Day
1: Arrival
in Delhi, flight to Leh. 
Day 2: Tour of Leh city.
Day 3: Tour of Spitok and Phyang gompas.
Day 4: Tour of Shey and Matho gompas and Stok palace,
the home of Ladakhi royalty.
Day 5: Tour of Tikse and Hemis gompas, two the wealthiest
and most influential institutions in Ladakh. Camp at Hemis.
Day 6: Trek from Hemis to the village of Chogdo.
Day 7: trek to Kongmaru La base camp.
Day 8: Over Kongmaru La (16,730 ft.) to the plain of
Nimaling, then over a small ridge to the secluded base camp
at the foot of majestic Kang Yatze peak (21,000 ft.).
Day 9: Day at Leisure or perhaps climb an adjacent
ridge for a closer view of Kang Yatze's summit.
Day 10: Over Konka Wangpo (16,500 ft.) to the valley
of Langtang Chu.
Day 11: Climb to the top of Zalung Karpo La (16,570
ft.) for a birds'-eye view of the Kharnak region before descending
to the lovely meadow of Sokra.
Day 12: Pass through Kharnak, with its imposing fort
looming over us, and enter a spectacular gorge leading further
down into willow groves. When the valley widens again, you
will reach one of the most auspicious spots in the region,
the site of a massive and remarkably ornamented monument.
overnight camp.
Day 13: A short day. After one hour's walk, we reach
the semi-permanent settlement of Dat and camp near the village.
The village and its small Gelugpa gompa merit an afternoon's
exploration.
Day 14: On the vast open plain beyond Dat, we keep
a close lookout for herds of Kyiang, the Tibetan wild ass
which frequent this valley. The stream has dried up here,
but bubbling springs provide refreshment before the climb
to Yar La (15,910 ft.). This is an easy pass, but the views
are incredible. From the pass, there is a simple descent to
Lungmoche.
Day 15: The scenery changes yet again as you pass two
small ridges and descend through grotesquely wind-carved rocks
to one of the most beautiful campsites in Ladakh, called Zhabuk.
You slake your thirst in the crystal clear spring and watch
for the flocks of graceful Bharal, or Blue Sheep, on the cliffs
above.
Day 16: Be prepared for some exciting river crossings
before we climb high above the Zara Chu (river) and leave
it behind for good.
Day 17: You make an early start to tackle the highest
pass on our journey, 17,390 ft. Marang La. The views from
the summit stretch to the Great Himalaya. The descent is quite
long, and we end up in a lovely willow grove on the bank of
the mighty Tsarap Chu, leaving the icy heights far behind.
Day 18: It's a short walk to the Manali-Leh military
road, where we meet the jeep that will take us on to Manali.
This spectacular drive takes us over the main Himalaya range
at the 15,255 ft Baralacha La before stopping for the night
in Darcha.
Day 19: You continue by jeep over Rohtang Pass (3978
metres) to Manali.
Day 20: Day free in Manali.
Day 21: Drive to to Pinjore, check in at Hotel. Stay
overnight at Hotel.
Day 22: A short jeep ride to Chandigarh, then the Express
train to Delhi, on arrival check in at Hotel. Stay overnight
at Hotel. |
