Day 01: Spituk – Zingchan (Approx. 4 hours)
The first day’s walk can begin from Phey Village, instead of Spituk. It is a fairly pleasant walk in a south-westerly direction along the Indus on your right. It is long gentle walking before you enter Zingchen Gorge. The gorge is dotted with poplar trees and you reach Zingchen village after an hour’s walk. To skip the regular rush of trekkers at the normal campsites it is advisable to continue walking to Hemis National Park to reach the village of Sumdzom. There are nice camping options here and we pitch up here for the night.

Day 02: Zingchan - Kandala Base Camp (5 - 6 hours)
From Sumdzom we walk upstream and then climb up the hill till we get to Kandala Nallah, along which a path leads to high pastures. On the east is a path that leads to Rumbak Village which we avoid taking. Instead we go westward following the path to Yurutse and the Kandala Base Camp. The flat campsite a commands a very nice view of the valley below, and we shall pitch up here for the night.

Day 03: Kandala Base Camp - Skiu (7-8 hours)
Today is a long day. The trek up to the Kandala Pass (4870m) takes a little under two hours of steady climbing from the base camp. From the pass a well-defined path leads down to Shingo. This descent takes around two hours. Beyond Shingo we head lend for Skiu after crossing the Shingo Nallah. This stretch takes around three hours. Skiu is a fascinating place with ruins of ancient monasteries. Our campsite is beyond the village by the Markha River.

Day 04: Rest day
Today is a rest day. We have an opportunity to bathe in the river and also go on a short trip westwards into the Zanskar Gorge to the small village of Kaya.

Day 05: Skiu - Markha (6 - 7 hours)
An early start is recommended for this day as it gets very warm when it is sunny, although the walking is not very strenuous. The trail from Skiu leads to Sara. After a a quick lunch here the trail goes up to the village of Chalak. We cross a river and keep going ahead for around two hours till we reach the swift Markha River. After fording across the (deep!)river we carry on to Markha Village .

Day 06: Markha - Thachungtse (6 - 7 hours)
This day is a moderately tough walking day, passing through the villages of Umlung and Hanikar. The Kangyatse Peak (6400m) dominates the landscape. The trail goes northwards upto the confluence of two rivers Luntang Chu and Nyimaling Chu. At the end of the trail we get to Thachungtse village. The campsite is excellent..

Day 07: Thachungtse - Nyimaling 3 hours
Today is a easy walk. The trail from Thujungste leas you to Nyimaling passing through several Mani walls and shepherd camps. On the way the views of Kangyatse Peak are simply spectacular. Nyimaling is a beautiful place and one can spend the afternoon exploring the valley. You can spot Blue Sheep and other wildlife in this area. .

Day 08: Nyimaling - Shang Sumdo across Kongmaru La (7 - 8 hours)
From Nyimaling the trail crosses the Nyimaling Chu and ascends steeply upwards to the pass at Kongmaru La (5130m). From here the descent is sharp and an hour’s walk takes you to Lhartse. The trail leads to Shang River and beyond this are the shepherd camps at Chuskumo and Chukdo. Finally we get to Shang Sumdo where the campsite is located before the confluence of two tributaries.

Day 09: Shang Sumdo - Hemis (3 - 4 hours)
The early morning may be spent exploring the side valley and the monastery of Shang. Then we set out along the jeepable road to Martselang. From here a taxi would be prearranged to take us to Leh.

Day 01: Likir – Phobe La - Yangthang ( 4 - 5 hours)
After breakfast you will be driven by taxi to Likir, just 58 kms from Leh. Likir Village (3650 mts.) is the starting point of our trek. Although the distance is short, the route is warm, without any shade or water and we need to traverse two passes. We head west to the Phobe La (3580m) and beyond this to Sumdo village. The trail again goes upwards till you get to Chagatse La (3630m). Across the pass is the village of Yangthang (3630m) where we camp for the night. A 2,5 hr side trip leads to Ridzong Monastery.

Day 02: Yangthang - Sermanchan La - Hemis Shukpachen (2 - 3 hrs)
Today is an easy walk despite the pass because both the approach and the descent are of gentle gradients. The trail heads north, crossing a stream before climbing up west again to Sermanchan La (3750m). Descending we reach Hemis Shukpachan, one of Ladakh’s prettiest villages. There are several sparkling streams surrounded by shady willows and large barley fields that provide a touch of green to the otherwise desolate, rocky mountains.

Day 03: Hemis Shukpachen - Meptek La - to Ang (3hrs)
Again a fairly easy day. The trail goes upward between two hillocks west of the village upwards until it veers south and climbs steeply up to the Meptek La (3750m) marked by prayer flags. From the pass we head down the gorge to Ang, a charming village with apricot orchards, where we camp for the night.


Day 04 : Ang - Thingmosgang - Nurla (3 hrs)
Today is the last day and very easy as it’s downhill all the way on to the main road. From Thingmosgang (or Themisgang) there would be a taxi waiting to take you back to Leh.

Day 01: Drive to Lamayuru 5 hrs.
En route, visit of the ancient monasteries of Alchi and Likir. Lamayuru is situated at 3420 m, overlooking a stark 'moon land' of brightly coloured mountain slopes. We stay at the monastery hotel, a truly atmospheric place to spend the first night.

Day 02: Lamayuru - Prinkiti La - Wanla 5 hrs.
First we visit the Lamayuru monastery, built in the 16th century and said to be the biggest in western Ladakh. The Gompa hugs a cliff side overlooking a deep canyon and houses numerous intricate wall paintings. Then we follow the trail climbing steadily towards the Prinkiti La pass (3726m) and then gradually slopes down to the village of Wanla. Camp overnight.

Day 03: Wanla - Hinju 6 hrs.
A walk through an arid and barren valley takes us to the small village of Phanjila from where the trail turns into another valley besides the Ripchar river to Hinju. Camp overnight.


Day 04: Hinju - Konke La - Sumdha 7 hrs.
The trail ascends steeply towards the Konke La pass (4950m) from where you are afforded extensive views of glacial fields, sweeping barren valleys dotted with splashes of green. From the pass the trail leads downward over mountain ridges to the village of Sumdha. Camp overnight.

Day 05: Sumdha Chenmo - base camp Dungdungchen La 6 hrs.
We now descend towards the tiny village of Lanak at 3750m, then climb up towards the base of Dungdungchen La. Camp overnight.

Day 06: Base Dungdungchen La - Dungdungchen La - Chilling 6 hrs.
A steady climb to the Dungdungchen La (4050m ). From this small pass from where again you are rewarded with glorious views. The trail then winds downwards to the large village of Chilling on the banks of the Zanskar river. This village is known for its fine metalwork particularly exquisitely made cups and cutlery and local gold ornaments. Camp overnight.

Day 07: Chilling - Skiu 5 hrs.
The trek now converts into a river crossing by a cable cart over the Zanskar. We leave our pack ponies behind and get new ones once we're across. From the other side we pass the village of Kaya before we reach Skiu, a pleasant walk away. Camp near the village.

Day 08 - 12: Through the Markha Valley 5 hrs.
From here, the route follows trek Markha Valley trek (day 05 - 09). We reach Leh on the 12th day of the journey.

Day 01 Drive Leh- Rumtse (3 hrs); walk Rumtse - Kyamar 3hrs
From Leh, the drive to Rumtse is an exciting one, with views of the Indus Valley and many monasteries on the way. Here we start the trek. Day one is easily manageable: we have a short walk on a rather flat terrain to aid acclimatization. We will camp overnight at lush Kyamar (4050m), near a spring.

Day 02: Kyamar - Tisaling 6-7hrs.
We should be fully energized today with a proper breakfast, as there is a challenging day ahead. We begin with gradual ascent towards our first pass of Kumur La (5130 m), which gives a spectacular view of the colourful Changthang range. Descending to the base of the next pass, we might come across nomads with their herds of sheep, goats and yaks. After another short climb we reach the Mandalchan La (5230 m). It’s an easy descend to the camping site at the pastureland of Tisaling (5030m).

Day 03: Tisaling – Pongunagu 6hrs.
By now, we are well acclimatized to conquer our third pass, the Shibuk La (5300 m), an about 2-hour journey. From the top of the pass, we have an incredible view of the surrounding mountains and of our next destination, Tsokar Lake. With a breathtaking view to ease our exhaustion, we head down towards the valley accompanied by the shrill whistles of the shy and active marmots, which is characteristic of this harsh region. It’s approximately a 4 hrs walk to the Tsokar basin, and our camp for the night will be the windy Pongunagu (4575m).

Day 04: Pongunagu – Nuruchan 6hrs.
Today is an easy day, and we follow a dusty jeep road towards Tsokar Lake. Along the salty shores of the lake, we have a rare impeccable opportunity to see some of the endangered migratory birds of the world. From here we carry on along the trail to the right of the lake, keeping to a barren land until Nuruchan (4630m), where we will be welcomed by a grassy land with streams nearby.

Day 05: Nuruchan- Gyamar Barma 7-8 hrs.
We have to get set for a tough day ahead. We will cross the icy cold stream in Nuruchan before gradually ascending Horlam Kongka La (4900 m). From the pass, we will have a view of the turquoise blue Tsokar. After an easy 40-minute walk down to Rajungkaru, we will encounter several typical Tibetan nomads with their flock of yaks, sheep and pashmina goats.
After sharing a cup of butter tea with the nomads, we continue to ascend the Kyamayuru La (5425 m). The pass is challenging in nature, but the views from the top make it well worth the efforts. Camp at Gyamar Barma (5150 m). Due to the high altitude, night temperatures can well below zero.

Day 06: Gyamar Barma – Gyamar 3-4 hrs.
When we open our eyes in the morning, we will find ourselves amidst a herd of grazing yaks. After breakfast, we head to our next pass, Kartse La (5300 m). Ascending slowly in the thin air of the plateau, we will eventually reach the pass. The trail leads gradually down to the lush green valley of the Gyamar (5160m), where we spend our night.

Day 07: Gyamar – Korzok 6-7 hrs.
Today, we gradually ascend towards the highest and final pass on the trek. Following the narrow valley until the Yalung Nyaulung La (5450 m), we will see some of the rare flowers and herbs of the Himalayan region. The fragrances will astonish you! To our right we can view snowcapped mountains and from the top of the pass we will also have a view of the lake Tsomoriri, surrounded by snowcapped mountains. We descend steeply for a couple of hours to the Korzok Phu, the summer pasture of the Korzok people. From the pasture, we continue to the Korzok (Tsomoriri lake), the destination of our adventure.

Day 08: Drive Korzok – Leh 7 hrs. of driving
We drive back to Leh along the gorges of the mighty Indus with all the good memories in mind, leaving behind the beautiful lake Tsomoriri.

Day 09: Korzok - Kyangdam (Approx. 6-7 hrs.)
We trek along the western shore of the sapphire blue Tsomoriri to Kiangdam (4550 m), a vast shrub land on the south shore of the lake.

Day 10: Kiangdam - Norbu Sumdo (Approx. 6 hrs.)
The trail heads south after crossing the Pare Chu river and climbs steadily emerging into the Parang Chu valley. Camp at Norbu Sumdo (4450m).

Day 11: Norbu Sumdo - Parang Chu Camp (Approx. 5 hrs.)
The trail continues to climb gradually along the valley on the right bank of the river till we reach our campsite (4850m).

Day 12: Parang Chu 1 - Parang Chu 2 (5-6 hrs.)
The trek continues south passing a narrow gorge all the while involving a series of climbs and descents across valleys. Camp at 5000m.

Day 13: Parang Chu 2 - Parang La - Jugstok (7-8 hrs.)
The moraine strewn face of the Parang glacier (5575m) has to be crossed as the treks winds its way up to the Parang La pass. A rocky path takes us to the saddle of the pass from where you are rewarded with breathtaking views of the Ladakh and Lahaul mountain peaks. Far below you can see the silvery Parang Chu river making its way to the east. Camp overnight at Jugstok (4800m).
Day 14: Jugstok - Kibbar (Approx. 7 hrs.)
A steep descent is involved as we walk towards the Sampa Lungpa valley. Crossing another pass - the Thaltak La at 4600m - we get extensive views of the distant Lingti valley east of Kaza town. Crossing smooth grassy hills we reach the small hamlet of Dumla from where we walk over to Kibbar village (4200m), one of the highest permanently inhabited villages in the world. Overnight at camp/homestay.

Day 15: Drive Kibbar - Tabo
We are met by a jeep which takes us to Kaza via the strategically located Ki monastery on a solitary rock face high above the Spiti river basin and on to the over 1000 year old Tabo monastery. Close by there is a newly built Gompa and a painting school founded by the Dalai Lama. Overnight at Tabo.

Day 16: Drive Tabo to Manali (Approx. 12 hrs. of driving)
Today we cross the actual Himalayan Range at the 4590m high Kunzum La. Glaciers abound here. Another pass, the 3980m Rohtang Pass, gives access to the resort town of Manali in the lush green Kullu valley by late evening and check into a hotel.

Day 17: Rest day at Manali
On request we can arrange local sightseeing.

Day 18: Drive to Delhi
By luxury coach or private taxi we travel back to Delhi.