Rupshu Kharnak Tsomoriri Trekking
The most exciting and only trek route which penetratesRupshu Kharnak Tsomoriri Trekking through the secrets of Rupshu and Kharnak. This route is characterized by its ascends and descends amidst towering peaks and glacier, over the passes with beautiful overhead views, through the cliff, along the streams and the beautiful pasture lands splashed amidst rugged landscape inhabited by nomadic Changpas with their heard of Yaks and sheep. A rare opportunity to enjoy the wild life of Ladakh, the salt lake Tsokar the visit is between July to September.
Tsomoriri Valley
The area traversed by the Manali leh road, and containing the drainage basins of Tso-moriri and other lakes is known as Rupshu. Here, the Zanskar range is transformed into bare rolling many-hued hills divided by open high altitude valley scoured by dust-devils. It is a landscape unlike any other in Ladakh -or elsewhere in India.
The first circuit follows the Manali road over the Taglang-la as far as Debring, a Chang-pa camping place. From here it strikes off east on a rough treks across the basin of the twin lakes Startsapuk-Tso (Fresh water) and the Polokangka-la (about 16,500 feet/ 5,030m) to Sumdo in the Puga valley - near the site of old sulphur mines, then over a roller-coaster track to the head of the Tso-moriri, and on to Korzok, a quarter of the way along the lake's 20 km length.
The alternative route, instead of leaving the Indus at Upshi, carries on up the river, as it snakes its way through a gorge between the Ladakh and Zanskar ranges, to the village of Chumathang, where there is a hot spring. At Mahe, some 17 km further, the road crosses from the north to the south bank of the river by bridge; it then follows the Puga stream up to join the first circuit at Sumdo.
Korzok, situated at 15,000 feet (4,572 m) with its dozen or so houses and its gompa appearing like a mirage among the barren hills, is the only permanent settlement in Rupshu; otherwise the region is inhabited only by nomadic Chang-pa herdspeople. The Rupshu Chang-pa live in tents all the year round, moving in accordance with an old-established annual routine between the pastures the exist wherever an occasional stream carrying snowmelt from the heights makes possible the growth of grass, scanty indeed, but reportedly highly nutritious. The few barley-fields at Korzok must be among the highest cultivation in the world, but there is no guarantee that the crop will ripen every year.
Even Rupshu's bare hills support a sparse population of wildlife, and the animal most likely to be spotted is the Kyang, the wild ass of the Ladakh and Tibet plateaux. More plentiful are marmots (ubiquitous on mountain slopes all over Ladakh), hares, and an unusual tail-less rat. The lakes are breeding-grounds for numerous species of birds. Chief among them are the bareheaded goose, found in great numbers on the Tso-moriri, the great crested grebe, the Brahmini duck (ruddy sheldrake) and the brown-headed gull.
Tours Snapshot
Total number of days: 19 days
Grade: Easy
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Delhi from Home and transfer to domestic airport for Flight to Leh. Arrive Leh from Delhi by air , transfer to your hotel. Afternoon walking tour to the main bazaar.
Day 02: Morning visit Phyang and Spituk monasteries, Late afternoon visit the Leh Palace, Samkar monastery and Shanti Stupa to have a grand view of the Indus valley.
Day 03: Free day to prepare things for the trek and packing.
Day 04: Leh to Gya Lato 75 km. A comfortable drive on paved road through the village along the sides of river Indus. Enroute Shey, Thiksey and Hemis monasteries, camping sites is near by a small village with few houses in between cliffs on one side and the barren mountains on the other side 3990 meters. The scenery of the valley, the cool breeze prepares the glaciers and the whispering of the streams prepares the minds and bodies to appreciates the beauty of nature for the next fourteen days.
Day 05: Lato to Lalung pass Six hours trekking, ascends and encamp at the base of the Lalung la 4600 meters beautiful overhead view of snowy peaks.
Day 06: Lalung base to Nirmaling. Seven hours trekking, crossing Lalung la 5522 meters and encamp on the camping ground in Nirmaling 4500 m.
Day 07: Nirmaling to Langtangchan. Six hours trekking, up and along the stream. Crossing the bridge of Thachutgse and turn to left near upper Hukar. after crossing two times river arrives at green pasture wit shepherds grazing sheep. Encamp at 4000 meters.
Day 08: Langtangchan to Kharnak. Seven hours trekking through, the valley and crossing the Zalung Karpola 5200 meters from the top a gorgeous view of Zanskar range and glaciers. Encamp at 4000 meters near by Kharnak village. A beautiful view Kharnak palace from the camp site.
Day 09: Kharnak to Sora. Seven hours easy trekking, along the Kharnak stream which Kunik and Khar stream from the left side. Few river crossing and arrives at the most exciting place of the whole trek. Leh trinity junction, represented by left valley along the clear water stream, through the trees up to Sora village and encamp at 4200 meters.
Day 10: Sora to Datt. Six hours trekking through the trees along the stream upto Datt village. Encamp at 4270 meters.
Day 11: Tarla to Yarla. Eight hours trekking through the wildness and pasture, crossing Tarla pass 4950 meters. The source of water for six hours of trek is only a hidden spring before Yarla pass wild ass, yak and nomads are seen. Encamp at 4500 meter on a green ground.
Day 12: Spangcen to Spangur. Seven hours trekking, up and down through the wildness and encamp at 4200 meters.
Day 13: Spangur to Tsokar. Seven hours easy trekking up and down through a green valley, crossing the line of control for grazing between Kharnak and Rupshu and encamp at 4800 meters. Beautiful view of the lake Thugje monastery far on the other side and the village Nuruchan on the right side. The wild ass can be seen grazing on the pastures on the side of the lake.
Day 14: Tsokar to Ranchungkaru. Seven hours easy trekking, through Nuruchan village with fifteen houses and small monastery, ascends crossing Monastery of Ladakh Rachung pass gorgeous view of Rachungkaru looks likes a little Tibet with many nomadic Changpas, sheep, dog yak with their tens pitched systematically on each sides of a clear whispering broke encamp at 4400 meters.
Day 15: Rachungkaru to Gyama Sumdo. Seven hours of trekking, up and down crossing a pass 4800 meters. Beautiful landscape. Encamp by stream on green patch 4200 meters.
Day 16: Gyama Sumdo to Tsomoriri. Seven hours of trekking a narrow valley and finally arrives at Korzok village beside the lake, Tsomoriri lake is 28X8 kms. With its crystal clear lake is an ideal place to watch birds.
Day 17: Tsomoriri to Leh 220 kms. Early breakfast times to go around the lake and the village of Korzok and leave for Leh. Almost seven hours drive through wilderness valley and Chumathang village with hot spring and runs along the side of river Indus penetrating through rocky mountains suddenly open up in the valley of Leh.
Day 18: Free day in Leh after the long trek.
Day 19: Take early morning flight back to Delhi, late evening transfer to int'l airport for flight back home.
Cost Includes
- All internal transfers and sightseeing’s
- Twin sharing rooms in all hotels
- Bed & Breakfast in Delhi hotel and full board in Leh hotel.
- All trekking arrangements.
Cost Excludes
- Alcoholic Beverages.
- Photographic Charges.
- Entrance to monasteries and monuments.
- Liabilities of loss, damage and loss of life.
- Rescue operation by any means of transportation.
- International airport tax, Tipping etc.
- Air tickets.
- Nature of personal expenses.
- Telephone, fax and laundry bills.
- Personal Travel Insurance.
- Any extra expenses to any unavoidable circumstances such as road blockage, landslide, now, political unrest, sickness or accidents.
Associate Members
Our Contact
Friends Adventure Team Pvt. Ltd.
P.O.Box. 21276, Kathmandu Nepal, Tel: +977-1-4364838, Fax: +977-1-4381031
Mobile: +977 9851027397, Email:lamateam@wlink.com.np
