 |
1st Day: Lamayuru (3.450 m) to Wanla (3.200 m) via Prinkiti-La (3.720 m), 4 hours
From the village with the famous monastery you cross a stream and climb the first pass. After a gradually climb across the mountain side you reach a small valley which follows as far as the first pass Prinkiti-La 3.720 m (12.140 ft). The pass is crossed after a gentle and short climb. Go down into a narrow gorge until reaching the village of Shilla. Cross the river over a bridge and then take the right bank as far as the next village Wanla. Wanla is a pretty village with a gompa high up on crag and makes a pleasant place to stop.
2nd Day: Wanla (3.200 m) to Konze-La base camp, 5 hours
Another 3 hours walking and you reach the village of Shills. Go along the Yapola river for another 2 hours until reaching the village Phanjila (3.300 m). The valley gets more and more beautiful the higher you walk up, with its thick growth of willows and dramatic views back to rock pinnacles on the skyline. You pass the village Hinju (3.750 m) and camp at the foot of the next pass.
3rd Day: Konze-La base camp to Sumda Chenmo (3.900 m) via Konzke-La (4.900 m), 6 hours
It is a strenuous climb to the Konzke-La 4.900 m (16.080 ft), but you’re rewarded with views all the way back to the last pass Prinkiti-La 3.720 m (12.140 ft). During the summer month shepherds from Hinju cross the Konzke-La so that they can graze their livestock in this valley. The trail passes some of their huts and enclosures where they make butter, curd and cheese. You may see the cheese spread out on the ground to dry. It is dried into small white nuggets which then keep for years; very little is eaten fresh. From the summit of Konzke-La it’s a long descent to pastures. The path gets close to the river. Several good campsites are at the edge of the river. Continue on the left bank along the mountain side to Sumda Chenmo (3.900 m) (12.795 ft.). This isolated village shows few signs of change and the villagers are still largely self-sufficient.
4th Day: Sumdha Chenmo (3.900 m) to Dundunchen-La base camp, 3 hours
After Sumdah the path becomes more difficult to follow until reaching shelter formed by rocks. Shelters and pastures are on the half way up to the Dundunchen-La 4.700 m (10.660 ft).
5th Day: Dundunchen-La base camp to Chilling via Dundunchen-La (4.700 m), 6 hours
It is a steep climb up to the third pass on this trek. There are fantastic views from the top of Stok Kangri (6.153 m) and Kang Yatse (6.400 m). From the top it is a long and tiring descent to Chilling. The inhabitants of Chilling 3.250 m (10.660 ft.) are the only ones who work with metals such as cooper, tin, silver used for the making pots or tea spots.
|
|
