Eagle Eye Tours
Trip Code:- EETTL 0060.
Best Time:- June to Oct
Tour Duration:- 15 Days
Temperature:- 30°C to 4°C
Difficulty:- Moderate / Challenging
This trek is famous for its spectacular views of the mighty Himalaya and the Ladakh and Zanskar ranges. You will cross two high passes at elevations up to 5150m. The trails pass willow groves, alongside patches of wild roses and gets us through canyons beautified with multi-colored prayer flags, flapping in the breeze. You will have the opportunity to meet nomadic families as they herd their yaks, sheep, goats. On the way we visit a small monastery where butter lamps are lit in morning and evening by an elderly nun. All this will leave you with beautiful impressions of your journey through this gloriously illuminated landscape. The highlight of this trek is our camp at the base of Kangyatse massif peak (6400m,) dominating the wonderful meadows of Nimaling.
Day 01: Arrive in Delhi
Arrive in Delhi, transfer to your hotel for few hours of rest.
Days 02: Flight Delhi - Leh
Transfer to the domestic airport for your flight to Leh. Arrive in Leh and transfer to the hotel. This day is at complete leisure to get you fully acclimatized with the altitude of Ladakh. (3500m) Evening is free to explore the bazar. Overnight at hotel in Leh.
Days 03: Sightseeing tour to Matho – Stok –Shanti Stupa - Samkar
After breakfast we drive to Stok (14km) by crossing a bridge over the Indus river at Choglamsar village. In Stok, we visit the royal palace, constructed by the king Tsespal Tondup Namgyal in 1825AD. Inside the palace, you will see a great collection of ancient royal ornaments, thankas (scroll paintings) and old statues. After the visit, we drive further to Matho village, at about 10 km distance from Stok. This monastery was built by Lama Tumgpa Dorje in the 13th century. Two famous oracles (known as Rongtsan), (who were invited from Tibet by the founder of this monastery) still make their appearance during the annual festival of monastery. After visiting Matho, drive back to Leh.
In the evening, we visit the Shanti Stupa, which was a gift from the Japanese for world peace and got inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in 1985. We also pay a visit to the Sankar monastery in Leh. Overnight at the hotel in Leh.
Day 04: Full day sightseeing to Likir – Alchi (68 km)
Early morning after breakfast, drive to Alchi. Today we have a long journey on the program upon the Leh-Srinagar highway. On the way, we travel through spectacular and magnificent landscapes. We pass scenic mountain views and gorges and make a short stop before Nimoo, where the Indus and Zanskar river confluence. On the way we come across some of the most beautiful and charming villages of Ladakh. Further along our journey we make a stop to visit the monastery of Likir.
This monastery, founded in 1065 by Lama Duwang Chosje during the reign of King Lhachen Gyalpo, belongs now to the Gelugpa sect (yellow caps). The village is called after the monastery ‘Lu-khil’, what means ‘naga encircled’–a myth associated with the founding of this monastery. We visit this picturesque monastery, build on a hill top overlooking the beautiful village. After the visit, we continue our drive to Alchi. Alchi is one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh (11th century), founded by Rinchen Zangpo, the Great translator who came from Tibet with a mission to found 108 monasteries along the Indus river. The monastery is famous for its beautiful wall paintings and wooden sculptures, made by Kasmiri artists and contains the oldest fresco’s in Ladakh. Later drive back to Leh. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Drive Leh – Spituk then Trek to Zingchen (4/5 hrs trekking)
Early morning departure for Spituk, which is about 7km away. We visit this Gelugpa sect picturesque monastery built on a hill top in the 11th century, and enjoy the wonderful views over the Indus valley. The next stop is the starting point of our trekking, and we launch with a gentle trek upon vast open terrain. We continue walking along the upstream small river as far as Zingchen (small village). The afternoon is free to explore the village and we will visit some local houses. Overnight at camp.
Day 06: Trek Zingchen – Base of Ganda-la (5/6 hrs.)
We leave our camp after breakfast for the Base of Gandala. We continue our trek along the well-defined route that leads us more and more away from the river. Gently we climb up till we reach Rumbak. We pass the village, cross the river and then gently walk up along the right side. We will pass the a small village which contains just one house, Yurutse, and then walk further up while the path gradually ascent to the Base of the Gandala pass. Overnight at a high altitude camp. (4500m)
Day 07: Trek Gandala Base – Gandala (4900m) – Skiu (5/6 hrs)
We start right from the camp, and gradually ascend on a zigzag path to the pass. From the top, we will have a spectacular view of the mountain landscape. We cross the pass and gentle descent down into the valley. We pass Shingo village with its stunning gorge. The path leads us deeper into the valley until we arrive at Skiu village. In the afternoon we pay a visit to the village and the monastery and explore this remote village of Markha valley. Overnight at camp (3350m).
Day 08: Trek Skiu – Markha (6/7 hrs)
Today we have a long, but easy trek on our program, crossing a river with spectacular landscapes. We start our walk to the river banks of the Markha river. Along the river there is a stream of greenery full of willow, poplar trees and seabuckthorn bushes. We pass Chaluk village and continue towards the riverbank to cross, then a gentle climb will leads us to Markha (charming village). A nice campsite across the meadows near the river will be our stay for the night. (4280m)
Day 09: Trek Markha – Hanker – Thachungtse (6 hrs)
Today we will cross the river several times and we will pass across the beautiful mountain landscapes of the Markha valley. We leave our camp after breakfast for Thanchungtse and follow the clear trek route along the right bank of the main valley. We pass the monastery of Humlung and carry on along the right bank river as far as Hankar village. The valley narrows and goes higher and leaves us with panoramic landscapes. We cross the river once more over a wooden bridge and continue our trek further for few meters to reach at the pasture land of Thachungtse with colonies of marmots. Overnight at camp across the meadow near the Markha River. (4240m)
Day 10: Trek Thachungtse – Nimaling (4 hrs)
We leave our camp after breakfast for Nimaling and follow the clear route and continue up along right side. We start with an easy walk in the beginning which gradually ascend to a small lake. From the Lake, you capture the view of a wonderful and enchanting view of snow clad Kangyatse massif peak (6400m). We leave the lake behind us and continue an easy trek by following a path across a lunar landscape of barren terrain as far as Nimaling. This is one of the most enchanting and marvelous valleys in Ladakh ( 4700m) dominated by the spectacular Kangyatse massif(6400m). Here we will encounter several shepherds with their animals (Sheep, Yak, Baby Yak Cow, horse, Goat) grazing across the beautiful meadows. In the afternoon, we hike across Nimaling and enjoy the panoramic landscapes of the scenic Markha valley. Overnight at camp. (4740m)
Day 11: Trek Nimaling – Kongmaru-la (5175m) – Shangsumdo (6/7 hrs)
We continue our trek in the morning after breakfast and cross a stream over a wooden bridge. While we enjoy the wonderful landscape of the valley, we zigzag up to the Kongmaru–la (5150m). We get rewarded with an inspiring and wonderful view of Kangyatse and the enchanting Markha valley on one side and some imposing views of the Indus valley on the other side. During the day we will encounter a salt water spring, the charming villages of Chuskirmo and Chokdo and relax at our campsite in Shangsumdo with a campfire at night.(3450 m)
Day 12: Drive Shangsumdo – Hemis – Thiksey – Shey - Leh (58 km)
On our way back to Leh we visit Hemis, Thiksey and Shey monastery. We drive along the valley till Martselang village, from where we can discover the Hemis monastery, hidden behind the wonderful mountains. The great Mahasiddha Staktsang Raspa, along with the 35th king of Ladakh (Singey Namgyal) built this biggest, Drugpa sect ( Red caps) monastery in 16th century. After visiting this monastery of Hemis, Thiksey is the next monastery on our program. This Gelugpa sect (Yellow caps) monastery, picturesquely founded on a hill top by the great Lama Paldan Shesrap in 14th century. It provides imposing views of the Indus valley and the surrounding mountains and its snow clad peaks. It houses an exquisite large statue of the Maitreya Buddha (Future Buddha). Later, drive to Leh with a stopover and visit of Shey palace. The monastery is noted for its giant copper with gilded gold statue of a seated Shakyamuni Buddha. Overnight at hotel in Leh.
Day 13: In Leh
Day free, overnight at hotel.
Day 14: Flight Leh – Delhi
After an early breakfast at our hotel, transfer to Leh airport for your return flight to Delhi. Arrive in Delhi, transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, we visit Old and New Delhi. Late evening transfer to International Airport for your return flight to your home country.
Day 15: Arrive in your home country