Trek No. 16: JEEP SAFARI TO HIGH ALTITUDE LAKES (5 days)

RUPSHO - CHANGTANG

Season June - October
Duration 5 days
Difficulty moderate

Group size

min. 2 persons

DAY 1

Leh - Tsomoriri (by jeep, 270Km, 7 hours)

Morning drive along the Indus valley until Chumathang, visit its famous sulphuric hotsprings. Cross the Mahey Bridge and enter into the valley, then reach the plains. On the way see a tiny settlement of Tibetan nomads, then reach the Tsomoriri Lake which is very big and home to a huge variety of migratory birds. Check in at the camp and after some rest, walk an hour upstream from the lake to the Phu (nomads place). O/N camp.

DAY 2

Tsomoriri - Tsokar (by jeep, 75Km, 4 hours)

Early morning walk along Tsomoriri Lake, back to the camp for breakfast.  Drive to Tsokar, visit the biggest sulphuric hotsprings in Ladakh. Continue to the top of the Polokong-La (4'985m, 16'355ft) and enjoy the panoramic view. On the way down, see a few nomad settlements and come across the winter settlements of the nomads of Thukje. Arrive at Pangonagu-Tsokar and check in at the camp. After some rest, drive to the lake and have a comfortable walk along the shore to observe the wild birds. O/N camp. 

DAY 3

Tsokar - Taglang-La - Leh (by jeep, 115Km, 7 hours)

Today after a relaxed breakfast drive back to Leh over the second highest motorable road in the world, the Taglang-La (5'396m, 17'703ft). The road winds downhill through the Gya Valley and several villages. O/N Guesthouse in Leh.

DAY 4

Leh

This day for complete rest or individual activities. O/N Guesthouse in Leh.  

DAY 5

Leh - Chang-La - Pangong Tso - Leh (by jeep, 160Km, 6 hours)

Early morning drive on the Leh-Upshi road upstream along the Indus river. From Karu head upwards through the Sakti valley and have an amazing sight at the Chemrey Gonpa rising majestically on a hill. While the base of the valley is dotted with green cultivated fields and houses in typical Ladakhi architecture, the pass road winds up in a number of hairpin bends. Cross the Chang-La (5'320m, 17454ft), world's third highest motorable pass. Arrive at Pangong Tso, the largest brackish water lake in Asia, one third being in India and two-thirds in Tibet with most feeding stream coming from Tibet. Enjoy the serene ambience and a stunning view of the crystal clear water, the desert and mountains in the back ground. You may observe one of the few birds at this high altitude, the Black Necked Heron. Later drive back to Leh. O/N Guesthouse in Leh.