Ladakh High-Altitude Trek: Lamayuru to Chilling - 11 Days

Day 1: Fly from Delhi to Leh

In the early morning, you'll be transferred to Delhi Airport to board your domestic flight to Leh. Leh, the capital of Ladakh, is a fertile valley just to the north of the mighty Indus River. The flight from Delhi flies over the Himalayan Range, providing amazing views.

Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours, free to relax and acclimate to the altitude (11,620 ft/ 3,500 m). In the late afternoon, you can take a gentle orientation walk around Leh and its bazaars. Once, Leh was an important trading center along the old Silk Road from China. The town is dominated by the nine-story Namgyal Palace, which has been likened to a mini version of the Potala Palace in Lhasa.

Day 2: Morning Yoga & Sightseeing in Leh

In the morning, you'll be taken to the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre, about half an hour's drive out of town. Attend an hour-long yoga and meditation class, then return to your hotel for breakfast.

Take a half-day sightseeing tour of Leh, visiting the town's highlights, including Sankar Gompa and the Shanti Stupa, constructed by a Japanese Buddhist organization and inaugurated by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. It offers spectacular views over Leh and the Stok Kangri Range. There's also the Leh Palace, situated above Leh on Namgyal Hill. The palace was built by King Sengge Namgyal in the 17th century but was later abandoned when Dogra forces took control of Ladakh in the mid-19th century.

Day 3: Monastery Tour: Thiksey, Hemis & Matho

Today you'll visit three of the most important and beautiful monasteries near Leh: Thiksey, Hemis, and Matho Monasteries. First, drive to Thiksey Monastery, which belongs to the Gelukpa (Yellow Hat) order of Buddhism. Perched on top of a hill, its red and white buildings can be seen for miles. A recently built temple within this complex contains a magnificent image of the Future Buddha, Maitreya.

Next, drive to Hemis Gompa, belonging to the Drukpa (Red Hat) order. Hemis holds the distinction as the biggest and the wealthiest monastery in Ladakh and houses a very rich collection of ancient relics, including rare 17th-century murals and painted stone reliefs adorning the courtyard gallery. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Continue to Matho Monastery, right across the Indus River Valley from Thiksey. This monastery was founded in the 16th century, and it is the only monastery in Ladakh that belongs to the Sakya order of Tibetan Buddhism. You'll learn all about these different sects from your guide.

Day 4: Transfer to Lamayuru, Trek to Wanla

After breakfast, leave Leh behind and drive to Lamayuru (11,053 ft/3369 m), a journey of about three hours. Visit the monastery here before starting the trek to Wanla in the early afternoon, a walk of about 3-4 hours.

After leaving Lamayuru, you'll cross barley fields and will come to a narrow rivulet that you'll have to cross. You will see a trail with two white stupas, and your climb toward the first pass will begin. Reach a small valley after a while, which leads to Prinkiti La, the first pass of the trek (12,140 ft/3720 m). A short and easy climb will take you over the pass. Then descend into a narrow gorge, continuing until you reach Shilla village. Cross a bridge over a river, and continue on the right bank until you come to Wanla village (10,334 ft/3150 m). Stay overnight in the charming town, and don't miss Wanla Monastery.

Day 5: Trek Wanla to Hinju

Start today's trek after breakfast and after loading your gear onto ponies. Today's trail follows the Yapola River for about two hours, then comes to the village of Phanjila (10,826 ft/3,300 m). Have a tea break here before continuing along a gradual incline to Hinju village (12,417 ft/3,785 m). Today's trek takes about 5-6 hours.

Day 6: Trek Hinju to Sumdo Doksa via Konski La

This morning's walk begins with a steep climb through mountain pastures to Konski La. At 16,233 feet (4,948 m), it's the highest pass on this trek. While it's a challenging ascent, at the top, you'll be rewarded with spectacular views of the Karakoram and Stok Ranges. Descend to your campsite at Sumdo Doksa campsite (14,507 ft/4,422 m). Today you'll walk for about 6-7 hours.

Day 7: Trek Sumdo Doska to Base of Dung Dung Chan La

This morning, after breakfast, pass through the village of Sumda Chenmo, from where the trail starts ascending to the base of Dung Dung Chan La Pass. Along the way, look out for beautiful Alpine flora like edelweiss. Stop for the night beneath Dung Dung Chan La (14,527 ft/4428 m) after about 6-7 hours of walking. You'll ascend the pass first thing the next morning.

Day 8: Trek Dung Dung Chan La to Chilling

Start the day's hike with a straightforward climb up to Dung Dung Chan La Pass (15,813 feet/4820 m.). From here, you can enjoy the beautiful vistas of the Stok Range in the east and the Zanskar Range to the south.

From the pass, the trail gradually descends down a ridge toward the valley, continually tapering before reaching the village of Chilling (10,482 ft/3195 m) on the banks of the Zanskar River. Chilling is the only village in Ladakh that has provided copper, bronze, tin, silver, and iron items to the Leh market throughout the centuries.

Finish the trek, after about 6-7 hours' walking, at Chilling.

Day 9: Transfer from Chilling to Leh

Say goodbye to your trekking crew after breakfast, and transfer to Leh, a journey of about two hours. You'll follow the banks of the Zanskar River until you reach Nimoo, where the Zanskar and Indus Rivers meet.

Upon arrival in Leh, check into your hotel, and the rest of the day is free. Do some last-minute shopping in what will feel like quite a metropolis compared to the remote mountains!

Day 10: Return Flight to Delhi

Transfer to Leh Airport in the early morning to fly to Delhi. Enjoy some last views of the mountains en route. Upon arrival, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure. Relax and recover from your trek, or enjoy some last-minute sightseeing in Delhi. 

Day 11: Depart Delhi

You'll be transferred to the airport for your flight home or to continue your onward travels. Namaste and Julley!

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