Rupshu Tsomoriri Trek

Day 1 - Welcome to India! An Active India Holiday representative will greet you at the arrival hall at the Delhi International Airport. As you drive to the hotel in comfort, enjoy the sights along the way while our representative briefs you about the experience that awaits you. Check in at the hotel and freshen up. Rest of the day is free to explore the national capital with its many attractions, be it monuments, museums, galleries or bazaars. You may also choose to visit Lodi Gardens, a tranquil green space where you can take a stroll and discover historic tombs and monuments.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 2 - Today, we will be transferred to the airport of Delhi to board our early morning flight for Leh. On arrival in Ladakh, an Active India Holiday representative will greet you at the arrivals hall at the Leh airport. Check in at the hotel and freshen up. Late in the afternoon, we take a mild orientation stroll through Leh and its bazaars to acclimate to the altitude. In the olden days, Leh was an important trading centre along the old Silk Route from China. The town is dominated by the nine- story Namgyal Palace whose faded grandeur has been likened to a mini version of the Potala Palace in Lhasa

Overnight - Hotel

Day 3 - After breakfast we take a short pleasant walk around Leh, starting with the Shanti Stupa. At the foot of the two-storey Stupa is a picture of the current Dalai Lama as well as Buddha relics. Next we go to the Buddhist monastery and study centre - Sankar Gompa. After that, we head to the Gyamsa village and then the Leh Palace. The Leh Palace, originally the capital of Ladakh in the Himalayas, still reigns supreme. This nine-storey dun-coloured palace, which bears a passing similarity to the Potala Palace in Lhasa (Tibet), was built during the reign of the 17th century ruler Sengge Namgyal. It has essentially remained vacant since the Ladakhi royals were deposed in 1846. Rest of the day is at leisure for acclimatization.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 4 - The first stop on today's sightseeing excursion is Likir Monastery, 52 kilometres west of Leh. Ladakhi chronicles mention that Likir was built by King Lhachen Gyalpo in the 11th century. From here we drive further west to Alchi Monastery, 69 kilometres from Leh. Alchi is the largest and most famous monastery of the region. This 990-year-old monastery is known for its huge Buddha statues as well as rich woodcarvings and artwork. Our tour ends with a visit to the Rizong Monastery, also known as Vuma Chngchubling. It was built by the great Lama Tsultim Nima about 135 years ago and is known for its stringent code of ethics and its precarious mountainside location. After the excursion we return to Leh with evening free to spend at leisure.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 5 - We drive along the Indus river to the beautiful village Rumtse, which is also the starting point of our trek. On the way we stop and visit the three Gompa’s (Buddhist Monasteries)- Shey, Thiksey and Hemis. Shey Gompa is built on a ridge-top and offers remarkable views across the Indus Valley. Thiksey is an impressive complex rising on a hill above the village and houses a beautiful 15-meter gold-plated statue of Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of the Future. Hemis Gompa was founded in the 1630’s and is one of the most prominent and largest monasteries in Ladakh. After these brief though memorable visits, we continue to drive to Rumtse and arrive by the afternoon. Here we meet the local team that will accompany us on our trek (cooking staff and pony men). The rest of the day is free to relax or to explore the area on your own.

Overnight - Camp

Day 6 - We start with a lovely walk to a camp site just above the summer settlement of Chorten Sumdo. The trek begins by ascending to Kyamar Valley, also known as Jadis La, or the ’salt route‘. It is the valley through which the salt of Tsokar Lake was being transported to the Leh area. The route takes us through pleasant pastures, with several small river crossings. This route is frequented by nomadic shepherds and we see their tented camps, surrounded by herds of sheep as we hike. With an initial flat walk for a few kilometres, we witness the beauty of the Changthang Valley, located close to Tibet. The first day of trek is easy and flat with a gradual ascent to reach the campsite of Kyamar. Upon arrival, we relax and enjoy the views of the area before sundown. Overnight stay in tents

Overnight - Camp

Day 7 - Today’s is a tough of trekking, with a significant elevation rise as we pass through two high passes. The trail leads us through a verdant valley with a gradual ascent to Kyamar La Pass (5040m), where we may observe a number of wild animals such as wild hare, black partridge, Ibex and wild donkeys of Tibet called (Kiang). We get plenty of time to look for these animals and birds as we approach the pass. The first part of the trek is through a desert-like landscape leading to the pass that is marked by flags. From south of the pass we have the spectacular views of Kang Yatse, along with many other snow-capped peaks nestled far away in the distance. From the pass, we descend gradually to Changthang Valley, which is known for its unique landscapes. After crossing a stream and a more moderate ascent, our trek takes us over the second pass of the day, Mandalchan La. Following the pass, we continue to descend steeply towards our campsite at Tisaling. Overnight stay in tents

Overnight - Camp

Day 8 - Leaving behind the campsite of Tisaling, we proceed to climb over the Shibuk La (5100 m), which is the third pass of our trek. With a steep but gradual climb over the pass, we enter the stunning Rupshu Plateau and make our way to the campsite of Tso Kar. The day’s trek begins with a gentle drop, followed by a flat walk and a steady rise to the first glimpse of Tso Kar Lake, commonly known as the White lake due to its high salt content, surrounded by a number of prominent peaks. The trail eventually descends steadily as we walk across level plains to Phongponagu (4579m) close to the salt lake of Tso Kar. In the afternoon we explore the lake shore and if we are lucky catch a glimpse of kyang (wild ass), marmots and birds such as bar-headed geese and Brahminy ducks on the lake. Upon arrival settle in at the camp.

Overnight - Camp

Day 9 - The trek today is easy but long, taking us along the Tso Kar lake and then across the open and arid Chang Tang plains to a beautiful campsite in the pastures of Nuruchan (4694m). The trail is mostly flat, with a few small ascents and descents along the way. The trail opens up widely to acres of land from right to left too massive to comprehend, with some towering snow-capped peaks of the region revealing them slowly. After a long walk, we cross an ice-cold river to reach the Nuruchan campsite. Overnight in camp.

Overnight - Camp

Day 10 - As we leave the camp, we cross a stream and pass close to a Mani wall, sculpted by the Chang Tang herders. As we move towards the nomadic settlement of Rajung Karu, we encounter a gradual ascent and crisscrossing streams along the way. We climb through a splendid valley towards an easy pass called Nuruchan la, before descending to cross another stream and another low pass. In this area, the nomadic herdsmen that we meet are likely to be Tibetan, having been displaced here from the western part of that cross-border territory. We camp at Rachungkaru (4950m) amongst grazing yaks, sheep and pashmina goats. Afternoon is at leisure.

Overnight - Camp

Day 11 - Today we trek to the nomadic village of Rajun Karu with a steady ascent over crisscrossing streams. The path follows a flowing river with snow-capped mountains on either side. From here the Changthang valley reveals its spectacular landscape. After a steady but steep ascent followed by a descent to Rajun Karu, we encounter several Changthang nomad camps with Yaks and Pashmina goats grazing on the pastures. The trail from Rajun Karu takes us through the fourth and most difficult pass of Kyamayuri La, followed by a long gradual descent to the campsite of Gyamar Barma, the most beautiful campsite of the trek, surrounded by spectacular peaks

Overnight - Camp

Day 12 - It’s the longest and most difficult day of the trek. The route from Gyamar leads to the sixth pass of the trek, Yalung Naula La. The ascent is a gentle but long along a river surrounded by sharply jagged mountains. We can enjoy sensational views of the stunning lake of Tso Moriri, as we reach the top of the Yalung Naula Pass (5400m). Some 20 kilometres long and surrounded by high, snow-capped peaks, Tso Moriri is one of the most beautiful lakes imaginable. The trail now starts a steep descent through a rocky landscape, with the latter half of the trail flattening out to reach the trek's endpoint, Karzok (4632m). The magnificent village of Karzok, located at a height of 4500 metres, is one of the world's highest inhabited villages. Changpa people reside here all year, and there is also a magnificent monastery with approximately 30 monks. Overnight stay in Korzok

Overnight - Camp

Day 13 - After breakfast, we will make an early departure back to Leh. We drive for about 7 hours from Tso Moriri to Leh, en route passing by another magnificent lake called Thatsang Karu. Our route also passes over Namshang la before the road descends along the valley of Indus. On the drive we enjoy the view as we drive along the Indus river from Upshi. Arrive in Leh by late afternoon. The rest of the day is free to rest or to explore Leh.

Overnight - Camp

Day 14 - After breakfast in Leh, we are transferred to the airport for our return flight to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi transfer to hotel for check-in. Rest of the day is free to explore the local Bazaars of Delhi for any last minute shopping to buy some souvenirs.

Overnight - Camp

Day 15 - Our tour of Rupshu Tsomoriri Trek comes to an end. It is time to pack your bags and head back with memories and experiences to last you a lifetime. After breakfast we drive to the Delhi Airport for onward travel.

Tour Ends