Chilling Rangdum Trek

Starts from Leh

Total Duration

18 days

Avg. Activity

6 hrs/day

Trekking

13 days

Max. Altitude

Kanji La (5,279m)

Good physical preparation recommended!

Overview

This is a challenging trek that covers the remote areas of upper Ladakh and Zanskar. There are steep ascents and winding descents along the way as we zigzag across high passes, through deep gorges lined by multi-hued rocks and villages dotted with white mud-brick buildings and Buddhist monuments. It all adds up to a spectacular experience in the rarefied mountain air of the high Himalayas.

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Best Months

Jun Jul Aug Sep

Highlights →

Experience Ladakh, a high-altitude isolation from the modern world
Trek through the magnificent landscape of the Sham and Suru valley
Rangdum, an elliptical plateau surrounded by colourful hills
Mesmerising views from Kanji La, the highest point of the trek
Buddhist monasteries in and around Leh

Route Map

Daily Itinerary →

DAY 01

Arrive at Leh

Arrive Delhi by late night or very early morning and upon arrival connect flight to Leh (3,500m). The flight to Ladakh is an amazing experience as one flies over the imposing Himalayan range offering breathtaking views. KVT representative will meet you at the airport and will transfer you to hotel for check-in. Rest of the day is free for acclimatization and in the evening stroll around in the market area.

Overnight in hotel
DAY 02

Leh Sightseeing

After breakfast we proceed for a sightseeing tour of Leh, starting with the visit to Hemis Monastery - a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Drukpa Lineage. The monastery holds the distinction of being one of the biggest as well as the wealthiest monasteries of Ladakh. We then head towards Thiksey Monastery - resembling the Potala Palace of Lhasa, this monastery houses a large statue of Buddha and is one of the most frequently visited monasteries in Ladakh. After that we visit Shey Palace – a monastery known for its giant copper with gilded gold statue of a seated Shakyamuni Buddha. After the tour we return to the hotel and relax.

Overnight in hotel
DAY 03

Drive to Chilling, Trek to base of Dundunchen La (1st Day Trekking)

After breakfast, we will drive to Chilling - our trek starting point. Our trek begins following the trail that enters a narrow valley and then follows a river. After passing several old Stupas and Mani Walls, we climb up a zigzag path to the base of Dundunchen La. This will be a short day trekking due to the gain in altitude. (Driving Time: Approx. 2 hrs / Trekking Time: 3 – 4hrs)

Overnight in camp
DAY 04

2nd Day Trekking: Trek to Sumdo Chenmo (3900m) en-route Dundunchen La

This morning we start our day by following the trail which is a steep climb for about 3 to 4 hours to the top of Dundunchen La (4800m), a pass offering good views of the Stok range of mountains up to Kangyatse and the Indus valley. From the pass we descend to a nice spot near a grove of willow trees and wild roses and then up to the river. From here we climb gradually for another hour to the small village of Sumda Chenmo. Sumda Chenmo has an old monastery and a couple of houses where we may see metalworkers at their craft. (Trekking Time: 5 – 6hrs)

Overnight in camp
DAY 05

3rd Day Trekking: Trek to Sumdo Phu (3800m)

In the morning we continue our walk through the trail that goes up to the main valley to some shepherd huts at Sumdo Phu, another beautiful secluded village. Then we turn to the corner and continue walking up on the stream bed for another hour and finally we reach to our next campsite for the night. (Trekking Time: 4 - 5hrs)

Overnight in camp
DAY 06

4th Day Trekking: Trek to Konzke La base (3800m) en-route Konzke La

Today after breakfast we follow the trail that ascent to the base of Konzke La. We start with a climb for sometime through green pasture land where shepherds graze their flocks. From here the trail ascents to the pass of Konzke La (4950m), from where the view of Zanskar and Stok mountains range are awe-inspiring. Then it is a steep descent towards our campsite. (Trekking Time: 4 – 5hrs)

Overnight in camp
DAY 07

5th Day Trekking: Trek towards Hanupatta (3850m)

This day we descend towards the village of Hinju and then move towards Ripchar Valley till the village of Phenjila. Afterwards we continue our walk on the trail which enters to a lovely but narrow gorge surrounded with colorful rocks. We go through some stone archways and bridges before we reach Sumdo which is the meeting point of 3 valleys. From here we take right towards the valley and keep on following the river for another 2hrs till we reach the campsite village of Hanupatta, marked by Mani walls and Chortens. (Trekking Time: 7 – 8hrs)

Overnight in camp
DAY 08

6th Day Trekking: Trek to Sniugutse La base (4500m)

Morning after breakfast we follow a nice path for around 30mins, before we start a gradual climb for some time. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of colorful rocks and snowcapped peaks as we walk past juniper bushes and wild rose bushes. After reaching to an irrigation pond, we leave the main trail and take the left one, cross a small river and start climbing to a ridge. We walk along the right bank of the river to another small ridge and climb for another 30mins to reach the top. From here we continue with a gradual climb towards our campsite at the base of Sniugutse La. (Trekking Time: 4 – 5hrs)

Overnight in camp
DAY 09

7th Day Trekking: Trek across the Sniugutse La (5100m)

Today we may have opportunity of seeing lots of marmots and ibex on the trail. We follow the right bank of the river for about an hour and then enter to a narrow gorge with sharp jagged rocks then we climb a steep section to reach the top of the pass of Sniugutse La (5100m), which is marked by prayer flags and boast great views of the Zanskar mountains range. After that a steep descend on a zigzag path for some time before we climb gradually for about an hour. We cross another small river and pass through some shepherds’ huts before descending to a river we wade across several times. After the last crossing we ascent again for a while and then a gentle descent will lead us to our campsite at the base of unnamed pass. (Trekking Time: 6 - 7hrs)

Overnight in camp
DAY 10

8th Day Trekking: Trek to Spring Camp (5300m)

In the morning, we start our trek and a steep climb on a direct but not too well defined zigzag trail to reach the top of the unnamed pass. The steep haul for 1½ hours is rewarded with fantastic panoramic views of the colorfully landscaped valley and surrounding peaks, including the prominent peak of Tsomothang. An easy descent brings us to a lovely spot near a spring, where we establish a high camp. (Trekking Time: 4 – 5hrs)

Overnight in camp
DAY 11

9th Day Trekking: Trek to High Camp and back

This day we hike up to the high camp which is located at an altitude of 5520m; where climbers stay on their summit to Tsomothang Peak. As we explore the high camp we can see the glacier and K2 (8611m) also known as Mount Godwin Austen in a distance. Then we return back by following the same trail to reach our camps.

Overnight in camp
DAY 12

10th Day Trekking: Trek to Kanji (3850m)

Morning after breakfast we follow the trail which descends to the valley and we walk along the river, after some time of walking we cross the river then head towards a small village of Dumbur with its huge payer wheel. Afterwards we continue walking towards the scenic village of Kanji; here we get close to civilization again as we can see villagers and shops. (Trekking Time: 5 – 6hrs)

Overnight in camp
DAY 13

11th Day Trekking: Trek to Kanji La base (4390m)

After breakfast we head towards our next campsite the base camp of Kanji La. We walk through some fields and then walk along a river which we cross by a wooden bridge. Then we follow the right bank of the Kong River, which we wade across for several times. We continue through a narrow valley and passing through some shepherds’ huts then we take a small trail leading to the Kanji la base camp. (Trekking Time: 5 – 6hrs)

Overnight in camp
DAY 14

12th Day Trekking: Trek to Mapollan (4310m) en-route Kanji La

Today the trail is rough and steep at some sections and we will be walking on moraine and rocky terrain to reach the top of the pass Kanji La (5279m). We reach the base of the pass from where the trail is steep ascent with a narrow path that goes towards the top of the pass (snow is likely to be on top of the pass). Fluttering prayer flags and fantastic views of the Nun Kun massif and Zanskar Mountains will greet us at the top. From the pass it’s a long descent on a rocky terrain to a narrow gorge; again we have to cross a river which will take us to the campsite at Mapollan. (Trekking Time: 7 – 8hrs)

Overnight in camp
DAY 15

13th Day Trekking: Trek to Tashitongde (3657m)

This morning we walk through green pastureland and walk along a stream until we reach the road head; here we visit Rangdum Monastery (3657m), situated on a hilltop in Suru Valley. It was founded in the early 16th century and also houses a small school. Then we descend to the road and continue a little further to a lovely campsite of Tashitongde. (Trek ends / Trekking Time: 4 – 5hrs)

Overnight in camp
DAY 16

Drive to Kargil via Suru valley

This day after breakfast we board the vehicle and drive towards Kargil. The drive is very scenic as we cross the pass of Parkachik la (3810m) from where we will be blessed with views of the Parkachik Glacier and drive through the most scenic valley of Ladakh - the Suru Valley, which is also known as the Granary of Ladakh as its hillsides are green and filled with flowers. Forming a backdrop to the green pastures are the high peaks of Nun (7135m) and Kun (7087m). (Driving Time: 5 – 6hrs)

Overnight in hotel
DAY 17

Drive to Leh

Today we head towards Leh en-route visiting Lamayuru monastery- one of the oldest and largest monasteries in Ladakh region. The monastery is famous for its rich wall paintings, collection of thangkas, murals, scriptures and statues of different forms of Buddha and other deities. Afterwards we drive to Leh, and upon arrival we check-in to hotel. (Driving Time: 6 - 7hrs)

Overnight in hotel
DAY 18

Depart Leh

Morning we will be transferred to the airport for flight to Delhi. Upon arrival connect international flight back to home country.

Trip Ends

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