Rumtse Tsomoriri Trekking

Day 02: Indus Valley Tour
- Shey Palace - Visit to Thiksey (Height 3230 M) - Hemis Gompa (Height 3450 M)
You begin the day by visiting Hemis Monastery ,thiksey Monastery and then to Shey Palace. Shey monastery and palace is located 15 kilometers from Leh town on the Leh - Manali road. Shey palace and the monastery were built in the 16th Century AD. The monastery enshrines the Du-Khang with an almost 10 meter high copper statue of Lord Buddha.
King Deledan Nagmyal built the Shey palace and Shey Palace boasts of the largest victory stupa in Leh, the top of which is made of pure gold. The Shey Palace was the abode of the royal family till 1834 AD when they moved to the Stok palace. The Shey Palace has been taken over by ASI for conservation
Thikse monastery, which is one of the most vibrant and active monasteries in the region. It dates back to the 16th century and is part of the Gelug-pa Sect. It is headed by successive reincarnations of the Khanpo Rimpoche. The monastery is 12 storied and painted in deep shades of red, ochre and white. It has evolved around a central courtyard with buildings surrounding it from three sides. At one extreme lies the main dukhang, which houses numerous racks containing religious texts. Behind the main alter lies a small chamber that contains images of revered deities.
Continue your drive on a well mettled broad road traveling upstream along the Indus River to HEMIS GOMPA, crossing over the Indus at the village of Karu. The most famous of Ladakh's monasteries, Hemis or Changchub Samstanling(The love palace of the compassionate person), dates back to the 17th century and were built over a period of 40 years (1602 - 1642 A.D.). Today Hemis is well known for its festival or Hemis Tsechu commemorating the birthday of Guru Padmasambhava. In the year of the Monkey (every 12 years) a giant thangkadepictingGuru Padmasambhava is unfurled from the terrace draping the five-storey facade. Delicately wrought in pearls and appliqué, it is one of the most famous art treasures of Ladakh. The central courtyard forms the focus for the masked dances held every year in summer. In the dukhang, remnants of the original 17th century murals can be seen. Later return back to Leh

Leh – Lamayuru - (enroute Magnetic Hill/Pathar Sahib/Sangam.)
 Uletokpo to Leh enrouteAlchi monastery Basgo Fort ( UNESCO – world Heritage site )
After a sumptuous breakfast we drive to visit Spituk Monastery, located 2-3 kms away from Leh town and continue further to Lamayuru monastery. Enroute visit Gurudwara Pathar Sahib,magical Magnetic Hill, the Sangam ( confluence ) of Zanskar and Indus river. One can also experience white water river rafting in zanskar river. Enroute we also start visiting, Alchi, a small village situated on low land, is about 70 km to the west of Leh district and is located on the banks of the River Indus.Alchi village is very fertile and it is all green with apricot trees on both side of road. This region had influence of Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism because it falls on the route to Turkestan of China but its isolation helped the village and gompas to keep their cultural traditions safe from the outer influences. The Alchi village is famous for the existence of one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh known as Alchi Monastery, which is Ladakh’s most valuable heritage. Alchi monastery is a Buddhist worshipping place and study centerand is managed by the monks of Likir. The monastery was built, according to local tradition, by the great translator Guru Rinchen Zangpo between 958AD and 1055AD. The building is said to have been built during the 11th century and the architecture of the place is also excellent.
In Alchi, one can visit the Sumtsek Temple, Vairocana Temple, Lo Tsawa Temple, Manjushree Temple, Kangyur Temple with Stupas, Monk Cells etc. Beautiful wood carving arts, huge Tibetan Styled models of Buddha, Manjushree, historic wall paintings of Buddha's teachings within a very calm, quite, pristine ambiance made Alchi more valuable. There are five shrines in the Choskortemple complex which has some splendid wall paintings. One of its walls features thousands of miniature sized pictures of the Buddha. It is a perfect place to relax and experience the quintessential Buddhist monastery.
Ater drive to Lamayuru village to expereince the Moonland like Landscape, Known as the Moonland. Also visit Lamayuru Monastery by the evening if not one can visit very next day. we can drive back to leh via same route that is NH1, Leh-Srinagar highway.
En-route also visit basgo fort which is declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO as World’s Heritage site. Basgo is certainly the most impressive of Ladakhi citadels despite its ruined state.
Overnight at Leh

Elevation gain +298m / elevation loss -0m
After having breakfast to drive to Rumste which is about 2 hours drive. On same day we continue our trekking to Kyamar, follow the trail to Kyamar which was once known as the salt road. Through this valley, the salt from Tsokar was transported to Leh and the Indus valley. the sceneries and landscapes are different from the rest of Ladakh. O/N camp

Elevation gain +786m / elevation loss -384m
move upwards gradually towards the Kyamar La and enjoy the fantastic view of the Changthang region from the pass. climb down towards Tiri Doksa, a temporary shelter for the shepherds ,keep to the trail and climb the Mandalchan La and then climb down to Teysaling. O/N camp

Elevation gain +377m / elevation loss -666m
Follow the trail as it slowly begins to gain elevation towards the Shibuk La. Enjoy the spectacular view of Tsokar lake from the pass. Walk down to Ponganagu near Tsokar lake. This area is well known to observe wildlife such as migratory birds, kyang (wild asses), marmots and ibex. O/N camp

Elevation gain +173m / elevation loss -145m
Continue your trek walking along the west side of Tsokar lake where you might be able to spot black necked cranes and brahmini ducks. Tsokar is also called “white lake” because of the salt that get deposited on its banks. trek to Nuruchan. O/N camp

Elevation gain +855m / elevation loss -340m
You will be crossing two passes today (Horlam Kongka La and Kyamayuri La) to reach Gyamar Barma. On the way, you will meet several nomad families with their yaks, sheep and goats. O/N camp

Elevation gain +213m / elevation loss -251m
After crossing the Kartse La, walk down towards the Gyamar valley. O/N camp

Elevation gain +300m / elevation loss -905m
Cross the Yalung Nyau La, the highest pass of the trek and have a great view of Tso Moriri lake from the top. Walk down to Korzok village, on the bank of Tsomoriri. O/N camp.

In the morning visit Korzok monastery (found in 1861 by Lama Kunga Lodos Nyingbo) village with its houses and its gompa appearing like a “Mirage”. The few barley fields at Korzok must be among the highest cultivation in the world and today you will visit the Korzok monastery and this is the village where nomad people has concrete house, explore the village and walk around the lake or Possibility of a walk on the heights to embrace the landscape and increase the chances of seeing wildlife. Back to camp. O/N camp.

The road goes to Kyagar Pass before driving into the Indus Gorge. From Mahe , multicolored rocks over hang us over 1000 meters, also on the way visit Chumathang Hot sulphur springs We find the plain of Leh at the level of Upshi. O/N hotel

After an early breakfast ,depart to airport for onward destination ….fly with sweet memories of Ladakh.