Changtang Great Salt Lakes Trek
For nine months of the year, Ladakh is virtually cut off from the outside world. Situated in a high altitude desert, surrounded by almost impenetrable snow-capped mountains, the high passes do not open until mid-June, and the road link with the world becomes impassable again in September.
Changtang is not a vast level plain but a myriad of valleys and plains of varying sizes separated by twisting mountain ridges, which transect the land.
Itinerary (Changtang Trek):
Grade: Mild
Time: June - October
Duration: 18 days
Average Walking time: 5-6 hours per day
Day 1 (New Delhi, India):
Arrive Delhi. Meet Himalayan Trekker representative. Transfer to Hotel. Visit Agra, The Taj Mahal. Evening back to Delhi.
Day 2 (Leh, Ladakh):
Take early morning flight to Leh, Ladakh. Day at rest for acclimatization.
Day 3 (Leh, Ladakh):
Tour of Leh city.
Day 4 (Ladakh):
Tour of Spitok and Phyang gompas.
Day 5 (Shey and Matho gompas):
Tour of Shey and Matho gompas and Stok palace, the home of Ladakhi royalty.
Day 6 (Tso Kar):
On day 6 of Changtang Trek, we tour of Tikse and Hemis gompas, two the wealthiest and most influential institutions in Ladakh. Continue by jeep over 5260 metre Taglang La to camp at Tso Kar.
Day 7 (Tso Kar):
Trek along the shores of Tso Kar and its freshwater neighbor, Startsapuk Tso, to Nuruchan, where there is a small and rarely visited gompa. .
Day 8 (Rajung Kuru):
Trek over the Harlam Konka (pass) to Rajung Karu.
Day 9 (Gyama):
On day 9 of Changtang or Great Salt Lake Trek, we walk over the 5410 metre Kyamamuri La to Gyama.
Day 10 (Tso Moriri):
Trek over the 5440 metre Yalung Nyau La to Korzok, on the northwestern shore of Tso Moriri, the "Mountain Lake".
Day 11 (Tso Moriri):
You walk along the western shore of Tso Moriri to Kiangdam, an expansive grassland on the southern shore.
Day 12 (Kiangdam):
Rest day at Kiangdam. There are many interesting valleys within an easy walk from camp.
Day 13 (Skyurchu):
Continue around on the eastern shore to Skyurchu, at the base of impressive 6000 metre peaks.
Day 14 (Korzok):
Return to Korzok and our previous camp there.
Day 15 (Leh):
Travel by jeep back to Leh.
Day 16 (Leh):
A rest day for independent exploration of Leh.
Day 17 (New Delhi):
Morning flight to New Delhi. Check in hotel. Stay overnight at Hotel.
Day 18 (New Delhi, India):
Depart New Delhi. Transfer to airport for flight to onwards journey. Changtang Trek concludes.
