 |
1st Day: Hemis (3.500 m) to Shang Sumdo (3.660 m), 3 hours
The monastary of Hemis is one of the most accessible, famous and most-visited gompas in Ladakh. Go down and after that up the valley. Then walk along the riverbed. Until you reach the village Shang Sumdo 3.660 m (12.010 ft) you have to cross several times the river. There is a beautiful situated campsite with irrigation channels flowing around the grassy site.
2nd Day: Shang Sumdo (3.660 m) to base camp of Kongmaru-La (4.800 m), 7 hours
Leave the village and take a path along the slope through rocks. Then go back down to the river bed. From Chukirmo (several small terraces) the track leads on to a gorge. On two stretches horses must be unloaded. You have to cross several times the river. Leave the gorge and start climbing the pass. There is a camping spot called Latza Kongmaru 4.800 m (15.748 ft) on the way up to the summit of the pass. It is a good base camp for the pass.
3rd Day: Base camp of Kongmaru-La (4.800 m) to Langtang Chu River (3.950 m) via Kongmaru-La (5.100 m), 7 hours
From the camp it is a steep ascent as far as the Kongmaru-La 5.100 m (16.730 ft). From the pass there are beautiful views over the Zanskar range and of the vertical ice wall on the northern face of the Kang Yaze 6.400 m. It is an easy descent to the summer pastures of the
medows of Nimaling. You enjoy one of the most beautiful high valleys in Ladakh. From Nirmaling pass the bridge, go down into a beautiful small valley, cross a second bridge and go down along the rocky northwest slope on the Kang Yaze. Follow the slope as far as the Langtang Chu River flows. There are several campsites at 3.950 m (12.960 ft).
4th Day: Langtang Chu River (3.950 m) to south camp of Zalung Karpo-La via Zalung Karpo-La (5.050 m), 8 hours
Go up this broad valley. Cross a large stream and a moraine wall. Carry on until the valley divides. Take the right-hand valley as far as the top of the first pass Zalung Karpo-La 5.050 m (16.570 ft). From the top go down a bridge towads a second pass then go down a steep rocky slope as far as a beautiful valley which curves slightly to the left. Carry on through a gorge until a grassy, flat area campsite.
5th Day: South camp of Zalung Karpo-La to Tilut Sumdo camp, 9 hours
From the camp you go down towards the main stream which flows to the left. It is a broad trench with large stones. Go at first through this trench and then onto a flat above and on the right. After 4 hours you’ll arrive at a valley which comes from the right and leads to the Ruberung-La. Go at the left bank and into a quite beautiful gorge for 3 hours. Then leave it on a path which is rough for the horses. Go on for another 2 hours and you will reach the Tilut Sumdo camp.
6th Day: Tilut Sumdo camp to Charchar-La base camp (4.450 m), 9 hours
You start from the camp and cross the Chang-Chu River into a very narrow valley. After 2 hours you pass a canyon on the right bank. Several times you have to cross the river. The valley gets narrow and crossing the stream becomes easier. Go up a small steep slope on the right bank for 2 hours and you reach strand with stones opposite of a group rocky needles along its left bank. The path becomes narrower and the going is harder. At the next junction take the canyon on the right. Pass a small comb before you arrive at a broad valley. Follow the stream that turns slightly to the left. Go up on the left bank onto a flat above a trench. You find a protect campsite at 4.450 m (14.599 ft) on the way to the next pass.
7th Day: Charchar-La base camp (4.450 m) to Zangla Sumdo (3.800 m) via Charchar-La (5.000 m), 4 hours
You start climbing to the Charchar-La 5.000 m (16.410 ft). From the pass it is a 900 m dizzy descent through fallen rocks. Go towards the left and cross a canyon. Carry on along the stream as far as the junction with a large river which comes from the left. There is a good campsite in Zangla Sumdo 3.800 m (12.467 ft).
8th Day: Zangla Sumdo (3.820 m) to Zangla
(3.431 m), 4 hours
Go down along the river sometimes on the left sometimes on the right side. The valley opens up and turns to the right. You arrive at a house and several fields. Carry on the right side and then gradually up as far as the zangla castle. The ruined fortress, once the royal residence, sits high above the current village on top of a precipice. The Hungarian Scholar, Cosma de Koros, spent a cold and miserable winter studying Tibetan here in 1823. A further half an hour and you arrive at the village of Zangla. |
|
