Rupshu Valley Trek
Useful Resources :: Ladakh Pictures :: Map of Area Takeover Point: Delhi/Manali/Leh	Maximum Elivation: 5200m Region: Ladakh Grade : Tough Duration: 15-17 Days
Standard Trekking Plan

Southeast of Leh this high altitude cold desert is the western extension of the Tibetan Plateau. Previously closed to visitors, this region offers some of the most amazing scenery to be found in Ladakh It is a land of monasteries and high passes, dissected by numerous mountain ridges and traversed by a number of ancient trading routes. We will venture in a mineral wilderness where only a few nomads live, totally reliant on their yak and sheep herds for their subsistence.

ITINERARY FOR RUPSHU VALLEY TREK

Day 01: Delhi. Airport - hotel transfer.

Day 02: Delhi - Leh (3500 m) by plane. Afternoon at leisure in Leh, where we can take a walk to the colorful bazaar.

Day 03: Leh - Hemis (3505 m) by car. Visit of the most famous and oldest monasteries of Ladakh (15th and 17th century), Thikse, Shey and Hemis.

Day 04: Hemis - Shang Sumdo (3850 m) in 4 h. Today we leave the Indus valley. We descend towards Martselang, then go up the valley, which is fairly narrow in some places, then continue along the riverbed to Shang Sumdo. A short and pleasant stage, in anticipation of the next two long following days.

Day 05: Shang Sumdo - Latza Kongmaru (4800 m) in 7 h. We progress along the river whose banks are punctuated with ochre rocks. From Chukirmo village, the track leads into narrow gorges where ponies need to be unloaded twice and go up to the base of Kongmaru La.

Day 06: Latza Gongmaru - Kongmaru La (5050 m) - Langtang Chu (4250 m) in 7 h. From the pass, there are great views north towards eastern Korakoram and China, whilst the southern vista is dominated by the shapely Kang Yatze (6400 m) and the Ladakhi range. We take a ridge trail and descend zigzagging across scree. Afterwards the path easily descends towards Nimaling summer pastures and Markha valley, the most beautiful valley in Ladakh.

Day 07: Langtang Chu - Yakrupal (4700 m) in 4 h. We climb up the large valley, and after crossing a stream follow on along a morainic wall.

Day 08: Yakrupal - Zalung Karpo La (5200 m) - Sorra (4200 m) in 5 h. We carry on upwards until the valley divides and take right. From the pass, we follow a ridge trail leading to another pass, then plunge into the valley.

Day 09: Sorra - Dat (4200 m) in 5 h. We follow gorgeous woody gorges until they widen into a valley. Manis and shortens are spread on the trail leading Sara and Dat rivers. Dat is a green village, where cultivation and vegetation takes every fragment of land.

Day 10: Dat - Yar La (5000 m) - Lungmo Che (4010 m) in 6 h. An easy climb takes us to the pass, where we enjoy a dramatic vista over the Rupshu. Sometimes some "Khyangs", wild donkeys, go up to the caravans, frightening our ponies.

Day 11: Lungmo Che - Sangtha (4200 m) in 3 h. Then transfer by jeep to Sarchu. The landscape completely changes into a vast arid plain. Tibetan nomads mainly populate the area. The road to Sarchu winds its way up to the Lachlung La pass (5060 m).

Day 12: Sarchu - Manali (2000 m) by jeep. This journey is rewarded by magnificent landscapes. The road goes through amazing switch back roads, pass the blue Suraj Tal lake to Darcha and pass through Rohtang Pass (3954m) the last pass of this journey. The landscape is breathtaking. Rohtang Pass is a very wide pass, and is one of the most beautiful passes in the Pir Panjal. The view on both sides is exhilarating.

Day 13: Manali. Surrounded by snowy mountain peaks, Manali is also known as "Queen of Mountains". It is a gloriously colorful market place for the surrounding villages. Visit old Manali, Hadimba temple and Vashisht village.

Day 14: Manali - Delhi (Private vehicle).

Day 15: Delhi. Day at leisure. Safety day for your international flight.

Day 16: Delhi. Hotel - airport transfer.

OPYION: You can travel to LEH by road and exit by air. This is best for proper acclimitization.