Sham Trek 2010 With Markha Valley

EditRegionAround 125 kms. west of Leh, on a spectacularly beautiful road, lies the earliest surviving monastery of Ladakh, Sham trek the lower part of Ladakh, is known for its beauty & richness during the harvesting season. According to the legend, Lamayuru was once a lake, which miraculously disappeared by the hand of Lotsawa Naropa. The monastery at Lamayuru built in the 10th century is one of the oldest in Ladakh, & belongs to the Kargyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. This trek offers not only view of the many natural beauties of Ladakh, but also some of its most famous monasteries & the traditional lifestyle of the natives.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL DELHI
Upon arrival at Delhi International airport, meet and greet byy our representative, transfer to your prebooked hotel for rest of the night.

DAY 2: DELHI :
After breakfast hald day Old Delhi sightseeing visit Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Gandhi Memorial, Chadani Chowk, Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple and World peace pegoda, Rest of the time visit Government Build as India Gate, Indian Presedent Palace and Vijay chowk. Overngiht at hotel.

DAY 3: DELHI-LEH 3520M (Flt 9W-609 - 0645 hr - 0800 hr)
Early morning transfer to the Domestic Airport to board the flight for Leh. Upon arrival at Leh Airport our representative would assist you at the Airport & transfer to the Hotel for check-in. Rest of the day at leisure & acclimatization. Later in the afternoon a walk around Leh town (3520 m) & visit Leh Market, Leh Palace ruins, Sankar Gompa & Shanti Stupa. This walk shall help in getting acclimatized at this height. Overnight Hotel.

DAY 4: LEH-PHYANG-LIKIR-YANGTHANG (3650m) 5-6 HRS TREK  :
Morning commence drive to Likir en route visit Phyang gompa. Continuer drive to Likir (58 km from Leh), visit Likir Monastery than further drive to starting point of the trek. Likir Village (3650 mts.) is the starting point of our trek. Although the distance is short, the route is warm, without any shade or water and we need to traverse two passes. From Likir the route heads west up to Phobe La (3580m) and beyond this lies Sumdo village. The trail goes steadily upwards till you get to Chagatse La (3630m). Across the pass is the village of Yangthang (3650m) where we camp for the night, next to a stream. Overnight at camp.

DAY 5: YANGTHANG-HEMIS SHUKPACHEN, 3750 M, 4-5 HRS TREK :
After breakfast commence an easy trail, despite the pass because both the approach and the descent are of gentle gradients. The trail heads north, descending for a bit, crossing a stream before climbing up west again to Tsermangchen La (3750m). After a short rest at the pass we head down to Hemis Shukpachen. The village, named after the grove of cedars, is one of Ladakh’s prettiest. There are several sparkling streams surrounded by shady willows and large barley fields that provide a touch of green to the otherwise desolate, rocky mountains. Overnight at camp.

DAY 6 : HEMIS SHUKPACHEN-ANG 3250M, 5-6 HRS TREK :
Again this is a fairly easy day. The trail goes upward between two hillocks west of the village upwards until it veers south and climbs steeply up to the Mebtak La (3750m) marked by prayer flags. From the pass we head down the gorge to Ang, a charming village with apricot orchards, where we camp for the night.

DAY 7: ANG-THEMISGANG-NURLA: 3-4 HRS TREK-DRIVE LAMAYURU 3270M:
After breakfast start our easy trail to road head, it’s downhill all the way on to the main road. From Temisgam there would be a taxi waiting to take to you Lamayuru 2 hrs drive. Rest of the time visit Lamayuru monastery. Overnight at camp.

Day 8: LAMAYURU-WANLA 3250 m, 4-5 HRS TREK:
Today we pack our backpacks, watch the horses get ready, & set off for this our real adventure. A gentle trail leads up to the small pass of Prinkti La (3750 m) before heading down to the village of Shilla & the last 3 km to Wanla (3250 m). Here we set up Camp for the night & spend the afternoon relaxing in the sun or exploring the monastery in Wanla. Overnight Camp.

DAY 9: WANLA-HINJU 3720 m, 4-5 HRS TREK:
Today we follow a dusty road the small village of Phenjilla (3410 m) & the scattered village of Uri .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 herders' encampment. Overnight Camp

DAY 10: HINJU-SUMDA DOKSA, 4430 m, 6-7 HRS TREK:
Today we start walking from the encampment along the trail & ascend the ridge below Kongskil La. If lucky we will get glimpses of some wild life. We will then climb gradually until we reach Kongskil La (4950 m), where we will be surrounded by dizzying views of the Karakoram & Stok ranges. The descent down the trail is quite steep with loose moraine causing the difficulty, so be careful! The trail then follows the left side of valley floor, passing a yak herders' hut (4500 m), before we reach our campsite at Sumda Doksa (4430 m). This valley is occupied mainly by the villagers of Sumda Chenmo. Overnight Camp - Sumda Doksa.

DAY 11: SUMDA DOKSA-DUNGDUNGCHEN LA BASE (4430 m) 5-6 HRS TREK:
Today we again start walking & after a short walk & 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 a beautiful view of the village with its lush greenery. Further the trail cuts through the valley's wild rose bushes & leads us to another river crossing (this stream originates from the high snow-capped peaks of Photoksar (5685 m).Before making a steep challenging ascent over Lanak, we will see Edelweiss & some of the other rare wild flowers of Ladakh & finally reach the campsite at the Base of Dung Dung Chan La (4430 m). From the campsite, there is a splendid view of Kongskil La. Overnight Camp - Dung Dung La.

DAY 12: BASE OF DUNGDUNGCHEN LA-OVER THE PASS (4820 m)-CHELLING 3550 m 6-7 HRS:
Today we will begin the day with a straight climb to Dung Dung Chan La (4820 m), which offers beautiful view of the Stok Range in the east & the Zanskar Range in the south. From the Pass the trail gradually descends down a ridge towards the valley continually tapering before reaching the village of Chilling (3550 m). Chilling is the only village in Ladakh that has provided metalwork such as copper, bronze, tin, silver & iron to the Leh market through the centuries. Over night at camp.

DAY 13: CHELLING-SKIU, 3450 M, 7-8 HRS TREK:
Morning after breakfast cross the Zanskar river, commence the easy and gradual walking with ups and down and arrive in the valley of Markha and then after few hundred meters further will reach Skiu. Overnight in Tents.

DAY 14: SKIU-MARKHA, 3550M, 6-7 HRS TREK:
Morning start trek from Skiu, follow a good path on the right bank of Markha river where one can find great vegetation. Then cross right bank of river and cross through barren plain and arrive at Chaluk. Thereafter walk along the left bank of river and after another crossing climb towards Markha village. Good camp site beyond the village and near river. Overnight in Tents.

DAY 15: MARKHA-TACHUNTSE, 3900M, 6-7 HRS TREK:
Trek towards the main valley on the right bank. The path is sometimes difficult in the river bed and pass the monastery of Humlung. Then carry on trek along the right bank and arrive in Hankar where there are several houses. The path improves and cross a broad valley on the right side. The valley becomes narrow and higher and cross bridges on to the left bank and then reaches Tchatchuste. Overnight in camp.

DAY 16: TACHENTSE-NIMALING 4700 M, 5-6 HRS TREK:
Trek starts on good path and several small inclines. The river is rather far to the other side and walk near a small lake, then cross pasture to Nimaling. This is one of most beautiful high valleys in Ladakh dominated by the Kang Yaze. Trek ascent towards other side and gradually reach Nimaling. Overnight Camp.

DAY 17: NIMALING - KONGMARULA (5150 M) - SANG SUMDO, 3750M, 7-8 HRS TREK:
Trek Cross the Markha valley and follow long climb along the mountain side, then zig zag path leads towards Kongmarula. Follow steep descent into gorges and then keep walking on the left bank to Chukirmo. Thereafter crossing right and left bank and arrive Shang Sumdo village, a beautiful camp in groves and there is a monastery an hour away from the village. Overnight camp.

DAY 18: SANG SUMDO-MARTSELANG-HEMIS-LEH (4 HRS TREK & 2 HRS DRIVE)
Morning start the trek follow a motorable road till the Martselang where you will meet our jeep driver and continue drive to Leh en route visit the most famous and richeast monastery in the Indus valley "Hemis"  on arrival at Leh check in hotel for overngiht.

DAY 19: LEH :
Full day leisure for individual activities and shopping. Ovenight at hotel.

DAY 20: LEH-DELHI
Early in the morning transfer to Leh airport, take flight to Delhi, upon arrival meet to our representative, Rest of the time New Delhi sightseeing visit Qutab Minar, Humayuns Tomb and Lotus Temple. Later in time departure transfer to International airport board the onward flight back home. End services.

Price Includes :
*05 Nights Hotel on Bed and Breakfast Basis/ 14 Night Two men mountain tent on twin sharing basis on Full Board (All meals includes)
*A/c transportation in Delhi, Leh all sector drive and sightseeing by Non ac local Jeep (04 person in a jeep)
*Horses or Dunkey for carring the camping gear with clients baggages (20kg Maximum)
*Caping gear as Cook, Assistace, Camping boy,
*All Monasteries visit and nesserry Permit.
*English Speaking guide at Delhi/ Leh E. S. tour guide cum trek manager.

Price Does Not Includes :
*Any personal clothing such as sleeping bags, warm cloths etc.
*Any airfare or airport tax.
*All presently applicable taxes.
*Any insurance or claim due to natural calamities such as land slide, road blockage etc.
*Any expense of personal nature such as hard/soft drinks, laundry, phone/fax calls, tips etc.
*Any other expense not mentioned in the "Price includes".

Price Valid June 2010 - Sep 2010 Only.