Feel the adrenaline pump as you traverse the Himalayas
The rewarding, demanding Great Ladakh to Kashmir Traverse Trek sets out from Pannikhar in the Suru valley of Kargil. You will travel from Delhi to Leh before lacing up your boots, granting time to bask in civilization and culture before hitting the trail! Along the path, revel in a beautiful contrast of stark, green landscape flanked by glaciers, moraines, boulders, alpine meadows, river crossings, lakes, and passes, to name a few. Prepare to encounter snow!
The combination of camaraderie, camping in unreal natural settings intertwined with taxing days, natural wonders, culture, and history on this 11-day guided trek will keep you thoroughly happy and entertained!
Highlights of the The Great Ladakh to Kashmir Traverse Trek
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The Great Ladakh to Kashmir Traverse Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive at Leh
Board the early morning flight from Delhi to Leh (not included). It takes a little more than an hour to get to Leh, the capital of Ladakh. On a clear day the flight offers excellent views of the mighty Himalayas. Arrive at the hotel for welcome drinks followed by breakfast. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Leh (3,500m / 11,482’)
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Spend time in Leh
Spend half the day visiting Shey and Thiksey monasteries around Leh. Return to the hotel for lunch and spend the day exploring the Leh market.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Leh (3,500m / 11,482’)
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Head to Kargil
Get ready for a long day of driving today. Set out after an early breakfast, travelling west of Leh towards Kargil. Drive 36km from Leh to reach Nimu, the confluence of the Zanskar with the Indus. Pass the derelict fort at Basgo, the painted caves at Saspol to reach Khalsi, where the road crosses the Indus River and slowly winds its way 27km up to the beautiful gompa at Lamayuru.
Continue to cross the Fotu La (4108m) and Namika La (3700m) to reach the village of Mulbekh. 41 km further, you will travel toKargil, which marks the transition to a predominantly Muslim area.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kargil (2,675m / 8,776’)
Distance: 230km drive
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Trek to Panikhar
You’ll start with a drive to Panikhar. The road snakes up the Suru valley past the settlement of Sankhoo. Arrive Panikhar 3200 Mts from Kargil. Start trek towards Donara, you’ll follow the Cholong River for about 1-1.5 hours and camp for the night.
Overnight Location: Camp beyond Panikhar (3,600m / 11,811’)
Distance: 2.5km, 1 hour
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Beyond Panikhar To Upper Shepherd Camp
Prepare yourselves for a river crossing at Lonlivadgalli, after which you’ll start our uphill walk towards the Boktol pass at 4980 Mts, and camp at the upper campsite that shepherds use.
Overnight Location: Camp at Upper Shepherd Camp (3,850m / 12,631’)
Distance: 15km, 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Upper Shepherd Camp to Kannital
This is the longest day on the trek (14 km; 9-10 Hours). After leaving the Upper Shepherd camp, the trek to the Boktol pass is a mix of easy and hard walk for about 5 hours. On the top of the pass there are beautiful views of some 6000 Mts high unnamed mountain peaks around and a huge hanging glacier towards the Nun massif gives a great look.
From the pass there is a long descent on main Boktol glacier for about 4 to 5 hours till you get to a beautiful camp at Kannital.
Overnight Location: Camp at Kannital (3,850m / 12,631’)
Distance: 14km, 9-10 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Kannital to Humpet
The 10 km long walk from Kannital to Humpet is an easy walk all along the Boktol river. It can take upto 2 hours to cross the Boktol river. Camp in an open meadow at Humpet and today can take upto 6-7 hrs.
Overnight Location: Camp at Humpet (3,350m / 12,631’)
Distance: 12km, 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 Rest day
Spend the day relaxing and basking in the gorgeous surroundings.
Overnight Location: Camp at Humpet (3,350m / 12,631’)
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9 Hike from Humpet to Rangmarg
From Humpet, start the downhill walk through some beautiful birch trees until you get to Wankadal, where you will cross the Boktol river on a wooden log bridge. Soon, you will start trekking uphill, which will take you to the beautiful camp at Rangmarg.
Overnight Location: Camp at Rangmarg (3,000m / 9,842’)
Distance: 14km, 8-9 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10 Trek from Rangmarg to Sheeshnag
Get ready for the second longest day on this trek. It’s a long uphill trek with a steep climb towards the end to the Golal Gali pass. From the top, you will get some stunning mountain views. Descend to camp after walking 8km, situated near the beautiful lake Sheeshnag.
Overnight Location: Camp at Sheeshnag (3,590m / 11,778’)
Distance: 8km, 7-8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11 Hike from Sheeshnag to Chandanwari
Prepare for a beautiful walk hitting Pissu top, where you will get the best views of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva mountains. At Chandanwari, board the vehicles to drive to Srinagar with some time to spend at Pahalgam.
Overnight Location: Houseboat in Chandanwari (1,585m / 5,200’)
Distance: 12km, 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12 Goodbye
Your trip ends with the morning transfer to Srinagar Airport. We suggest you taking the morning flight back to Delhi. Trip ends!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
The Great Ladakh to Kashmir Traverse Tour Price and Dates
This guided tour can be run either as a private departure for your group only or you can choose to join a mixed group on a scheduled departure.
Private Guided Tour
Have your own private tour with just your group! Prices below are per person:
- Guided Groups of 6-10: $1,725 USD
Join a Group Tour
Make new friends and join a group departure. Prices below are per person:
Book NowAccommodation on The Great Ladakh to Kashmir Traverse Tour
This tour is based in tents, hotels, and a houseboat. Hotels on this trip are 2 and 3-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Rooms may have fireplaces or access to amenities such as hot tubs, steam rooms, or private decks to lounge on.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotels in Ladakh and Kashmir
Enjoy a cozy night where a bed and four walls reprieve you from your tent and sleeping bag.
Camping in the Himalayas
Enjoy camping under the stars at various scenic locations throughout the Himalayas.
Houseboat along the route
Spend a night aboard the water!
What’s Included in the Markha Valley Trek?
Meals
11 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 10 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 11 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the The Great Ladakh to Kashmir Traverse Tour are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for you and your luggage are included throughout the tour, including transfers to and from the airport.
Also included
- English-speaking guide
- Excursions mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees and permits where applicable
- Camp staff and cooks
- Portage for up to 15kg per person
Not included
- Flights to and from Delhi at the start and end of the tour
- Meals, drinks (such as bottled water), or snacks not previously mentioned
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Expenses incurred from nature or out-of-control circumstances
- Sleeping bag
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions
Frequently Asked Questions about The Great Ladakh to Kashmir Traverse Trek
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