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H K L 7: E X T E N D ED M A R K H A
A N D R U P S H U T R A I L -
( 2 1 D a y s )
 This
rewarding trek leads from the stark mountains of Ladakh
and Zanskar into the sweeping high altitude plateaus of
Rupshu with its expansive grazing pastures. The entire trek
offers you spectacular views and sights of unusual rock
formations besides a chance of spotting some of the rare
wildlife that inhabit this austere land.
Day 01: We welcome you on your arrival at the Indira
Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi and escort you
to your hotel where you stay overnight.
Day 02: Take the morning flight to Leh and check
into your hotel. Afternoon free to wander around the bazaars
and visit the Leh palace. A couple days in Leh is strongly
advised due to the high altitude.
Day 03: Today we drive to Lamayuru - 3420 m), 5
h. En route, visit of the monasteries of Alchi and Lamayuru.
Day 04: Lamayuru - Prinkiti-La at 3726m / 12,221ft
to - Wanla - 3550m / 11,844ft. 5 hours. Visit the Lamayuru
monastery built in the 16th century and said to be the biggest
in western Ladakh. The Gompa hugs a cliff side overlooking
a deep canyon and houses numerous intricately done wall
paintings. From here the trail descends to a valley from
where it climbs steadily towards the Prinkiti La pass and
then gradually slopes down to the village of Wanla. Camp
overnight.
Day 05: Wanla - Hinju - 3900m / 12,792ft. A 6 hour
walk through an arid and barren valley takes us to the small
village of Phanjila from where the trail turns into another
valley besides the Ripchar river to Hinju. Camp overnight.
Day 06: Hinju - Konke La -4950m / 16,236ft to Sumdha
at 4150m / 13,612ft. 7 hours.
The trail ascends steeply towards the Konke La pass from
where you are afforded extensive views of glacial fields,
sweeping barren valleys dotted with splashes of green. From
the pass the trail leads downward over mountain ridges to
the village of Sumdha. Camp overnight.
Day 07: Sumdha Chenmo - base camp below Dungdungchen
La - 4050m / 13,284ft. 6 hours.
We now descend towards the tiny village of Lanak at 3750m
/ 12,300ft then climb up towards the base of Dungdungchen
La. Camp overnight.
Day 08: Base of Dungdungchen La - 4050m / 13,284ft
-over the Dungdungchen La at 4700m / 15,416ft. to Chilling
at 3350m / 10,988ft. 6 hours. A steady climb to this small
pass from where again you are rewarded with glorious views.
The trail then winds downwards to the large village of Chilling
on the banks of the Zanskar river. This village is known
for its fine metalwork particularly exquisitely made cups
and cutlery and local gold ornaments. Camp overnight.
Day 9: Chilling - Skiu - 3510m / 11,512ft. 5 hours.
The trek now converts into a river crossing by a cable cart
over the Zanskar. We leave our pack ponies behind and get
new ones once we're across. From the other side we pass
the village of Kaya before we reach Skiu, a pleasant walk
away. Camp near the village.
Day 10: Skiu - Markha - 3850m / 12,628ft. 6 hours.
A leisurely trek that involves a number of river crossings
across the Markha river. At times the water may be low solely
depending on the
weather conditions. We camp near the Markha village with
its green fields on the banks of the Markha river.
Day 11: Markha - Hankar - 4000m / 13,120ft. 4 hours.
The trail involves a day of a few river crossings till you
reach the Umlung Gompa high up on a hillside. The climb
is stiff one but there are good views of the valley far
below. The Umlung village is a little ahead and from here
the walk is almost a level one to Hankar village. We camp
at the foot of the soaring Kang Yaze peak - 6400m / 20,992ft.
Day 12: Hankar - Langthang Chu campsite at 4250m
/ 13,940ft. 6 hours. The trail now leaves the Markha valley
and heads south alongside the Langthang crossing it several
times before we reach the delightful camping site. Camp
overnight.
Day 13: Langtang Chu - Yakrupal - 4700m / 15,416ft.
4 hours. The trail ascends through a valley and fords a
stream emerging onto a moraine wall after which the valley
narrows till we reach the base of the pass.
Day 14: Yakrupal - Zalung Karpo La - 5200m / 17,056ft.
on to Sorra / Kurna Chu -4200m / 13,776ft. 5 - 6 hours.
The trail goes uphill over the Zalung Karpo La pass and
then slopes towards the west zigzagging its way down into
the valley. Camp near the village of Sorra.
Day 15: Sorra - Dat - 4200m / 13,776ft. 5 hours.
The trail goes along the river into a spectacular canyon
with a small clear stream and a copse of prized willows.
The valley widens out and then after a climb emerges into
another valley which we follow upstream passing quite a
few mani walls right up to Dat a fertile and green village
in a landscape of harsh browns. Camp overnight.
Day 16: Dat - Yar La - 5000m / 16,400ft. to Lungmoche
at 4010m / 13,152ft. 6- 7 hours. Today we cross over from
the Zanskar mountains into the vast sweeping plains of the
Rupshu valley. An easy climb takes us to the pass where
a large Chortens stands adorned with prayer flags. Ahead
stretch the undulating landscape of Rupshu as we head down
to the abandoned village of Lungmoche. On the way there
are chances of spotting a herd of Kiangs - the Tibetan Wild
Ass which inhabit the rolling plains of the Rupshu and Changthang.
Camp overnight.
Day 17: Lungmoche - Sangtha - 4300m / 14,110ft.
3 hours. The trail goes through a large stretch of desert
and then tapers off into scrubland. Further you come across
Chortens and mani walls just as we enter the Sangtha village
which may be deserted as it is the winter home of the Changpa
nomads who travel long distances on the high plateaus grazing
their livestock of sheep and Yak. Walk through the barren
landscape surrounded by distant hills to the Manali Leh
Highway where a Jeep awaits to take us over the 5060m /
16,596ft high Lachlang La pass to the camping site at Sarchu.
Camp overnight.
Day 18: Drive further south from Sarchu to Manali
by jeep. The road passes - Baralacha La and Rohtang La two
passes, before reaching the lush green Kullu valley and
its northern most town of Manali.
Day 19: Rest day in Manali to take in the local
sights. Overnight in a comfortable hotel.
Day 20: A fifteen hour drive takes us to New Delhi
where you check into your hotel for the night.
Day 21: Day at leisure in Delhi. Transfer to the
International airport late night or early morning for an
onward flight to your next destination.
If you need more information please feel free to write
us at info@himalayakingdom.com
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