possible in such circumstances. Timings are approximate.
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