Let us organise a trek for you

Contact us for organising treks to scenic and adventurous spots in Ladakh. Trek to the some of the historical monasteries of Leh for a firsthand experience. Some of the treks we organise for our guests include:

Trek 1 - The Markha Valley Trek

Optional Starting point: Stok (add one day)
Day 0: Stok to Lamlung. From the village of Stok, the path follows the river up to where the path forks for Stok Kangri Base Camp (2 hours). The path becomes steep up to a summer pulu, the last water before the pass (2 hours). Camp at the pulu.

Day 1: Lamlung to Larsa. To reach the pass, Stok la (Namlung la) is a 2-3 hour climb up steep scree between narrow sandstone fins. From the pass there is a steep but fairly easy descent of 1½ hours to Thangtik (just above Rumbak). From here to Larsa (camp just below Ganda la) is an easy downhill through Rumbak and then gentle uphill to camp (2 hours).

Day 2: Spituk (3200m) to Zinchan (3380m). The trek starts at the end of a dirt road running behind the gompa and down to a jeep bridge across the Indus. Once across the river, there is a hot but fairly easy 2 to 3 hour walk above the river on either a jeep track or pony path, to where you leave the Indus up a side river which flows from Ganda la (your first good water since Spituk). The path follows the stream, with numerous crossings up the Zinchan gorge, not more than one hour to the campsite. There are two sites at the village: one just before and a larger and more shaded one just after or you can push on to Rumbak campsite (not shaded, but tea stall).

Day 3: Zinchan to Larsa (4380m). The path is easy to follow and not too steep all day, however there are many stream crossings. The canyon remains narrow until Rumbak when the valley widens into high pastures, especially above the tiny village of Yurutse. Camp is at a spring near the end of the stream (which is intermittent at this altitude).

Day 4: Larsa to Shingo (4150m) (Ganda la 4850m). The path climbs the spur just to the west of camp then crosses to the east of a dry stream. The path slowly comes back west as you near the pass, at least a 1½ hour walk from camp, with spectacular views of Stok Kangri, Stok la, Kang Yatse to the east and the Nubra range to the north. It is an easy but fairly steep descent to the tiny village of Shingo (past two pulu alternative campsites).

Day 5: Shingo to Markha (3700m) (Many groups break this into two days). From Shingo to the Markha valley is a steady 2 or 3 hour downhill with numerous river crossings through the Shingo gorge. At Skiu there is an ancient juniper, a tent selling cold drinks and tea and an interesting gompa. Some groups take a rest ½ day to explore this area. Leaving Skiu, the path turns up river for 5 hours. There is only a 300m gain in elevation, but little shade or clear water and several sidestream crossings. Markha has three campgrounds with a river ford between the first and second.

Day 6: Markha to Tahungste (4150m). The path after Markha splits with the path fording the river twice much safer than the cliff-side trail which has been eroded away in several places. You'll pass Umlung gompa and later a tea stall with a level walk up to Hankar (3 hours from Markha) with its ruined fort and gompa. The path then becomes steep for the last 2 hours to Tahungste. After Hankar, you turn into a side-stream (the main river goes north to Zanskar at this point). The campsite is in lush walled pastures with numerous places to choose from.

Day 7: Tahungste to Larsa (4470) (Gongmaru la 5100m). The trail climbs fairly steeply over an interesting high plateau with several tiny lakes, a tea stall and ruins, then levels off along some mani walls and finally descends to the river. After 3 to 4 hours you reach Nimaling (with a tea stall), the high pulu for the valley. The pass is another steep 1½ hour climb with spectacular views the entire way. The trail is steep and can be hard to find at some points, watch for people coming down. The descent is very steep for one hour, often over snow, ice or mud to a high pulu at Larsa which has a nice campsite for 5-10 tents, with evening views of blue sheep and sometimes ibex. Another hour down the stream, and numerous crossings later is the campsite at Chukirmo.

Day 8: Larsa to Shang Sumdho (3660m). The going down continues to be steep, with several stream crossings and 5 bridge crossings, loose rock and an easy-to-lose path in the higher sections. After 3 hours you reach Shang Sumdho, where many people stop for the lovely campsite and interesting gompa to explore.

Day 9: Shang Sumdho to Hemis. The path crosses the river just after leaving the village and becomes a jeep track down to Martselang. If you want to carry on out to the road, there are buses from Karu back to Leh throughout the day (total 8 km walk to road). Or you can take the path just after you pass the Hemis Park Entrance Hut which takes you up to Hemis. There is a camping ground at the gompa and several tea stalls.

Trek 2 - Lamayuru to Alchi

Alternatives on this trek:
Many people like to start at Spituk, change ponies at Chilling and make this into an 8 day walk. Or a 5 day walk adding Dundunchen la but skipping Alchi. It can easily be done in reverse. If you start at Lamayuru, it's a 6-8 hours bus ride (124 km) from Leh.

Day l: Lamayuru (3450m) to Wanla (3200m) (over Pritikingi la 3700m). This is a hot but short day; do it early or late. From Lamayuru, the path goes down to the stream, then turns up a side valley (go downstream) at the chortens and prayer flags, and winds up through a barren gorge to the 'pass' (really a notch). You descend steeply to the river, turn downstream and you are in Wanla in 30 minutes. 1 guesthouse, 3 tea-stalls here!

Day 2: Wanla to Hinju (3750m) Follow a jeep track upstream (hot and dusty) for 2 hours to Panjilla where the trail splits with the Zanskar trek continuing up the main river. The Panjilla road takes you high above the village, and rejoins the stream after 30 min, with another hour to Hinju. Several campsites at the far side of the village and pulus above.

Day 3: Hinju to Sumdha chenmo (3900m) (Kongske la 4900m). It's a relatively easy climb for 2 hours above Hinju through several summer pastures. At the 'huts' the path leaves the stream and climbs steeply for another 1½ - 2 hours. The views on top are worth it, being able to see south into Zangsar, west to Kargil and north to the Nubra Range. The descent is gentle for 15 minutes (can be snow and ice) then steep to the pulus for 1½ hours. Camp just below the huge summer pulus, with hundreds of sheep, goats and yaks.

Day 4: Sumdha chenmo to Sumdha chun (3850m) The trail crosses grazing areas with many stream crossings. If water levels are low, stay along the river; if high then climb the southern cliff for 1½ hour's walk. Just above the village of Sumdho, there is a log bridge; cross to the north side of the river, take the path which climbs above the village and remain above the river for another 1½ hours. Here the path divides (with the first river crossing at the hut/house going up to Dundunchen la and Chilling). Stay on the main trail, with four crossings, then two large boulders and turn up the side valley (to the northeast) at a large willow grove up against a sheer rock face (the main path continues down to the Nimu road). It's another hour up to Sumdha chun, with a beautiful Alchi-era gompa, numerous metal workers and tiny campsites.

Day 5: Sumdha chun to Alchi (3150m) Stakspi la (4950m) The climb to the pass is difficult (4 hours or more) over scree, with the path vanishing often. Ascend a valley to the northeast of the village, along a small tributary to a campsite and pulu (the last water before the pass). Follow the dry stream bed to the head of the valley. Here there are two choices to the pass: the direct route goes left of the crags or right of the crags to a rock band, traverse left below the band and cross the shoulder to the other route up to the top. The way is difficult with the last section over rocky ground only marked by cairns but full of crystals and with a truly rewarding view from the top. Descend steeply through rocky terrain to the north toward the central spur. cross the river twice to the pulu (30 minutes with good knees). It's another 2½ hours to Alchi, so consider the high pulus for campsites if tired. Numerous campsites and guesthouses in Alchi, and the famous 11th century gompa.

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