Highest Altitude:
4,820m
Duration: 5 Days
Alternate Trek: Sumdo Chinmu Village To Alchi Via The
Stakspi La
The old caravan route to Lamayuru diverges from the
Kargil-Leh road at the Fatu-la. As one descends from the pass,
one can appreciate the impressive line of Mani walls and
contents, which lead down to the village
Day
1:
Lamayuru To Wahlah
(Average walking time 3 ½ to 4 hours)
Day 2:
Wanlah To Hinju
(Average walking time 4 to 5 hours)
Day 3:
Wanlah To Hinju
(Average walking time 4 to 5 hours)
Day 4:
Sumdo Chinmu To Base Of Dung Dung La
(Average walking time 3 to 4 hours)
OPTION: SUMDO CHINMU VILLAGE TO ALCHI VIA THE STAKSPI
LA
From Sumdo Chinmu follow the trail down the valley past the base
of the Dung Dung la. This entails following a rough trail, which
crosses the river several times before it diverts to a side
ridge to the north of the valley. The trail then leads up and
over to the village of Sumdo Choon.
(Note: Sumdo Choon 'little village, Sumdo Chinmu 'big
village')
At Sumdo Choon there is a small monastery affiliated with Alchi.
Above the village there is a trail leading to the base of the
Stakspi la (4, 970m). On the second stage there is a short,
steep ascent to the Stakspi la and grand views of the Ladakh
range.
The trail descends quite steeply to a small grazing area and
shepherds' shelter and a possible campsite. (This is a useful
camp spot if one is doing the trek in reverse out from Alchi.)
It is a further three hours down to Alchi (3,200m), where there
is a regular campsite cum restaurant close to the monastery. A
further three to 4-km along the jeep track takes one to the
Alchi Bridge, and the main highway to Leh.
Day 5:
Dung Dung La To Chiling (3,350m)
GETTING
AWAY
The road
was completed to Chiling in October 1995, however, there is no
bus service yet. The alternatives are to arrange for a jeep to
come from Leh to pick one up, or to trek down the valley for a
further stage to Nimmu and the Indus valley.
A further option is to trek up the road to the pulley bridge
over the Zanskar River. Cross the river and then continue on the
opposite, true right side of the river to the confluence with
the Markha valley. The trek up the valley to the confluence
should take no more than two to three hours and from there it is
a further two hours to the village of Skiu.
For most people Kargil is just an overnight stop on the road
between Srinagar and Leh or Padum. Yet before 1947 its position
at the confluence of the Suru and Drass Rivers made it an
important trading town, linking Kashmir and Ladakh with Gilgit
and Baltistan.
