LADAKH-CHANGTANG PLATEAU MOUNTAINEERING

DAYS 1-2. FLIGHT TO INDIA AND ARRIVAL IN DELHI
Flight. Overnight on board. Arrival in Delhi the next day. Reception and transfer to the hotel in Delhi.

Hotel accommodation, Delhi.

DAY 3. DELHI FLIGHT – LEH
Breakfast dinner.

Transfer from hotel to Delhi airport. Flight to Leh first thing in the morning. Arrival in the capital of Ladakh. Reception and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free to walk and acclimatize through Leh (3500 m), visit its market and climb up to the hill where the Leh Palace is located.

Hotel accommodation, Leh.

DAY 4. LEH – VISIT TO THE MONASTERIES OF THE VALLE DEL INDO: SHEY – THIKSAY – HEMIS
Breakfast dinner.

In the morning you will visit the Shey monasteries (3,260 m) and the Thiksay monastery (3,320 m), two of the most iconic architectural elements in the city. The first corresponds to a 13th century fortification built by the great Dharma Raja and the second to the most famous monastery in the city, with a structure similar to the Potala Palace in Lhasa (Tibet). We will then return to the hotel. In the afternoon we will also visit the Hemis monastery, located 45 km from Leh, founded in 1672 on an existing older monasterior dating from the 11th century. It stands out for its architectural ensemble around a central square and for the colossal statue of Guru Rinpoche. Return to Leh in the afternoon. Hotel accommodation, Leh.

DAY 5. LEH – VALLE DE NUBRA
Breakfast dinner.

Early in the morning, around 8 AM we will leave towards the Nubra Valley. To get there we will have to cross the Ladakh mountain range, which forms the orographic barrier that separates the Indus and Nubra valleys. We will start the journey with the exciting and impressive climb on the highest road in the world, thus reaching the mountain pass of Khardung La, located at 5,400 meters high. A place with exquisite views of the mountains. Towards the south we will see all the mountains of Ladakh, highlighting among others the Stok Kangri mountain range, which rises to 6,150 m. To the north, behind the Nubra, we will observe the first mountains of the Karakorum, highlighting, among others, the powerful massif of the Saser Kangri (7,672 m). From there we will descend north to the bottom of the Nubra Valley and head towards the village of Diskit, to visit the colossal statue of Maitreya Buddha that dominates the valley. Further we will arrive at Hunder, where we will walk through one of the fields of silver sand dunes. Here we can take a ride on the back of the Bactrian camel, an indigenous breed from the Himalayas and Central Asia. In the afternoon we will visit different villages in the Hunder and Diskit districts, where we will get to know the way of life of the local people and we will end the day with a short 1 hour walk to the top of a hill, from where we can have a panoramic view of the whole valley.

Accommodation in lodge, Hunder.

DAY 6. VALLE DE NUBRA – LEH
Breakfast dinner.

Today we will cross the Nubra valley in the morning, observing the panorama and the mountains. We can visit the small town of Tangyar, which has a small monastery nestled on top of a cliff. Then at noon to return to Leh crossing another mountain pass, the Whari La, over 5,300 m. From above we will have a panoramic view that covers a large part of the Ladakh mountains, highlighting, among others, the Kyang Yatsé (6,400 m). In the afternoon arrive in Leh and free time the rest of the afternoon to stroll through the markets of Leh.

Hotel accommodation, Leh.

DÍA 7. LEH – RUMTSE – TSO KAR – NURUNCHAN (4.690 M)
Breakfast dinner.

We will leave Leh through the Indus river valley in a southeasterly direction until we reach the Hemis monastery. Visit one of the most important monasteries in the region. We will continue by road until Upshi, point where we will leave the main road to take the one that goes to Manali and ascends towards the mountains. Little by little the car will ascend passing through a beautiful gorge with vertical layers of reddish rock near Lato (3,950 m) and further on we will arrive at Gyay Rumtse (4,200 m). From Rumtse the road climbs steeply until reaching the spectacular Tanglang La pass (5,328 m), considered the second highest road pass in the world. Nice views over the Ladakh and Changtang mountains. From here the road descends until it reaches the plains of Lake Tso Kar (4,580 m) and continues along the plateau to the Nurunchan meadows (4,690 m). Night in camp in tents.

Tent accommodation.

DAY 8. TREK TO RACHUNKARU (4.920 M)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

We will cross the Nurunchan river before starting the progressive ascent towards today’s first pass, Horlam Kongka La (4,930 m). From the pass we will have a bird’s eye view of the Tso Kar that we leave behind and of the surroundings. After an easy descent of about 40 minutes we will arrive at Rajungkaru (4,920 m) where it is common to find nomadic “changpa” shepherds with their herds of yaks, sheep and pashmina goats during the month of July. These people are the last nomads to inhabit this sector of the Himalayas. Night in tents. Walking time: 4h30, Distance: 5 km, Height difference: + 300 / -100 m.

Tent accommodation.

DAY 9. TREK TO GYAMA BARNA (5.200 M) 
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Following the stream for about 50 minutes we will arrive at another area that is frequented by nomadic herders, but this time these people come from western Tibet and came to this area emigrating from Tibet, through the mountains, after the government repression Chinese. After sharing this experience with the nomads and regaining strength, we will face the ascent to the Kyamayuru La pass (5,430 m). The gradual descent will take us to the valley and the plains of Kyagar (5,240 m) and a little further, to Gyama Barna (5,200 m). Throughout this sector it is easy to see herds of wild horses (“kyang”) wandering around the sector. Total walk: 6 hours, Distance: 10.5 km, Height difference: + 550 / -250 m

Tent accommodation.

DAY 10. TREK TO GYAMA (5,180 M)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Short day that will allow us to get to our camp soon and rest for the next day, where we will have the first opportunity to overcome the 6,000 meter barrier. From Gyama Barna we will ascend the small pass of Kostse La (5,380 m) and then descend towards the Sherma and Gyama meadows where we will camp at 5,180 m.

Tent accommodation.

DAY 11. GYAMA (ACCLIMATION DAY, YALUNG NONG 6,080 M)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Today and depending on the group’s physical condition and weather conditions, a mountain day will be scheduled near Gyama. Possibility of an exploratory trekking on the eastern side of the mountains of the Korzok massif or the ascent of the neighboring peak of Yalung Nong (6,080 m) that offers a spectacular view from its summit of the sacred Tso Moriri lake. Night in Gyama.

Tent accommodation.

DAY 12: GYAMA TREK – KYAGAR TSO (4.700 M)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Transition day to walk from Gyama to Lake Kyagar Tso. A gently descending day through the Kyagar Nugma Valley, located south of the peak of Spangnak Ri (6,380 m). Arrival in the afternoon at Lake Kyagar Tso (4,700 m) and overnight.

Tent accommodation.

DAY 13. KYAGAR TSO – BASQUE FIELD OF THE PICOS TSOMORIRI
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

From the shores of Lake Kyagar Tso we will penetrate into the glacial valley located at the foot of the Tsomoriri peaks. The Tsomoriri peaks are a set of 5-6 summits of similar heights (between 6,200 and 6,400 meters), which are located at the northern end of the Lungser Kangri mountain range. They are technically simple ascents and in many cases devoid of large glaciers. The location of the base camp will be established based on the comforts of the terrain and the availability of water at that time, at a height of between approximately 5,300 and 5,500 m.

Tent accommodation.

DAY 14. ASCENT TO ONE OF THE TSOMORIRI PEAKS (6,200 – 6,402 M)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day to go up to one of the summits. The previous day will be established together with the guides the objective to ascend. In the massif there are a dozen peaks over 6,200, with the highest peak being 6,402 m. Return in the afternoon to base camp.

Tent accommodation.

DAY 15. BASE FIELD – LEH
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Travel back to the capital of Ladakh. Our journey will take us at the beginning to skirt the huge sacred lake of Tsomoriri, then go up the road to the step 4,840 m. From here we will start a descent of about 35 km through the Sumdo valley until we reach the town of Mahe (4,140 m), located already in the main valley of the Indus River. Here we will cross the bridge over the Indus and continue along the main valley road, first through a very steep section through the places of Chumathang, Kiari and Hymia, which then gradually opens up to give way to the wide valleys from Upshi. Arrival in Leh mid-afternoon. Rest and free time for last purchases.

Hotel accommodation, Leh.

DAY 16. FLIGHT LEH – DELHI, CONNECTION WITH THE FLIGHT HOME
Breakfast.

First thing in the morning transfer to Leh airport to take the flight to Delhi (1 hour). Arrival, collection of luggage, waiting time and check-in on the flight back home. Arrival at our destination at night.