LADAKH – Nubra Valley with Lasermo La – Camping Trek

Detailed itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Delhi

  On arrival in Delhi you will be met in the arrivals hall at the airport and then driven to your hotel. Overnight at Hotel Ashok Country Resort (D).

• Day 2: Flight to Leh (3,500 m). Most of the day relaxing at the hotel, evening walk in the bazaar

  Early in the morning you will be driven to the airport. After an impressive flight of around one hour over the high peaks of the Himalaya, you will arrive at 3,500 m in Leh. You will be taken to your hotel and spend the rest of the morning resting and on a first acclimatisation. On this day you may experience physical reactions (e.g. headache, shortness of breath) to the unfamiliar altitude. After a welcome lunch we take a short walk in the afternoon into the bazaar of Leh. This will be a leisurely stroll that lets us get used to the special atmosphere of this town. Overnight at Hotel Glacier View or similar category (B|D).

• Day 3: Acclimatisation walks in and around Leh

  Visit to Shankar Gompa & Shanti Stupa, evening walk to Tsemo Gompa above Leh Palace. Overnight at the hotel (B|D).

  

• Day 4: Leh – Hunder (3,150 m) – 126 km / 4 hours of driving

  We leave the town of Leh and drive eastwards into the Nubra Valley, where we cross the Khardung La, the highest motorable road pass, at 5,602 m, to reach Hunder. In the afternoon we make a short visit to Diskit Monastery, which is not only the oldest but also the largest monastery in the Nubra region. The monastery was founded in the 14th century by Changzem Tserab Sangpo and belongs to the Yellow Hat sect of Buddhism (Sangpo was a disciple of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school). Overnight at Hotel Karma Inn or similar category (B|D).

• Day 5: In Hunder – camel safari

  There is the option of a camel safari (on a two-humped Bactrian camel) in the nearby sand dunes. Those who do not wish to take this option can go for walks around the village of Hunder. Overnight at the hotel (B|L|D).

  

• Day 6: Hunder to Wachan (3,900 m) – 5/6 hours of hiking

  We drive about 3 km to the gompa (part of a Buddhist monastery) of Hunder and visit the complex until our crew is ready to load all the equipment onto the ponies. We then begin our hike to Wachan, following the river and the gorges. After about an hour the path becomes increasingly narrow and steep near Zongpa, and we continue uphill, then descend to reach Skarche, follow the river for about two hours, and finally arrive in Wachan. Overnight at a tented camp (B|L|D).

• Day 7: Wachan to Snia Sumdo (4,200 m) – 3 hours of hiking

  Today a steep ascent awaits us at first, and we reach Dok Yogma, a small settlement along the way. Our hike continues up the valley. The Snia Valley is the first large valley on the right-hand side. After this slightly easier half-day hike, we cross the valley to the right and, shortly after the junction and already around midday, set up our camp. This means we still have enough time in the afternoon to explore the surrounding landscape. Overnight at a tented camp (B|L|D).

  

• Day 8: Snia Sumdo to Pullu (4,600 m) – 5/6 hours of hiking

  After a quiet night, a beautiful walk through the Snia Valley awaits us this morning, on which we follow the river of the same name and may have to cross it several times. The trail climbs steadily but not steeply up the valley, while breathtaking views of the 6,000 m peaks in the background open up the whole time. We pass several herders’ camps on our way up the valley and pitch our camp at a valley junction near the river. Overnight at a tented camp (B|L|D).

• Day 9: Pullu to Jingmoche (4,560 m) – 6/7 hours of hiking

  A descent at the start will take us to the point where the Sniu Sumdo and Thanglasgo valleys meet. From here we drop down steadily, crossing pastures and following watercourses, and have an enjoyable hike of about four to five hours ahead of us. We finally reach Jhingmoche at 4,510 m. This place is very popular with the local herders, who in summer drive their sheep, yaks and dzos (a cross between cow and yak) up here to graze. Some come from Hunder and spend the entire summer months here with their families in makeshift huts. Overnight at a tented camp (B|L|D).

• Day 10: Jingmoche to the foot of the Lasermo La (4,800 m) – 5/6 hours of hiking

  Our destination today is the base of the Lasermo La, which we plan to cross tomorrow. From the camp we follow the river upstream through a valley with beautiful, wide meadows where yaks and dzos are grazing. We will reach the camp in the afternoon, and this will also be the highest overnight spot of the hike. Overnight at a tented camp (B|L|D).

  

• Day 11: Crossing the Lasermo La (5,400 m) and hike to Phyang Sumdo (4,510 m) – 7 hours of hiking

  Today on our trek we reach the highest point. We set off early and begin our ascent, reaching the pass at 5,400 m after two to three hours. The view stretches all the way to the spectacular Karakoram in one direction and to Ladakh in the other. From here we descend gradually to Murabak, another region of green meadows, and finally drop down to our camp at Phyang Sumdo at 4,510 m. This will be our last night on the trek. Overnight at a tented camp (B|L|D).

• Day 12: Trek to Phyang (3,900 m) – 3/4 hours of hiking and drive to Leh

  We bid farewell to the green pastures, and by the time we reach the village of Phyang the landscape has become increasingly dry and barren. Along the way there is a monastery worth a short visit before we set off again for the main road. A half-hour drive then brings us back to the hotel in Leh. Overnight at Hotel Glacier View (B|D).

  

• Day 13: Day at leisure

  Today is our last day in Ladakh and free for individual activities. Perhaps you will pick up a few more souvenirs, or simply let the atmosphere of this land — with its unusual views, colours, sounds and scents — wash over you one last time. Overnight at Hotel Glacier View (B|D).

• Day 14: Flight to Delhi, short sightseeing in Delhi in the afternoon

  You will be driven to the airport for an early flight to Delhi. Depending on your arrival time in Delhi, you can gather first impressions on a sightseeing tour of the city centre with a visit to the India Gate and past other buildings that are symbolic of the colonial architecture. Overnight at Hotel Jay Pee Siddharth (B|D).

  

• Day 15: Optional day trip to Agra by train or free for individual activities. Transfer to the airport in the evening for the return flight

  Depending on your flight schedule, there is the option to visit the Taj Mahal before flying back home. We travel by train to Agra and take a short excursion to the famous Taj Mahal, the 17th-century mausoleum of Mumtaz, built by her husband, the then Mughal King Shah Jehan. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is also counted — thanks to its extraordinary beauty and perfect architecture — among the seven new wonders of the world. After returning to Delhi and after dinner, you will be driven to the international airport for your farewell (B).

  We reserve the right to make changes to the programme due to special events, force majeure or weather conditions.

  B = Breakfast | L = Lunch | D = Dinner