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Extreme Adventure Lamayuru Sham Valley

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Around 125kms.West of Leh, on a spectacularly beautiful road, lies the earliest surviving monastery of Ladakh, known as Yung - drung or the Swastika. On this trek there are several villages which stand among the richest in Ladakh. This particular terrain is known as Sham valley or Apricot valley. It is one of the oldest in Ladakh, and belongs to the Kargyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. For that extra adrenaline rush one can enjoy thrilling and adventurous biking from Tsokar to Tsomoriri Lake. To top it up one could enjoy white water rafting along the Zanskar River right from Chilling to Nimo.

It is known as “Baby trek”. The name is due to its lower altitude and the passes and comparatively less walking hours. One will notice how a stream of chilly water has led to an oasis of life amidst barren wilderness. Through the sham valley and the ancient kingdom of Sham, we discover the main Ladakhi monasteries and the wonderful sites surrounding them: Shey, Thikse, Hemis, Spituk, Phyang, Lamayuru and Alchi are all accessible by road, and Temisgang, Ridzong and Likir line the trekking route. The paths are of moderate difficulty and it does not rise above 4500m. The track crosses numerous villages where the people have kept their Tibetan ways and customs. A camera is a must for this tour and one can take it as a Photography trip also and shoot the landscape as well as people. We also have the option of staying in a local house during this trek as it traverses through some houses; specially appointed for village Homestay.

The trek involves a series of pass crossings and first day is the drive to Timsogam a small village and then the trek starts with ascending a slope which leads us to the pass crossing over the Rongthil la( 4,000m) and then another pass the Muptak la( 3,800m) is crossed and finally the large village of Hemis Shukpachan is reached. Next day’s walk is a level walk till the base of Tsermangchan la which is crossed after a gentle ascend at 4,600m and a further descend leads us to the village of Yangtang. Next days’ walk is also an easy walk and after crossing Chagtse pass at 4,200m descend to the village of Likir which is connected to road and houses a large monastery. Visit the monastery and then walk to the village of Rafta. Once we cross the Mandang la pass (4,100m) we will reach Umla and from here it’s comparatively an easy trek to the village of Taroo, which is a big village just behind the village of Phyang which houses an important monastery in Ladakh. As a matter of fact the Phayang festival which happens to fall in July is equally famous. From here we take a final drive to Leh.

Rafting:

A 3 hour adrenaline packed rafting experience on the Zanskar for the thrill maniacs. It starts down right from the famous Hemis monastery. You would float alongside the villages of the Indus Valley (the cradle of civilization) i.e. Stakna, Shey, Thiksey, Choushot with Choglamsar as the finishing point.

Biking:

Our move to include mountain biking holidays is an obvious step. This programme has now grown to include biking in the remote valleys of Lahaul, Ladakh, Kulu, Sikkim and the eastern Himalayas. The fully supported Leh - Manali bike ride is now an established classic, crossing three high passes, the highest being over 5600 mtrs, and with a total descent of over 10000 mtrs.

Day 01: Arrival at Leh airport

Take an early morning flight from Delhi to Leh. Check into a hotel and rest.

Day 02:

Visit - Shanti Stupa, and Sangkar Gompa. Take lunch at the hotel and rest in the afternoon.

Day 03: Leh- Lamayuru

Day trip to visit Shey and Thikse monasteries

Day 04: Leh to Likir to Yangthang 4-5 hours.

Drive to Liker, around 65 kms from Leh, on the Kargil road. Visit Likir monastery and then start trekking, reaching Yangthang following a route through Saspotse village and couple of small passes, Phobe La, 3600m and Chagatse La, 3650m. Stay overnight in camp.

Day 05: Wanla- Hinju 4-5 hrs

We will travel from Yangthang to Ridzong Gompa and then back to Yangthang (5 hours). After the breakfast proceed towards Ridzong. The path follows a stream and plantation of apricot and apple. Past a nunnery, the Ridzong monastery lies hidden in a small isolated valley bounded by mountains. After lunch walk back to Yangthang, overnight in the camp.

Day 06: Hinju – Sumda Doksa (4430 m) 5-6 hrs

Travel from Yangthang to Hemis Shukpachan which takes around 2-3 hours. Leave Yangthang for Hemis via Tsermangchen La, 3750m, a short and pleasant walk, arriving in Hemis Shukpachan by afternoon. For the rest of the day explore the village. Overnight stay is in camp.

Day 07: Sumda Doksa – Dung Dung Chan la base 4430 m (4-5 hrs)

We will trek fromHemis Shukpachan to Temisgam, a journey of 3 hours. We will proceed towards Temisgam via Maptek La, 3750m. Crossing the pass, fine view of Ang village opens up, trail follows down to Temisgam. Visit a ruined fort and a small monastery up on the hill. Stay overnight in a camp.

Day 08: Dung Dung Chan La base – Chilling 3550 m (5 hrs)

We will trek from Temisgam to Khalsay, which is a journey of 4-5 hours. We will walk down to Khalsay via Bongbongchan La, 3650m. Reaching Khalsay, we will halt at a popular stop for vehicles travelling between Leh and Kargil then continue up to Lamaryuru Gompa by jeep.

Day 09: Rafting from Chilling to Nimo (Grade 3) 3 hrs

After visit of the Lamayuru gompa return to Leh by road.

Day 10: Mountain Biking from Tsokar to Tsomoriri Lake

Full day of rest in Leh, or sightseeing on your own - Leh Palace, Tsemo Gompa.

Day 11: Tsokar to Puga via Polo Konka

Day trip to Matho and Hemis monasteries.

Day 12: Puga to Thadsangkaru

Day trip to Stok and Stakna.

Day 13: Thadsangkaru to Korzok.

Day trip to Kardung La, the highest road in the world at 18,372 ft./5600m above sea level with views of the Saser Spur, the easternmost outcrop of the Karakoram.

Day 14: Karzok to Leh.

Return flight to Delhi and departure.

Package Includes:

- Pick up from the Airport / Railway Station

- Breakfasts, lunches and dinners

- Airport transfers

- Group medical kit

- Good quality accommodation

- Trek pack including sleeping bag, down or fiber filled jacket and insulated mat

- Private transportation

- All park entrance fees and trekking permits

- Porters to carry all personal and group equipment.