GREAT ESCAPES-LAMAYURA TO HEMIS TREK

The trek is highlighted by two ancient monasteries of Ladakh, Lamayuru and Hemis, and in just a few days provides a rich experience of the region, its people and its culture. The trail passes through the Gompas at Wanla and Sumdahchoon, believed to have been built by Rinchen Zangpo in the 11th century. Unique woodcarvings of the same era are partly embedded in the ground at Sumdachenmo. Winding through dramatic desert mountainscape, interspersed with pockets of vivid green, the trail reaches its highest point at 5200 m at the Kongmaru La pass. In addition, the Prinkti La (3729 m) and Konke La (4895 m) passes are also crossed. Musk deer, blue sheep and marmots can be sighted on occasion and himalayan geriffon circle overhead. Birdlife is particularily abundant in the fertile areas.

Day 01 : Abroad / Delhi

Arrive late night at New Delhi International airport.
On arrival, the guest will be met by our representative and transferred to hotel. Upon arrival at hotel the guests will be provided with the traditional Indian welcome consisting of aarti-tikka and garlands with non-alcoholic welcome drink.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 02 : Delhi

This morning you will be taken to visit Old Delhi - Former centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Visit the vast Red Fort, built in 1648, the Jamia Masjid, the greatest mosque in India and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal, and the Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

Afternoon sightseeing tour of New Delhi. New Delhi - drive past the stately government buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyens, including the India Gate & the Presidential Palace. Continue onto the beautiful Humayuns tomb of the Mughal era & predecessor of the world famous Taj Mahal. End the tour at the towering minaret of Qutab Minar.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 03 : Delhi - Leh (3500 m)

Transfer to the airport for flight to Leh Depart : ( 0620/0735 hrs.).The flight from Delhi to Leh is one of the few spectacular air journeys to come across. The highlight of the flight is that it takes you over the Himalayan ranges. For well over half an hour down below us is a carpet of mountains ranging from 5000 m to 7000 m in altitude. Within couple of hours we are transported to endless stretch of high altitude desert with green cultivated pockets next to river Indus and its tributaries.

Upon arrival in Leh - the guest will be met & transferred to the hotel.
Leh is the administrative capital of Ladakh which is an autonomous region of the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Strategically this region is very important as it is bordered by Pakistan, Sinkiang province of China and Chinese occupied Tibet.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 04 : Leh

Visit the Spituk monastery, the headquarters of the Yellow Hat Gelugpa sect in Ladakh. Also visit Pyhang Gompa and return back to Leh.
Evening free to explore the markets of Leh.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 05 : Leh

Visit the old Shey palace. Thiksey gompa and Tibetian refugee SOS village at Chugilamsar.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 06 : Leh - Lamayuru

Visit the Alchi monastery on the way to Lamayuru. Also visit the ancient Gompa of Lamayuru and camp next to the forsted river bankbeneath the monastery.
Overnight in camp.

Day 07 : Lamayuru - Wanla (3090 m)

Start the trek with a gradual ascent through the crumbling slopes leading to Prinkiti la (3726 m.) Descend on the other side of the pass to the dry narrow valley leading Shillakong river. Pass through apricot orchards and reach the vilage of Wanla.
Overnight in camp .

Day 08 : Wanla - Marjek (3400 m)

After following the Ripchar Nallah (stream) for about an hour and half, the trail ascends steeply upto the Konke La (4895 m) where the fierce winds are more than compensated for the spectacular views all around. Descend into the pastures where the local people bring their horses, cows, dzos and yaks for graxing.
We camp on one meadows by Sumdah Tokpo (Stream).

Day 09 : Markek - Lanak (4130 m)

Continue along the Sumdah Tokpo, the trail reaches Sumdah Chenmo; a beautiful village, with some very interesting 11th century wooden carvings embedded in the ground and exposed to the elements. According to local belief, great disaster will strike the commuinity if the carvings are moved in any way. Get back on the trail and after crossing the stream climb upto Lanak, a quaint little pasture with shepherd shelters built with piled up stones.
Overnight at camp.

Day 10 : Lanak - Chilling

After climbing upto the Dundochoni La, the trail continues throughly along the ridgeline offering wonderful views of the landscape which is now barren once more, but washed in starting shades of maroon and mauve. It then descends into the valley, where a shock og veridian hits the senses-chiling.
Overnight at Camp.

Chilling - Skiu (3400 m)

Cross the mighty Zanskar river using cable trolley which can accommodate one person and his luggage at one go. Bid goodbye to our horses and horsemen of Lamayuru as the same horses can't go across the Zanskar river. On the other side we will have fresh horses and horsemen from Leh for our second leg of the trek. Continue upstream Zanskar till Skaya, where Markha river meets the former. Proceed upriver towards wild markah Valley where Skiu is located. Overnight at camp.

Day 12 : Skiu - Markha (3700 m)

Continue upstream to the meadows of Markha village. Enroute cross, the river atleast twice as the trail might get washed due to rising waters of river Markha. Being the biggest and most important village of the valley, Markha is located in the centre of the valley also known as one of the greenest valleys of Ladakh and Zanskar.
Overnight at Camp.

Day 13 : Markha - Tchatchutse (4300 m)

Enroute visit the Hankar village and monastery. Camp on the leading to Nimaling.
Overnight at Camp.

Day 14 : Tchatchutse - Nimling (4800 m)

The route commences ascending to the flats of Nimling. The towering peak of Mt. Kangyurjee (6400 m) can be viewd from here. This area is famous for grazing goats, sheep, yaks and dogs.
Overnight at camp.

Day 15 : Nimling - Chokdo

The route commences climbing to the Kangmaru La (5200 m) from where view of Ladakh and the Karakoram ranges are offered. The trail then descends into the Shang gorge and follows the Shang nalah to Chokdo (3900 m).
Overnight at camp.

Day 16 : Chokdo - Martselang - Hemis

The route continues along the Shang nalah to Martselang (3400 m). Continue on to Hemis Gompa for the end of the trek.
Overnight in Hemis gompa rest house.