Day 1
Start Delhi.
The tour starts in Delhi today. The group

ights usually arrive in the morning. There will be a welcome brie

ng but otherwise,

today is free to relax and recover from the

flight or for individual exploration of Delhi. Rooms in the hotel are usually available

after mid day.
Comfortable Hotel

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Day 2
Fly to Leh (3500m); rest of the day free.
A very early start today for the

flight to Leh. We often have to leave the hotel at around 2 am and drive to the airport for the

very early morning but highly spectacular

flight over the Himalaya to Leh. If the weather is good and the

flight goes on time
we should be in Leh early. The rest of the day is free to relax and acclimatise to the altitude (3,500m). In the morning we rest
and catch up on some sleep and in the afternoon there will be a gentle orientation walk of Leh and its bazaars.
Standard Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3
Exploring in and around Leh, visiting the town, palace and monasteries at Shey and Thikse.
Today there is a sightseeing tour to two of the major gompas in the area. We

rst drive to Shey, a former Royal Palace of the
Ladakh kings. Inside is a small temple containing a 350 year old copper and gold statue of the Buddha. From Shey we drive
(or we can walk across the

elds) to Tikse, where we visit the monastery - perched on top of a hill - its red and white buildings

can be seen for miles. A recently built temple contains a magni

cent image of the Future Buddha. We return to Leh and the

rest of the afternoon is free to explore.
Standard Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4
Acclimatisation walk in Leh Valley; optional jeep drive to the Khardung La (which at 5602m, is the
highest motorable road in the world).
Today we will have an acclimatisation walk round the Leh Valley. Set above Leh on the Namgyal Hill, are the ruins of the Old
Royal Palace. From here a winding path takes us to Tsemo Monastery, from where we are rewarded for our efforts by
magni
cent views of the whole of Leh and its surrounding villages. Descending round the back of the palace we walk via
Sankar to the recently built Japanese Peace Pagoda. This huge stupa overlooks Leh and we have stunning views of the town
and the Stok range of mountains across the valley. (There is the chance today to make an optional jeep safari to the Khardung
Pass; at 5,602m, one of the highest motorable roads in the world.The journey to the top of the pass and back takes roughly
4/5 hours in total and can be booked and paid for locally. Your leader will have details. (If you do the jeep safari this will be
in the morning and you can do a walk in the afternoon).
Standard Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast

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Day 5
Short drive to Jinchen; trek to Rumbak.
By now we should be well acclimatised, and we take a short drive from Leh to Jinchen. We drive past Spituk, the site of the
rst Gelugpa Monastery in Ladakh. There should be time to visit the monastery with its commanding views over the Indus
Valley. From here a new road takes us across the Indus towards Jinchen. We will drive as far as the road conditions allow and
to where our ponies will be waiting. After they are loaded up we start our trek into the Jinchen Gorge at the foot of the Stok
Mountains. The trail is straightforward as we follow the Jinchen Nala upstream. The valley closes in around us and
spectacular rock formations tower above us. An ever-changing panorama of fantastic coloured mountains surrounds us as
we ascend the valley. We may have to cross the river as the stream forces the path closer to the side of the valley. Suddenly
the valley widens and reveals the snow-topped peaks of the Stok mountains. Prayer

ags on a wide pasture mark the junction
with the trail leading to Rumbak village. Tonight's camp is below Rumbak village with stunning views all around - looking left
towards Rumbak a fantastic multi-coloured toothy skyline ridge appears in the distance. We can visit the village this afternoon
and maybe sample the local delicacy, salty yak buttered tea, in one of the many home stays.
Full-service Camping (sleeping altitude 3,880m)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance covered: 6 km / 4 miles
Activity (hours): 4-5
Day 6
Pass Yurutse village to reach the base of the Ganda La.
A short day today for acclimatisation. We head up the main valley past a watermill and to a bridge, which we cross. The trail
ascends the valley gradually and when the valley splits we take the right-hand fork up past the one house village of Yurutse.
Leaving the

elds behind we ascend towards the Ganda La and camp tonight by a small stream below the pass. In the

afternoon there will be an acclimatisation walk on the hills around camp.
Full-service Camping (sleeping altitude 4,539m)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance covered: 6 km / 4 miles
Activity (hours): 4

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Day 7
Cross the Ganda La (4970m) to Skiu in the Markha Valley.
A long day today as we cross our

rst pass. The trail is clear as it zigzags towards the pass. As we climb the views become
more and more spectacular. Behind us, Stok Kangri dominates the skyline. Finally, we reach the top of the Ganda La
(4,970m) decked with colourful prayer

ags and the views are worth all the effort. Ahead is the Zanskar Range and behind

are the Stok Mountains. Far below in the valley are the

elds of Shingo. As we descend keep an eye open for marmots and
blue sheep, both of which seem to thrive in these desolate, high altitude spots. The trail to Shingo is easy and in the main
season, there is usually a tea tent here, which may sell cold drinks. From Shingo, the trail takes us through a spectacular gorge
with beautifully coloured and eroded rocks. We continue down the gorge all the way to the small hamlet of Skiu. As we pass
through Skiu we can stop and have a look at a Women’s Eco Café that Exodus helped renovate as part of our Himalayan
Community Support. We camp either in Skiu itself or about 20 minutes beyond the village by the river.
Full-service Camping (sleeping altitude 3,360m)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance covered: 17 km / 10.5 miles
Activity (hours): 8-9
Day 8
Follow the river to Markha (3750m).
A fairly long, but easier walk today, as we trek along the valley to Markha. The terrain along the valley is not demanding so
there are plenty of opportunities to admire the magni

cent scenery. The colours of the barren mountains of Ladakh are truly
spectacular, pastel pinks, blues and greens shine in the brilliant sunshine and change colour dramatically as the sun rises and
sets.
We follow the river all day today and will have to cross the river a few times and although bridges have been built in some
places there will be some river crossings today. We will have lunch in Sara, where there is usually some welcome shade in a
tea tent. Beyond the settlement of Chalak, there is an impressive line of chortens and a huge mound of goat horns, which are
placed on the chortens to ward off any evil spirits trying to enter the valley. Climbing up to a small col we descend again to
the river and a mediaeval fort silhouetted on the hillside tells us that we have almost reached Markha. Just before Markha,
we will need to don our river crossing sandals for at least 2 river crossings.
Markha is only a small village and there will be time to explore the small monastery in the afternoon. Our camp will be on
grazing
ats near the village.
Full-service Camping (sleeping altitude 3,750m)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance covered: 20 km / 12.5 miles
Activity (hours): 8

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Day 9
Trek to Thachungste, visiting Tache Gompa perched above us en route.
Just beyond Markha, the trail meets the Chacham Valley. We will have one or two river crossings this morning. Just after the
river crossings is Tache gompa, set way above us on the cliff face. There is time to visit the monastery, which is the most
important in the valley and is af

liated to Hemis. It is a steep 10-minute climb up to the small temple but the stunning views
from the top are well worth the effort. Continuing up the valley we walk through Umlung village to Hankar where there are
more impressive fort ruins and a small gompa. We have lunch in Hankar at the Eco Cafe that Exodus has helped set up and
support as part of our Himalayan Community Support Projects. From Hankar the trail turns off from the main valley, climbs up
a small side valley past the ruins of Hankar Fort before dropping down to Upper Hankar. Climbing more we now follow the
Nimaling stream to Thachungtse where we camp. We may be lucky and see Blue Sheep (a type of wild goat) high up on the
grazing areas above the campsite.
Full-service Camping (sleeping altitude 4,250m)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance covered: 15 km / 9 miles
Activity (hours): 7
Day 10
Climb to the high plateau at Nimaling.
A short but quite tough walk today to Nimaling. The trail climbs steeply to a plateau where the valley opens out. Ahead are
spectacular views of Kang Yangtse, at 6,400m, the highest peak in the valley. In this area, there is no permanent habitation
but during the summer months, the shepherds bring their

ocks of sheep, goats and dzos (cow-yak cross breeds) to graze on
the high altitude pasture. The shepherds stay in stone shelters close to the grazing area for the whole summer and we can
often buy yoghurt or local cheese from them. In the evenings, the animals are brought down from the hills and it is quite usual
to have hundreds of them wandering through the campsite. Look after your edibles! We should get to Nimaling by lunchtime
and in the afternoon, there is an optional walk up behind camp towards Kang Yangtse. This is well worth doing and highly
recommended for the impressive close-up views of Kang Yangste.
Full-service Camping (sleeping altitude 4,854m)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance covered: 7 km / 4 miles
Activity (hours): 4-5

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Day 11
Cross the Gongmaru La (5286m) with views of the Ladakh Range.
A long day as we cross our second, and highest, pass of the trek. Our trail begins today by climbing to the Gongmaru La. It is
a fairly long, steep ascent zigzagging to the top of the pass at 5,286m, but the views from the top are worth the effort.
Looking back we see Kang Yangtse, Dzo Jongo East and West and Regoni Malari. Ahead there are views of the Stok Range
and down to the Indus valley. The descent is steep at

rst and we then enter a spectacular gorge and descend more gradually
with many small river crossings. High up on the barren cliffs we may spot the elusive Blue Sheep which inhabit this area.
Passing through Chuskurmo we continue our long descent crossing the river several times to the village of Chokodo. Today is
a tough one due to crossing the high pass and the long descent.
Full-service Camping (sleeping altitude 3,980m)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance covered: 18 km / 11 miles
Activity (hours): 8-10
Day 12
Finish the trek near Hemis; visit the monastery and drive to Leh.
This morning we drive to Hemis Monastery though very occasionally the road gets blocked and our transport cannot make it
so we will then need to walk down the jeep track to Hemis. Hemis was once the largest and richest of all the Ladakhi
monasteries. A wander round the dimly lit temples containing grotesque yet beautiful masks and statues will take us back
hundreds of years in time. We then drive back to Leh and the comforts of a hot shower at our hotel. We should get to Leh for
lunch and the rest of the day is free for last minute sightseeing or shopping in the bazaars.
Standard Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 13
Fly to Delhi.
We
y from Leh to Delhi. The rest of the day is free for individual sightseeing in Delhi.
Comfortable Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast

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All ascents, descents and distances listed above have been measured by our local partners or tour leaders. Please note that
different GPS measuring devices can give differing results dependent on the barometric pressures at the time. Measurements stated
throughout these trips notes are given to help you understand the types of terrain and distances you will encounter.
Please note: it is possible that the order of the itinerary listed above will be changed to ensure the best possible
conditions for each activity during the trip. All listed activities and services will be included. Your leader will inform you
of any changes locally after assessing conditions.
Extend Your Trip
Golden Triangle extension
A visit to the incredible Taj Mahal and other great Moghul cities close to Delhi is an excellent way to begin or end a visit to
Northern India. The

ve-day Golden Triangle extension may be booked before or after your main itinerary or both options
might be available depending on the trip start and end location. The Taj Mahal in Agra was built by the Moghul Emperor
Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631, and is one of the most beautiful sights on
earth. Close by is the imposing Red Fort of Akbar with its beautiful courtyards and palaces and let's not forget the deserted
royal city of Fatehpur Sikri. The extension also visits the Pink City of Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan, which is one of the most

attractive and colourful cities in India. The detailed itinerary and if pre or post tour is available can be found here (/india-
holidays/trip-extensions/golden-triangle-extension/xbs).

Accommodation
Hotels & Camping
Altitude charts
TGR Altitude Chart
Day 14
End Delhi.
The tour ends after breakfast today.

Meals included: Breakfast