Trekking Tours

Indus Kashmir offers a programme to suit all levels of ability – from short walks through the delightful countryside of Gulmarg to intense treks with porters.
 Kashmir is a land of outstanding scenery which forms stunning mountain peaks to deep valleys with fast flowing streams. Above all Kashmir offers Walkers peace and tranquility - No overcrowding and no pollution.

Suggested trips:

The trek to the Amarnath shrine is one of the most popular trekking trails in Kashmir.

Gulmarg is also an important trekking base for trails in the Pir Panjal ranges –i.e. the trek from the Ferozepur Nala to Danwas. A shorter route is from Tejjan to Samaidan.

Trek from Gulmarg to Tosamaidan

Sonamarg is a starting point of a trekking trail of great natural beauty that passes through several mountain lakes, - Vishansar, Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and Gangabal.

Also trek the Zanskar ranges known for spectacular heights and extremely cold temperatures.

9 Days: Markha Valley Trek

There are two approaches to trek the Markha valley. The first is via Spituk to Zinchen. The second is via Stok Nirmaling for those who are fit & well acclimatize, the Stok approach provide same breath taking view of the Indus valley as you approach the Nirmaling, normally one night is spend in route from Stok. The problems as always is acclimatization. For the less experienced the trek Vis Spituk is the better alternative. In this programme on nine days trek in Leh transverse over the Zankar mountain & enters the Markha valley, after visiting the village & Gompa & Markha valley, the tria transverse through Nirmaling plain which are dominated by the towering Kangytse peaks 6400 metres. In this valley Ladakhi shepherds can be seen who dwell in the woolen tents with the hair of goats yaks. The trek ends up at Hemis, visit the famous monastery, of Hemin & then drive back to Leh enroute by visiting Thiksey & Shey Gompa.

• Day 1: Spituk to Zinchen, 5 Hours
  Leave Leh by jeep / coach for Spituk village & then start trekking for Zinchen easy walk & river crossing 3 times camp at Zinchen village.
   

• Day 2: Zinchen to Kandala base, 6 Hours
  River crossing few times, the walk is little hard, lunch stop At Rambak, camp at base.
   

• Day 3: Kandala vase to Skiu, 6 Hours
  Go along the mountains side up to the Kandala 4900 metres. Long easy descent towards Shingo village after, easy fords, camp at Skiu
   

• Day 4: Skiu to Markha, 7 Hours.
  A good path continue on the right bank from Skiu to Markha. It is all round green. After crossing left
  bank by a bridge, mountain scape changes to barren & by plain, again cross a bridge on the right bank, trekkers arrive at Chaluk village with few houses. Cross again & after a short climb is a beautiful Markha village with very good camping sites beyond house near the river.
   

• Day 5: Markha to Tchtchutse, 7 Hours
  Ascent to the main valley on right bank of the river by passing off Humlung monastery, follow right bank upto Hanker village with few houses. Now path is good. A little a head of Hanker, leaving broad valley on the right side, cross bridge, reach to Tchatchutse for camp.
   

• Day 6: Tchatchutse Nirmaling, 3 Hours
  Now path is well marked, river is quite far the left, walk near a small lake, cross pastures reach Nirmaling. It is beautiful valley in Ladakh Kang Yaze peak dominates the valley. From Nirmaling there are so many routes leading to the summits.
   

• Day 7: Nirmaling to Shang Sumdo, 7 Hours
  Long climb along the mountain side some zigzag up to the Kongmarula 5150 metres. Long descent in to gorges several easy streams crossing. Leave the gorge keep walking on the bank of Churkimo then sometimes in the river bed right side & again on the left arrive in Shang.
   

• Day 8: Shang Sumdo to Hemis, 4 Hours
  Take the river bed again a good footpath through large blocks, trekker reach the motorable trail, pass a series of Chortens. Leave Martselang village on the right & follow a gentle rising trail to Hemis.
   

• Day 9: Hemis to Leh, 5 Hours
  After sight seeing of the Hemis monastery, leave for Leh en route visit Thiksey & Shey monasteries.
  
  

10 Days: Padum to Lamayuru Trek

Its reputation is well established & well deserved. It is perhaps the hardest route because of great number of ups & downs. The best period is from the mid June to October. Allow 10 Days.

• Day 1: Padum to Karsha, 4 Hours
  From Padum, head towards Pupating, then a dusty plain towards the Doda river.
   

• Day 2: Karsha to Pishu , 5 Hours
  Easy stretch on the often hot & dusty bank of the Zanskar river. Above Rinam, small stream & shelter formed by the rocks. Before Pishu make a little detour to see the longest hanging bridge over the Zansker. It leads to Zangala, Attractive Campsite below the village of Pishu.
   

• Day 3: Pishu to Hanumil, 5 Hours
  Continue left bank. Easy going sometimes along the river, sometimes across the morainic plateau. A bridge before Pidmo, then another 2 Hours until Hanumil. Very good campsite 100 metres past the 2 houses.
   

• Day 4: Hanumil to Parti-la to Lingshed, 7 Hours.
  Still on a good & easy path 4 Hours beyond Hanumil, small stream on the left. Take on a supply of water. The path leads away from the edge of the Zanskar, upto the plateau, then to the foot of the pass. Steep & difficult Climb for the animals as for as the Parti-la 3900 metres. Rather steep descent unhtil reaching the Oma-chu river. Good bridge, then up a 500 metres sandy slope. Wonderful lookout. Then along the slope as for as the sheep folds of Snertse.
   

• Day 5: Snertse to Hanuma-la to Lingshed, 7 Hours
  Long gradual ascent towards the Hanuma-la. Through gorges first, then easier. After 2 hours, pass a sheep fold. A further 2 hours to reach the summit of the Hanuma-la 4700 metres. A 1000 metres steep descent, then a 300 metres climb along the mountain side. From this small pass easy descent towards Lingshed campsites near the monastery.
   

• Day 6: Lingshed to foot of the Sengge-la, 6 Hours
  Easy climb of 4 hours upto Murgum-la 4100 metres. Continue climbing, pass an escarpment then go along the slope. Wonderful landscape, view of the valley of Nierag, on the other bank of the Zanskar. Gentle descent towards the villages of Gongma 3840 metres & Skiiumpata. Then very steep climb as for as the Kiupa-la 3850 metres. Then climb gradually along the mountain side up to the foot of the Sengge-la.
   

• Day 7: Foot of the Sengge-la to Photoksar, 7 Hours.
  Rather steep climb to the Sengge-la taking from 2 hours, then a short slope leads into a broad valley. Easy going then gentle climb towards the Bumiktse-la 4200 metres, beautiful view, descent towards Photoksar 3750 metres, splendid village at the base of the huge mountain walls. Abandoned Gompa 20 minutes away above the village.
   

• Day 8: Photoksar to Sirsir-la to Hanupatta, 6 Hours.
  From the village, gentle climb up to a large Chortens, then long ascent of the Sirsir-la.The last third is steep.Pass is situated at 4800 metres. Easy descent to the river. Cross on to the left bank, then, long descent into a story valley. Good campsite a short distances before the village of Hanupatta.
   

• Day 9: Hanupatta to Wanla, 5 Hours.
  From Hanupatta, continue across the slope until entering the gorges. At the junction of the rivers, chorten & religious banners on a flat. Pass a redge across the Yapola then, some easy difficult stretches until Phenjila 3 hours. A little beyond the village, cross again onto the left bank.Then on a flat to Wanla.Beautiful Gompa.
   

• Day 10: Wanla to Lamayuru, 3 Hours.
  Go up the Shillakong along the right bank,cross it, then arriuve on Shilla.Pass the village, go to a broad chorten then follow a narrow & dry gorge as far as the Prinkiti-la 3726 metres.Easy descent, then pass an escarpment. Cross the river and go towards the village of Lamayuru. Short climb towards the monastery which is the most photographed in Ladakh.