Rupshu Valley, a high altitude cold desert that lies southeast of Leh is the western extension of the Tibetan Plateau. Previously closed to visitors, this region offers some of the most amazing scenery to be found in Ladakh. It is a land of monasteries and high passes, dissected by numerous mountain ridges and traversed by a number of ancient trading routes. While on this trek, one venture in a mineral wilderness where only a few nomads live, totally reliant on their yak and sheep herds for their subsistence. Rupshu is an integral part of the Chang Tang, Tibet's 600-mile-wide, 15,000-foot high northern steppes, of which it is the westernmost extremity.
Rupshu has majestic sweeping deserts separated by narrow ranges with lofty passes offering distant views, and a hardy, wide ranging nomadic people called Changpas. Traders from Lahaul used to drive their caravans of sturdy mules across Rupshu into western Tibet, carrying goods such as salt, wool, cloth and costume jewellery and trading for gems, stones, hides, and wool. This trade existed almost till 1960s and Chairman of Adventure India was posted that time at Patseo to observe the trade and report to office situated in Punjab.
The lowest point in all of Rupshu is at 13,000 feet along the Indus River near the settlement of Chumathang. Within Rupshu valley, which is spread under 5500-square-mile area are the mighty peaks of Ladakh and Zanskar mountains, and several large crystalline lakes including Tsomorari and Pangong framed in wide basins between the two ranges.
Route detail & general observations:
Setting off our journey form Manali on our 18 days trek, we cross Rohtang-La (3978m.) pass to reach Darcha. We start with a rugged climb, while crossing the Baralacha-la (4890m.) and Morang-la (5300m) and enter into Rupshu region. From Dat we approach to the high Tibet plateau (Changthang). Arriving finally at Hemis, after crossing Kongmaru-la (5150m.) and we visit the Hemis monastery, which is one of the biggest and richest in Ladakh.
- International airport to hotel in Delhi transfer by small coach/ medium or large cars as per the group size
- Sightseeing/ monument visits as per the itinerary
- Delhi to trek beginning point and back to Delhi transfers
- Transfer to international airport in Delhi after the trip
- Transportation of porters, cook, kitchen staff to trek beginning point and back to their places after the trekking
Accommodation – city hotels with breakfast & remaining on full board
- Hotels as per the program
- Trekking duration camps with all meals
- Gala dinner at Delhi with expedition mementoes/ souvenirs
Staff
- Porters for the trekking part
- Cook and kitchen helper (01)
- Trekking guide (01) from trek beginning point to trek end point
- Local sightseeing/ city/ monument guide
Equipment
- Trekking tents for the members
- Trekking tent for cook+ helper and trekking guide
- Ground mattresses
- Kitchen tent, chairs, tables, stools, utensils, crockery and cutlery
- Toilet tents and toiletries
- Medical kit
- Maps and directions
Administrative assistance to the expedition team
- Cargo Management for big groups
- Insurance of the staff and porters for trekking trips like Kangla Pass
- Inner Line permits/ restricted area permits
The cost doesn’t include
- Air tickets of the expedition members
- Any kind of insurance of the clients
- Personal expenditures of the clients
- Helicopter rescue
- Personal sleeping bags and sacs
- Cargo handling charges
Skiing supplement
- If you want to ski down from some point, you can write separately.
Day 01: Arrive Delhi, where you will meet our representative who will drive you to your hotel for the night.
Day 02: Delhi- Chandigarh by train (3 hours)and drive to Manali (7 hours): Morning through a fast and comfortable train, reach Chandigarh and from there you drive to Manali. Reach hotel in the late evening.
Day 03: Full day sightseeing of Manali including Old Manali village and Naggar. We make a nice walk of about 2 hours in Manali valley to tune up with trekking exercise and relax for rest of the day.
Day 04: Manali to Sarchu (4000 M) drive: Morning start driving to Sarchu- a place at 220 Kms distance in Lahoul valley. It was a barren area but an inevitable night halt for the travellers on the way to Leh from Manali because it falls just in the middle of distance. Till 1998, there were just basic camping facility offered by the government but Adventure India has established the first luxury camp resort here with a charitable hospital in 1998 to serve the foreign travellers (those days hardly any Indian tourist used to move on this trail). We cross Rohtang La and stop at Keylong for lunch and drive further to Sarchu through second high altitude pass of Baralacha La. Reach Sarchu and stay in comfortable camps for the night.
Day 05: Sarchu Bridge to Tak (3980 M): Morning we start our trek to Rupshu Valley from Sarchu by crossing Sarchu Bridge and enter into Ladakh region. We trek for a short distance from the bridge and reach to Tak, our first trekking campsite.
Day 06: Tak- Morang La (5300 M) - Daktho (7 hours): Today is a long ascent towards Morang La 5,300m from Tak camp. After reaching to the pass, there is a gradual descent in the valley. We walk and cross this valley and enter into a beautiful plateau. We keep the river down to the right and reach to our campsite.
Day 07: Daktho to Yabook: Morning we leave camp after breakfast and start our trek on the right bank until reaching Lun. Further cross a valley on the right then trek for about one and half hours to north. We open our lunch boxes and continue following the same valley to reach Yabook. This is a village populated by Tibetan nomads. The place offers a wonderful campsite with several low stonewalls.
Day 08: Yabook- Lungmo Che (4550 M & 6hours): This day we have a gradual walk towards Sangtha village. After the village, the sources of water decreases, so need to fill up our water bottles well. There is a beautiful pasture on the way where we can spend some time and have our lunch. After lunch, we take right turn and approach in another valley which has a river coming down; we walk up along the river to reach our campsite, Lungmo Che. Lungmo Che is the summer village in Tibetan which probably is the place for the nomads to come up in the summers with their animals to live.
Day 09: Lungmo Che – Yar La (4950 M) – Dat (6-7 hours): We have another pass to cross this day and gain more heights. Morning after breakfast, we start from Lungmo-Che having a gradual climb for about two hours to reach Yar La. This is the reward of our trekking journey that the pass opens for us a fantastic and wonderful view of the huge Rupshu region. There is no tiredness but the pleasure of exploring the breathtaking nature; the feelings connect one to the date back history of this area and the present life of Changpa Nomads, what has changed, may be rare. There are few documentaries published by discovery channel, worth to see on Changthang. On the way, we pass through Dango village and finally arrive Dat (4200m.) A Gelukpa monastery can be visited in Dat in the evening.
Day 10: Dat to Sorra (4200 M): Morning at Dat is memorable when you see the local activities, we start trekking to our next destination, Sorra which is about 5 hours distance from here. The valley becomes very broad and the route passes through several Chortens (Stupas) and Manis (stone carved with hymns of (OM MANI PADME HUM). After two hours we leave this valley and take right to enter into Sorra. We cross the Sorra Chu (Chu- a small river). The combination of Sorra Chu and Dat Chu frame Chang Chu at this place, which later in Zanskar River. After crossing wonderful woody gorges, we arrive at the campsite of Sorra for the night.
Day 11: Sorra- Zalung Karpo La (5150 M) - Langthang Chu: Today we horizontally walk on valley floor, then ascent towards the pass. The route is rough and the walk over stones is little challenging. It will take about 4-5 hours to cross the pass and later we walk towards downwards but the trek continues having ups and downs of route. Finally we reach to a large stream and after crossing it, the moraine starts. The walk on moraine is quite interesting and we reach our campsite in the evening.
Day 12: Langthang Chu- Hankar Sumdo (3950 M): The day is wonderful when we trek from Langthang Chu to deep in the valley and enter into Hemis High Altitude National Park. This park is spread in an area of 3350 square kilometres and inhabits number of species of wild animals, like Ibex, Snow Leopard, Blue sheep, Ladakh Urial, Giant Sheep, Wild Dog, Marmots, Golden Eagle, Partridge and Bearded vulture. We reach Hankar Sumdo and camp near the stream.
Day 13: Hankar Sumdo- Nimaling (4700M): From here the path is well marked. We ascend along the stream for few minute and pass through a small lake. After crossing a pasture, we arrive at Nimaling. It is the most beautiful valley in Ladakh region and a center of our relaxing holidays in Ladakh. The great view of mountain peak Kang Yatse (6400 M) dominates the valley and adds the beauty to large green valley of Nimaling.
Day 14: Full day at Nimaling- either to relax or walk towards Kang Yatse
Day 15: Nimaling- Kongmaru La (5150 M)- Shang Sumdo: We leave Nimaling and continue trekking to Shang Sumdo. The initial walk is a zigzag climb to Kongmaru la for about two hours. We crossing pass and have a steep descent. Further we trek for about 3 hours along a stream and enter into a gorge. After the gorge we continue walking in the left banks of Chukirmo. From here the valley again becomes broad and with easy descent along the river to Shang Sumdo. Shang Monastery is situated at a distance of about 3 Kms from the campsite and we can plan to visit if time allows.
Day 16: Shang Sumdo- Hemis (trek) - Leh (drive): Morning we start walking on the riverbed on a good path. Passing a small house, we arrive Martselang where on left side we witness a series of big Chortens and Manis. Passing through it, we have a gentle climb to arrive Hemis. Hemis monastery is biggest and richest in Ladakh region. We visit the monastery and sit in the cars after several days of trekking. On the way, we visit Thiksey and Shey Monasteries and reach Leh hotel.
Day 17: Excursion around Leh: We visit Phyang, Spituk and Sankar Monastery this day and scroll on Leh market to see the life and buy souvenirs.
Day 18: Leh- Delhi (domestic flight)- home (international flight): Morning transfer to Leh airport for a spectacular one hours flight to Delhi. On arrival, you will be driven to your hotel for the day and evening after hosted dinner, we escort you to international airport to take your flight back home.
Essential Information for climbing & trekking
Getting there: Your nearest international airport is Delhi where you will meet with our expedition manager. After essential visits to IMF and cargo (if required), you will be escotrted towards the initial point of your adventure as per the program details.
After the expedition, you arrive back to Delhi. After de briefing and farewell ceremony, you will be driven to international airport to board flight back to your home.
Airtickets: We have our partners in almost every foreign countries, so if you need any assistance in your air tickets bookings, you are always welcome to speak to us to know about our partner close to you.
Cargo Management: We have strong tieups with the cargo management companies to get your consignments clear timely in Delhi. In maximum cases, you will only need to spend just 2 hours for getting your consignmwent delivery. Once you send the documents and the boxes details, we start locating them in India.
Insurance : It is a condition of joining our trips that you must be adequately insured. All persons are expected to arrange their own insurance. Polices should cover any potential risks involved in such adventure.
Our hotels and camps: We offer you best economy hotels in cities and towns and till base camp we provide you very comfirtable tents with maximim possible faciltiies in the mountains.
Adventure India briefing: We have excelent maps, images and movies of majoriety of our adventure expeditions/ joiurneys and sports. A short briefing in our offices is highly recommended so the team understands logistics, forecarst problems and know where the solutions would be. We stress on planning, planning and planning in any adventure expediton and till now we have remained successful in all of our expeditions just because of our planning. So we need you to be an active part of it.
Rescue and helicopter evacuation: if the expeditons are well planned, rescue operations can be avoided. In the history of 14 years, we didn’t encounter any seviour requireemtn of rescue but still we can tie up with the agencies to provide helicopter evacuation on your request and willingness to pay the charges.
Peak booking formalities: already mentioned in detail in our mountaineering formalities in India link. For necessary applications either you can check the website of IMF or speak to us.
Ground transportation: We provide the ground transportation compriseing of best available cars/ copaches in fine roads and rough trucks in remote areas of the Indian mountains.
Porters and ponies: We provide ponies till base camp and HAP/ LAPs as per the requirement of the expedition.
Fuel and gases: Fuel (aftwer BC) is not a part of cost included section, but we will manage Butane / Butane propane gases for you on your timely request.
Trek & BC food : We offer a mixture of Vegetarian and Non vegetarian food till BC including the several herbs we have individually discovered with the medicinal values and capacity to keep the body warm. We have cooks who make Korean, Japnese and Continental food along with Indian food.
Our guides & instructors: Our guides are basically trained till BC trekking and support to establish BC. But our instructors do have good experience of mountaineering who can join the expeditions to higher levels too.
Ground Support system: We have fantastic ground support system developed in collaboration with the local people of nearest villages, army camps, porters and local guides. We have re discovered the use of traditional communication system also along with the setellite phones to stay in touch with the groups after BC. Our BC staff is trained to keep information of the groups at ABC and between and act as per the situation.
Cost Includes & not: The cost includes all hotels, guest houses, camps till BC, food till BC, ponies, porters, LAP/ HAP, food & tents for the porters, cooks and staff at BC, insurance of our permanenet staff, food for LO, cargo management, all transportation, all sightseeing, liasioning and coordination, trekking guides and BC management. The cost doent include IMF fees and environment levies, State Government fees and environment levies, porters insurance, clients air fares, helicopter evacuation, extra porters requirement from the BC, extra days at or above BC and any expenditure on personal level including clients insurance/ visa etc.
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