INTRODUCTION
If you are looking for a short trek in Ladakh and don't want the crowds of Markha then the five day route from Shang Sumdo to Rumbak is extremely attractive. The route walks in the shadow of the Matho Kangri and Stok Kangri peaks with typical rolling grasslands, fast flowing rivers, wildlife and nomadic settlements of sheep and yak. The trek approach is close to Leh making this an ideal one week vacation.
Who should join this trek?
A good choice for regular hill walkers, moderate level of fitness required. Prior trekking experience is advisable as it is a camping trek.
1) Walking times: average 5 to 6 hours walking per day.
2) Altitude: up to 4,940 metres at the passes and around 4200-4400 metres at the campsites.
3) Terrain: for some of the time following well-travelled trails although also likely to encounter rough and rocky conditions near the passes.
4) Remoteness: the trek is in a remote mountain area but not far from the roadheads at Shang Sumdo, Matho, Stok. There is no mobile phones and wifi connectivity on the trek.
DATES
August 31st to September 7th 2019
ITINERARY
Day 1 Fly in from Delhi to Leh and rest for the day.
Day 2 Acclimatisation rest day - visit monasteries in and around Leh.
Day 3 Leh to Shang Sumdo 3950m
We drive from Leh to Shang Sumdo and reach in about 90 minutes. We camp near the river and spend the day acclimatising in and around Shang Sumdo. This second acclimatisation day will help us in our future days.
Day 4 Shang Sumdo 3950m to Shang Phu 4250m 5 to 6 hours
We start our trek today - our ponies are waiting for us here and after breakfast we start our first days walk. Today the trail ascend gradually through green fields of wheat and barley following the Shang river, flowing from south of Matho Kangri.The valley heads up a shepherds hut the grasslands around serve as grazing grounds fro yak, sheep and goats. We camp overnight at Shang Phu. There is no pass to cross.
Day 5 Shang Phu 4250m to Gangpoche 41500m across Shang la 4940m 5 to 6 hours
The day begins with a long three to four hour climb to the Shang la through a zg zag trail. This area is home to snow leopards, bharal, marmots, golden eagle and a lot of other bird life and wildlife. The view from the top is impressive with the mountain wall of Matho Kangri 5900m just behind and above the pass. The path then descends gradually to the campsite of Gangpoche.
Day 6 Gangpoche to Mancarmo via Matho La 4930 5 to 6 hours
This trail travels across the Gangpoche meadows until it reaches the base of Matho la 4350 metres. It then climbs the gentle slopes to the top of Matho La our second pass. The trail steadily ascends to a series of grassy slopes, Yak herders from the nearby villages live in stone settlement at the foot of the pass and the view from the pass is absolute amazing , the popular Stok kangri peak right behind. From the top of Matho La is descends gradually for around 3 km to the campsite of Mankarmo 4480m.
Day 7 Mankarmo 4480m to Rumbak 3900m across Stok La 4900m 6 to 7 hours.
Today we have a hard climb to the top of Stok La which has a spectacular view - this is our final pass and then we descend gradually to the the village of Rumbak. We stop for a snack at a tea tent in Rumbak and then walk one hour down to the road head where our transport is wating drive us back to Leh 2 hour drive.
Day 8 Fly back from Leh to your home city
COST
Rs 55,000 plus GST for Indian cicitzens and US $900 plus GST for foreign passports Leh to Leh some exclusions apply - for more information do visit http://www.southcol.com/treks-nepal/shang-stok-via-matho-la-ladakh-august-2018/
awesome post bro ... Camping in Ladakh is just an awesome experience
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