Chumathang To Yaya Tso Trek Overview
The trek from Chumathang to Yaya Tso Trek takes 6 days and the best time to do it is from Mid June to September. We drive from Leh to Chumathang in 4 hours. Chumathang is well known for its springs. It has medical importance but the use of water here is also done to wash clothes. The Chumathang village is not very far from the springs and a small monastery nearby can be a good place to explore.
From Chumathang we walk across the village, cross the animal pastures, get a chance to spot wildlife like blue sheep and marmots and take in some amazing sights of natural beauty. After 5 hours we arrive at Gangra. Next stop is Sumdo that takes 4 hours. Sumdo is where three valleys merge together. It is a sight to behold and surely a place to pitch up tents for the day.
From Sumdo we leave for Phayalung. It takes about 8 hours for the trek to complete. Climb to Choku La is pretty tough hence we start early in the morning. From Phayalung we trek to Yayatso. We come across several shepherds, a gorgeous flowing river, a desert plateau and then the village Yaya. The lake near this village is called Yaya tso. We drive down to Mahe halting to visit the nunnery and then go straight to Leh.
Day 01: A long drive from leh to Chumanthug.
The enjoyable drive beside the Indus river takes 3, 5 “ 4 hours. Chumathang is well-known for the presence of its Hot Springs. People visit the place for medical treatment “ or for cleaning their laundry. The township of Chumathang is situated 2 km west from the Hot Springs adjoined by a farmhouse as well. You can visit the monastery in the morning or in the afternoon which is just 20 minutes walking distance from the farmhouse.
Day 2: Trek from Chumathang to Gangra, 5 hours.
Arrive Chumathang and then walk all the way through the village following the valley upwards. The road is smooth and you will see numerous animals grazing, on the way along with marmots and kiangs. There is hardly any shortage of water on the way and you will get end number of places to camp.It is a great view to look at from there.
Day 3: Trek from Gangra to Sumdo, 4 hours.
Visitors, who were tired with the previous days journey, can relax today as today there is less of stress. One can spend the day just relaxing in the sun. You can also visit the trail beside the Chumathang River on the way. Todays destination is sumdo, is an intersection of 3valleys.Since it is little high in elevation, the oxygen content is less and thus one should walk at a slow pace. Animals like marmots, yaks an Lyangs can be spotted on the way.
Day 4: Trek from Sumdo over Choku-la to Phayalung, in 8 hrs.
Choku la is a great place for trekking and one has to wake up early in the morning to cross this mountain range. On the way we would be going through a ridge, and a valley of Sumdo. There are number of valleys that one needs to cross on the way. This is one of the highest points of hiking and from here you can enjoy the beauty of the nature. After climbing over a ridge one would reach the Sheppard place.
Day 05: Trek from Phayalung to Yayatso, 5 hours.
One can view numerous Sheppard who are grazing their sheep beside the river. You would reach to a desert plateau named as Lhato and also a gorge on the other side of the river. One can enjoy the beautiful view of the Yayatso enclosed by meadows and lakes.Yayatso is a lovely lake in this area. You can spend your day, camping beside these rivers.
Day 06:
One could also trek their way to mahe however car is also available for people who would not prefer walking. There is a famous nunnery on the way which is a great place to visit.From mahe visitors can also go to the Chang Thang area, Nyoma or Muth, or directly advance towards Leh.
