Spectacular views apart, the Himalayan foothills are just ideal for trekking, offering energetic out-door people a different and exciting option for a holiday. The Garhwal and Kumaon regions of Uttaranchal and Zanksar and Ladakh of Jammu and Kashmir are the most popular destinations for trekkers, though Chamba and Manali in Himachal Pradesh have interesting trekking routes as well. Darjeeling and Sikkim in the east also have some trekking routes.
While trekking as a sporting activity does not require prior training or practice, except that the trekker should be in good physical condition, there are certain dos and don'ts which should be adhered to. Routes should be carefully chosen, as some treks may be more difficult, or may involve high altitude trekking. It is generally advisable to be accompanied by a local guide. Ensure that the pace of the trek is not too rapid, since this could result in exhaustion, and would in any case not be enjoyable.
The adventure season, which till recently, was confined to the summer months, now covers almost the entire year, including winter. This has been made possible by improved equipment and transportation, and the availability of year-round bookings in areas, hitherto, considered inaccessible. Moreover, winter treks are gaining popularity as a means of 'getting away' to relatively lower altitudes.
TRANS ZANSKAR 01 (Lamayuru – Darcha)
Season : July To September Last
Tour Duration : 26 Days ( 19 days trekking )
Temperature : Day time maximum 20-30 degree – night time 07 -15
Physic Hard
Trek Code : ADVT 07
Zanskar situated at an altitude of 3600 mt., not accessible than four month per year. From all directions high passes and deep gorges un passable isolate during the long winter. This beautiful trek starts from Lamayuru in the Indus Valley to Darcha in Lahoul across Zanskar takes nearly 19 days walking. During this trek we have cross as many as 9 passes. The highest pass in this trek is at the altitude of 5020 mt. During this trek we will come across many village and beautiful monasteries like Lingshed and Phuktal. People live still in tradition and foot path/horse are only means of transportation. The sketch programme of this trek will be as under:-
Lamayuru – Wanla – Hunupath – Photoksar – Youlchung – Lingshet – Snytse – Hanumur – Pishu – Karcha – Padam – Shilla – Raru – Kalbok – Purney –Puktal – Kargyak – Pankheya -Zanskar Sumdo – Palamo – Darcha.
TRANS ZANSKAR 02 (Lamayuru – Darcha via Nerag)
Season : July To September Last
Tour Duration : 26 Days ( 19 days trekking )
Temperature : Day time maximum 20-30 degree – night time 07 -15
Physic Hard
Trek Code : ADVT 08
In this particular trek we are taking another route after Youlchen which goes to Nerag and then joins the normal route at Pishu. As Lamayuru/Darcha trek is very popular with many tourists, this modified route will help you to explore some remote villages. During this trek we have to cross seven passes.
The sketch/detailed programme on demand
TRANS ZANSKAR 03 (Heniskut – Darcha)
Season : July To September Last
Tour Duration : 21 Days ( 21 days trekking )
Temperature : Day time maximum 20°c - 30°c – night time 07°c - 15°c
Physic Hard
Trek Code : ADVT 09
This trek gives you an experience to explore some remote area of Zanskar where only few tourist used to travel. For six days the route will be different than popular Zanskar trek which will give you an opportunity to visit some remote villages of Zanskar. In this trek we have to cross six passes. The sketch/detailed programme on demand.
SPECIAL TREK ON DEMAND
TRANS ZANSKAR 04 (Heniskut – Darcha via Lingshet & Nerag.)
Season : July To September Last
Tour Duration : 31 Days ( 23 days trekking )
Temperature : Day time maximum 20-30 degree – night time 07 -15
Physic Hard
Trek Code : ADVT 10
One more beautiful Zanskar trek with different route with more days of trekking. In this trek you will be away from normal popular route atleast for 13 days i.e. more than half and will have experience to explore some beautiful remote villages of Zanskar. During this trek we will cross eight passes. The sketch/detailed programme on demand
Lamayuru – Padam
Season : July to September Last
Tour Duration : 20 days ( 11 days trekking )
Temperature : Day time maximum 20 – 30 degree , night time 09-15 degree
Physic Hard
Trek Code : ADVT 11
This trek is most beautiful and adventures as we have cross maximum passes i.e. 8 passes in 11 days trekking. The trek starts from Lamayuru and ends at Padum (Zanskar) from where we will drive back to Leh via Rangdom and Kargil. In this trek we will spend first seven days in Ladakh and rest four days in Zanskar. The sketch programme of this trek will be as under:-
Lamayuru – Wanla – Hunupath – Photoksar – Youlchung – Lingshet – Snytse – Hanumur – Pishu – Karcha – Padam
Lamayuru – Alchi
Season : Mid June to September Last
Tour Duration : 12 days (05 days trekking )
Temperature : Day time maximum 23 – 32 degree , night time 10-15 degree
Physic Moderate
Trek Code : ADVT 12
This small trek within Ladakh is one of the moderate trek with less people and beautiful small villages. During this trek we will cross one Pass very steel at an altitude of 5250 mt. The panoramic view from the pass make you feel d’etre on the top of the world. In this trek we are going to visit one of the famous and oldest monasteries of Ladakh lake Lamayuru, small gompa of Wanla , Mangu and Alchi. These all four monasteries are built by great translator Rinchen Zangpo in 11th century. The sketch programme of this trek will be as under:-
Lamayuru – Wanla – Urste – Tar – Mangyu – Alchi
Lamayuru – Spituk
Season : Mid June to September Last
Tour Duration : 18 days (10 days trekking )
Temperature : Day time maximum 23 – 32 degree , night time 10-15 degree
Physic Moderate
Trek Code : ADVT 14
In this trek we will cross five passes in 10 days of trekking. This itinerary is very less frequented follows the beautiful small valleys and cross many passes offers the panoramic view. During this tour after having visited the Indus Valley you will discover not only Lamayuru but also small gompa of Wanla of the oldest of Ladakh built during the era of great translator Rinchen Zangpo. You will cross village of Hinju, Sumda and Chilling , where the Goldsmith make tea pots and chang pots in copper. En-route you will observe the life style of shepherds in their summer pasture making butter and cheese. The sketch programme of this trek will be as under:-
Lamayuru – Wanla – Hinju – Sumochenmo – Lanakla – Chilling – Tsortsi – Spanapulu – Gandala base – Zingchen – Spituk.
Lamayuru – Hemis ( Markha Valley )
Season : June to September Last
Tour Duration : 19 days (12 days trekking)
Temperature : Day time maximum 23 – 32 degree, night time 04-15 degree
Physic Moderate
Trek Code : ADVT 15
This trek links two most famous monastery of Ladakh through two mountain ranges, Ladakh and Zanskar. After passing five days though some beautiful villages like Wanla, Hinju and Chilling we will cross the Zanskar river by 80 meters cable car, After the crossing we will be meet by another ponies who will continue with us till the end of trek. At the end of the valley we will camp at Namaling 4600mt. beautiful plateau which is the feet of Kangyatse Peak ( 6400 mt ). Here the shepherd from the Markha valley lives during summer with their Yaks and Pashmina goats. To reenter into the Indus Valley we will cross a pass with an altitude of 5150 mt.(Kongmaru-la),which dominates the both valleys. At the end of the trek you will visit the biggest and richest monastery of Ladakh, Hemis. In this trek we will cross five passes. The sketch programme of this trek will be as under:-
Lamayuru – Wanla – Hinju – Sumdochenmo – Dundunchen – Chilling – Skiu – Markha – Hankar – Namaling – Shang Sumdo – Hemis
PANORAMA OF LADAKH (Shargol – Alchi)
Season : June to September Last
Tour Duration : 18 days (12 days trekking)
Temperature : Day time maximum 23 – 32 degree, night time 10-15 degree
Physic Moderate
Trek Code : ADVT 16
This itinerary permits to visit the lower Ladakh also the region is less known as it is far from Leh. Before reaching Shargol we will visit big rock carved statue of Maitrya Buddha of 2nd century. This shows that the Buddhism came to Ladakh even before Tibetan Buddhism was started. Shargol the starting point of trekking is the first monastery of Ladakh while reaching from Srinagar by road. In this particular trek we have to keep one or two days more in case of high water in Shilla to follow another route. For this trek we have to cross six passes. The sketch programme of this trek will be as under:-
Shargol – Serjing – Gyal – Yoma – Base of Timlila – Kanji – Shillakong – Hinju – Sumda Chenmo – Sumda Chung – Alchi.
Padam – Darcha (Manali)
Season : July to September Last
Tour Duration : 19 days (09 days trekking )
Temperature : Day time maximum 23 – 30 degree , night time 07-15 degree
Physic Moderate
Trek Code : ADVT 17
For the trek we have to drive right from the Leh to Padum via Kargil and Ramgdom on a hillock overlooking a wide marshy plain. In this particular trek we drive though Suru Valley. The Suru Valley, a greatly underrated part of Ladakh, runs for about 140 kms from Kargil up to the base of the Pentse-la pass (4401 m.) into Zanksar. Zanskar opened to motor traffic only in 1980 when a road was built. Virtually untouched by the winds of change and modernization till then. During our drive if we will be lucky enough we can see spectacular views of Nun & Kun and its attendant peaks. The sketch programme of this trek will be as under:-
Padam – Mune – Pipula – Kalbok – Puktal – Pueney – Kargyak – Pankeya – Zanskar Sumdo – Palom – Darcha
Hemis – Padum via Jumlang
Season : September
Tour Duration : 20 days (10 days trekking )
Temperature : Day time maximum 20 – 25 degree , night time 07-11 degree
Physic Moderate
Trek Code : ADVT 18
This itinerary is very less frequented/wild follows and we have to cross-river many times. The trek will be an ideal in September only when flow of water is low. Until Zangla during first seven days we will not see any single village. The sketch programme of this trek will be as under:-
Hemis – Shang Sumdo – Latza Kongmaru – Langtang Chu – South Camp – Tolut Sumdo – North Camp – Zangla Sumdo – Zangla – Karcha – Padam – Sani.
Marselang (Hemis) – Jugtak
Season : July - September Last
Tour Duration :22 days (11 days trekking)
Temperature : Day time maximum 15 – 25 degree, night time 03-10 degree
Physic Moderate
Trek Code : ADVT 19
In this beautiful trek you will explore another valley called Rupsu, which lies to the south east of Ladakh on the road from Manali to Leh, at an altitude ranging from 4000 to 5000 m. The valley is inhabited by a small scattered population of Changpas – Nomadic Shepherds who also engage in trade and work the caravans between Ladakh, Lahoul and Spiti. The area is rich in wildlife including the kyang (wild ass), red fox and the rare, highly endangered snow leopard. The sketch programme of this trek will be as under:-
Hemis – Marselang – Chuskirmo – Kungmurla base – Thachungtse – Zalungkarpo – Sorra – Dat – Lungmoche – Lun – Morangla base – Tsokmetsic – Jhuktak
Marselang (Hemis) – Tsomoriri via Rupshu
Season : July - September Last
Tour Duration : 24 days (13 days trekking)
Temperature : Day time maximum 10– 25 degree, night time 04-10 degree
Physic Moderate
Trek Code : ADVT 20
The trek containing the drainage basins of Tso-moriri and other lakes is known as Tsokar (salty lake). Here, the Zanskar ranges are transformed into bare rolling many-huge hills divided by open high-altitude valleys scoured by dust devils. It is a landscape quite unlike any other in Ladakh – or elsewhere in India. Karzok, situated at 4572 mt. with its dozen or so houses and its gompa appearing like a mirage among the barren hills. The Tso-moriri lake is in the largest in size and highest brackish wetland in cold desert eco system of trans-himalayas of the Indian subcontinent. This lake is the breading and nestling abode of globally threatened bar headed goose, black neck crane and other rare species. In this trek we have to cross as many as five passes. The sketch programme of this trek will be as under:-
Hemis – Shang Sumdo – Kongmurla base – Thachungtse – Zalungkarpo – Sorra – Dat – Lungmoche – Jakang – Punganagu(Tsokar) – Rachungkaru – Gyamarburma – Korzok-Dok – Korzok.
Markha Valley trek from Spituk
Season : June - September Last
Tour Duration : 15 days (08 days trekking)
Temperature : Day time maximum 25 – 30 degree, night time 04-15 degree
Physic Moderate
Trek Code : ADVT 21
This trek is one of the most easily accessible and beautiful/popular and frequented by all the trekkers to this region. For this trek we will cross two passes. The sketch programme of this trek will be as under: -
Spituk – Zinchen – Gandala Base – Skiu – Markha – Tchatchuse – Nimaling – Shang – Martsellang
Markha Valley trek from Stok
Season : June - September Last
Tour Duration : 15 days (08 days trekking)
Temperature : Day time maximum 25 – 30 degree, night time 04-15 degree
Physic Moderate
Trek Code : ADVT 22
This trek is also one of the most easily accessible and beautiful/popular and frequented by all the trekkers to this region. For this trek we will cross as many as three passes. The sketch programme of this trek will be as under: -
Stok – Lkartsa – Yurutse – Gandala – Skiu – Markha – Thachungtse – Nimaling – Shang – Martsellang.
Sham Trek – Temisgam To Phyang
Season : June - September Last
Tour Duration : 14 days (07 days trekking)
Temperature : 10°C to 25 °C
Physic Easy
Trek Code : ADVT 23
In this particular itinerary we will explore Indus Valley. By visiting some beautiful monastery like Alchi, we will start our trek from Themisgam the ancient capital of Sham Valley. The village has a castle of 14 century, which dominates the whole village. During the trek we will always camp in small village wherein we have an opportunity to see the life style of local people. Also in this trek we will visit some important monasteries such as Likir (one of the oldest monastery of Ladakh), Basgo (the ancient summer capital of Ladakh), Phyang (the first monastery one of the four orders of Tibetan Buddhism) In this trek we will cross five small passes. The sketch programme of this trek will be as under:-
Themisgam – Hemisskupachen – Yangthang – Likir – Rafta – Umla – Taroo – Phyang
SPECIAL TREK ON DEMAND
Rumtse – Kibber via Parangla
Season : July To September Last
Tour Duration : 29 Days
Temperature : 10°C to 25°C
Physic : Hard
Trek Code : ADVT 24
This far-reaching itinerary links Ladakh and Spiti by the ancient commercial route through Parangla. During this beautiful trek we will cross the infinite high altitude plateau (4000-5580m) of southern Ladakh, beautiful high altitude turquoise Color Lake and also the glacier of Parangla. During this trek we will see only one real village (Korzok) otherwise this trek is totally wild, we will meet the wondering nomads with their yaks looking for pasture. The sketch program of this trek will be as under:-
Nubra Trek – Saboo to Lhalsar via Digar la
Season : June - September Last
Tour Duration : 15 days (06 days trekking)
Temperature : Day time maximum 25 – 35 degree, night time 10-15 degree
Physic : Easy
Trek Code : ADVT 25
This trek permits to cross the Ladakh ranges for the joining the Shayok Valley in the Karakoram ranges. The altitude of pass and the hot climate in the valley of Shayok make that this six days trek should not be under estimate. For this particular trek we are travelling in Nubra. The Valley floor is covered with dense thickets of seabuckthorn – a thorny shrub, which the villagers use for fuel and for fencing their fields; though indeed, there is now less for this than there was in the days of the caravan trade with Central Asia when upto 10,000 horses a year are said to have traversed the district. We have to cross as many as two passes. On the way back after finishing the trek we will drive through word’s heights motorable road at Khardung-la ( 5578 mt. ) The sketch programme of this trek will be as under:-
Saboo – Lartsa – Digar – Khungru – Rongthil – Khalsar
SPECIAL TREK ON DEMAND
The frozen (Ladakh) Zanskar river trek ( Chaddar )
Seasons : January and February
Tour duration : 22 days actual from Delhi to Delhi
Weather conditions : 65% Bad (in Ladakh and Zanskar)
Temperature : Minus – 25 to –35
Physic Hard
Trek Code : ADVE 26
The total distance of this tour (one way) is approximately 105 Km and average distance cover a day is 15 to 17 Km. The temperature remains minus 15 to 20 during the day time and – 25 to –35 during the night. After keeping all the facts in one’s mind bring your most warmest Jackets and sleeping bags also good shoe. Most of the trek is done on the ice (Chaddar) but at some places we must climb icy rocks or trails and in Zanskar itself we can walk through the normal trail used by the people daily.
Any person thinking joining this unique adventure must be fully prepared to accept tough camping and walking conditions. Most of the nights we will be spending in the caves, and in Zanskar we may sleep in the houses provided by the local people.
The porters and the kitchen team will be totally Ladakhis/Zanskari, who are perfect in work in any weather conditions. There will be three porters after every tourist and food served will be mostly Indian and Ladakhi. The sketch/detailed programme on demand
