Mountaineering Lungser Kangri

Base Camp : Rugyado Phu (5630m)

High Camp : between 5900-6000m

Technical difficulty : Low-angle snow or straightforward scrambling on rocks; ropes/crampons are required; previous climbing experience is not essential

 Fitness :  Should be fit; average rucksack weight 5-6kg

This is an excellent straightforward climb with awesome views of the surrounding peaks and the Tso-Moriri Lake. It is a great objective for fit trekkers without any climbing experience. Although the ascent is not difficult, the rarefied air makes it quite challenging.

Arrival Leh, Wisdom representative will meet, greet, assist and transfer you to Hotel in Leh. Rest of the day free to acclimatize to the high altitude of Ladakh. In the evening take a walk to the local bazaar in Leh. Overnight at Hotel in Leh.

Morning after breakfast, drive to Thiksey village, visit Thiksey monastery and drive to Shey Village to visit Shey Palace and Gompa. Continue drive to Hemis monastery to visit one of the most famous monasteries of Ladakh. Later on the way back to Leh Visit Stok Palace and Museum. Come back to Leh in the evening and relax at the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Leh.

THIKSEY GOMPA: 19 Kms from Leh, spectacularly sited, Thiksey is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive Gompas. There are several temples in this Gompas, containing images, stupas and wall paintings of Buddha, which are exquisite.

SHEY PALACE AND GOMPA: Situated on a hillock 15 Kms upstream from Leh, it was once the residence of the royal family. According to tradition, it was the seat of power of the pre-Tibetan kinds. A 7.5 mts high copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold and the largest of its kind, is installed here.

HEMIS GOMPA: 40 Kms from Leh, it is the wealthiest, best known and biggest Gompa of Ladakh. Its popularity stems from the major annual festival held here in summer. The festival is in honor of Guru Padma Sambhava’s birth anniversary. It also has the largest Thanka in Ladakh which is unfurled once in 12 years Hemis was built in 1630 during the reign of Singge Namgyal, an illustrious ruler of Ladakh. It flourished under the Namgyal Dynasty for the royalty favored the Drugpa sect, which is managed the monastery. It is divided into two, the assembly hall on the right and the main temple on the left. The hall (Dukhang) is also used as “green room” by the dancers during the festival. The temple is known as Tshogkhang. The verandahs have a surfeit of frescoes, among them the Buddhist “Wheel Of Life” (Kalachakra) and the lords of the four quarters, besides the prayer wheel.

STOK PALACE & MUSEUM: The palace of the banished royal family, Stok has a museum which displays fabulous period costumes and jewelry of the royalty along with exquisite Thankas representing the life style of Shakya Muni. Interesting historical objects like coins, armor, weapons, precious jades and porcelain too can be seen here.

Morning after breakfast drive to Alchi. Enroute visit Magnetic Hill, Confluence of Zanskar and Indus river. Visit Alchi Monastery and drive back to Leh. Enroute visit Likir Monastery. Arrive hotel in Leh for dinner and overnight.

MAGNETIC HILL : Defying the Law of gravity. This place is close to the Gurdwara Shri Patthar Sahib. It has been noticed that when a vehicle is parked on neutral gear on this metallic road the vehicle slides up-hill that’s the Believe it or not of Ladakh!

CONFLENCE OF THE ZANSKAR & INDUS : On way to Sham Valley before Nimu village one can have this magnificent view of two rivers in wed-lock! In seasons they have different colors and flow and wildness.

ALCHI GOMPA: 70 Kms from Leh, on the banks of the Indus, is the Alchi Gompa dating a thousand years back. One of its walls features thousands of miniature sized pictures of the Buddha. Three large sized images made of clay and painted brightly are its focal attractions. No longer an active religious center, it is looked after by monks from the Liker monastery. This is the only monastery amongst 34 monasteries, which is not located on a hilltop.

LIKIR GOMPA: Founded in the 11^th century and rededicated to a different monastic order in the 15^th century, its earlier Gompa was destroyed in a fire. The present Gompa dated back to the 18^th century. Skilled craftsmen producing excellent Thankas, earthen pots and carved wooden folding stools, live here in the village. Majestically situated, Likir commands a spectacular view. A magnificent giant Jupiter tree, one of the few survivors of its species, stands in the courtyard.

After breakfast, a scenic drive along the main Indus Valley to Rumtse village (4300m) En route, the scenery is spellbinding, with huge rock walls towering on either side of the road. After unloading at Rumtse, we trek few kilometres to a camping place situated on the riverbank. Overnight in camp.

On our first day, we start off with a delightful walk on a well defined path to our campsite at the foot of Kyamar La (4925m). The route takes us through pleasant pastures, with several minor river crossings. This is an area much used by nomadic shepherds and we will get used to seeing their temporary encampments, surrounded by herds of sheep. We set up camp on the grazing ground of Kyamar (4380m). Trek: about 5-6 hrs; overnight in camp.

After breakfast ascend to Kyamar La (4925m) from where there are beautiful views of the Zanskar range and towards north the high plateau of Chang Tang. We descend on grassy slopes to Tiri Doksa, a temporary shepherd settlement and then continue to a stream, beyond which we trek up to Mandalachan La (4805m), a low col. Descend to camp at Tisaling (4720m). Trek: about 6 hrs; overnight in camp.

After breakfast we start our long day trek over the Thasang La (5030m); from the top we will have fine views of Tso Kar Lake. Descending gradually to the shores of this brackish salt water lake, we find ourselves in an area where there are several nomad camps. Flocks of sheep and goats and small herds of yaks are scattered across the pastures, as are the nomads’ tents. Walking around the lake, we set up camp at Phongponagu (4430m), a place which is well known for sighting Tibetan Wild Ass (Kiang), Ibex, Marmot and several species of migratory birds. Trek: about 7-8hrs; overnight in camp.

Commence trekking after breakfast; the going is easy as we cross open plains, looking out for the distinctive and very robust Kiangs, amongst the occasional groups of livestock. It takes 4-5hrs to reach our night halt on the pastures of Nuruchan. This is a high and wild part of the world, inhabited by the rare Bharals (Blue Sheep) and the Himalayan Wolves. Trek: about 4-5hrs; overnight in camp.

After breakfast We climb gently to Nuruchan La (4750m) and drop down into another herding area. We aim to reach our camp at Rachungkaru early afternoon and have the afternoon free to put our feet up. Trek: about 4hrs; overnight in camp.

Another hard day, as we cross Kyamaru La (5200m) and Gyabarma La (5175m) passes. Even though we are by now well acclimatised, trekking at this altitude is always quite tough and we may experience breathlessness. Camp is on the pastures at Gyabarma at a height of around 5000m. Trek: about 7-8hrs; overnight in camp.

Today after breakfast we cross Yalung Nyau La (5300m) – the highest pass on the trail  to reach Tso Morari Lake. Beyond an initial ridge at 5150m, we drop into a broad valley to begin the easy climb to the pass. At the crest of the pass, there are breath-taking views of the blue expanse of Tso Morari and its backdrop of snow-capped peaks. The long descent to Karzok Dok takes about 4 hours. Overnight in camp.

After breakfast we trek along the beautiful lake and after about 3-4 hours reach the picturesque lakeside village of Karzok (4350m), its dozen or so houses and a gompa, appear like an oasis set in barren hills. This is the only permanent settlement in Rupshu; otherwise the region is inhabited only by the nomadic Chang Pa herdsmen, who move with their yaks and cattle to high pastures during summertime. Afternoon we explore the lake area, which supports Kiang, marmots, hares, mouse hares and voles. We may also see Blue Sheep, and if favoured by the Gods, even a Snow Leopard. The lake is the breeding ground for numerous species of birds, including the Bar-headed Goose, Great Crested Grebe, Brahminy Duck and Brown-headed Gull. Trek: about 3-4hrs; overnight in camp.

After breakfast we trek along the lake to its eastern shores. After a climb, we reach the grassy slope of Kurchyu (4915m). Trek: about 5-6hrs; overnight in camp.

After breakfast we trek for about 4hrs to our Base Camp at Rugyado Phu (5630m). Trek: about 4hrs; overnight in camp.

We start early morning and make a steep ascent to our Advance Camp between 5900-6000m; the views of the Lake from here are simply amazing, this is a very important stage for our next and final phase. We acclimatise further for the summit attempt. Overnight in camp.

An early start (0400Hrs) for the long climb ahead. The climb itself is not technical and basically requires walking on scree, moraine and then snow slopes. If we encounter any exposed or icy sections, the group will rope up to safeguard the ascent. It is a climb of 6-7hrs to the summit, which affords stupendous views in all directions. Back to camp at Rugyado Phu in about 4-5hrs. Trek: about 10-12hrs; overnight in camp.

One more day for summit attempt, in case we can’t make it on Day 16. Overnight in camp.

After breakfast long hike back to Karzok. Overnight in camp.

After breakfast drive back to Leh, we drive over bumpy and dusty roads to the village of Chumathang, and continue onwards arriving in Leh in the evening. Overnight in hotel.

Leave on time for Leh airport to board your flight to Delhi.