Rimo Expeditions, India

Cultural Tour and Trek in Ladakh

Beginning our tour in Leh, we visit several monasteries, then begin our trek from Likir. This is a short and easy route which seldom goes over 4000m. We visit several villages enroute and see the lifestyle of the local people. Ending the trek in Themisgaam we drive to Dha Hanu, the last remaining Dard settlement. Here the people follow a separate distinct culture and customs from the Ladakhis even though the Dards are Buddhists.

We use the tented accommodation at Uleytokpo, a lovely fixed camp run by a Ladakhi family. The tents have attached toilets and beds, and are set amidst apricot orchards. We go on to visit the wonderful Lamayuru monastery built on a terraced landscape and the unique Alchi monastery which is one of the few monasteries to have survived restoration of the 16th century. The paintings are still in Kashmiri tradition which makes it distinct from others.

Rupshu - the Changtang Plains

Following a wonderful route, this trek offers a very different landscape as you approach the high Tibetan plateau from Dat. Lush meadows, vast grazing grounds, natural springs and lakes make it the ideal haunt for nomadic shepherds (Changpas) who live here. Chances are that you may see wild asses (Skyangs) which roam these high plateaus. We end the trip at Tsomoriri (4550 m), a beautiful high altitude lake which is also breeding ground to bar headed geese, brahminy ducks and other species. The elevation of the trek is all between 4200 and 5200 metres.

Itinerary:

• Day 1: Arrival in Delhi. Transfer to hotel. Overnight.
• Day 2: Early morning transfer to domestic airport for flight to Leh. On arrival, transfer to hotel and rest for acclimatisation.
• Day 3: Sightseeing of Likir and Alchi monasteries with overnight at Uleytokpo.
• Day 4: Walk to Ridzong monastery and return to Leh visiting Phyiang monastery enroute.
• Day 5: Sightseeing of Shey, Thiksey monasteries and Stok Palace Museum.
• Day 6: Drive to Hemis, visit monastery and begin trekking to Sumdo.
• Day 7 to 15: On trek ending at Sangtha.
• Day 16: Drive to Tsomoriri.
• Day 17: Free day at Tsomoriri. Visit Korzok village.
• Day 18: Drive to Leh.
• Day 19: Fly to Delhi.
• Day 20: Extra day in case of flight cancellations.
• Day 21: Free day. Evening transfer to airport for flight.

Zanskar Trek

With its succession of high passes and awe-inspiring environment, this popular trek is a classic - the experience of a lifetime. Starting from Darch in Lahaul/Spiti we cross the snow bound 5090m Shingo La pass into Zanskar. In the desolate, harsh and arid desert land of this region, the numerous Zanskari settlements we come across are marvellous oases in the wilderness. The rocky landscape is a kaleidoscope of colours under the changing sun. The Zanskar river cuts its way through it all, across flatlands and sown canyons, adding a surrealistic touch to the scene. We finally walk into Lamayuru where the trek ends. Enroute, we see monasteries built as early as the 10th century. Among the ones we visit are Phuktal, Bardan and Karsha.

Although physically taxing, this trek is a tremendously popular, being both a challenge and the ultimate experience for the trekking enthusiast.

Itinerary:

• Day 1: Arrival in Delhi. Transfer to hotel.
• Day 2: Transfer to domestic airport for early morning flight to Kulu. On arrival, drive to Manali (45mins). Overnight in Manali. (In case of flight cancellation, you will be driving to Manali from Chandigarh - 7 hrs).
• Day 3: Drive over Rothang pass (3400 m) into the arid Lahaul valley and camp at DARCHA.
• Day 4 to 25: On trek ending at Lamayuru and driving to LEH.
• Day 26 and 27: Free days in Leh.
• Day 28: Fly to Delhi.
• Day 29: Extra day in case of flight cancellations.
• Day 30: Day free in Delhi. Evening transfer to airport.

Ladakh Ultimate Trek

A very interesting route beginning at the famous Lamayuru monastery, you walk up the less travelled Ripchar Valley with its small villages, nomadic settlements and pastures where you see a wide variety of flowers and many species of birds from the end of July to end of August. We cross some high passes with excellent views of the Karakorams and the Zanskar mountains. The initial part of the trek ends at Chilling, a small village and the only one where Ladakhi metal work is carried out. From Chilling, we cross the river by cable pulley.

A different set of ponies are on the other side of the river to carry our gear. We then continue on to Markha Valley - considered one of the most beautiful valleys in Ladakh . Here you pass through several Ladakhi settlements as you walk through their fields and observe their lifestyle. Several river crossings are involved, but these are not dangerous. Crossing several more passes, through gorges and wide open pastures, we end the trek at Matho village. Here we visit the monastery built on a hill between Stok and Stakna, the only monastery belonging to the Sakyapa order. It is worth visiting this monastery for the beautiful view it has over the valley.

Itinerary:

• Day 1: Arrival Delhi. Transfer to hotel.
• Day 2: Transfer to domestic airport for flight to LEH. Rest for acclimatisation.
• Day 3: Sightseeing of Shey, Thiksey and Hemis monasteries.
• Day 4: Visit Basgo fort and Alchi monastery and drive to Lamayuru.
• Day 5 to 17: On trek ending at Matho and driving to Leh.
• Day 18: Free day in Leh. Possible to do a half day run on the Indus river.
• Day 19: Fly to Delhi.
• Day 20: Extra day in case of flight cancellations.
• Day 21: Free day. Evening transfer to airport for flight.

Markha Valley

A very popular trek because of its easy accessibility from Leh, we begin this trek at Stok village, going up the Stok Nallah (stream) past shepherds settlements and over passes, through villages which are dotted like oases on this trail where you often cross paths with the local inhabitants. The scenery is excellent on this trek as you get to see this fantastic landscape in the changing light. The wide open pastures of Nimaling is a lovely place to relax and for the more adventurous, you can go a little further to climb the left shoulder of Kangyatze peak (6100m).

• Day 1: Arrival in Delhi. Transfer to hotel.
• Day 2: Early morning transfer to airport for flight to Leh. On arrival, transfer to hotel. Rest for acclimatisation.
• Day 3 and 4: Sightseeing of Leh Palace, Sankar, Shey, Thiksey and Matho monasteries.
• Day 5: Begin trekking from Stok Village after visiting Stok Palace Museum.
• Day 6 to 14: On trek ending at Hemis and driving to Leh.
• Day 15: Free day in Leh.
• Day 16: Fly to Delhi.
• Day 17: Extra day in case of flight cancellations.
• Day 18: Day free. Evening transfer to airport.

The Ladakh Ultimate and Markha Valley treks can be modified to fit it in with a climb of Stok Kangri (6120m), Kangyatse (6400m), Yan Kangri (6100m), Matho Kangri (5950m). The treks can be used as acclimatisation treks for the climb.

Rumtse - Tsomoriri (off the beaten track)

We begin this trek in the village of Rumtse, 78km from Leh. We take you off the beaten track through pastures and wilderness across rugged landscape and over small passes with excellent views and fantastic landscape to Tsokar, a brackish salt water lake at 4250m and situated very scenically. From here we continue through the Rupshu plains passing a small lake and Hot Springs at Puga to the famous Tsomoriri Lake at 4550 metres. The small village of Korzok with its small monastery is an interesting place to visit. A day is spent in exploring the surroundings and visiting the nomads who live in their yak skin tents tending to their pashmina goats.

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Delhi. Transfer to hotel.
• Day 2: Early morning transfer to domestic airport for flight to Leh. On arrival, transfer to hotel and rest for acclimatisation.
• Day 3 and 4: Sightseeing of monasteries.
• Day 5: Drive to Rumtse .Spend some time in the village and camp a little further ahead.
• Day 6 to 14: On trek ending at Tsomoriri.
• Day 15: Free day at Tsomriri.
• Day 16: Drive to Leh via Mahe bridge.
• Day 17: Fly to Delhi.
• Day 18: Extra day in case of flight cancellations.
• Day 19: Free day in Delhi. Evening transfer to airport.

Nubra Valley

Well acclimatised with the days in Leh, we take you across the world highest motorable pass - Khardungla at 5600 metres, only a 1-1/2 hour drive from Leh. Clear weather permitting, you can see the Saser and Arganglas group of mountains We now enter the famous Nubra Valley, which was opened to tourists only in 1994. This beautiful valley with an average altitude of 3000 metres has a milder climate than the rest of Ladakh, and the Shyok river which feeds this valley has made agriculture easy. Here we also have the double humped bactrian camels which were the only means of transport before the roads were made. It is a scenic four hour drive to this valley, passing villages along the ancient Silk Trade Route to Central Asia to

Panamic, the last halt for the caravanners. Snow capped surround this valley which also boasts of one of the best monasteries - Samstaling in Kyagar village. Fairly well populated, the villagers here treat us to a wonderful Ladakhi evening of singing and dancing.

This trek has still not gained popularity due to the restrictions imposed on individual travellers. It traverses lush green meadows with alpine flowers that are the summer grazing grounds for the people of the valley. As we go higher, leaving the pastures behind, the going gets tough as we ascend on moraines and snow to Lasermola (5200 m) we are rewarded with splendid views all around. Descend to the shepherds huts and Morubuk and further down to Phyiang monastery from where we drive for a half hour back to Leh.

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Delhi. Transfer to hotel.
• Day 2: Early morning transfer to airport for flight to Leh. On arrival, transfer to Leh and rest for acclimatisation.
• Day 3: Sightseeing of Chemrey, Thaktok and Hemis monasteries.
• Day 4: Walk to Sankar gompa in the morning. Afternoon free.
• Day 5: Drive to Kyagar village in Nubra across Khardungla and camp.
• Day 6: Drive to Panamic hot Spring (about an hour) and return to Kyagar. Evening spent with the villagers.
• Day 7: Visit Samstaling Gompa in the morning and drive a short distance to Deskit, a quaint little village with its monastery perched on a hill top. Continue a little further to the lovely village of Hundar where we camp.
• Day 8 to 12: On trek ending at Phyiang and driving to Leh.
• Day 13: Fly to Delhi.
• Day 14: Extra day in case of flight cancellations.
• Day 15: Free day. Evening transfer to International airport.