PADUM TO LEH VIA CHA CHA LA
RUBRANG LA & MARKHA VALLEY
Highest Altitude:
3,850m
Duration:
7 Days
Trekking in
Padum or Padam, the capital of Zanskar region, opens up several outlying
villages and monasteries, which form the nucleus of the region. This hard but
very rewarding trek takes one from Padum to Zangla. As on the Padum-Lamayuru Trek and
is only recommended for the second half of August because from Zangla to Markha
many crossings have to be made over large rivers.
Day 1:
Padum To
Zangla
(Average walking time 7 hours)
There is a choice of routes to Zangla. The first is to go via Karsha monastery,
and then continue down the true left side of the Zanskar valley to Pishu
village, where one crosses the bridge to Zangla. The alternative route is to
cross the bridge over the Tsarap River at Padum, and then continue down the true
right side of the Zanskar valley via the village of
Stongde (also
spelt as Stongdey).
Day 2:
Zangla To Cha Cha Base
(Average walking time 3 hours)
Day 3:
Cha Cha La Base To Camp
(Average walking time 6 hours)
Day 4:
Camp To Tilat Sumdo
(Average walking time 6 hours)
In some maps and
guidebooks there is a trail marked down the Khurna River from Tilat Sumdo to the
Zanskar River and on to the confluence with Markha valley. This track is
probably a late winter or early spring track, which the locals follow after some
sections of the ice on the Zanskar River begin to melt. There is no summer trail
along the Zanskar River between the Khurna and Markha Rivers.
Day 5:
Tilat Sumdo To Base Of Rubrang La
(Average walking time 5 to 6 hours)
Day 6:
Rubrang La Base To Markha
(Average walking time 6 hours)
Day 7:
Markha To
Leh
(Average walking time 6 hours)
From Markha village, the trek to Leh can be completed in three or four stage.
The options are either: continue down the Markha valley, and then comes to Gonda
la to the Indus valley and Leh; or go up to the valley to Nimaling, and cross
the Kongmaru la to Hemis in the Indus valley.
For more information please contact antreks@wlink.com.np