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Title:
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Ripchar Valley Trek
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Duration:
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9 Days
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Location:
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Ladakh
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Dates:
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August 21st - 29th
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Grade:
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Moderate |
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This short but special trek gives one a
true insight into Ladakhi people, culture
and religion as we visit some great
monasteries, unspoilt villages and nomadic
settlements. The Landscape is breathtaking.
A number of parallel mountain ranges
including the Karakoram, Zanskar and Greater
Himalayan ranges offer a wealth of snow
capped 6000m peaks.
We start with a day in Leh followed by a
visit to the famous Lamayuru monastery to
maximise our acclimatisation. The Ripchar
valley is mostly barren landscape but we
also pass some flower filled pastures and
interesting villages with irrigated fields
of barley and potatoes. We ascend and
descend over several high passes and finish
in Chilling (locally famous for copper
production) before driving back to Leh.
Day 1: Delhi to Leh (3505 m): 1 hr
Take the one hour flight to Leh, capital of
Ladakh. This is an incredible flight over
the greater Himalaya with spectacular views
of K2 and Everest. Overnight hotel.
Day 2: Acclimatise and sightseeing in Leh
Spend the day in Leh to acclimatise. For the
more energetic, a visit to monasteries such
as Shey, Thikse and Hemis can be arranged.
Alternatively, choose to relax and walk into
Leh town, to its exciting market and outdoor
restaurants. Enjoy the great views of Stok
Kangri (6153 m) and its surrounding peaks.
Overnight hotel.
Day 3: Leh to Lamayuru (3430 m) 3/4 hrs
After a hot breakfast, we drive to Lamayuru.
Enroute we make plenty of stops for tea and
photos. We visit the Alchi monastery and the
Lamayuru monastery upon arrival in the
evening. Overnight camp.
Day 4: Lamayuru to Hinju (3750 m) 6/7 hrs
We drive one hour to Wanla our trailhead.
Wanla has a beautiful 11th century Gumpa
placed high up on a crag, making a pleasant
backdrop. The trek starts on a nice wide
path up the valley to the village of Penji
from where we leave the main trail and go up
the Ripchar Valley to the small hamlet of
Hinju. Overnight camp.
Day 5: Hinju to base of Konze La (4900 m) 4/5 hrs
The Ripchar Valley gets more and more
beautiful the further we walk, with its
thick growth of willows and dramatic views
back to rock pinnacles on the skyline. The
trail follows a stream all the way to our
campsite. Overnight camp.
Day 6: Base of Konze La to Lanak (3900 m) 4/5 hrs
It is a short but steep ascent from the camp
to the top of a pass, but it is worth it
with great views of the surrounding area.
The initially steep descent to the Sumda
valley becomes more gentle towards Lanak. We
set up camp beside the Sumda Chu River.
Day 7: Lanak to Chilling (3250 m) over Dungduchun La (4700 m) 6/7 hrs
The isolated village of Sumda shows few
signs of change and the villagers are
largely self-sufficient. From the village
the path goes over the small Dungduchun La
pass, offer more great views. We descend
down the other side following a stream all
the way to Chilling. Overnight camp.
Day 8: Drive to Leh (3500 m) 2/3 hrs
We take the scenic drive back to Leh.
Opportunities for some last minute retail
therapy in the Tibetan market. Overnight
Hotel.
Day 9: Leh to Delhi
Take the amazing flight back down to Delhi
over the Great Himalayan Range. Trip ends.
Note: Please contact us for sightseeing in Delhi or a trip to the Taj Mahal at the start or end of this trip. We can also tailor this trip with a rafting expedition or wildlife safari.
All itineraries exclude international flight days. The duration of this trip is calculated from Delhi back to Delhi again.
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