SHAM VALLEY TREEKING

Region: West- soth of Leh.
Grade: Moderate
Altitude: 3,750 Mtrs Period: March to December.
Duration: (10 Nights & 11 Days)

Through the Indus valley and the ancient kingdom of Sham, we will discover the main Ladakhi monasteries and the wonderful sites surrounding them: Shey, Thiksey, Hemis, Spitok, Phyang, Lamayuru and Alchi are all accessible by road, and Temisgang, Ridzong and Likir line the trekking route. This itinerary is of moderate difficulty and the path does not rise above 4500m. The trail crosses numerous villages where the people have kept their Tibetan ladakhi ways and customs.

Day 1: Delhi- Leh
Arrival in Delhi, catch flight for Leh.

Day 2: Leh
Sightseeing tour of Leh city, including its 17th century palace and Gompa.

Day 3: Leh
Tour of Shey, Tikse, and Hemis Gompas, the spiritual heart of the Indus Valley.

Day 4: Leh-Likir
Tour of Basgo, Alchi, and Likir Gompas. Camp at Likir.

DAY 5: LIKIR-YANGTHANG (3650m) 5-6 HRS TREK  : 
Morning commence drive to Likir en route visit Phyang gompa. Continuer drive to Likir (58 km from Leh), visit Likir Monastery than further drive to starting point of the trek. Likir Village (3650 mts.) is the starting point of our trek. Although the distance is short, the route is warm, without any shade or water and we need to traverse two passes. From Likir the route heads west up to Phobe La (3580m) and beyond this lies Sumdo village. The trail goes steadily upwards till you get to Chagatse La (3630m). Across the pass is the village of Yangthang (3650m) where we camp for the night, next to a stream. Overnight at camp.

DAY 6: YANGTHANG-HEMIS SHUKPACHEN, 3750 M, 4-5 HRS TREK : 
After breakfast commence an easy trail, despite the pass because both the approach and the descent are of gentle gradients. The trail heads north, descending for a bit, crossing a stream before climbing up west again to Tsermangchen La (3750m). After a short rest at the pass we head down to Hemis Shukpachen. The village, named after the grove of cedars, is one of Ladakh’s prettiest. There are several sparkling streams surrounded by shady willows and large barley fields that provide a touch of green to the otherwise desolate, rocky mountains. Overnight at camp.

DAY 7: HEMIS SHUKPACHEN-ANG 3250M, 5-6 HRS TREK : 
Again this is a fairly easy day. The trail goes upward between two hillocks west of the village upwards until it veers south and climbs steeply up to the Mebtak La (3750m) marked by prayer flags. From the pass we head down the gorge to Ang, a charming village with apricot orchards, where we camp for the night.

DAY 8: ANG-THEMISGANG-NURLA: 3-4 HRS TREK-DRIVE LAMAYURU or DRIVE BACK TO LEH. 3270M:  After breakfast start our easy trail to road head, it’s downhill all the way on to the main road. From Temisgam there would be a taxi waiting to take to you Lamayuru 2 hrs drive. Rest of the time visit Lamayuru monastery. Overnight at camp.

Day 9: LAMAYURU-WANLA 3250 m, 4-5 HRS TREK: 
Today we pack our backpacks, watch the horses get ready, & set off for this our real adventure. A gentle trail leads up to the small pass of Prinkti La (3750 m) before heading down to the village of Shilla & the last 3 km to Wanla (3250 m). Here we set up Camp for the night & spend the afternoon relaxing in the sun or exploring the monastery in Wanla. Overnight Camp.

Day 10: WANLA TO LEH 3 HRS BY CAR.
After breakfast drive back to Leh along with Indus river and enroute visit world famous Buddhist painting Alchi Monastery and village. Overnight hotel.

Day 11: Departure Transfer
Departure- Delhi and transfer to airport for catching a flight to onward journey.