White Magic Adventure Travel

RUPSHU TREK

India, Ladakh

11 DAYS
12 MAX GROUP SIZE
5240m
MAX ALTITUDE
4 Moderate Trek

TBA
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Rupshu is a high-altitude plateau in Ladakh lying south of river Indus and is the westernmost part of the larger Changthang plateau which extends far inside Tibet and is inhabited by nomadic pastoralists called the Changpas. This region is characterized by rolling hills dotted with white sheep and small clusters of nomadic tents near the freshwater sources. The whole area springs to life for about 4 months of the year in the summer when the nomads seem too busy with their activities. This region has huge saltwater lakes like Tsokar & Tso-Moriri which act as homes to birds like Bar Headed Geese & Black Necked Crane in the Summers. We start the trek from Tshokar Lake and finish at Tso-Moriri after crossing a series of high passes, a couple of them being above 5000m. Since the entire trek lies in this high-altitude plateau acclimatization becomes very crucial and we spend the first 4 days just acclimatizing to the thin air. The pleasures of doing this trek are different as it offers a unique feeling – the freedom of roaming over a vast expanse of rolling hills and lofty valleys.

Itinerary

Show Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Fly Delhi to Leh (3,500m)

Take the early morning flight from New Delhi to Leh. It is a short flight of about 75 mins, but offers great views, as we fly over the Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Overnight Hotel in Leh

Day 02 & 3: Explore around Leh

We spend the two days allowing our bodies to adapt to the high-altitude and soak in the local culture. There is plenty to keep you occupied. We visit some of the monasteries in and around Leh such as the Shey, Thiksey and Hemis. There is also the option of visiting the old Leh Palace and the Khardung La Pass (world’s highest motorable road at 5,600m/18,400ft). Leh also has a useful market and you could do some last-minute shopping and pick up some gear for the climb. Overnight Hotel in Leh

Day 4: Drive Leh – Rumtse (4100m)

Finally we leave Leh and begin our journey by hitting the road. Today we drive for about 2-3 hours, and camp at Rumtse a small village on the Manali-Leh highway. The village is just short of Tanglang La Pass, the second highest motorable road in the world. Our campsite is just off the road, close to village Gya and we have the full day to relax and allow our bodies to acclimatize. We would be going for a short day hike outside camp to get our muscles working. Overnight Camp – Rumtse

Day 5: Drive Rumtse – Tsokhar (4500 m)

More or less, we leave civilisation today as we continue our drive through the Tanglang La Pass, towards the beautiful Tsokhar lake. Its a 3-4 hour drive to the lake and as we approach the lake, we can see Tsokhar village on the other side of the lake. Our vehicles would return to Leh after dropping us off and our mules/horses for the trip would join us later in the day. We will have plenty of time to go for a long walk along the shores of Tshokar lake. Overnight Camp – Tsokhar

Day 06: Trek Tsokhar – Nuruchan (4,590m)

Today is a short day, and we walk for about four to five hours to reach Nurchan. Our campsite is set next to a beautiful stream and we can see the very picturesque, saddle-shaped pass that we would be crossing the following day. Overnight Camp – Nuruchan

Day 07 : Trek Nuruchan – Rajungkaru (4,800m)

The day starts with us having to cross the narrow stream, and then we are on the trail to cross over the first of four passes during the next three days. Today we just have to negotiate one pass, Horlam Kongka La (4,840m). Its a very gradual ascent to the top, which is marked by the typical Buddhist prayer flags. One can even see Tsokhar Lake from here. From the pass it’s an hour and a half’s descent to the campsite. Overnight Camp – Rajungkaru

Day 08: Trek Rajung Karu – Gyama Burma (4,790m)

This is the toughest day of the trek as we would be crossing over two passes, both of which are more than 5,000m. First up is Kyamayuri La (5,240m), which is visible from Rajungkaru, and is another perfect saddle. The views from the top of the pass are breathtaking and looking back we can see the entire valley spread out below us. A long and a gradual descent is followed by a climb to the next pass, the Gyama Burma La (5,210m). Once we reach the top, we have a pain-staking one and half hour descent to the picturesque campsite at Gyama Burma, which is just about visible as tiny speck from the pass. Overnight Camp - Gyama Burma

Day 09: Trek Gyama Burma – Karzok Phu (4,500m)

Compared to the previous day its a shorter day. We cross over the final pass of the trip, the Yalegon La (5,241m). Just as we begin the descent, the Tso-moriri lake comes into sight and it is a brilliant sight, barren mountains, snow-clad peaks and the lake, all in a single frame. Its a long and hard two hour descent, as we drop about 800 metres all the way to our campsite at Karzok Phu, the trading centre of the Changpas. Overnight Camp - Karzok Phu

Day 10: Trek Korzok Phu – Korzok – drive to Leh

It’s an hours walk to Korzok, you suddenly find yourself on the banks of Tso-Morori Lake. Vist the Korzok monastery and after having taken our fill of pictures of the lake we drive 6hrs to Leh. Overnight Hotel in Leh

Day 11: Fly Leh to Delhi

Early morning flight back to Delhi. Trip Ends!

Trip Cost

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LEH TO LEH , TWIN SHARING

TRIP COST INCLUDES

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TRIP COST EXCLUDES

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Cancellation terms

If it becomes necessary to cancel your trip, you must notify the office immediately in writing. The following terms would be applicable.

• More than 45 days prior to departure - we will refund the entire amount received by us minus a processing fee.

• Less than 45 days prior to departure - 25% of the Trip Cost as the cancellation charges and we will refund the balance.

• Less than 30 days prior to departure - 50% of the Trip Cost as cancellation charges and we will refund the balance.

• Less than 21 days - the entire amount would be forfeited.

The tour price is quoted as a package. No partial refunds or credit will be given for services not used. We recommend that you obtain cancellation travel insurance upon booking. If you can replace your spot by getting someone else to take that seat cancellation charges would be waived completely.

Pls note that these cancellation terms may be amended from time to time.

What to expect

A trip graded as a Moderate Trek takes you to high altitude regions - above 3000m / 10,0000ft and will involve considerable altitude gain over the course of the trek. Altitude will have an effect, hence one would need to be careful about acclimatization. Moderate treks will have multiple days which involve considerable amount of ascents and descents and would require walking for more than 6 hours. There might be a day or two of camping in relatively high altitudes above 4000m / 13,000ft. A typical trek will last around a week to ten days depending on the region and is a good step-up for people who have completed a beginner trek.