Hemis Rupshu Darcha Trek

Moderate Trek

Location: Ladakh Himalaya
Grade: Moderate to Challenging
Altitude: 5300 mts/17385 ft)
Best time to visit: July- Sep
Duration: 16 Days

One of the least explored treks in the Ladakh region that stands along the Manali - Leh Highway, the Hemis Rupshu Darcha trek takes you deep into the Trans Himalaya hues. The journey moves through varied landscapes with several uphill and downhill treks. It also exposes the wilderness perched at the height along with the colourful alpine meadows, remote villages displaying the traditional Ladakhi colours. The Hemis Rupshu Darch Trek passes through many high altitude mountain passes, namely the Kongmarla pass at 5,150 meters, Zalung Karpola pass at 5,100 meters, Yarla pass at 4,950 meters, Marangla Pass at 5,200 meters and Baralacha La pass at 5,300 meters. The journey brings you close to the remote Indo - Tibetan lifestyle which you can experience by stepping into villages like Ltaza Kongamaru , Nimaling, Khar, Dat, Jabuk, Sarachu and Darcha. This alpine trek in the Ladakh region commences from Leh, which is the capital city of Ladakh, and leads off at Manali in Himachal Pradesh via Darcha.

Day 1: Arrive Delhi

Upon your arrival at the New Delhi Airport, you will be received by our executive. You will then transfer to a pre-booked hotel and stay overnight.

Day 2: Delhi to Leh (3500 Metres) by plane

In the morning board the scheduled fight for Ladakh. After reaching Ladakh, you will meet our representative and move to the hotel. This entire day is intended for having some rest and acclimatization. To be accustomed to the climatic conditions is very much helpful. In the evening, you can go out and visit the local markets of the city. We will be staying overnight in a hotel at Leh.

Day 3: Visit of the high Indus Valley Monasteries

Shey palace was built by kings of Ladakh and was used as the old summer retreat abode. The Gompa situated in it enshrines a 12 meters high Shakyamuni Buddha statue, which is one of the biggest figurines in Ladakh. The picturesque monastery of Thiksey is situated on the top of the hill overlooking the Indus. The Hemis Monastery is one of the largest monasteries located in spectacular surrounds in Ladakh. We will be staying overnight in a hotel.

Day 04: Leh to Hemis (3505 Metres)

In the morning, after having delectable breakfast, we will drive towards the Hemis Monastery, which is located in a peaceful and spectacular surrounds. After reaching, you can explore the monastery and the museum. We will be staying overnight at the monastery.

Day 05: Hemis to Shang Sumdo (3850 Metres) in 4 hours

On this Day, we will depart from the Indus Valley, move downwards to reach Martselang, and then follow the valley which is slender at some places. We will then move ahead and continue our trail to Shang Sumdo beside the river bed. Shang Sumdo is a favourable stage ideal for getting prepared for the next 2 long days trail.

Day 06: Shang Sumdo to Latza Kongmaru (4800 Metres) in 7 hours

On this day of our trail, we will move forward to reach our destination. We will start the trail beside the river with the banks studded with tawny rocks. The course leads into the slender gorges from Chukirmo Village. The ponies need to be unloaded twice while passing through these gorges. We will climb up to the Kongmaru La Base.

Day 07: Latza Gongmaru to Kongmaru La (5030 Meters) to Langtang Chu (4250 Metres) in 7 hours

There are incredible panoramas from the pass located in the North towards eastern China and the Karakoram. Furthermore, the southern view offers spectacular sights of the Kang Yatze (6400 M) and the magnificent Ladakh Range. Afterwards, we will take a ridge trail and move downwards crisscrossing transversely the scree. Then, the trail moves downwards gradually towards the Markha Valley and Nimaling meadow.

Day 08: Langtang Chu to Yakrupal (4700 Meters) in 4 hours

We ascend up the large valley and after crossing the stream, proceed along a wall of the moraine.

Day 09: Yakrupal to Zalung Karpo La (5200 Meters) to Sorra (4200 Meters)

On this day of the trail, we will move uphill until the valley separates. We will then split towards the right. From the pass, we will move ahead towards a ridge trail that takes towards another pass. After that, we will transverse into the dale.

Day 10: Sorra to Dat (4200 Meters) in 5 hours

We will follow the stunning woody gorges until they expand into a valley. On the way of our trail, you will witness Chortens and Manis sprinkled all along the way leading beside the Sara and Dat rivers.

Day 11: Dat to Yar La (5000 Meters) to Lungmo Che (4010 Meters) in 6 hours

On this day the trail will be an easy one. We will gradient steadily to reach the pass, from where you can get the spectacular views over the Rupshu. Sometimes, on the trail, we are overtaken by the caravans of "Khyang" - wild donkeys. Also, these donkeys petrify the horses.

Day 12: Lungmo Che to Lun (4100 Meters)

After we depart from Lungmo Che and proceed ahead with the trail. The vista changes comprehensively and we see an extensive barren plain from where the Zara Chu flows. Usually, in the month of August this river gets dried up. Moving ahead with the trail, you will find the Tibetan nomads in the area.

Day 13: Lun to Marang La (5300m) to Takh in 7 hours

On this day, of the trail, we will cross the river that takes to an exquisite plateau at about 4500 metres. We will ascent upwards gradually to the last pass. Later, the trail will be a long descent in the direction of Takh.

Day 14: Takh to Manali by car

Today, it will be a long drive towards Manali. The routes will transverse the Rohtang Pass (3390 M). On the way to Manali, we will also come across the lush green wooden gradients of the magnificent Kullu Manali Valley. We will be staying overnight in a hotel at Manali.

Day 15: Manali to Delhi

This entire day is all meant for taking some rest. In the evening, catch the AC Volvo Coach scheduled at 16:00 PM and head towards Delhi. It is an overnight voyage.