Ladakh Trekking

You arrive at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. Once you clear Immigration and Customs, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. You should expect to reach your hotel room approximately 3 hours after landing.

(Shangri-La Hotel)

This morning on your tour of “Old Delhi,” you will explore this exotic locale with its narrow dirt roads, its myriad people and inexpensive and colorful bazaars that keep alive the traditional workmanship for which Delhi has always been famous. Driving past the Red Fort, you trade your motor vehicle for a bicycle rickshaw, which will take you into the heart of Chandni Chowke (the silver square - so named because of the silver merchants). Negotiating alleyways, which seemingly get narrower and narrower you end up at the Jama Masjid, the largest Muslim mosque in India. This evening enjoy a traditional Indian “Welcome dinner.”

(Shangri-La Hotel; B, D)

The flight up the Indus Valley provides spectacular views of the Zanskar Range to the West, including the twin peaks of Nun and Kun, while to the North is K2, the second highest peak on earth. You will be met on arrival at Leh airport and transferred to your hotel.

Leh, 11,400 feet altitude, the capital city of Ladakh since ancient times and a transit point for caravans of the bygone silk route, still feels and looks like a trading post of those times. A small town with a population of 10,000, two monasteries, a palace/fort, a mosque and a church two major roads and numerous alleyways is easily mastered and then becomes a fascinating place for exploring on your own.

This morning you have an orientation meeting with your trek guide to discuss high altitude travel, and then go on a leisurely walk to discover the town. The balance of the day is free to rest, acclimate to the high altitude, and explore the city. A minimal amount of physical activity is advised.

(Grand Dragon Hotel; B, L, D)

As you acclimate to the higher elevation, spend the day leisurely exploring important sites along the Indus Valley. Visit Shey, the old palace of the King of Ladakh. The fort and palace is in ruins but the monastery is still active. In it is a giant (39 foot) statue made of gilded copper of the Sakyamuni Buddha.

Further down the river is Thikse Gompa, dramatically situated on the slopes of a hill, built in imitation of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, it commands a formidable view of the Indus Valley. In the new building is a three-story statue of the Maitreya Buddha – one the most beautiful pieces of religious art in Ladakh.

Also visit Hemis Gompa, which was associated with the Ladakhi Royal Family and is quite prosperous. It is the most important of the “Red Hat” or non-reformist gompas in Ladakh belonging to the Druk-pa sect.

(Grand Dragon Hotel; B, L, D)

Today you delve deeper into the Ladakhi way of life. Visit the most famous monastery beyond the Indus Valley — the “mural wonderland” of Alchi.

You have the option of taking a 3- to 4-hour raft trip down the Indus River to Nemo, a point just past the confluence of Zanskar and Indus Rivers. This is primarily a float trip with a few class 1 - 3 rapids (alternatively you could drive). At Nemo (take-out point) you continue your journey along the Indus River by road (one hour) to Basgo, the site of another ancient monastery.

After exploring Basgo, continue onto Alchi. Spend the rest of the day exploring Alchi, dated to the 10th century. An inactive gompa today, it is one of the most intriguing gompas of Ladakh. Why this monastery died remains a mystery especially since it has the most prolific art forms: wall painting, painted chorten, statues, giving an impression of having once been rich and powerful.

(Ulley Tokpo Resort; B, L, D)

Crossing back over the Indus River, stop at the most recent of Ge-lugs-pa order monasteries - Rizong, just 120 years old. From the road head, a pleasant 3-mile walk up a narrow gorge brings you to this picturesquely built Gompa (Ladakhi word for monastery). Rizong also has the distinction of being the most disciplined of the monasteries in Ladakh and the only one with a nunnery.

Later in the afternoon, head further west from Alchi on the Leh-Srinager Highway to visit Lamayuru Monastery (9,700 feet), belonging to the Ka-gyü-pa order. This is a 10th/11th century monastery and has always been very active and powerful. In the 13th century, it was the main contender against the Sakya Monastery for acknowledged supremacy throughout Tibet.

(Ulley Tokpo Resort; B, L, D)

Departing Alchi early in the morning, you return to the Leh Valley today, arriving there early afternoon. The balance of the day is free to explore the town of Leh and browse its maze of narrow streets, seeking out silver, coral, turquoise, and handmade items from the local merchants, and to prepare for the start of your trek tomorrow.

(The Grand Dragon; B, L, D)

After five days above 11,000 feet, you are now better acclimated to start your Ladakh trek. A one-hour drive brings us to the trailhead at Matho village. While the porters and the Yak herders distribute their loads and the camp staff gets organized, you will climb up to the Matho Gompa, the only Sakya sect monastery in Ladakh.

After visiting this gompa, you start your hike up a spectacular canyon. A slow, steady climb for 3-4 hours brings you to a small pass and viewpoint at 13,000 feet. Continue hiking for another 3 hours up the Matho canyon, covered with wild rose bushes, meeting Yaks on the way. Crossing the Matho river several times, you reach the base of Matho La – the pass leading to the Stok range. A gradual climb with a short, steep final push brings you to your campsite on top of a buttress, which is remarkably flat and wide open, surrounded by snowcapped peaks — a very photogenic place. You can once again see Kang Lha Chen peeping up behind Matho and some lesser peaks. Camp at about 14,600 feet.

(Alpine Camp; B, L, D)

A strenuous day as you hike over the first pass. A slow, steady climb to the base of the pass and then a steep push to the top of Matho La (16,300 feet) is rewarded by amazing views of snow peaks surrounding you: Kang-Lha-Chen in all its majesty to the left, the Indus Valley in front, the Ladakh and Karakoram ranges in the distance. On a clear day you can see as far as K2. The surreal effect is heightened by the roar of icefalls on distant rock walls.

A short, steep descent leads to a small meadow at the base of the pass on the other side. Continue your gradual descent along the spectacular Stok Nalah (canyon). Watch the canyon walls change color from different angles as the sun sails across the sky. You have been hiking all day in Snow Leopard country. Other animals that you might see are Bharal or Blue Sheep, Mountain Goats, and Tibetan Antelope.

(Alpine Camp; B, L, D)

Continue your hike down the Stok Canyon, before starting the climb to our second pass, Stok la topping out at just over 16,000 feet, offering impressive views of the Indus valley. A steep descent switch-back trail brings you to Mankarmo camp, Rumbak hamlet.

(Alpine Camp; B, L, D)

The day’s hike starts with a gradual ascent to the base of the pass before the final steep push to Ganda la pass, the third and last pass of our trek. Once again we stand at 16,200 feet admiring the panoramic mountain vistas. The views extend south to the Zanskar range and distant summits of the Himalayan range. Thats three days and three passes at over 16,000 feet - quite an achievement!

After Crossing the pass we descent to beautiful village of Shingo, a 6-7 hour day.

(Alpine Camp; B, L, D)

Our all-day hike down the beautiful Stok canyon passes below an incredible cliff side fort just before you reach the village of Stok. Multi-hued rust and purple rock formations reminiscent of America’s Grand Canyon make the long day visually dramatic. Hike through the village of Stok to the road head just below the Stok Palace, where you rendezvous with your jeeps and drive back to Leh. 

(Grand Dragon Hotel; B, L, D)

This morning, you transfer to the airport for your flight back to Delhi. The afternoon free to do some exploring, shopping and final packing. This evening enjoy a traditional India ‘Farewell dinner.”

(Shangri-La Hotel; B)

Transfer to Airport for your outbound flight from India. 

(B)