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Duration - 13 Nights / 14 Days
Destination - Leh - Lamayuru - Wanla - Hinju - Marjek
- Lanka - Sumdah Choon - Pulu - Alchi
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This trek distills the very essence of Ladakh and in a short span of
time, provides intensive experience of the land, its people and culture.
Linking two of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh at its either end, the
trail passes through dramatic desert mountainscape with vivid verdant
villages tucked away into the hillsides. Highlights include the gompas at
Lamayuru, Wanla, Sumdochoon and Alchi and ancient wood carvings at Sumdah
Chenmo, all made in the 11th century by Rigzing Zangpo.
Day 01 : Arrive Leh
Day 02 : In Leh ( Explore Shey Thikse Hemis)
Day 03 : Drive Leh to Lamayuru (11,033 ft/3,364 m) - 5 to 6 hours
Drive five hours on the Leh/Srinagar Highway as far as Lamayuru, a splash
of green against the stark desert with its charming village and a
centuries old gompa. The afternoon is spent exploring the village and
gompa. Lamayuru Gompa lies 15 km east of the Fatu La, with its medieval
village seemingly growing out of the rocky hillside below it.
Camp is set on a forested river bank below the village.
Day 04 : Trek Lamayuru to Wanla (10,135 ft/3,090 m) - 3 to 4 hours
The trek starts after breakfast, passing through crumbling gorges. The
path gradually ascends southwards, to the Prinkiti la (12,221 ft/3,726 m),
reached in about an hour. Descend along a dry narrow gorge to the valley
of Shillakong, through apricot orchards and beautiful willow groves, via
the village of Shilla and on to Wanla village, dominated by its red-hued
gompa.
Day 05 : Wanla to Hinju (12,421 ft/3,787 m) - 5 to 6
hours
The trail follows the Yapola before turning off into the Ripchar Valley
which is dotted with tiny green villages at short intervals. It then
arrives at Hinju, a large village with a typical cluster of mud houses
built onto the hillside and bright green fields stretching out into the
barren land. Camp is set by the stream, just below the village.
Day 06 : At Hinju
Rest day. Explore the village and its surroundings.
Day 07 : Hinju to Marjek (11,152 ft/3,400 m) - 6 hours
After
following the Ripchar Nallah for about an hour and a half, the trail
ascends steeply up to the Konke La (16,236 ft/4,996 m) where the fierce
winds on top of the pass are more than compensated for by the spectacular
views all round. Descend into the pastures where the local people bring
their horses, cows, dzos and yaks to graze. This is blue sheep and ibex
country and if lucky, one might even spot the occasional red Himalayan
fox. Camp in a meadow by the stream.
Day 08 : Marjek to Lanka (13,547 ft/4,130 m) - 6 hours
Continuing along the Sumdah Tokpo, the trail reaches Sumdah Chenmo, a
beautiful village with some very interesting 11th century wood carvings
embedded in the ground and exposed to the elements. According to local
belief, great disaster will strike the community if the carvings are moved
in any way. The monolithic structures are carved in a more basis folk
style. Get back on the trail and, having waded across the stream, climb up
to Lanka, a grassland dotted with quaint little shepherd shelters built
with piled up stones.
Day 09 : Lanka to Sumdah Choon (12,579 ft/3,835 m) - 6
hours
After descending to the Sumdah Tokpo, the route turns east along the
stream to Hasgo, along a very green valley and then north to Sumdah Choon,
where camp is set for the night.
Day 10 : At Sumdah Choon.
Rest day. Explore the very old and interesting monastery which houses
some unusual bronze figures crafted in a style different from that
prevalent in most Ladakhi and Tibetan monasteries. The figures have
predominantly Indian features, rather than the mongoloid ones seen
elsewhere in Ladakh. The monastery is small and has maintained the old
monastic traditions undisturbed.
Day 11 : Sumdah Choon to Pulu (14,170 ft/4,320 m) - 6 hours
The
trail ascends steeply to the Stakspi La (16,990 ft/5,180 m) where again
there are wonderful views of the valleys on either side. A steep descent
gets you to the campsite at Pulu.
Day 12 : Pulu to Alchi - 2 hours
A short descent to the end of the trail brings us to Alchi Gompa, located
near the small village of Saspol. It is one of the earliest monasteries
built in Ladakh, dating from the 11th century. Because it was built before
the invading wars began in the 15th century, Alchi was built on lowlands,
rather than on a hilltop as others were, in order to protect them from
marauding armies.
Camp at Alchi.
Day 13 : Drive Alchi to Leh - 3 hours
Vehicles await here for the return drive to Leh.
Day 14 : Departure Leh
Early morning you will be transferred to the airport to connect flight
for onward destination
The Himalayas are not mere rocks and snows
but an ubfailing storehouse of adventure and beauty.
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You may not be a pilgrim at first hand but
you'll soon become one as you arrive here!
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Accommodations that come coupled with
galvanising environs for a stay of its kind...
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