We drive from Leh to Lamayuru (3420m/11,217ft.) The road drive is about 5 hours. On the way we will visit Alchi monastery. Overnight in camp/Guest house.
In the morning we will visit 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. After visiting the monastery we will start trekking 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. Overnight in camp.
Today we walk through an arid and barren valley that takes us to the small village of Phanjila from where the trail turns into another valley situated beside Ripchar River. We then trek until Hinju. Overnight in camp.
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. Overnight in camp.
We now descend towards the tiny village of Lanak at (3750m/12,300ft.) then climb up towards the base of Dungdungchen La. Overnight in camp.
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 Skyu, a pleasant walk away. Camp near the village.
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.
The trail involves a day of a number of river crossings till we 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.)
Passing below the ruins of the Hankar Gompa we continue crossing a stream and then walking through fields to the Nimalingchu. We go along the right bank of the river through a rocky gateway and pass incredibly balanced boulders on thin spike like spires. Crossing a bridge a bit further we continue past a small lake and high pasture land finally reaching Nimaling village. Overnight in camp.
A long days trek as we climb up to the summer pastures, to the top of the ridge and the saddle of Kongmaru La from where you get spectacular views of the Zanskar range and the vertical ice walls of the Kang Yaze peak. Descend to the valley floor and continue on to the small village of Shang. Overnight in camp.
Today is the last day of the trek and the trek is a very short trek and head down to the village of Shang sumdo. The car will pick us up form Shang sumdo and drive us back to Leh. Overnight stay in a Hotel at Leh.
