Lamayuru to Tsomoriri

  • 16 Days - 15 Night
  • Chillenging
  • June to October

While on trekking, you will know the real villages of Ladakh and their way of living.

This trekking is good for those who really wish to explore the western and eastern part of Ladakh. Its bit long trek starting from beautiful apricot valley of Sham (Lamayuru) and end at Tsomoriri lake lies to the east of Leh, located in Korzok valley. Wildlife/birds like Black neck crane and changpa nomads are the typical features of the valley. While going toward starting point you can visit monasteries/ castle like Basgo, Alchi (known for Gandala Art) Likir etc. This part of ladakh is known for agriculture. People grow different types of fruits and vegetables. The trek begin with an altitude of 3400 M gradually decrease when reach Chilling and again rise upto 4200 M by the end of trek. There are three passes average height of 4300 M between Lamayuru to Chilling and three passes average height of 4500 mtrs are between Chilling to Tsomoriri. Rest view during the trek is fascinating, mostly greenery. You will really get an opportunity to watch the typical village and their life style. The best period for doing this trek is between June to October.

Lamayuru to Tsomoriri - Trip Detail
  • Day 01 Leh to Tarchit via lamayuru (156 Kms)
    • while driving to starting point of this trek, we recommend you to visit road side monasteries built in Tibetan style. It gives you inner peace when you hear the sound of religious instrument and prayer perform by monks.

      Today after having breakfast at the hotel/guest house at Leh, you have to drive to Tarchit. Alchi is on the way (68 km) from Leh town, you just have to take link road for 2 kms to get to this monastery. It was built by Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo (The great translator) 1000 years ago and is considered to be the largest among the entire monastery built by him. After visit, drive again start for Lamayuru, still 58kms to go. Lamayuru monastery was founded by Arahat Nimagung in between 10th and 11th century. The actual name of this monastery is Yungdrung Tharpaling. History says that in the 11th century, the Mahasidha Naropa visited this place and the cave where he resided and meditated is still to be seen inside the monastery.After visiting this monastery, drive back till small monastery on the bank of Yapola River. Leaving behind highway, you have to enter in awesome Yapola valley. Continue drive along the road till wanla arrive. If time permits, visit Wanla monastery. still 2 Kms is there to reach at campsite (Tarchit) Nice campsite near Yapola River. Overnight in tent at camping site. (3300m)

  • Day 02 Trek Tarchit - Phanjila – Hinju (5/6 hrs)
    • After having breakfast, need to start trek to Hinju takes around 6 hours to get there, nice and gentle walk up along right bank of upstream Yapola river till Phanjila arrive. Its a small village consist of families. Then take left valley and continue gentle walk up along the upstream small river. At some point the trail goes up ascending across dense trees. Gentle climb is there and you reach near a house from where you walk ascend slowly for few mtrs towards road. Keep walking along the road till Hinju village arrive (beautiful isolate village). Pass the village and continue walking along right of the valley till reach campsite, which is located near river. Over night in tent at camping site of Hinju. (3870m)

  • Day 03 Trek Hinju – Kongski-la (4950m) - Sumdachenmo Dok (6 hrs)
    • Today when you start you have to walk along the river for some time. At the end of the river, there is pasture land belong to villagers of Hinju, who graze their animals during the summer. and then the trial ascend to the Kongskila pass. When you get on to the top, you enjoy awe inspiring view of landscape of the enchanting valley far flung and you will see the view of next passes of the trek. Easy and gentle walking descends to get to the valley till Sumdochenmo dok arrive. You may get a chance to see the herd of yaks on the way to camp. Overnight in tent at the camping site near small river. Overnight in tent at the camping site (3950m)

  • Day 04 Trek Sumdachenmo – Lanak-la (4210m) – Base of Dundunchanla (5 hours trek)
    • After having breakfast at the camping site, you have to start walk along the riverside and gorges. After that you will reach at a beautiful and charming village with few houses known as Sumdochenmo. You can visit local house and take some refreshment there and nest have to walk continue on right-side down in the splendid valley till river arrive. Cross that small river, then gradually climb up to the steep pass Lanakla (4300 Mt). Enjoy the view of superb and spectacular mountains and valley from the top. keep on easy and gentle walking till Dundunchen base with awe inspiring view. You might see domestic and wild animals around there. Overnight in tent at the camping site located at base of Dundunchen. (4250m)

  • Day 05 Trek Lanak – Dundunchan-la (4720m) - Chilling (5/6 hrs)
    • After having breakfast at the camping site, you have to start trek from right side from the camp gradually ascend up towards the Dundunchen pass. You might meet Shepherds on the way to the destination, will show you their handmade skills and things and ask you to buy their products, while climbing the pass. From the top of the pass, you enjoy everlasting lost landscape of surrounding valleys and snow clad peak of huge towering stunning mountains. You will enjoy the view of Awe inspiring view of massif peak of Kangyatse (6400m) and Stok Kangri (massif peak, 6100m).

      Easy steep descend trail, with imposing view of surrounding spectacular valleys and Zanskar River, as far as riverbed to cross the river 2 to 3 times up to Chilling. Late afternoon, explore village, its famous for craftsmen and visit monastery and local house. Overnight in tent at the camping site at Chilling (3210m).

  • Day 06 Chelling (10499ft) to Sku
    • From Leh to Chelling bridge by taxi 65km takes around two and half hours to get there. Now the road is open upto Sku but tourist carrying vehicles are not permitted to go beyond the bridge to avoid disturbance for wild life as this valley is recognised as the home of many wild life species. So you have to start your trekking from Chelling bridge. The camp is in the middle of village. We can enjoy scenic beauty of this remote village.

  • Day 07 Sku (10991ft) to Markha
    • To avoid day heat, it is recommended to start early as the route is bit far but easy. After walking for sometimes reach at a bridge that you have to cross and reach at a village name Sara consist of just three families. The view of the village is beautiful. keep walking till river bank arrive. Cross the river and keep walking for some time and again cross the same river before reaching Markha. The village is the largest in valley consist of more than 50 families. There are two camp site in the village one is just before the village and another one is at the end of village on the river bank.

  • Day 08 08Markha (12348ft) to Hankar
    • After walking some time from camping site Markha, you reach at the temple belong to Hemis monestery name Yensa on rock hill. The next place to reach is Umlung, comprise of some families and the camp site is end of the village with beautiful grassland with running chill water of Kangyatse peak.

  • Day 09 Hankar(13217ft) to Yakrupal
    • Early start from Hankar camp is good to get to the next camp. Because today you have to cross the stream two to three times come from Kangyatse peak and Zalungkarpo. Water increase in the stream with day going so need to cross as early as you can. Yakrupal is the base of Zalungkarpo la. It is camping site. It takes around 5 to 6 hours to reach at the camp easy walking. Overnight in tent at the camp site.

  • Day 10 Yakrupal to Tsogra via Zalungkarpola
    • We need to start early today as we have to cross the Zalungkarpo la and the route for today’s camp is bit far. Atleast it takes around 3 hours to get to the top of the la and around two hours to get down. Its bit hard to go upward but you forget all hardship when you get on the top of the la because the view from the top is awesome and you can see the camp from there. In ancient time there used to be the castle of a king surrounded by forest and get the name Kharnak literally mean castle of black colour with forest. The ruin castle, field and local wheat meals are there to witness the existence of inhabitants in the past even today. Camp site is one hour walking distance from the base of Zalungkarpola.

  • Day 11 Tsogra to Dat
    • Need to walk down for one and half hours reach goarge valley. You will see wild plant throughout your route reach Tilat nallah, trail upward till Dat arrive. it’s a permanent settlement of nomads of Kharnak use to live during winter season. Camping site is on bank of stream.

  • Day 12 Dat to Longmochey
    • 8 to 9 hours of walking. Quite far first few hours need to walk on the plane reach base of Yarla. Need to Climb Yarla takes around one hour to get on the top and for getting down almost same time takes. View from the top is beautiful and camping site is awesome too.

  • Day 13 : Longmochay to Zara
    • Today you need to walk only for 3 to 4 hours on plain. It’s a nomad camp. With pitched tent called Rebo can be seen near the camping site. quite easy walking. Enjoy the view feel the nature beauty. Camping site is with nomad camp.

  • Day 14 Zara to Tsokar
    • Easy walking for 5 to 6 hours, just walk on plain till reach tsokar. You will see wild asses, marmot etc can be seen while walking to destination. View of Tsokar is awesome and sometime a bird called black nack crane can be seen near the lake. Camping site is little away from lake.

  • Day 15 : Tsokar to Tsomoriri by drive
    • Visit Tsomoriri lake and Korzok monastery, part of Hemis monatery belong to Drukpa order of Tibetan buddhism. Overnight in tent at camping site Tsomoriri.

  • Day 16 Drive back to Leh via Mahe brigde
    • Visit medicinal hot spring Chumathang famous among local for remedies of many diseases. Good to have lunch at Chumathang. Good restaurant serving Indian and Chinese dishes.