Hemis to Tso Moriri
Jhunglam trek from Hemis to Padum
Duration: 10 days
Difficulty: level 4
Distance: 141 km
Max elevation: 5260m
Elevation gain / loss: +4782m / -4895m
This trek starts from the famous Hemis monastery, crossing the Kongmaru La to reach the Markha valley. From Tachungtse, you will leave the Markha valley behind and follow a seldom used and demanding path leading to Zangla village and the beautiful Zanskar valley.
Itinerary
Day 1: Hemis - Martselang - Shang Sumdo
Time: 3-4 hrs
Distance: 10.7 km
Elevation gain / loss: +283m / -281m
| - | after visiting Hemis gompa, one of the richest and largest gompas in Ladakh walk towards Martselang and Shang Sumdo |
| - | there is a possibility to drive from Hemis to Shang Sumdo by jeep |
Day 2: Shang Sumdo - Lartse
Time: 5-6 hrs
Distance: 11.0 km
Elevation gain / loss: +914m / -0m
| - | the trail goes along the river in a magnificent valley |
| - | walk through the villages of Chokdo and Chuskurmo before reaching Lartse |
Day 3: Lartse - Kongmaru La - Tachungtse
Time: 6-7 hrs
Distance: 11.9 km
Elevation gain / loss: +686m / -904m
| - | climb the Kongmaru La which offers superb view of the Kang Yatse peak |
| - | descend to Nimaling where you find villagers with their livestock and walk further down to Tachungtse |
Day 4: Tachungtse - Yakrupal
Time: 5-6 hrs
Distance: 15.5 km
Elevation gain / loss: +545m / -313m
| - | pass through the remote Langthang valley to reach Yakrupal |
Day 5: Yakrupal - Zalung Karpo La - Tilat Sumdo
Time: 8-9 hrs
Distance: 25.6 km
Elevation gain / loss: +556m / -1488m
| - | cross the Zalung Karpo La and enjoy the spectacular view of Zanskar range and Changthang plateau |
| - | after are several river crossings, a long trail following the Changchu river leads to Tilat Sumdo |
Day 6: Tilat Sumdo - Charchar La Base Camp
Time: 6-7 hrs
Distance: 17.4 km
Elevation gain / loss: +706m / -0m
| - | cross the Changchu river and enter into a beautiful narrow valley |
| - | there are several river crossings on the way, follow the canyon until Charchar La base camp |
Day 7: Charchar La Base Camp - Charchar La - Zangla Sumdo
Time: 5-6 hrs
Distance: 11.7 km
Elevation gain / loss: +595m / -1187m
| - | walk through spectacular gorges and cross the Charchar La |
| - | steep descent to Zangla Sumdo |
Day 8: Zangla Sumdo - Zangla
Time: 3 hrs
Distance: 7.2 km
Elevation gain / loss: +170m / -338m
| - | short and easy walk to reach Zangla and the Zanskar valley |
| - | Zangla has a small hilltop palace-fortress which can be visited |
| - | homestay possibility in Zangla |
Day 9: Zangla - Karsha
Time: 6 hrs
Distance: 18.7 km
Elevation gain / loss: +250m / -210m
| - | cross the bridge over the Zanskar river near Pishu village |
| - | the trail ascends gradually to Karsha, passing through the village of Rinam |
| - | visit Karsha monastery, the largest and most important monastery in Zanskar, rising almost vertically on a mountainside above the village |
| - | homestay possibility in Karsha |
Day 10: Karsha - Padum
Time: 3 hrs
Distance: 11.2 km
Elevation gain / loss: +77m / -174m
| - | short and easy walk to Padum, the capital of Zanskar |
| - | possibility to drive from Karsha to Padum |
| - | homestay can be arranged in Padum |
Getting to / from the trek
| - | it takes one hour to drive from Leh to Hemis (40 km) |
| - | Padum is 450 km from Leh and it is usually covered in two days with an overnight stay in Kargil or in the Suru valley |
It is worth taking some extra time to stop and visit the highlights in the area, check the Zanskar and Indus valley tour for more details.
All the itineraries can be customized to suit your own special interests, preferences and abilities. Please contact us for more information.
