LADAKH - RUMTSE to TSOMORIRI TREK

Tour - 18 days/ 10 days trekking

RUMTSE to TSOMORIRI TREK

Tour - 18 days/ 10 days trekking

About LADAKH

Ladakh is a part of the Indian Himalayas It is located between the Kunlun mountain range in the north and the main Himalayas to the south. Although part of India now, and earlier of the princely state of Kashmir, Ladakh has been an independent kingdom for almost 900 years.

Ladakh is well-known for its starkly beautiful mountain scenery. As a result of its location in the rain shadow of the main Himalayan Range its climate is extremely dry, and due to the high altitude – most valleys are situated at 3300m or higher – winters can be extremely cold. Summers, however, are generally pleasant if not warm and sunny. Ladakh is inhabited by a mix of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan people. Especially the latter, with their colourful buddhist culture, have given the region the nickname of ‘Little Tibet.’

Ladakh in the narrower sense is the Indus Valley with adjacent areas. It is bordered by two mountain ranges: in the northeast by the Ladakh Range, in the southwest by the Zanskar Range. The area around the capital Leh, and further upstream towards Tibet, is referred to as Upper Ladakh. Lower Ladakh is the area further downstream to Kargil, where the Indus enters Pakistan.

The remoter areas of Zanskar, Nubra and Rupshu are now seen as regions of Ladakh. In the past, these areas were sometimes part of Ladakh, sometimes not. They can be visited from Leh by car or on foot. The latter would be your means of transport, if you are up to it. Because, while jeep trips in Ladakh are very rewarding indeed, trekking will give you an even in-depth experience of the land and the people, with the added bonus of a total renovation of body and soul.

Ladakh can be reached by air or overland. On this tour you fly in and out. In case you have enough time available, we strongly recommend to take the overland route, in which you travel by train and car to Ladakh through Manali, in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh. This is one of the greatest car journeys in the world.

Region

Ladakh
(India)

Best Time

July - Sept.

No. Of Days

18 days,
8 + 2 days trek

Trip Character

Trekking tour

Sleeping Altitude

3200 - 5160 m.

Trek Character

Camping trek
Level: 4

Price

INR XXX/ $ XXX

ABOUT THIS TOUR

The remote high plateau of Changthang (meaning ‘northland’) stretches from western Tibet into eastern Ladakh. This region, known as the land of the nomads, will give you an experience to last a lifetime. You’ll see the nomads’ traditional lifestyle and maybe share a cup of butter tea in one of their black yak-hair tents, and pass through incredibly stark mountain desert landscapes before you’ll descend to the oval-shaped banks of lake Tsomoriri. This beautiful lake keeps changing its color with the light, from turquoise to deep cobalt blue.

The area that you’ll pass through is also an important wildlife sanctuary, harboring snow leopards and wild horses (kyang), as well as many species of birds.

This trek is one of the highest in Ladakh. One doesn’t get to sleep lower then 4400m – 2 nights even above 5000m – and the passes are up to 1000 m higher. An excellent condition is required, as well as a good acclimatization before starting out.

Before discovering the high altitude plateaus on the main trek, we’ll take you to some parts of the Indus Valley (Ladakh proper, near Leh) with its magnificent gompas (monasteries). And, to get into the swing of trekking, before setting out on the main trek, you’ll do a two-day easy trek in the so-called Sham area, walking between awesomely bright-green oases set amidst bare and forbidding, but very colorful mountains. If there is one thing that impresses here, it is the way people have been able to eke out a very decent living in an utterly hostile climate with the help of an ingenious irrigation system, a hardy strain of barley, and an incredible amount of optimism.

YOUR custom-made TRIP

The tour described here, as well as the other ones on our website, are mainly meant as suggestions. We would be happy to offer you a travel proposal that fully meets your personal demands and expectations. That means that you choose where you want to go, what level of accommodation and type of transport you want and what activities you prefer.

Please let yourself be inspired by this and other trips on our website and then drop us a line (or call us up) to explain your travel wishes. We will be happy to help you put together the perfect trip. You can send us an e-mail or call us over Whatsapp.

EXTENSIONS & VARIATIONS

Apart from the tour as described here, you could consider the following add-ons and changes:

  • Spend six days visiting Nubra, Pangong Lake and Shyok after the trek. See here.
  • Do an even longer trek. After reaching Korzok, you can continue along Tsomoriri and cross the 5400m high Parang La into Spiti. This will give you more of the same grandiose, stark Changtang landscape plus the experience of reaching a different area all together, Spiti. We recommend to do this trek in the reverse direction. See here.
  • Spend a day rafting on the Indus. There are different grades available, so there is the easy but fun to do level as well. Professional oarsmen will be with you in any case. You will be picked up from your hotel and dropped off there again at the end of the day, a pic-nic lunch is included

ITINERARY

  • Day 1: Flight Delhi - Leh
    The flight from Delhi to Leh takes only 1 hour but on a clear day, is breathtaking. Stepping down from the aircraft you may feel the altitude, but even if you don’t, it is very wise to take the rest of the day off. Stay at the hotel or at best walk around Leh bazar.
  • Day 2 & 3: In Leh
    If you wake up today without a headache you may consider yourself fit to go on not too strenuous walks/excursions in and around Leh. Else it is better to stay at the hotel another day. Altitude: 3500m.
  • Day 4: Leh - Likir; Trekking to Yangthang (2 h drive, 3 - 4 h walking)
    After a transfer to Likir, and a look at the picturesque Likir Gompa, perched on a hillock, you'll start you 4-day trek. Today you cross a low pass to picturesque Yangthang. Altitude 3500 → 3600 → 3720 → 3630m.
  • Day 5: Trekking Yangthang - Ang & drive to Uletokpo (4 - 5 h walking, 1.5 h drive)
    Today is a slightly longer walk. You'll pass the 3750m high Sermanchan La (3750m) to the beautiful villages of Hemis Shukpachan and Ang. Here, the car will pick you up for a short transfer to a pleasant accommodation overlooking the Indus River. Altitude 3630 → 3750 → 3480 → 3060m.
  • Day 6: Ule Tokpo - Lamayuru - Alchi – Leh (4 - 5 h)
    Today you'll ravel further downstream along the Indus to the bautiful monastery of Lamayuru. After visiting this gompa, and the even more ancient Alchi Gompa, you'll return to Leh. Altitude 3060 → 3530 → 3500m.
  • Day 7: Leh - Rumtse & Trekking Rumtse - Kyamar (drive 1 h; walking 3 - 4 h)
    From Leh, you drive to Rumtse, the last village on the way to Manali. Here the trek starts. Today is a relatively short walk on rather flat terrain to aid acclimatization. Camp in a lush meadow near a spring at 4050m.
  • Day 8: Trekking Kyamar – Valley Camp (3.5 - 4.5 h)
    A gradual ascent leads to our first pass, the Kumur La (5130 m), which gives a spectacular view of the Changthang range with its colorful mountains. A short descent leads to a valley with a brook, where you camp for the night.
  • Day 9: Trekking Valley Camp - Tisaling (2.5 - 3.5 h)
    Due to the altitude, your sleep may have been light or even seriously disrupted. That's why today's walk is another relatively short one. There's a gradual climb to Mandalchan La (5230 m), followed by an easy descend to camp at the high pastureland of Tisaling (5030m).
  • Day 10: Trekking Tisaling - Pongunagu (6 h)
    Today’s pass is even higher. It takes about 3 hours to reach the Shinbuk La (5300 m), the reward are incredible views. Here, you may encounter nomads with their sheep, goats and yak. A long, gradual descent leads to your camp in the vast open plain of Tsokar Lake (4550m).
  • Day 11: Trekking Pongunagu - Nuruchan (5 - 6h)
    Today is an easy day, as you follow a small road around Tsokar Lake, and then gradually climb to camp above the small settlement (semi-nomadic) of Nuruchan (4630m).
  • Day 12: Trekking Nuruchan - Rajungkaru (3 - 4 h)
    Another gradual climb brings you on top of the Horlam Kongka La (4900m), which seems a mere hill in this immense wide and high landscape. Camp is along a stream near a nomad camp at Rajungkaru (4950m).
  • Day 13: Trekking Rajungkaru - Gyama Lhoma (6 - 7 h)
    Today’s pass, the Kyamayuri La (5425 m), is a more challenging in nature, but the magnificent view from the top makes it (again) worth the efforts. After descending, you cross another, easier pass before you descend to your camp near a wide stream at Gyama Lhoma. At 5160 m, this is a cold place and serious frost can happen here any time of the year.
  • Day 14: Trekking Gyama Lhoma - Korzok/ Tsomoriri (5.5 - 6.5 h)
    Another climbing day will bring you atop the highest and final pass on the trek, the Yalung Nyaulung La (5450 m). From the pass you will finally het a view of your destination, the cobalt-blue lake Tsomoriri. You descend along Korzok Phu, the summer pasture of the Korzok people to the town of Korzok, where you’ll stay in a tented (fixed) camp .
  • Day 15: At Korzok
    Today you can relax and explore Korzok, for instance by visiting th local monastery, and stroll along the beautiful lake.
  • Day 16: Korzok - Leh (6 - 7 h)
    A long drive will take you back to Leh, first through the familaira landscape of wide valleys with flocks of sheep, then along the horge of the Indus River to Karu, and on to Leh.
  • Day 17: In Leh
    A last day in Leh to buy souvenirs and to get organised for the trip back home. Or to go on a rafting trip on the Indus River.
  • Day 18: Flight Leh - Delhi
    After breakfast, our shikara will take you to the shore, where the taxi for the airport, bus or railway station or your onward journey to Ladakh will be waiting.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR

Flight to Leh

Although the flight takes only one hour, on a clear day this no doubt is one of the most spectacular flights in Asia. After leaving the North-Indian plains and the heavily forested hills you’ll cross a number of ranges before flying over the actual glacier-clad Himalayas, the highest mountain range in the world. You’ll be amazed at the different landscapes you’ll see beneath you on the other side: bare, lightly coloured mountains, tiny rivers, small hamlets of Ladakhi farms surrounded by deep-green fields of barley, made possible by ingenious forms of irrigation.

LEH

Leh is a bustling little town with a laid-back atmosphere. While in Leh, there are numerous things to do. Apart from short walks in and around town, you can browse the little streets and allow yourself to be lured into some of the many little shops, mostly run by Kashmiris and Tibetans, that sell beautiful Kashmiri carpets, Tibetan artefacts, and jewellery. Leh abounds in restaurants that cater to all tastes, quite a number of them located on a rooftop or in a pleasant garden. Also, it is highly recommended to take a taxi and visit some of the delightful gompas – Buddhist monasteries – in the Indus Valley near Leh. Apart from the traditional trio of Shey, Thikse & Hemis, you may also consider visiting Matho and Stakna, maybe in combination with Stok Palace.

CARAVAN ROADS OF LADAKH

Leh’s small size and laid-back atmosphere belie a very prominent and historically important position. Leh used to lie at the intersection of seven caravan routes. Yaks, donkeys and camels were used as pack animals. One route connected Leh with the Silk Road in China. Others routes went to Lhasa in Tibet, Srinagar in Kashmir and to Baltistan, Nubra and Manali (the opium route). When the borders with China and Pakistan were closed in 1962, the caravans stopped. But by now Leh had acquired a place on the world maps, and the Ladakhis were used to ‘strangers’ in the bazaar. When the first tourists came to Leh, in 1974, it was not a big step for the Ladakhis to accommodate and guide them.

SHAM TREK

Ladakh has quite a reputation as a trekking paradise. Although we can offer you many different treks, the truth is that many of these do require a certain level of fitness. However, there is one trek, between Likir and Temisgang, that almost anyone can do. This trek locally goes by the name Baby Trek. It’s about 3.5 – 4.5 h walking per day, 250-450 m up, 250-550 m down. You’ll walk from village to village, passing colorful mountain slopes and gorges, and climb low passes marked by prayer flags with great vistas. The villages are emerald green oases with streams, willows and barley fields. Your luggage will be transported by horses and you sleep in homestays where you will get an insight into the daily life of the Ladakhis.

LOWER INDUS VALLEY (WEST)

The Indus Valley to the northwest of Leh is definitely an area worth exploring while you are in Leh. Some of the most picturesque and atmospheric Buddhist monasteries are found here, notably Phyang, Likir, Ridzong, Alchi and Lamayuru, as well as the burrough temple of Basgo. The road passes through some pretty spectacular mountain scenery that makes the drive in itself more than worthwhile. You’ll drive over desert plateaus, alongside the Indus River in the gorge that is has carved out for itself and on seemingly never ending switchbacks clinging to steep mountain slopes.

ALCHI GOMPA

Somewhat hidden, at some distance from the Indus and the main road, this is the oldest Buddhist temple in Ladakh, at least 1000 years old. Alchi is well known for its iconography. You’ll be struck by the looks of the murals and sculptures, quite different from what one can see these days in other typical ‘Tibetan’ monasteries. The reason is that this artwork dates from far before the time that the typical ‘Tibetan’ style was developed. In many ways it resembles present day Hindu art. Artists from Kashmir, at the time still a Buddhist area, are responsible for the precious artwork. The typical Tibetan art style you see elsewhere in the gompas stems from many centuries later.

Rumtse - Tsomoriri Trek

Trekking across the high plateau desert of Changthang means first and foremost an experience of nature in its most awe-inspiring sense. You’ll cross vast undulating valleys and passes between 4900 and 5450 m. The camps are situated at altitudes between 4000 and almost 5200 m. The wildlife here is much richer than you would expect in such an empty landscape, with a great chance to see for example the kyang, a type of wild horse. Near the huge (salty) lakes one can see waterfowl such as the Indian goose, the cinnamon-coloured Brahmini duck and the rare black-necked crane. Chances of seeing Tibetan gazelles, wolves or the elusive snow leopard are rather small, however. You’ll certainly encounter Changpa, nomads living in black yak-hair tents, and their herds of yak, goats and sheep.

NOMADS of CHANGTANG

The area that you will be exploring on this trek is part of Changthang, the nortwestern part of the Tibetan Plateau. Traditionally, only nomads or semi-nomads can survive here, living off their herds of goats, sheep, yaks and horses. So little grass grows at these high altitudes of 4000 m and above, that the animals have to travel long distances to find sufficient food all year round. Their owners have no choice but to follow suit while living in their black yak-hair tents. These people are called Changpa, meaning ‘people from the north’, i.e. from Northern Tibet. In winter, when temperatures can drop drop to – 35°C, the Ladakhi Changpa live in simple houses in the west of the plateau. Their goats grow a thick, warm undercoat, which is the source of the highly prized Kashmir pashmina wool, and the shawls made from it.

SALTY LAKES OF CHANGTANG

One of the ‘highlights’ of the Changtang Plateau are the beautiful cobalt-blue lakes. In Ladakh, the largest ones are Pangong Tso, Tsomoriri and Tsokar (sadly drying up now). These lakes generally have a relatively high salt content. Tsomoriri and Pangong Tso are actually only brackish (having a low salt content) but Tsokar is so salty that in early days the local nomads used to scoop up the salt from its shores and sell it in Leh. Due to the salty water there is no fish in Tsokar but Tsomoriri and Pangong Tso are inhabited by the Tibetan stone loach, a small knd of ray-fish. The waterbirds that breed near the shore (great crested and black-necked grebe, ferruginous duck and most notably black-necked cranes) feed on the small crustaceans and insects that live in the lake and in the marsh lands that adjoin the lakes.

ASSES or HORSES?

On this trek you most likely will encounter the wild Kyang. These animals live on the vast high-altitude plateaus of Rupshu and Changtang. They are beautiful animals with an isabel-coloured glow over their fur, dark flanks and a black stripe across the back. Kyang live in herds of several dozen animals led by a stallion, while young stallions congregate in ‘bachelor clubs.’ Because of the scarce vegetation the kyang have to work hard ‘to graze their living together.’ Watching the kyang, please make sure not to disturb them, as they may feel forced to flee to areas with even less grass. Often the kyang is called a ‘wild ass’ as it has some donkey-like characteristics, like large ears and braying noises when frolicking. However, for biologists it’s clear: crossbreeds between horse and kyang are fertile, while those between a horse and a donkey are not. So the verdict is: the kyang is a wild type of horse.

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