.jpg?w=auto&h=600)
Saspotse To Skuru Trek Overview
This 6-day trek is best suited between mid June and September and its highest peak is Lagola. During this trip we are about to meet with locals and monks and visit monasteries and villages.
Through a pleasant 65km-drive intervening valleys and mountain ranges, as well as the Indus River, we arrive at Saspotse village, just behind Likir. Then, a 4-hour trek later, we reach the Lago La Base camp, after going through Shepherds Place. We will be trekking along SaspolTokpo, exploring TsoSermo before we start our 9-hour trekking for RakurukDoksa. On our way, we will pass Lago La, the TsoChingGongma River, the Zanskar Range and the Saltoro Range.
After arriving at RakurukDoksa we will take the Rakuruk-Skuru trek route and indulge ourselves at the gurgling waters or the streams, basins and rivers we pass by until we reach Khardong La. Finally, we will visit quaint villages of Diskit, Sumur and Hunder on the Nubra Valley.
This 6-day trek is best suited between mid June and September and its highest peak is Lagola.
Day 1:
Saspotse-Shephers Place (approx. 4-hour trek)
After driving for about 2 hours from Leh (65km) along the Indus River, we arrive at the village behind Likir called Saspotse (3,795m). At an altitude of 3,860m we find the only house of the village with a little gompa and continue the path to the North and through the valley, having the SaspolTokpo on our east. At about 4,345m, when we reach the river junction, we continue going west for about an hour and then ascend the ridge and reach Shepherds Places Camp at an altitude of 4,500m.
Day 2:
Shepherds Place-Lago La Base (approx. 4-hour trek)
A little ascending and descending is required when setting off to the North along the SaspolTokpo River. At an altitude of 4,600m you come across Zingog, a dried-up lake, which often serves as a water supply dam. Just 100m higher there is TsoSermo Lake and after an hours trek you reach Spepherds Place, which is abandoned. Cross a river and you will have arrived at Base Camp (5,000m), which is a beautiful place where 3 valleys meet and burst to gorgeous images.
Day 3:
Lago La base Camp- RakurukDoksa (approx. 9-hour trek)
Gradually getting in higher altitudes to the North for about 3 hours, we meet Tso Chiang Gongma Lake (5,180m) until we reach Lago-La pass (5,400m). Spectacular view over the Zanskar Range and Saltoro Range awaits, while in order to descend we have to go through a snowfield or glacier, which depends on the time of year of the trek.in lower altitudes the snow turns into gurgling water and flows down up to the valley and into Rhakura River.
At 5,100m you have a surprise waiting, with a huge violet-flower valley rolling out to you. Leaving behind many camping places on your way down you finally reach Rakuruk, and Shepherds Place Doksa at the meeting point of 2 valleys. Over the previous decades, the old track was covered with huge boulders that were brought down by landslides, which has made it a dangerous place for horses to walk. However, there have been attempts to restore the trek and make it easier for horses. Also, there are stone piles that allow trekkers to navigate easier through the boulders. Cross the last river and finally camp at an altitude of 4,720m
Day 4:
RakurukDoksa- Rakuruk (approx. 5-hour trek)
We follow down the west side if the Rakuruk River and please our sight with valleys spreading across, small pastures and filelds full of flowers and dense vegetation. When we reach Rakuruk village (4,040m) there are only 7 houses that apart the village and lots of water sources that add up to the quite sympathetic picture of the place with vegetable gardens and green-pea fields.
Day 5:
Rakuruk-Skuru (approx. 4-hour trek)
The river gradually becomes a gurgling-water gorge and we follow the small path. Notet hat fear of heights wont do any good in this place and you have to be sure-footed. As soon as the gorge opens up, we come face to face with the Nubra Valley and Skuru village, which is a 300-inhabitant village at 3,150m of altitude. Here, we can camp or rent a room in the family houses.
Day 6:
Extend your exploration of the Nubra Valley and visit nearby picturesque villages, like Sumur, Deskit and Hundar, or drive back to Leh (150km) through Khardong-La.
