Spiti Monastery with the Ladakh Range towering behind | Richard I'Anson
Spiti Monastery with the Ladakh Range towering behind  | Richard I'Anson
Descending from the Zalung La pass in Ladakh  | Brad Atwal
Visiting Ladakh during a festival provides unique experiences  | Richard I'Anson
Trekking towards the Markha Valley  | Brad Atwal
Crossing a bridge in the Markha Valley, Ladakh  | Brad Atwal
The Hemis Monastery during the Hemis Festival  | Brad Atwal
Trek across the Zalung Karpo La and beyond the Markha Valley, where you are unlikely to see other trekkers  | Brad Atwal

Hidden Valleys of Ladakh

Explore the untrammelled trails of Ladakhs sublime landscapes & attend Hemis Festival

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 13 reviews

17 Days from

$ USD

Trip Code: HVL
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Hidden Valleys of Ladakh tent only single supplement
$160 USD
Hidden Valleys of Ladakh Single Supplement
$500 USD

Duration

  • 17 Days

Activities

  • 9 day trek

Accommodation

  • 6 nights hotel
  • 10 nights camping

Meals

  • 15 Dinners
  • 15 Lunches
  • 16 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

5 / 10

Moderate

Trip highlights

  • Explore trails and passes linking the Indus Valley to the remote region of Rupshu.
  • Traverse the Zalung Karpo La and take in the jagged ridges of the Zanskar range.
  • Attend the celebrated Hemis festival.
  • Visit traditional villages at Shang, Chogdo and Hanker.
  • Wander the ridges above the vast waters of Tso Moriri.
  • Savour our fully supported trek staying in a remote campsites.
  • Visit ancient monasteries and forts in the upper Indus Valley.
  • Explore the labyrinth of alleyways, vibrant markets and palaces of the vibrant capital of Leh.

Overview

An outstanding introduction to trekking in Ladakh. We explore the rugged and remote corners of Ladakh mountains taking in unrivalled views of the Zanskar Range as we head to the vast region of Rupshu and the serene waters of Tso Moriri that extend to the borderlands of Tibet. Our trek is timed to attend the celebrated Hemis festival while our days in Leh afford ample opportunities to explore some of the less visited monasteries and forts reflecting Ladakh abiding cultural affinity with Tibet.

Itinerary

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On arrival in Delhi, you will be met by a World Expeditions representative and transferred to your hotel. Settle in and take some time to unwind, allowing yourself to adjust to the pace of India. If you arrive earlier in the day and wish to explore, we can assist with optional sightseeing arrangements. As group members arrive at different times and there is an early departure to Leh the following morning, there is no formal group briefing in Delhi. Instead, you will receive a welcome letter at the hotel outlining key information including the departure time from the hotel the next day, flight details, any additional arrangements made, and the name and contact details of your group leader, who will meet you in Leh. Your World Expeditions kit bag will also be issued in Delhi, with all remaining equipment provided during the main briefing in Leh including the distribution of sleeping bags, liners, insulated mattress and down jackets. Note: As an alternative to arriving in Delhi on a late night flight, you may wish to consider arriving the day before the trip commences. Please talk to your World Expeditions reservations consultant or your travel agent for pre-tour accommodation options. Overnight: The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa or similar

Meals: Nil

We board the early morning flight from Delhi to Leh where you will be rewarded with spectacular views across the Great Himalaya and Zanskar ranges. On arrival in Leh it is essential to rest and start the all-important acclimatisation process. Our schedule today is flexible. We include a walk to the main bazaar and adjacent alleyways to gain a sense of Leh’s rich historic past. We can also wander to the nearby chortens at Changspa (situated close to our hotel) that are said to have been established over 1000 years ago – many centuries before Leh was founded. Overnight: Hotel Omasila or similar

Meals: B,L,D

In Leh we visit the Kings Palace to appreciate its reconstruction undertaken over the past twenty years. The Sikh Road Museum also located in the Old city of Leh provides further insights into Ladakh’s proximity to the Sikh Road and Leh’s Trading relationships with Kashgar and Yarkand. By contrast, a visit to the Snow Leopard Conservancy offers invaluable perspectives into the snow leopards survival as well as other endangered wildlife species including the iconic Marco Polo sheep, the Ibex and the Pallas Cat. Overnight: Hotel Omasila or similar

Meals: B,L,D

We include visits to Shey Palace – the capital of upper Ladakh until the Royal family moved to Leh in the 17th century. We also visit the nearby Tikse monastery perched on a sugarloaf mountain overlooking the Indus Valley. The monastery reflects an important link in Ladakh’s Tibetan Buddhist history as evidenced in the main Assembly hall as well as the multi denominational chapel built in the 1980’s and proof of the continuing vitality of Buddhism in Ladakh. While Tikse is one of the most visited monasteries in Ladakh we also visit the less frequented Matho monastery on the far side of the Indus River to gain a more serene perspective of Ladakh’s enduring Buddhist heritage. On return to Leh we can also ascend to the Shanti Stupa to help our fitness regime as well as gaining a further perspective of the upper Indus Valley. Overnight: Hotel Omasila or similar

Meals: B,L,D

We drive to Hemis monastery (passing Shey gompa and Alchi monastery) before joining the throng of Ladakh villagers who are attending the annual masked dance festival. The two day festival (we attend the first day) commemorates the India sage Padmasambhava who introduced Tantric Buddhism to the Himalaya in the 8th century. The festival consists of an elaborate series of masked dances depicting the life of Padmasambhava and the moral victory of knowledge over ignorance. The festival is attended by a large congregation of Ladakhi people from throughout the Indus Valley. Besides the festival’s religious significance it is a time to renew acquaintances reflecting much of the contemporary culture life of Ladakh. The festival ends by late afternoon giving us time to complete the short drive to Shang village and trek to Shang Phu. A full on but highly rewarding day. Overnight: Campsite

Meals: B,L,D

The serene meadow at Shang Phu is perfect to rest and acclimatise and explore some of the adjoining ridges that afford panoramic views of the Ladakh Range. Overnight: Campsite

Meals: B,L,D

We head over a high ridge leading from Shang Phu to the base of the Gyuncho La. The pass is not unduly demanding before the trail winds down to the village of Chogdo. After a welcome break on the outskirts of the village we ascend to the nearby camp at Chuskyumo (4080m). Overnight: Campsite

Meals: B,L,D

We slowly ascend an impressive gorge leading to the base camp below the Gongmaru La. That afternoon we ascend further towards the pass to gain panoramic views of the Indus Valley while acclimatising for the next stage. From the camp we may also see marmots (Himalayan hyrax) and possibly blue sheep while birds of prey hover in the thermals in search of prey. Overnight: Campsite

Meals: B,L,D

An exhilarating stage. From camp it will take less than two hours to ascend the trail that zig zags to the pass which is clearly identified with colourful prayer flags offering homage to the gods or La’s that guard the pass. From the pass there are wonderous views that extend across the many 6000m peaks as far as the eye can see – including the 6000m peak of Kangyatse. We descend to the vast Nimaling plains where villagers from Hanker – the highest village in the Markha valley graze their yaks throughout the summer months. After a rest at Nimaling we descend to Hanker village and camp nearby in the serene valley leading to the Zalung La . Overnight: Campsite

Meals: B,L,D

From our camp we gradually ascend across the scant pastures, abandoned gazing settlements and ancient mani walls to our camp at the base of the Zalung La. En route there are several swift flowing stream crossings that may necessitate a change of footwear. Overnight: Campsite

Meals: B,L,D

From camp we enter a narrow gorge where snow leopard scats are regularly sited as we ascend steeply in places to the colourful prayer flags that define the Zalung Karpo La. From the pass views stretch across the vast Rupshu region with distant peaks that extend to the borderlands of Tibet. The trail then descends steeply to the valley floor to a delightful grassy camp at an abandoned site at Tsorka. Overnight: Campsite

Meals: B,L,D

After the vigour’s of crossing the pass this is a delightful stage. We enter a narrow gorge to reach a small river flowing from the settlement at Dat. The walk gradually ascends across grazing grounds and past impressive side gorges to the camp at Lagto Kamlung. Here the remains of impressive mani walls reflect a bygone era when nomads grazed their animals in this remote outpost of Ladakh. Overnight: Campsite

Meals: B,L,D

A full on day to complete the trek to abandoned settlement at Dat where we say bid farewell to our mule attendants and commence our drive to Tso Moriri. It will take the best part of 2 hours to reach the Manali to Leh highway before we continue across country to Tso Kar with possible sightings of the rare black necked crane. We continue over two passes and past Chang pa encampments (with their flocks pashmina goats) to reach the village of Kursoc, the headquarters of the Chang pa in this remote and wild region of Rupshu. We camp nearby in a sheltered grassy campsite. A long but exhilarating day. Overnight: Campsite

Meals: B,L,D

A full day to explore Tso Moriri and visit Korsac village. The day includes a range of options including walking to the shores of the lake and ascending the adjacent plateau that affords panoramic views of the entire lake that extends to the snow-capped Zanskar range (a reference to a map will confirm this is the Zanskar range that extends north of the Great Himalaya range to the borders of Nepal) We also visit Kursoc village and the small monastery established in the 18th century. Overnight: Campsite

Meals: B,L,D

An early start to complete the short ascent to the nearby plateau at sunrise. A fitting finale to our trek before we commence our drive to Leh. We follow a more direct route that heads directly to the upper Indus valley before we follow the course of the Lion River all the way back to Leh. Overnight: Hotel Omasila or similar

Meals: B,L,D

An opportunity to rest and wind down and complete your sightseeing and shopping and preparing for your early morning flight to Delhi. Overnight: Hotel Omasila or similar

Meals: B,L,D

An early morning flight to Delhi will afford more impressive views across the mountain ranges you explored the previous week. Trip concludes in Delhi. However, we recommend booking your international flights the next day in case of inclement weather causing your flight from Leh to be cancelled. Please contact us for accommodation options in Delhi or other arrangements you may have.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

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What’s included?

Included

  • 16 breakfasts, 15 lunches, 15 dinners
  • 3 hearty meals per day on trek prepared by our cooks
  • Airport transfers on Day 1
  • Expert bilingual guide
  • Group medical kit
  • Good quality accommodation in Delhi & Leh
  • The use of a World Expeditions trek pack which includes a quality sleeping bag, down or fibre fill jacket and insulated mat (valued at over US$500)
  • High altitude chamber
  • Private transportation
  • All park entrance fees and trekking permits
  • Mules to carry all personal and group baggage
  • Souvenir World Expeditions kit bag

Not included

  • International flights
  • Flights Delhi/Leh/Delhi
  • Lunch & Dinner in Delhi
  • Bottled water, aerated and alcoholic drinks
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Tips
  • Airport and departure taxes
  • Visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Airport transfer on final day

Reviews (13)

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