A wonderful introductory trip to the remote
and magical Buddhist kingdom of Ladakh. This superb trek passes through
beautiful mountain villages, colorful, Buddhist monasteries, and the high
altitude pastures of Nimaling (home of the legendary snow leopard and Himalayan
blue sheep). This holiday comes to an end with a visit to the magnificient
Taj Mahal in Agra.
Duration : 16 Days
Best Time : Mid June to September
Focus : Villages, monasteries, wildlife, high passes and
dramatic landscape.
Highlight : Moderate overall, but can be challenging when
approaching passes, so physical fitness is recommended.
Day 1, Arrive Delhi: Assistance, garland welcome and
transfer to domestic airport for flight to Leh. The spectacular one-hour
mountain flight over the mighty Himalayas brings you to Leh, capital of
the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Ladakh. Arrives & transfer to Ladakhi
style hotel. A day of rest to acclimatize to the arid high altitude of
Leh (3100 mts). Relax in the hotel gardens or take a leisurely stroll around
the colourful bazaar. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 2, Leh: After breakfast, set off on a half-day sightseeing
trip to the 200-year-old Shankar monastery, which contains a plethora of
impressive images, wall paintings and a huge statute of Avaloketesvara – with
1000 arm and heads. Next stop is the Japanese built peace Pagoda (Shanti
Stupa); crowned with a massive dome, this stupa is a reminiscent of Nalanda
and Rajgir stupas. Our last stop is the ruined Leh Palace, a replica of
the Patola Palace of Lhasa. The palace was strategically built on the hilltop
in the 18th century and offers fabulous views of the Indus valley below.
Afternoon, visit a Ladakhi Buddhist family and share a cup of butter tea,
tsampa (roasted barley) and tschang (fermented barely beer), and see their
way of living. Evening free. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 3, Leh-sightseeing: After breakfast, leave for a full
day sightseeing to Alchi and Spitok monasteries. The road goes via Nimmu,
the meeting point of the Indus and Zanskar rivers. The Gompa at Alchi is
renowned for its massive Buddha statues, lavish woodcarvings and houses
the only example of Kashmiri-style wall paintings in the area. There are
also many chortens around the village. On the way back to Leh we visit
Spitok gompa, situated on a hilltop above the River Indus. The main prayer
hall (Gokhang) is about 1000 years old and offers spectacular views from
the rooftop. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 4, Leh-Stok: Morning departure by jeep to the village
of Stok, which lies immediately south of Leh, on the opposite side of the
Indus valley. Stok is home to a royal palace and a small museum, which
contains religious artifacts and ceremonial clothing belonging to the royal
family. After visiting the palace and museum we set up camp just above
the village. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Day 5, Stok-Rumbak (6 to 7 hrs. trek): After an early
breakfast, we make the long steep ascent to Stok-La (4900 m). As this is
our first major trekking day and is quite strenuous, we recommend that
you walk at a steady pace in order to establish an even rhythm. The challenging
day’s walk is rewarded by the amazing rock formations on the approach
to the pass and also by the stunning views of the Indus Valley and distant
mountain ranges from the top of Stok La. From Stok La, we descend into
the picturesque and agriculturally rich valley of Rumba, with its beautifully
decorated houses, monasteries and schools. Camp overnight in tents.
Day 6, Rumbak-Shingo (6-hrs. trek): Early morning start.
The rail to Shingo goes via Yurutse and over the Ganda-La (4900 m). Along
the way, you will have beautiful views of the Zanskar and KaraKoram ranges.
Long, but easy descent to Shingo, where we set up camp for the night.
Day 7, Shingo-Skiu (2-3 hrs. trek): A fairly easy walk,
in t he shade of trees and bushes, along a deep gorge. The trail crosses
the stream several times before arriving in Skiu. We camp for the night
in a beautiful spot on the banks of the river, overlooking a derelict fortress
on the cliff. Afternoon free to explore the village. Overnight in tents.
Day 8, Skiu-Markha (7 hrs. trek): A long day walk, crossing
back and forward over the Markha Stream, to the Markha village (3800 m).
There are bridges at many of the more difficult crossing places. The lush
vegetation along the riverside is in stark contrast to the dry and barren
upper valley slopes. Overnight in tents.
Day 9, Markha (3800 m): A day of rest to explore this
beautiful area. On the hill to the north of Markha there is a small gompa,
where the resident monk will be happy to show you the ancient wall paintings
and festival masks.
Day 10, Markha-Tchatchutse (6 hrs. trek): The trail continues
above Markha Valley, taking us eastwards, deeper into the Markha valley
to our campsite at Tchatchutse. Along the way, we pass some impressive
monasteries, some ruined and some intact. In this area we are likely to
see small herds of blue sheep (bharal), which often come, right down to
the river to graze. Overnight in tents.
Day 11, Tchatchutse–Nimaling (6hrs): Today’s
walk brings us to the head of the valley, which offers good views of the
prominent peak of Kang Yatze (6,400 m) Crossing the Markha stream on the
last bridge, we start a steeper climb towards the high plains, known as
Nimaling. As well as blue sheep, golden marmots and large hares, Nimaling
is also home to an impressive range of birds of prey, including lammergiers
and golden eagles.
Day 12, Nimaling-kongmaru La-Shjang (7 hrs): Early morning
trek to Kongmaru-La (5100 m). The trail from the pass offers fabulous views
to the north of the hills of eastern Karakoram and China. On our way down,
we walk along a narrow gorge and by afternoon; arrive in Shjang, our stopping
place for the night.
Day 13, Shjang-Hemis-Leh: Continuing our descent, we pass some
of the highest located houses in the valley before descending into another section
of rocky gorge. Along the way we pass through the village of Martsylang, before
arriving in Hemis for lunchtime. This village, nestled in a gorge, is surrounded
by spectacular mountain scenery. After lunch and rest, explore Hemis Monastery,
the biggest and wealthiest in Ladakh. Late afternoon, we return by jeep to our
hotel in Leh.
Day 14, Leh: A day at leisure for independent activities. Overnight
in hotel.
Day 15, Leh-Delhi-Agra: Early morning flight to Delhi. Arrive
in Delhi and drive 250kms/5hrs to Agra, city of the Taj. Overnight in hotel.
Day 16, Agra-International airport: After breakfast, visit to
Taj Mahal and Red Fort, and on to Delhi, in time to board your return flight
home.
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