Lamayuru to Rupsho Trek

More Images

Lamayuru to Rupsho Trek has a very interesting route beginning at the famous Lamayuru monastery; you walk up the less travelled Ripchar Valley with its small villages, nomadic settlements and pastures where you see a wide variety of flowers and many species of birds from the end of July to end of August.

In this trek we will cross from some of the high passes with excellent views of the Karakorams and the Zanskar mountains. The initial part of the trek ends at Chilling, a small village and the only one where Ladakhi metal work is carried out. From Chilling, we cross the river by a cable pulley. A different set of ponies are on the other side of the river to carry our gear. We then continue on to Markha Valley - considered one of the most beautiful valleys in Ladakh.

Here, we pass through several Ladakhi settlements and observe their lifestyle. Several river crossings are involved, but these are not dangerous. Crossing several more passes, through gorges and wide open pastures, we end the trek at Matho village. Here we visit the monastery built on a hill between Stok and Stakna, the only monastery belongs to the Sakyapa order. It is worth visiting this monastery also for the beautiful view that it offers of the valley.

Day 01: Leh – Lamayuru 3420m – Wanla 3250 m (3 hrs)

We will leave Leh by taxi in the morning for Lamayuru, following the Indus River through Sham Valley. After visiting Lamayuru monastery, we will pack our backpacks and set off for our first day's adventure. We will follow a stream for some time, and gradually climb up to the pass of Prinkti La (3750m). We will later pass through the small village of Shilla (3700 m) before reaching our campsite at Wanla (3250m), where we will spend the afternoon either relaxing in the sun or visiting the monastery.

Day 02: Wanla – Hinju 3720m (4-5 hrs)

Following a dusty road we will reach the small village of Phenjilla (3410 m) and the scattered village of Ursi. We will then walk through a narrow gorge until we reach a traditional Rangthak (flour mill) at the far end of the village. The trail will then cut through the village of Hinju (3720 m), roughly 2 km below our campsite in a yak herder's encampment.

Day 03: Hinju – Sumda Doksa 4430m (5-6 hrs)

From the encampment, we will continue along the trail and ascend the ridge below Kongskil La (4950m). If lucky, we will get glimpses of some wild life. We will then climb gradually until we reach Kongskil La, where we will be surrounded by dizzying views of the Karakoram and Stok ranges. The descent down the trail is quite steep, with loose moraine causing the difficulty. The trail then follows the left side of valley floor, passing a yak herders' hut (4500m), before we reach our campsite. This valley is occupied mainly by the villagers of Sumda Chenmo.

Day 04: Sumda Doksa – Dung Dung Chan la base 4430m (4-5 hrs)

After a short walk and a few river crossings, we will reach the village of Sumda Chenmo. From there we head towards the true left side of the valley, which provides us a beautiful view of the village, with its lush green surroundings. Further on, the trail cuts through the valley's wild rose bushes and leads us to another river crossing. This stream originates from the high snow-capped peaks of Photoksar (5685m). Before making a steep, challenging ascent over Lanak, we will see Edelweiss and some of the other rare wild flowers of Ladakh. From the campsite, there is a splendid view of Konskila.

Day 05: Dung Dung Chan La base – Chilling 3550m (5 hrs)

We will begin the day with a straightforward climb to Dungdung Chan La (4820m), which offers views of the beautiful vistas of the Stok Range in the east, and the Zanskar Range in the south. From the pass, the trail gradually descends down a ridge toward the valley, continually tapering before reaching the village of Chilling.

Day 06: One day rest at Chilling

Chilling is the only village in Ladakh that has provided metal works such as copper, bronze, tin, silver and iron to the Leh market through the centuries. From Chilling, we can have a light walk around the village and their lifestyles. Stay overnight at Chilling.

Day 07: Chilling to Skiu (5-6 hours)

After a light breakfast, we will begin our 2-hr ascend to Skiu. Views of the lofty Zanskar and Stok Ranges will leave us astonishing and crossing the Zanskar River by a trolley would be a life time experience. We can encounter wild life in the form of Blue sheep and Marmots roaming the hills. After a short rest, we will finish the day by hiking through a spectacular gorge before pitching camp at Skiu (3300m). Within this idyllic village lies an old monastery and ruins of an old castle (once a rest stop for the Royal family on their way to Srinagar).

Day 08: Skiu to Markha (7-8 hours)

Following the Markha River, we will hike through the lovely valley on a fairly level path. The trail crosses the river at various points, and passes through winter settlements that contain Lhatos (religious shrines for local deities) and Mani walls (stones inscribed with Buddhist prayers). During the peak season, a number of tented teahouses will be open, providing hearty refreshment. After crossing the river for the last time, we will arrive in Markha, the largest village in the valley, consisting of around 20 houses, an old monastery and a ruined fort.

Day 09: Markha to Thachungtse (5-6 hours)

The Markha valley trail continues past old stone-mills, a ruined castle and the auspicious monastery of Techa, which is proudly perched on a towering cliff that looms above Markha, well worth visiting if we have the energy levels left in us. The path intersects the river several times before cutting through the last hamlets in the valley. After leaving the village of Umlung, we will be afforded our first view of Kang Yatse (6400m), which will stay in sight until we cross Kongmaru La. After we break for lunch in the village of Hangkar (the last in the valley), we will press onward to the lovely green pasture of Thachungste, where we will camp.

Day 10: Thachungtse – Yakrupal (5-6 hours)

After the previous day’s strenuous walk, this day is easier as we walk through the remote Langthang valley, where few other trekkers go. It’s only the villagers from Markha, who use this valley as a pasture ground for their animals. From Thachungtse, we will follow the valley down until it divides, cross the river and follow the valley to the left along the Langthang Chu River. The valley down to the right leads to Markha. The Langthang River has a tendency to rise during the day due to the melting of snow in the mountains, and by noon it becomes a dangerous river to cross. An early start in the morning is therefore essential, as one has to cross the river several times.

Yakrupal is a nice, green campsite where we will have a good meal with the horses grazing alongside.

Day 11: Yakrupal – Zalung Karpo La 5200m – Khar (5-6 hours)

After Yakrupal, we will continue up the valley towards the pass of Zalung Karpo La. From the top of the pass there is a spectacular view of the Zanskar range on one side, while on the other, the highest plateau in the world appears: the Chang Tang plateau stretching far into Tibet, known as the land of the nomads. The trail down is steep and several river crossings will follow and will lead them to the beautiful and lush campsite of Khar, which will be our home for tonight.

Kharnak means “black castle” in Ladakhi, and, situated on a hill above the campsite, one can imagine the former palace of Khar where the king of Kharnak used to live. The ruins of this former kingdom still stand and the nomads believe it to be haunted. It is said that the nomads in Dat are descendants of the people who lived in Khar and they moved to Dat, three or four generations ago.

Day 12: Khar – Dat (5-6 hours)

A relatively relaxed day accompanied with a beautiful walk through wide, lush valleys even by Ladakhi standards.

At Tangtse Sumdo the valley divides – the left valley leading to Dat and the right into Zanskar, by the ‘Zhunglam trek’, where one will get one’s feet real wet due to the 80 river crossings! On the way we pass several nomad camps before reaching the tiny village of Dat, a settlement of stone huts and the winter headquarters for the nomads in Kharnak. Here they live from October to December and March to June. The nomads of Kharnak are colorful and joyful people moving together with their yaks and pashmina goats. In Dat there is also a Monastery, and when the villagers are away from Dat, one or two people ride back on horses every second day to light the candle here.

Day 13: Dat – Yar La 4950m – Lungmo Che (5-6 hours)

From Dat we enter the vast land of the Changthang plateau and follow a long, wide valley before taking one of the side valleys towards Yar La. In spring the nomads move with all their animals towards Zara and it can be an unforgettable sight to see 30-40 families moving with their yaks in caravans. It is an easy ascent to this pass. From here it is a short walk down to the pastures of Lungmo Che, where we will spend the night, surrounded by snowcapped mountains, grazing yaks and pastel light.

Day 14: Lungmo Che – Zara (5 hours)

The trail follows rolling hills towards Yagang, another settlement of stone huts belonging to the Kharnak nomads. A jeep road continues to Zara, the summer headquarters for the nomads in Kharnak. If we go for a visit up here, we will be welcomed with numerous cups of butter tea and probably be invited into the nomads’ black tents woven out of yak hair, after that we will meet with our jeep at Leh Manali highway junction and continue towards Tsokar Lake. Overnight stay is at Tsokar at nice calm camping site

Day 15:

We will trek from Tsokar-Tsomoriri lake 4500mts via Puga. Overnight stay is at Tsokar.

Day 16:

On this day we will trek for the entire day and hike around Tsomoriri lake.

Day 17:

We will drive from Tsomoriri to Leh by jeep (220 Kms 6-7 hrs drive). Stay overnight at a hotel in Leh.

Travel Facts:

Size of group: Min 3

Highest Point: Kongmarula 5250mts

Grade: Hard