Hemis to Zangla Trek

Region: East-South, Ladakh- Zanskar.
Grade: Tough.
Altitude: Zalung Karpo l pass 5197 mts.
Period: Mid August to Sept.
Duration: 19 night & 20
Days. 20 Days, 8 Days walking.

Hemis to Zangla route leads through some of the most isolated mountain regions with no villages for six days. Crossing three passes in route. Crossing the rivers ChangChu and Zunling Chu in three days approx. 170 times. This trek is feasible only after mid August till September due to high river rapids.

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi

Arrive Delhi, transfer to hotel. Rest of the morning at leisure. Afternoon Delhi is sightseeing.

Day 02: Delhi – Leh (3500 mt)

Early morning transfer to domestic Airport to take flight for Leh. Arrive Leh, transfer to hotel. Day is free to acclimatize you with the altitude of Ladakh. Evening, explore Leh city market. Overnight: hotel in Leh. (3500m)

Days 03: Drive Leh – Matho – Stok – Leh

After breakfast, drive to Stok (14km) by crossing a bridge over Indus river Indus at Choglamsar village. In Stok, visit the royal palace, constructed by the king Tsespal Tondup Namgyal in 1825AD. Inside the palace, you see great collection of ancient royal ornaments, Thankas (scroll paintings) and old statues. After the visit, drive to Matho village, 10 km from Stok. This monastery was built by Lama Tumgpa Dorje in 13th century. Two famous oracles (known as Rongtsan), (who were invited from Tibet by the founder of this monastery) still make appearance during the festival of monastery. After visiting Matho, drive back to Leh. Overnight hotel.

Day 04: Drive Leh – Phyang – Spituk – Shanti Stupa & Samkar

Morning post breakfast then drive to Phyang via visiting Spituk monastery. Spituk monastery picturesquely founded on hill top by Lama Od-lde in 11th century, during the lifetime of King dragspa Bumlde. After the visit continue drive to Phyang (7km ahead). As you drive you encounter with awesome landscape and its sunning mountains. Leave highway by turning right then your first glance is Phyang monastery, visit the monastery. History says that this monastery was founded by King Tashi Namgyal 460 years ago. It is recommended to have a look of wonderful and enchanting view of charming Phyang village and enchanting landscape from the top roof of monastery. Later drive back to Leh. Afternoon, visit Shanti Stupa (Peace Stupa) and Samkar monastery in Leh as both are 2km from Leh main market but in different direction. Enjoy the enchanting and Spectacular view of Indus valley with stunning Stok Kangri (massif peak 6200m). Evening enjoy hike in the Leh Market. Overnight: hotel.

Day 05: Drive Leh –Shey – Thiksey – Hemis - Shang Sumo (2½ hrs drive)

post breakfast, drive Leh to the starting point of the trek at Shansumdo via visiting Shey, Thiksey and Hemis monasteries. En route you pass across charming villages of Indus valley. After 14km drive, halt at Shey (the ancient capital of Ladakh). Visit the Palace and temple where you find big copper gilt statue of Lord Buddha followed by visit to the Gelugpa sect of Thiksey monastery, picturesquely founded on hill top by Lama Sherab Zangpo 450 years ago. This monastery houses one of the biggest Maitreya Buddha sculpture (Future Buddha). Enjoy the awesome and spectacular view of Indus valley and its surrounding mountains from the roof of the monastery. Later continue drive to visit Hemis monastery, the biggest and the most famous Drukpa monastery of Ladakh, built in the early 17th century. After the visits continue drive to Shangsumdo by entering in valley at Martselang. Martselang is entry point of Hemis National Park that accommodates as many as high altitude different kinds of wild animals. 
Overnight: Camp in Shangsumdo village (small village). (3650m)

Day 06: Trek Shang Sumdo - Chuskyurmo (3/4hrs) hrs)

Morning after breakfast, begin you first day trek with gently ascend up along left valley. As you pass through the valley, enjoy the beauty scenery of the valley. You pass through small village Chokdo on your left then continue up by several small river crossing. Continue trek up gradually with enjoying the magnificent colors, shapes and rock formations of the valley, as far as Chuskyurmo (salty water). Overnight: Camp in Chuskyurmo. (3990m)

Day 07: Trek Chuskyurmo – Lartsa (4/5 hrs)

Post breakfast, continue trek with gentle ascent up right from the camp. As you enter in gorge, sometimes you climb up and descend down for few meters. During the trek, you enjoy the gentle gentle trek and its beautiful landscape. Follow the clear trek route and continue up as far as Lartsa (base of Kongmarula). Overnight: Camp at Lartsa.(4450m)

Day 08: Trek Lartsa – Kongmaru-la (5260m) - Nimaling – Thochungtse (7 hrs)

Right from the camp, follow the trek path and ascend gradually up towards the top of pass. From the top of the pass, awesome and spectacular view of Kangyatse massif peak (6400 m) , stunning chain of mountain of Zanskar and Karakoram ranges. Cross the pass then easy descent to the summer pasture land of Nimaling, where you find shepherds with their animals like Sheeps, goats, cows and Yaks. Pass this charming pastureland meadow and continue downward enjoying the awesome view of landscape and enchanting Kangyatse peak on your left. Thochuntse is further down the valley on the bank of the Marka River with colonies of Marmot. Overnight: Camp on meadow. (4240m)

Day 09: Trek Thachungtse – Yakrupal (6-7 hrs)

Today trek is easy as you trek through the remote Langthang valley. Langthang valley is also summer pastureland of villagers of Markha where you find sheep, donkeys, yaks and horses. Morning after breakfast, follow the route and continue along the valley down until it divides, cross the river over a wooden bridge and follow the valley to the left along the Langthang Chu upstream River. The River has the tendency of rising by late afternoon due to snow melting in the mountains. Therefore, an early start is recommended, as you have to cross the river several times. Nice and greenery campsite. Overnight: camp near the river. (4650m)

Day 10: Trek Yakrupal – Zalungkarpo-la (5197m) – Tilat Sumdo (7 hrs)

As usual after breakfast, continue up along the upstream river and the scenic valley towards the top of the pass. Leaving behind the river on the way, you enter in another valley towards right side. You have easy and gentle trek as far as top of the pass. From the top of the pass, you enjoy the specular and awesome view of valley and enchanting mountains of Zanskar range on one side and on the other side, the plateau of Changthang stretching far into Tibet. Cross the pass and gently descend down. This trek path and several river crossing lead you to the right bank of the Changchu River and the camping site of Tilat Sumdo. Across the Tilat Sumdo, afternoon, explore around and enjoy the delightful some of the isolated gorges nearby. Around this place you may be able to see the wild animals like blue sheep and the rare snow leopard. Overnight: Camp in Tilat Sumdo. (3850m)

Day 11: Trek Tilat Sumdo – Base of Charcharla (8 hrs)

Today you have more river crossing as compare to previous days. After breakfast, cross the ChangChu river right from the camp and enter into awesome and enchanting narrow valley, continue the trek as far as beautiful gorge. From this point onwards, you have several crossing of river, after then the valley narrows and crossing of river becomes much easier. Follow the well define trek route and continue with easy trek. Finally you reach near the intersection of two streams. Overnight: Camp at Charcharla base (4400m)

Day 12: Trek Base of Charchar La – Charchar-la (4915m) - Zangla Sumdo (6-7 hrs)

Morning after breakfast, continue adventurous trek . During the trek, you pass across several impressive and enthralling gorges. After the third gorge, leave the stream and continue towards the left. Ascend gradually to the top of Charchar la (4950m). From the pass, take pleasure of awesome and enthralling view of the magnificent mountains of main Himalaya. Cross the pass and descend steeply along glacial steps towards the base of the pass. Cross the magnificent canyon towards the left and continue as far as the intersection along the stream to the large river. Good and nice campsite across the meadow. Overnight at camp in Zangla Sumdo. (3800m)

Day 13: Trek Zangla Sumdo – Zangla (5 hrs)

Breakfast with awesome view and then continue easy trek with several crossing of downstream river into the Zulung valley. At a point, you sight the first Zanskar's village amidst the greenery of barley fields. Then, the route goes up gradually as far as Zangla. After then gently descend down towards zangla village. Until 1989, Zangla used to have its own ruler with control over the region and its monastery has its birthright with the Spituk monastery of the Gelugpa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Overnight: Camp.(3480m)

Day 14: Drive Zangla – Karsha – Stongde – Padum

Today you have full day culture tour around Padum by drive. Morning after breakfast, drive to Stongde village. Visit beautiful picturesque monastery built on hill top by Lama Marpa 950 years ago. Approximately 60 monks are residing in this monastery. After the visit, continue drive to Karsha (Pair of White i.e., Outer white and Inner white). Visit Karsha monastery. This monastery is the largest of the entire monastery in Zanskar, beautifully built on hill top with imposing view of enchanting valley and river, by Great Lama Phagspa Shesrap (the translator of Zanskar). From the monastery, you have amazing and spectacular view of the capital of zanskar (Padum) and its surrounding mountains. After the visit explore Padum (The capital of Zanskar). Overnight in Padum.(3590m)

Day 15: Drive Padum- Sani – Bardan – Zongkul – Padum

Morning after breakfast, drive to Sani to visit the most famous monastery wherein you visit the sacred statues of Buddhas and Boddhisattavas. This monastery located and picturesquely built in the middle of field and houses. After the visit, proceed to Zongkul monastery and then continue drive to Bardan monastery. On the way you have the view of beautiful and charming villages of Zangskar valley. After visiting the Bardan village, drive back to Padum. Evening enjoy walking in and around the market of Padum. Overnight in Padum.

Day 16: Drive Padum – Rangdum – Kargil (245km)

Today you drive Padum to Kargil (245km). You have long journey but en-route you have unforgettable, enchanting and awesome view of landscape of Suru valley and its surrounding magnificent mountain peaks. As usual, morning after breakfast, drive to Kargil. Visit Rangdum monastery and cross Pentsi-la (4400m). After crossing the Pentse-la pass. You continue drive and then your first glace will be Rangdum monastery. History says that Gelek Yashy Takpa built this picturesque monastery on hill top about 200 years ago. This monastery is physically located in the Suru Valley and culturally it is part of Zanskar. From the monastery, you have wonderful panoramic view of landscape and Randum village. After the visit, drive to Rangdum village where you find some restaurants. Take some refreshment and then continue drive to Kargil. You have the view of highest mountain peak in the region Nun(7135m) and Kun(7077m) and you pass across several beautiful and charming villages (inhabitants are almost Muslim) of Kargil Distric. Arrive Kargil. Overnight at hotel in Kargil. (2900m)

Day 17: Drive Kargil – Mulbek – Lamayuru – Alchi- Leh.

Morning after breakfast, drive to Leh via visiting Lamayuru monastery and Mulbek chamba (Rock curved statue of Maitreya Buddha). Today you drive on Srinagar- Leh highway till Leh. Spectacular and magnificent view of landscape and its beautiful mountains like pillar in the blue sky. You pass across many beautiful and charming villages of Ladakh. Arrive Mulbek and visit 9m high rock curved statue of Maitreya Buddha (Future Buddha). After the visit continue drive to Leh via crossing Photo-la. Overnight at Hotel in Leh. (3500m)

Day 18: Leh

The day is free for Rest or Shopping. (3500m)

Day 19: Flight Leh – Delhi

Early morning transfer to Airport to take flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi, transfer to Hotel. Overnight at Hotel in Delhi. (239m)

Day 20: Departure

Morning, post breakfast then visit Old and New Delhi. Late evening, transfer to International Airport to take return flight.

Note: This trek is feasible only after mid-August till September end.