Nubra Valley Trek Ladakh

Arrive Delhi

Arrive in Delhi where you will be met at the International airport and transferred to our group hotel, close to the centre of Delhi. Depending on your arrival time there is time to rest or to explore this fascinating city. Our representatives in Delhi can suggest and organize sightseeing should you wish.

Fly to Leh 3500m

Usually, a very early start as we transfer to the domestic airport for the flight to Leh. The flight is spectacular, and we fly over the snow-covered Indian Himalaya onto the Tibetan plateau. On arrival in Leh we will have a short 10-minute transfer to our hotel. Today we need to rest and acclimatise to the altitude. In the afternoon, your leader will take you on a short orientation walk round this interesting town and its bazaars. (B)

Visiting local monasteries around Leh Valley

We spend today acclimatising and soaking in the local atmosphere before we head to the Nubra Valley and will visit some of the most important monasteries in the Indus Valley. A short drive from Leh is Shey palace. Now mostly in ruins, this ancient building was the summer capital of Ladakh in the17th century. Inside there is a well-kept temple with a two-storied statue of the Buddha. From here we will walk across the well-kept barley fields to Tikse monastery. Set on a hilltop the spectacular monastery resembles the Potala in Lhasa. It is a large working monastery, and we can walk or drive to the temples perched at the top. There are different prayer rooms within the complex, a good - sized courtyard where a masked dance festival takes place every year and also a 15m high statue of Maitreya (future)Buddha. (B)

Drive over the Khardung La (5,375m) and on to Hundar (3,020m)

Today we leave Leh and set off by jeep over the Khardung Pass, which at 5,375m, is one of the highest motorable roads in the world. The journey to the top of the pass takes us on a winding road high above Leh. From the top we get great views looking back to the Leh Valley and the Ladakh mountains and ahead we can see the Karakorum. The road winds down through North Pollu check post and Khardung village and on to Khalsar (3,264m) and the Shyok River. At Khalsar we turn left and continue down the valley. Passing the monastery at Diskit we drive past an area of incredible sand dunes and finally arrive at Hundar, where we stay in a guest house for two nights.

Approx. 6hrs driving. (B, D)

Sleeping altitude 3,020m

Acclimatisation walk to Diskit Monastery

We spend the day acclimatising to the altitude with a day hike to Diskit Monastery (3,142m). The area between Hundar and Diskit is filled with sand dunes. An unusual sight sandwiched between magnificent mountains. The walk is fairly flat as we head across the valley bottom to Diskit, now the district headquarters. We end our walk at Diskit Monastery, overlooked by a 32m high Buddha statue. The monastery (Gompa) is the oldest and largest in the Nubra Valley, dating from 1420, and belongs to the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism. We can take taxis back to Hundar and in the afternoon, there is the chance to go and see the rare double humped Bactrian camels. These magnificent animals were previously used by traders to carry goods across the high passes. As there is no longer any trade across these borders the animals became endangered. A government breeding programme has now ensured that these animals will not become extinct. (B, D)

Trek Profile: approx. 4 hrs walking / 10 km

Drive to Hundar Gompa; trek through a spectacular gorge to Wachan (3,900m)

We drive for about 3km to Hundar Gompa, from where we start our trek. Leaving the main valley, we turn up into a narrow side valley. The walking today is fairly easy as we follow a wide jeep track into the gorge. The rocks tower above us as we gain height gradually. Look out for grazing Bactrian camels amongst the multi-coloured rocks of this spectacular gorge. After 8km we come to a small droksa (shepherd camp) with a few trees providing welcome shade from the sun. The valley now widens a little and we camp near a couple of houses where the valley splits.

Full-service Camping (B,L,D)

Sleeping altitude 3,900m

Trek Profile: 4.5-5hrs walking / 13km

Walk past Sernang (the last village until Phyang) and continue ascending the valley to our wild camp at Snia Sumdo (4,200m)

A shorter day as we begin to gain height. From Wachan we take the left-hand valley and climb steadily to the main part of Wachan. Further up the valley is Sernang, a small collection of houses and fields. This is the last village we will see till Phyang. The trail ascends the valley further and we may have to cross the river several times depending on the water level (we carry a rope for river crossings and we highly recommend you bring river crossing sandals). The Snia Valley is the first large valley to the right. We cross to the right side of the valley and camp somewhere near the valley junction. In the afternoon, there will be time to explore the surrounding hills.

Full-service Camping (B,L,D)

Sleeping altitude 4,200m

Trek Profile: 3.5-4hrs walking / 6km

Surrounded by unnamed peaks, the trail climbs the Snia Valley which abounds with wildlife including marmots, foxes and wolves. Camp at Pullu (4,600m)

We turn into the Snia Valley and follow the river. The trail climbs steadily and again, depending on water levels, we may have to cross the river. We are surrounded by unnamed peaks and passes and only shepherds inhabit this valley in the summer. Before there were roads in Ladakh, people used the passes regularly but now, apart from the shepherds in summer the valley is inhabited by wildlife only. Marmots abound in summer and foxes, wolves, and snow leopards use the valley to hunt for prey. We pass several shepherd encampments and camp at the valley junction close to the river. In the afternoon the energetic can explore further up the valley. Continuing gradually up the valley we turn a corner. About 5km from camp there is a glacial lake at 4,800m. We get a sense of the remoteness of where we are as we are surrounded by un-named and unclimbed peaks and passes.

Full-service Camping (B,L,D)

Sleeping altitude 4,600m

Trek Profile: 4-5hrs walking / 8km (plus optional afternoon walk towards the lake)

Retrace our steps and continue up the main Thanglasso Valley on a rocky trail of glacial moraine until it opens out into a wide grazing area, perfect for camping (4,560m)

We retrace our steps down the valley to the junction and turn right into the main Thanglasso Valley. Which side of the valley we walk on depends on the water level in the river. The climb up the valley is on a rocky glacial moraine trail. Finally, the valley opens out and we come to a wide grazing area. There are plenty of good campsites in this area.

Full-service Camping (B,L,D)

Sleeping altitude 4,560m

Trek Profile: 5-6hrs walking / 10km

A gradual climb up the valley to a large shepherd camp at Thanglasso and on to our camp at the base of the Lasermo La

Quite a tough day as we walk to 5000m. We continue gradually climbing the valley. It's about 4km to the large shepherd camp at Thanglasso at 4,570m. We are now surrounded by a fantastic landscape of peaks and passes leading off into many unexplored side valleys. We eventually reach our Base Camp at 5,000m where we spend 2 nights.

Full-service Camping (B,L,D)

Sleeping altitude 5,000m

Trek Profile: 6-6.5hrs walking / 12km

Explore the area around camp; chance to explore isolated side valleys

We spend the day exploring the area around Base Camp. We can take a packed lunch and ascend the valley across from our camp up to a series of lakes. It takes about 1.5 hours to the first small lake. The energetic can continue further up the valley to second lake. We are now surrounded by unclimbed summits. We can either descend back to camp or those who want to explore further there is a rocky trail which climbs to a third small glacial lake.

Full-service Camping (B,L,D)

Sleeping altitude 5,000m

Cross the Lasermo La (5,400m) with views of the Karakorum and Ladakh Range, to Phyang Sumdo (4,510m)

A tough day as we cross the Lasermo La. We need to carry our yaktrax / microspikes for the top of the pass as it is glaciated. The trail continues up the valley. The trail is rocky and uneven to start with, but the gradient is gradual. After a couple of hours, we come to the glacier, where we need to use our yaktrax. The ascent up the glacier is easy and not steep as we wind our way to the top of the pass. It will take about 3.5/4hrs to the top, where we are rewarded with magnificent views back to the Karakorum and ahead to the Ladakh Range. We descend into the long Phyang Valley and camp at about 4,510m at Phyang Sumdo.

Full-service Camping (B,L,D)

Sleeping altitude 4,510m

Trek Profile: Approx. 8-10hrs walking / approx. 13km

Descend to Phyang; option to visit the monastery; drive to Leh

Our last day's walking as we descend the valley all morning. It's about 3-4hrs walk to Phyang, which is a large village close to Leh. We can visit the impressive monastery that towers above the valley. It is then a short 1hr drive back to Leh and the comforts of a hot shower in our hotel. We should get to Leh by mid-afternoon and the rest of the day is free for last minute sightseeing or shopping in the bazaars.

Overnight in hotel. (B,L)

Sleeping altitude 3,500m

Trek Profile: Approx. 3-4hrs walking / approx. 11km

Flight to Delhi

The final day of the trip in Ladakh and the time to leave the mountains behind. Another early morning start as we are taken to the Leh airport to board our flight back to Delhi. If all goes to plan we arrive Delhi by noon and will have sufficient time for some last minute sightseeing in Delhi before our flight home tomorrow. (B)

Depart Delhi

Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)