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.
