Manali to Hemis Trek

About This Tour

This is the most spectacular trekking all across the Ladakh area when a two days drive from the verdant Kullu valley will venture the trip all across the two high passes deep into the easternmost part of Ladakh. Peeping through the heart of Rupshu, the Manali to Hemis trekking will finally terminate at the Indus Valley near Leh.

A possible extension to this picturesque trek would be followed to the Markha valley downstream from Hankar and then towards Kunda La and Stok La to end at Stok village, which is located on the Indus across the valley from Leh.

Itinerary

Day 01 Arrive Delhi

On arrival met our representative and then transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 02 Delhi - Manali

In the morning half day sightseeing and in the evening drive to Manali by AC Volvo coach. Overnight journey.

Day 03 Manali

Arrival at Manali by morning. On arrival transfer to hotel for relax. At leisure visit Hadimba Devi Temple, old Manali, Tibetan Monastery and the mall. Overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 04 Manali - Sarchu

An early morning transfer to Manali bus stand with packed breakfast to catch deluxe hill coach for Sarchu via Rohtag Pass, Keylong. The trail is full of magnificent beauty. Upon Manali to Hemis Trek arrival at Sarchu check in deluxe tent. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.

Day 05 Sarchu

The day is for acclimatisation.

Day 06 Sarchu - Takh - Base of Morang La (4600 mts/15088 ft) 6 hrs

The trek starts with the army trail for 2-3 km to Takh, a military camp. From there, the trail deviates from the Tsarap River and starts the gradual and long ascent to the base of the Morang La.

Day 07 Base of Morang La - Lun 6 hrs

A gradual climb takes you to the summit of Morang La (5300m), before you descend into a narrow and muddy valley. Go past a beautiful plateau into the Zara Chu valley. Turn right to follow the river along the left bank for an hour before you reach the village of Lun.

Day 08 Lun - Yabbu (4250 mts/13940 ft) 6 hrs

Follow the Zara Chu valley further to the village of Yabbu, which has some wonderful campsites and low stone walls to protect then from the sheep and goats of the Tibetan nomads that live in this area.

Day 09 Yabbu - Lungmoche (4550 mts/14924 ft) 6 hrs

Follow the same valley past Yabbu from where you reach the summer settlement of Lungmoche. This nomad village of Yak-wool tents sometimes spreads over a large area and is very picturesque in the late evening with the smoke from the cooking fires floating above the tents.

Day 10 Lungmoche - Dat (4200 mts/13776 ft) 7 hrs

A gradual 2 hour ascent to the top of the Yar La (4950m) reveals fantastic views of the Rupshu. The high plateau is clearly visible with range upon range of brown, barren hills and some snow-covered mountains in the far distance. Make a short descent from the pass to a water point, as the next few hours are very dry. A further descent takes you to the Dat Chu valley. Turn right to follow the valley up to Dango and further on to the village of Dat, which has a small Gompa.

Day 11 Dat - Sura via Jalung Karpo La (4800 mts/15744 ft) 7 hrs

Follow the very broad valley of Dat, which is inhabited throughout the year, past Mani walls and chortens into a narrowing valley. The stream meets the Sura Chu to form the Chamg Cho of Khurna, a major tributary of the Zanskar river. Follow the Sura Chu into a valley with wonderful woody gorges up to the summer village of Sura. Leaving the lush green pastures of Sura, a 3-4 hour walk leads over the Rubering La to Zangla, the ancient capital of Zanskar. Leaving the valley floor, a steep climb takes you to the west ridge of the Jalung Karpo La (5200m), which affords some great views. Descend into the valley to Sura.

Day 12 Sura - Nimaling (4878 mts/16000 ft) via Kongo Gompa La 5 hrs

From Sura, it's an easy walk before a steep ascent to Kongo Gompa-La. Descend on the other side of the pass to the Nimaling plain. The Nimaling plain is a broad, undulating meadow, which slopes up to the base of the ice-clad Kang Yatse, which dominates the area. Nimaling, with its tiny ponds and rivulets flowing all over the meadow, provides pasturage in the summer for an astonishing number of animals - yaks, dzos, sheep, goats, horses - not only from the Markha but from the villages all around. Himalayan marmots and white-tailed hares are seen in plenty and it is not unusual to sight an occasional blue-s heep or Wolf.

Day 13 Nimaling

A day at leisure at Nimaling. An alternative is a walk to the base of Kang Yatse.

Day 14 Nimaling - Shang Sumdo via Kangmaru La (5274 mts/17300 ft)

Crossing to the north of the Markha, begin the climb to Kangmaru La (5274m). From the pass, the trail descends steeply to the head of the Martselang valley, past the sulphur springs of Chuskirmo and follows the Martselang stream to the village of Sumdo or Shang-Sumdo, at the confluence of the Shang and Martselang Nullahs, where camp is set for the night.

Day 15 Shang Sumdo - Hemis Gompa (3300 mts/10824 ft) - Leh 5 hrs

A jeep will pick you up at Shang Sumdo. After a visit to the ancient monastery at Hemis, you will be dropped at Leh.

Day 16 Leh - Shey - Thiksey - Hemis

On this day you will go a sightseeing trip to some ancient monasteries in this area.

Day 17 Leh - Delhi

Transfer to the airport for the spectacular flight across the main chain of the Himalaya to Delhi.