Kanji La and Shila Gorge
Its essentially a wilderness trek that will amply challenge the ambitions of the intrepid trekker intent on following trails through remote gorges and over high passes en route to Rangdum. The trek can also be reversed and extended towards Chilling on the Hidden Valleys Trek and then ascending the Markha Valley to complete the ambitious traverse beyond the Indus Valley. The trek follows remote trails over the outlying ridges of the Zanskar Range and through spectacular gorges from the ancient gompa at Lamayuru to Rangdum. Can be undetaken from early June until mid october, although there will be anticipated snow on the Kanji La until early July and summer storms in Shilakong Gorge along with roaring water levels.
Day 1-Leh- Lamayuru
Lamayuru has a camping ground below the escarpment which perch the 11th century monastery and its guest house. There are several guest houses and restaurants in Lamayuru.It takes 3-4 hours from Leh to Lamayuru, one of the oldest sites in Ladakh. Enroute we will visit the famous Pathar Saheb Gurudwara, Magnetic Hill, Confluence point and beautiful villages of Ladakh. According to the legend that there was once a vast lake which filled the upper reaches of the valley and Sage Naropa miraculously breached this, thus the site of the breach was revered and became the location of the gompa which was built in 10th century. In recent years Lamayuru as well as a number of other gompas in Ladakh have changed their annual masked dance festival to the summer for convenience of tourists, which was earlier held in long winters. We stay here tonight and enjoy the beautiful scenes as well as the tour of the monastery.
Day 2 - Lamayuru - Shila over Pritikingi La (3500 meters)
Its a hot trail today as the temperature here reaches up to 30 degree Celsius in summers. So its best to start early from Lamayuru as we trail down from the stream and then turn up at a side valley towards prayer flags. Then the trek ascends way up through a barren gorge of yellow loess clay toward Pritikingi La which offers us views across the barren landscapes of the Zanskar Range. From the pass trail enters a narrow gorge down to the Shikalong Valley. This is Shila, it's one kilometer from Wanla village and its 11th century monastery as described in Hidden Valleys Trek and Lamayuru to Alchi. We can take a stroll towards the village and check out its wonderful monastery. We camp at Shila tonight.
Day 3- Shila-Shilakong (4000 meters)
The trail ascends the impressive Shila Gorge as its forges its way to the outer rim of Zanskar. Its a narrow gorge and recieves sun shine only for a few hours each day thus giving sense or remoteness unparalleled to any other trek in Ladakh. From here we pass on to the dirt road for 2 km past the turn off Pritikingi La and reach the hot springs. There are medicinal benefits of this hot springs and families from Kargil come visiting it for its healing properties. Though the campsite is not very impressive. From the hot springs we enter a narrow gorge and pass through willow thickets. We will be crossing some rivers with our pants up during the way. Five kilometer from away and the gorge splits, we turn left and continue following the course of the river. Some silver berches will come along the way and the gorge will widen again for the final ascent towards Shilakong. The camp is located at the confluence of two river valleys. There are fantastic views to offer. The valley from the south defines the route over Sisir La.
Lamayuru has a camping ground below the escarpment which perch the 11th century monastery and its guest house. There are several guest houses and restaurants in Lamayuru.It takes 3-4 hours from Leh to Lamayuru, one of the oldest sites in Ladakh. Enroute we will visit the famous Pathar Saheb Gurudwara, Magnetic Hill, Confluence point and beautiful villages of Ladakh. According to the legend that there was once a vast lake which filled the upper reaches of the valley and Sage Naropa miraculously breached this, thus the site of the breach was revered and became the location of the gompa which was built in 10th century. In recent years Lamayuru as well as a number of other gompas in Ladakh have changed their annual masked dance festival to the summer for convenience of tourists, which was earlier held in long winters. We stay here tonight and enjoy the beautiful scenes as well as the tour of the monastery.
Day 2 - Lamayuru - Shila over Pritikingi La (3500 meters)
Its a hot trail today as the temperature here reaches up to 30 degree Celsius in summers. So its best to start early from Lamayuru as we trail down from the stream and then turn up at a side valley towards prayer flags. Then the trek ascends way up through a barren gorge of yellow loess clay toward Pritikingi La which offers us views across the barren landscapes of the Zanskar Range. From the pass trail enters a narrow gorge down to the Shikalong Valley. This is Shila, it's one kilometer from Wanla village and its 11th century monastery as described in Hidden Valleys Trek and Lamayuru to Alchi. We can take a stroll towards the village and check out its wonderful monastery. We camp at Shila tonight.
Day 3- Shila-Shilakong (4000 meters)
The trail ascends the impressive Shila Gorge as its forges its way to the outer rim of Zanskar. Its a narrow gorge and recieves sun shine only for a few hours each day thus giving sense or remoteness unparalleled to any other trek in Ladakh. From here we pass on to the dirt road for 2 km past the turn off Pritikingi La and reach the hot springs. There are medicinal benefits of this hot springs and families from Kargil come visiting it for its healing properties. Though the campsite is not very impressive. From the hot springs we enter a narrow gorge and pass through willow thickets. We will be crossing some rivers with our pants up during the way. Five kilometer from away and the gorge splits, we turn left and continue following the course of the river. Some silver berches will come along the way and the gorge will widen again for the final ascent towards Shilakong. The camp is located at the confluence of two river valleys. There are fantastic views to offer. The valley from the south defines the route over Sisir La.
Day 4- Shilakong to Kanji Village via Yogma La (4650 meters)
From Shikalong we cross the side stream and head up towards the valley on the West. The path is laden with scree and tiny meadows as we catch glance to Sisir La (4720 meters) on the other side of the valley. From top we get to enjoy amazing views of Zanskar Range and green fields towards our descent. Thankfully some respite after the remote barren lands and confines of the narrow gorge we trekked through. There are some steep switch-backs (immediate ascents and descents) before the path becomes gradual downhill towards Kanji Village and its scant green pastures. Its a beautiful village situated at an altitude of 3800 meters with several houses and families living with their live stocks. Their are solar panels on top of the houses and green houses in fields for year long crop yields. We camp a little ahead of the village in the green pastures or in a guest house depending on availability. There is also a possibility to cut short the trek by descending below the gorge towards Heniskot on Kargil-Le road and cath a bus from there.
Day 5- Kanji Village - Kanji La Base (4200 meters)
Today we will be exploring more gorges as well as encampments of yak herders. As we walk for 2 or 3 hours on gradual trails over bridges, alongside river and crossing green pastures and, we come across at a large open grazing area. From here as we head up to the confluence of two river tributaries. As we follow the tributary to our left we come across our camping ground. We rest and stroll for acclimatization today as tomorrow will be a tough but exciting day.
Day 6- Kanji La Base to Camp via Kanji La (5200 meters)
We start early and begin our ascent to Kanji La over rock cairns towards a prominent ridge top. From here we will be able to see the route to the pass near a small glacier. After a mild 3 kilometer walk over a broad plateau the trail steeply ascends over loose scree possibly under snow in early season. The last part of the climb will be tough and slippery over ice and difficult. However the views from the pass are incredible. The panoramic views stretch towards Karakoram Ranges as well as the mighty K2 and other 8000 meter peaks from just a little above from the pass. On one side there are beautiful views of snow capped Ladakh Ranges and Indus Valley and on the other side jagged peaks of Zanskar. After savouring the views and clicking pictures we descent towards the exhausting and tiring scree slopes till we enter in another narrow gorge. There will be snow bridges intact for most part of the season and lead us to our campsite at 4150 meters overlooking a confluence of Kanji Stream and a larger water body flowing from the east. We camp here tonight amid the beautiful starry landscapes.
From Shikalong we cross the side stream and head up towards the valley on the West. The path is laden with scree and tiny meadows as we catch glance to Sisir La (4720 meters) on the other side of the valley. From top we get to enjoy amazing views of Zanskar Range and green fields towards our descent. Thankfully some respite after the remote barren lands and confines of the narrow gorge we trekked through. There are some steep switch-backs (immediate ascents and descents) before the path becomes gradual downhill towards Kanji Village and its scant green pastures. Its a beautiful village situated at an altitude of 3800 meters with several houses and families living with their live stocks. Their are solar panels on top of the houses and green houses in fields for year long crop yields. We camp a little ahead of the village in the green pastures or in a guest house depending on availability. There is also a possibility to cut short the trek by descending below the gorge towards Heniskot on Kargil-Le road and cath a bus from there.
Day 5- Kanji Village - Kanji La Base (4200 meters)
Today we will be exploring more gorges as well as encampments of yak herders. As we walk for 2 or 3 hours on gradual trails over bridges, alongside river and crossing green pastures and, we come across at a large open grazing area. From here as we head up to the confluence of two river tributaries. As we follow the tributary to our left we come across our camping ground. We rest and stroll for acclimatization today as tomorrow will be a tough but exciting day.
Day 6- Kanji La Base to Camp via Kanji La (5200 meters)
We start early and begin our ascent to Kanji La over rock cairns towards a prominent ridge top. From here we will be able to see the route to the pass near a small glacier. After a mild 3 kilometer walk over a broad plateau the trail steeply ascends over loose scree possibly under snow in early season. The last part of the climb will be tough and slippery over ice and difficult. However the views from the pass are incredible. The panoramic views stretch towards Karakoram Ranges as well as the mighty K2 and other 8000 meter peaks from just a little above from the pass. On one side there are beautiful views of snow capped Ladakh Ranges and Indus Valley and on the other side jagged peaks of Zanskar. After savouring the views and clicking pictures we descent towards the exhausting and tiring scree slopes till we enter in another narrow gorge. There will be snow bridges intact for most part of the season and lead us to our campsite at 4150 meters overlooking a confluence of Kanji Stream and a larger water body flowing from the east. We camp here tonight amid the beautiful starry landscapes.
Day 6- Camp to Rangdum (4000 meters)
Today will be a relatively easy trek towards Rangdum Monastery. We can catch glimpses of the blue himalayan sheep over the higher ridges and some brown bears on our way down towards the lower reaches of the valley. Now there is another water stream which needs to be exercised with caution and with the help of your guide. From the trail is well defined and we cross some ridges and camp sites and walking on for another few hours will take us to Rangdum Gompa. The monastery was established in 18th century and is affiliated with the Gelukpa order. From here the nearest villages are Tashi Tuntse and Juldo which is connected to the road. We stay at a guest house here tonight and leave for Kargil/Leh next day.
End of Trek
Today will be a relatively easy trek towards Rangdum Monastery. We can catch glimpses of the blue himalayan sheep over the higher ridges and some brown bears on our way down towards the lower reaches of the valley. Now there is another water stream which needs to be exercised with caution and with the help of your guide. From the trail is well defined and we cross some ridges and camp sites and walking on for another few hours will take us to Rangdum Gompa. The monastery was established in 18th century and is affiliated with the Gelukpa order. From here the nearest villages are Tashi Tuntse and Juldo which is connected to the road. We stay at a guest house here tonight and leave for Kargil/Leh next day.
End of Trek
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We will provide trained Hindi and English speaking guide and proper backup and safety along with great food and camping. Please inquire and fill the form below to book.
Per day cost will be upwards of 2000/-per person on per day basis and can be negotiated based on group size and facilities.
Click here to know more..
We will provide trained Hindi and English speaking guide and proper backup and safety along with great food and camping. Please inquire and fill the form below to book.
Per day cost will be upwards of 2000/-per person on per day basis and can be negotiated based on group size and facilities.
- All necessary paper works and permits.
- Healthy and Tasty Meals including Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Soups and Snacks
- Bonfire
- Porters and Mules
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- All government and local taxes if necessary.
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- Best Quality Tents, Sleeping Bags, Camping Equipment, Ropes, Ice Axe (Where required).
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