Trek No. 11: PHYANG - HUNDAR (8 days)

NUBRA VALLEY

Season June - September
Duration 8 days
Difficulty sustained

Group size

min. 2 persons

DAY 1

Leh - Phyang - Phyang Phu (4 hours)

Drive 17km to the West from Leh to Phyang monastery which is remarkably built on a hilltop, similar to Likir monastery. Visit the monastery and trek to the base camp at Phyang Phu. Today is an easy day in terms of trekking and a good day for acclimatization. O/N in tent.

DAY 2

Phyang Phu - South base of La-Sermo peak (5 hours)

After breakfast trek to the bsae of the La-Sermo pass (5'400m, 17'716ft). O/N in tent.

DAY 3

South base of La-Sermo - North base of La-Sermo (6-7 hours)

Early morning start over the La-Sermo pass. Enjoy stunning views from the top of the surrounding peaks of the Indus and Shayok valleys. Descend towards the camp through rough moraines for an hour and a half. The early morning start is necessary as the ponies must cross the glacier before mid day to avoid difficulties due to snow and ice melting. The campsite is in a beautiful meadow where you can see flowers growing at high altitude. O/N in tent.

DAY 4

North base of La-Sermo - Hundar Upper Dok (5-6 hours)

Walk down through meadows, flowers, and rocks along the Hundar river. Follow the stream for a while, then pass through shepherd's huts where men and women from Hundar Dok village live with their yaks, cows, goats, and sheep. They could be seen collecting milk, cheese, butter, wild vegetables and fuel for the winter. You may taste the delicious milk and cheese with Tsampa. Purchasing these items is not possible in Leh. The campsite is just above the village of Dok Gongma (Upper Dok). O/N in tent.

DAY 5

Hundar Gongma - Skarchen (5 hours)

Another beautiful day trekking through the hamlets of Dok Gongma, Dok Yokma and Wachan which are different places of scattered houses and belong to the common village locally known as Hundar Dok. If you are not in a hurry to reach the campsite at Skarchen, ypend some time exploring the villages and share a few moments with the locals.

DAY 6

Skarchen - Hundar (4 hours)

Last day of trekking through the beautiful Hundar gorge which opens up just before descending to Hundar Bridge. Before the descent enjoy the great view of Saser Kangri (7'672m, 25'170ft). Arrive at the beautiful green village of Hundar and check in at the tented camp. Visit the small monastery and ruined fort above the village, or take a 30-minutes walk to the sand dunes and enjoy the famous double bulled camel ride. O/N in tent. 

DAY 7

Hundar - Diskit (by bus/taxi)

Drive to the Panamik hotsprings. On the way, visit Sumur village and Samtanling monastery. Then to Diskit where you visit the famous monastery of the Gelugpa sect in the afternoon. O/N at Diskit.

DAY 8

Diskit - Khardong-La - Leh (by bus/taxi in 4 hours)

Drive to Leh over the Khardong-La (5'606m, 18'392ft), the highest motorable road in the world. O/N hotel in Leh.