Duration : 15 Nights / 16 Days
Destinations Covered : Delhi - Leh - Spituk - Zinchen - Yurutse - Ganda La - Skiu - Markha - Nimaling - Kongmaru La - Shang Sumdo - Hemis - -Thiksey-Shey-Leh - Delhi

Since 1974, when Ladakh first became accessible to foreign visitors, this high and arid region has captured the imagination of adventure travelers. This itinerary between Ladakh and Zanskar offers a large diversity of landscapes, from the jagged Kongmaru La pass (5000m) to the green oasis of the Markha valley with breath-taking views of the Korakoram snow-capped peaks. Many scattered high villages, each with irrigated fields of barley and potatoes, add color to this otherwise quite barren environment, and provide the chance to meet the Ladakhi peasants in the simplicity of their daily life. Markha will be an opportunity to visit the old monastery, famous for its paintings.

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
On arrival transfer to the Hotel. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 02 : Delhi - Leh (3500 m)
An early morning transfer to the domestic terminal of the airport for the flight up to Leh. This surely is one of the most sensational scheduled flights in the world, taking you right over the top of the Greater Himalaya before dropping down in a series of steep turns, to land at the small airport at Leh. Flight time approx. 1½ hours. You will be met on arrival and driven through Leh to check into the Hotel. Leh is at an altitude of 11,500ft/3,500m and therefore we recommend that the rest of the day be spent resting to help adjust to the altitude.

Day 03 : At Leisure In Leh
Again take it easy today and enjoy a tour around town. Leh is very Tibetan; the national dress, 'stove-pipe' hats and felt boots with turned-up toes are much in evidence. The Royal Palace, which dominates the town, is very reminiscent of the Potala in Lhasa and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, large chortens, prayer flags and mud brick houses with flat roofs are a dramatic culture change from the hot, teeming frenetic rush of Delhi. Don't try to do too much on this first day! Visit the palace,

Day 04 :
Sightseeing of Leh Palace, Sankar, Shey, Thiksey and Matho monasteries.

Day 05 : Leh - Spituk - Zinchen (3200 m) in 4h
We drive 10 km to Spituk from where we start our trek. We cross Indus river and enter in the Valley of Zinchen river. Near the village in the Valley we will have our first camp after 4 hr walk.

Day 06 : Zinchen -Yurutse (3844 m) in 5h
After by passing this beautiful stopping valley, we ascent up to 4900 m. by very steep zigzag, difficult footpath, by now it is 3 h. Now steep descent to summer pastures of Stok and follow the river which comes from Stok - Kangri massif. Overnight Camp.

Day 07 : Yurutse - Ganda La (4900 m) - Skiu (3510 m) in 6/7h
Yurutse follow path along the mountainside, then cross a small valley and follow zig zag steep path. Thereafter cross Gandala. Then long descent towards Shingo. After 2 Hrs. descent arrive in the valley of Markha and then after few hundred meters further will reach Skiu. Overnight Camp.

Day 08 : Skiu - Markha (3850 m) in 7h From Skiu, follow a good path on the right bank of Markha 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 Camp. Day 09 : Markha - Hankar (4000 m) in 4h Start 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. Overnight Camp.

Day 10 : Hankar - Nimaling (4650 m) in 4h
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. We climb pastures to reach Nimaling. This is one of most beautiful high valleys in Ladakh dominated by the Kang Yaze. Overnight Camp.

Day 11 : Nimaling - Kongmaru La (5150 m) - Shang Sumdo (3750 m) in 7h
Cross the Markha valley and follow long climb along the mountain side, then zig zag road 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, a beautiful camp in groves and there is a monastery an hour away from the village. Overnight at Camp.

Day 12 : Shang Sumdo - Hemis (3600 m) in 3/4h
Hemis is the most important monastery of Ladakh, 360 years old. The gigantic Tankha, one of the largest in the world, is displayed once in 12 years. Last was in 1992. Overnight Camp.

Day 13 : Hemis-Thiksey-Shey-Leh
We visit Hemis monastery, then drive to Shey Monastery. This one has a 7.5m copper statue of Buddha plated with gold, the largest of its kind. We drive to Thikshy Monastery, situated on a hill top. There are several temples and wall paintings of Buddha. Close by is the summer palace of the old raja of Leh. This monastery is 800 years old, Silver and Gold statues are seen in it. Overnight Camp.

Day 14 : Leh - Delhi by plane
Arrive Delhi and transfer to the Hotel. Day at Leisure, Overnight at Hotel.

Day 15 : Delhi Day at leisure
Safety day for your international flight.

Day 16 :
Delhi Hotel - airport transfer.