To the East of Ladakh lay Rubsho range of mountains, colourful barren plateaus overlooking green valleys, home to the nomads of the Changthang plateau. The gleaming glaciers on the mountain peaks form several small trickles of stream as the sun-rays bring it to life. These little streams gradually become one and flow down with fierce rapidity to add their force and volume to the Indus River and to some of the beautiful blue lakes among these mountain valleys. To camp amongst the nomadic families enveloped in a vista of wild mountains is a rare experience. Theirs is a unique culture and tradition, untouched by the modern scientific world. The green valley with yaks, horses, sheep and nomadic families living in tents is a sight to behold. These campsites have a dream-like feel, with the sound of the gurgling mountain streams, the singing of the wind and the soft jingling of horse bells. Yet some areas are extremely wild and the chilly harsh winds blow day and night. You may encounter heavy rain or even snowfall. This trek entails scaling High Mountain passes, twisting down the winding trails, crossing rivers while traversing the breathtaking expanses of the plateau. The top of Shingbuk La welcomes you with a lovely view of the exquisite Tsokar Lake (4200m). Because of its salty nature, the lake is white in colour. It is home to some of the endangered bird species of the Himalayas as well as some migratory birds. Many species are breeding migrants and the region is an important staging post for birds crossing the mighty Himalayan range during their spring and autumn migrations.Several Tibetan and Ladakhi nomadic families also inhabit this land.
The long trek comes to an end with a beautiful surprise: the stunning view from Gyama La (5440m) the highest pass of the trek-a beautiful turquoise blue lake, nestled amidst high White Mountain peaks. You will descend to cross the plain to arrive at Korzok village, just above the lake where families and hotels alike, have made it their home. The Korzok monastery is the most important landmark of the Lake area. An adventurous hiker might want to summit Metok Kangri (6250m).
Here’s a vision to take you through a life-time.
Grade: Tough
Best Period: June to Mid October
Number of days: Maximum-12, Minimum-9 days.
Highest elevation: 5440 m
itinerary
Day 1DELHI ARRIVAL
On your arrival at IGI airport Delhi, the capital city of India, our representative will transfer you to the hotel in Delhi
Accommodation: Hotel 3 *
Meals: B/D
Transfers: Innova (7 seater MUV)
Day 2DELHI AGRA DELHI
After an early breakfast at the hotel, the guest will visit Taj Mehal, the epitome of love, Indian history and culture from the Mughal dynasty. After a full guided tour of Taj Mehal we will visit the Divane khass and gardens. The days drive to Agra will be 3 hour 45 minutes one way. In the evening drive back to Delhi
Accommodation: Hotel 3 *
Meals: B/D
Transfers: Innova (7 seater MUV)
Day 3DELHI DARSHAN
After breakfast at the hotel, the guests will be escorted to Old Delhi for a visit to Red Fort, Jama Masjid and indulge in the food trail of Old Delhi’s Chandini Chowk. Post lunch we will visit Humayun's tomb, Indian Habitat center for some contemporary art exhibits and Cultural History of India
Accommodation: Hotel 3 *
Meals: B/D
Transfers: Innova (7 seater MUV)
Day 4DELHI TO LEH
Check out from the hotel in Delhi for the early morning flight that takes about an hour to reach Leh. On arrival in Leh, the guests will be transferred to the home-stay in Leh and rest for the day to acclimatize to the altitude. In the evening visit Leh market and Sankar monastery.
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals: B
Transfers: Innova (7 seater MUV)
Day 5LEH HERITAGE WALK
After a homely breakfast at the home-stay in Leh, the guests will walk down to Lala’s cafe (the oldest cafe in town) before they start on the heritage walk. On this walk, a storyteller will escort us through. We will start by visiting the museum built by the Leh Old Town Restoration Initiative (LOTI) group, with locally available materials and infrastructure. The structure evolves around a skyscraper (Thokskar) on the top floor and has relics of Ladakh. From there we will enter the old town streets where the entire landscape is still as it was back in the day of the King Singay Namgyal (14th - 17th century AD) times, some of which have been restored by LOTI. The walk will take us through the King Singay Namgyal’s palace. After finishing the walk around Leh town we will explore the market and have lunch in a garden cafe. Post lunch the group will visit Women’s Alliance and LEDeG to explore the contemporary. The group will have dinner at Bon appetite restaurant in Leh.
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals: B
Transfers: Innova (7 seater MUV)
Day 6LEH TO RUMTSE drive (4-5 hours) / RUMTSE TO KYAMAR trek (4-5 hours)
After an early breakfast, a jeep will drop you off at Rumtse 75 km from Leh. You will begin your quite short trek at around 9.00 o’clock .The trail takes you through the beautiful landscape of the Changthang and Rupshu (Nomadic areas). Packed lunch will be served on the way. You will camp on nomadic pastures with a few nomads around.
Accommodation: Trekking campsite
Meals: B/L/D
Transfers: Innova (7 seater MUV)
Crew: Guide, Cook, support team
Day 7KYAMAR TO TISALING (6/7 HOURS)
This day’s trek is longer and harder, because of the crossing of two high passes, Kumur La (4770 m) and Mandanchen La (4805m). The trail to Tisaling village is very picturesque through an isolated countryside with sightings of Kiang - the Tibetan wild ass. The views from Mandanchen La and Kumur La passes remain breathtaking. This day’s trek ends at Tisaling (4820m).
Accommodation: Trekking campsite
Meals: B/L/D
Transfers: Innova (7 seater MUV)
Crew: Guide, Cook, support team
Day 8TISALING TO PONGUNAGU (6/7 HOURS)
Tisaling to Pongunagu is tough and tiring. The scenic landscape is full of life. This trekking route is considered amongst the most picturesque landscapes of Ladakh and once used to be a prohibited region. The route passes over a high pass, Shibuk La (4875m). The panoramic view of Tsokar Lake from the top of Shibuk La justifies the efforts of getting there. The night will see you in tents on the bank of Tsokar Lake (4430m).
Accommodation: Trekking campsite
Meals: B/L/D
Transfers: Innova (7 seater MUV)
Crew: Guide, Cook, support team
Day 9Pongunagu- Riyul (3/4 hrs) PONGUNAGU TO RIYUL (3/4 HOURS)
A short 3-hour trek will take to the opposite side of the lake. The rest of the day will be spent exploring this blue-white basin. Tsokar (the white lake) stretches between green meadows. Many wild animals like the elusive Kiang, the Brahmin ducks and other migratory birds can be seen. You will camp here on this beautiful green meadow (4550m) sharing the turf of the natural inhabitants there.
Accommodation: Trekking campsite
Meals: B/L/D
Transfers: Innova (7 seater MUV)
Crew: Guide, Cook, support team
Day 10RIYUL TO RAJUNKARU (6/7 HOURS)
A short 3-hour trek will take to the opposite side of the lake. The rest of the day will be spent exploring around this blue-white basin. Tsokar (the white lake) stretches between green meadows. Many wild animals like the elusive Kiang, the Brahmin ducks and other migratory birds can be seen. You will camp here on this beautifully green meadow (4550m) sharing the turf of the natural inhabitants there.
Accommodation: Trekking campsite
Meals: B/L/D
Transfers: Innova (7 seater MUV)
Crew: Guide, Cook, support team
Day 11RAJUNKARU TO GYMABARMA (6/7 HOURS)
Today’s trek is long and arduous. You will have to cross two passes to reach Gyamabarma. This nomadic valley is filled with tents and yaks. There’s something of their life you will carry forever, seeing how they are connected to the roots that we have all long forsaken. Kyamayur La (5410m) is one of the most stunning highland pastures of Ladakh’s plateau.
Accommodation: Trekking campsite
Meals: B/L/D
Transfers: Innova (7 seater MUV)
Crew: Guide, Cook, support team
Day 12Gyambarma- Korzog Phu (3 hrs.)
You start walking after breakfast crossing the last and highest pass of the trek, Yalung Nyaulu (5440m), descending down to Korzog Phu - the largest nomadic green pasture in Changthang region. Korzog Phu produces the finest Pashmina in the Ladakh region, as these nomads breed the largest number of goats besides other domestic animals.
Accommodation: Trekking campsite
Meals: B/L/D
Transfers: Innova (7 seater MUV)
Crew: Guide, Cook, support team
Day 13KORZOK PHU TO KORZOK (TSOMORIRI LAKE) (4/5 HOURS)
Today’s trek is very easy and you will be treated to a hot lunch after reaching Korzok. It is the head quarter of nomads with an enchanting view of Tsomoriri Lake (4520m), 28km long and 8km wide. The water is a sparking turquoise, the basin, pearl-shaped with high Mountains standing guard. Korzog Monastery and the nomads (Changpas) that inhabit the area are the most outstanding features of this lake. You will spend a blissful the night here.
Accommodation: Trekking campsite
Meals: B/L/D
Transfers: Innova (7 seater MUV)
Crew: Guide, Cook, support team
Day 14TSOMORIRI TO LEH (7 HOURS)
After breakfast, we drive towards Leh 240km, on a rough and dusty track through the remote countryside of Ladakh. After a 65km drive, we reach Mahe Bridge and follow the road up to Leh. The drive will take you alongside the Indus River, passing the Chumathang Hot springs, Kesar, Kyere, Upshi and Karu until Leh.
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals: B/L/D
Transfers: Innova (7 seater MUV)
Day 15LEH TO DELHI
The guests will leave for the airport in time for their flight to Delhi. On reaching Delhi our representatives will transfer you to the hotel. Explore Delhi for the rest of the day until your flight for onward journey with sweet memories of the tour.
STAY THROUGHOUT IN PREMIUM HOMESTAYS AND CAMPSITES
MEALS
WELCOME & SOUVENIR KIT
ALL ACTIVITIES MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY
TRANSFERS IN TOYOTA INNOVA THROUGHOUT THE TRIP
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
TREKKING EQUIPMENT AND CAMPING GEAR
ACCOMPANYING LOCAL EXPERTS AND RESOURCE PERSONS THROUGHOUT THE TRIP
ALL PERMITS AND PASSES
DOCTOR ON CALL
EXCLUSIONS:
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
SLEEPING BAG
TRAVEL, LUGGAGE & MEDICAL INSURANCE
TOURIST VISA
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TAXES
TIPS
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
must read
CHANGES TO YOUR ITINERARY
For your best interest, sometimes it might have to make necessary alterations to your holiday itinerary. Where practical, we will advice you before you depart from your hometown, although occasionally we may be forced to make changes en route. We will keep you informed at all times.
MOUNTAIN FLIGHT DELAYS
Bad weather in mountainous regions can cause flight delays. These problems mainly happen in Ladakh region of India. If the delay is extended it may be necessary for us to re-route the trek and tour, perhaps to an area more readily accessed by road transport. We do not accept responsibility for charges incurred as result of flight delays and missing international flight connections. However, we will make every effort to assist you.
INHERENT RISKS OR DANGERS
You understand and accept that your proposed tour may expose you to levels of physical exertion to which you may not be accustomed to or be exposed to inherent dangers when traveling through remote areas which may be subject to, among other things, unfavorable political, physical, health or climatic conditions. By agreeing to use our services, you accept these dangers and unfavorable conditions.
INSURANCE
You must purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes a provision for helicopter rescue when you pay your deposit.
YOUR HEALTH AND FITNESS
We strongly recommend that you visit your doctor and dentist before your holiday. You must ask your doctor about current inoculation requirements. Full details of pre-existing medical conditions must be forwarded to us when you book. Older clients or clients with pre-existing medical conditions may require a letter from your doctor clearing them for the trek and Beyond Himalayas Pvt. Ltd. reserve the right to check these documents prior to confirmation of tours and treks
PASSPORT
A valid passport is required for all tourists. The passports must be valid for minimum of six months from the start of journey, with at least two clean pages per country to be visited.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
A valid visa is required for the entire destination. You should always consult your doctor or nearest travel clinic for the latest information on recommended health precautions, both vaccination and malaria prophylaxis.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
GENERAL
Extensive medical kits are carried on all trips. In addition, medical oxygen and Portable Altitude Chambers are carried as a precaution on high altitude treks and climbing expeditions. All meals on trek are prepared specifically for your group to strict hygiene standards, and sterile washing facilities are provided.
HIGH ALTITUDE
Sickness from altitude can affect anyone. Serious problems are avoided by building in rest and acclimatization. For normal symptoms a drop in altitude, or time in portable acclimatization chamber, leads to quick recovery.
All trips are graded. There are Easy, Moderate, Challenging and Mountaineering categories.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance that includes helicopter evacuation is highly appreciated
AGE LIMITS
Client over sixty are required to complete a medical and personal travel history questionnaire. Persons under sixteen can join specified family departures and private groups.
Testimonials
The planning and execution of the trek were excellent and professional. All of our hopes were realized on a beautiful trek in Rupshu( Rumtse to Tsomo Ri Ri) Guide and pony man very reliable. The bottom line all are well and perfect.
