CHHAMSER
KANGRI - 6650mts/ 21800fts.
A classic Trek and stunning climb in Rupshu.
Destination: Delhi-Leh-Korzok-Kyamar
Duration: 21 Nights/ 22 Days
An excellent straightforward climb with awesome
views of the surrounding peaks and the Tso-Morari
Lake. It is a great objective for fit trekkers without
any climbing experience. Although the ascent is
not difficult, but thin air make it quite challenging.
Technical Difficulty: Low-angle snow or straightforward
scrambling on rocks. Ropes/crampons are required,
Previous climbing experience is not essential.
Fitness: Good basic fitness, Average rucksack
weight 5/6 kg.
To join the CHHAMSER expedition you need
the following specialist equipment: Ice Axe, Crampons,
Harness, Plastic or Leather Mountaineering Boots,
4 Season Sleeping Bag
Base Camp at Rugyado Phu ( 5630mts)
High Camp between 5900 to 6000 mts.
Approach from Western Slopes.
Expeditions Itinerary:
Day 1,Arrive Delhi, Assistance on arrival
and transfer to the hotel for night, morning free
to re-charge. Perhaps there is no other capital
city in the world so steeped in history and legend
as the Indian capital, Delhi. It was the magnet
that drew the Mongols, Turks, Persians, Afghans,
Mughals and Finally the British. All of whom contributed
to its glorious but turbulent history. The fascination
with Delhi was such that even though it was abandoned
many times, its rulers returned to it again and
again rebuilding it at least seven times. Old
Delhi Tour (half day) : Shah Jahan founded the
city of Shahjanabad, now referred to as Old Delhi,
in 1648. The famous Red Fort in the heart of Old
Delhi was once the most opulent fort of the Mughal
Empire and it boasts the Diwan-I-Am, Hall of Private
Audience. Opposite the fort is the Jama Masjid,
one of the largest mosques in the world, built by
Shah Jahan to dominate his city. Afternoon sightseeing
to Red Fort, Jama Masjid Mosque & Humayuns tomb.
Breakfast & Overnight in Hotel.
Day 2, Delhi-Leh: Early morning transfer
to domestic airport for flight to Leh. The spectacular,
one-hour, mountain flight over the mighty Himalayas
brings you to Leh, the capital of the ancient Buddhist
kingdom of Ladakh. Transfer to Ladakhi style hotel.
A day of complete rest to acclimatize to the arid
high altitude of Leh (3100 mts). Dinner and overnight
in the hotel.
Day 3, Leh: After breakfast, set off on a
half-day sightseeing trip to the 200 years old Shankar
monastery, which contains a plethora of impressive
images, wall paintings and a huge statue of Aloketesvara
- with 1000 arm & heads. Next stop is the Japanese
built peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa); crowned with
a massive dome, this stupa is a reminiscent of Nalanda
and Rajgir stupas. Our last stop is the ruined Leh
Palace, a replica of the Patola Palace of Lhasa.
The palace was strategically built on the hilltop
in the 18th century and offers fabulous views of
the Indus valley below. Afternoon, visit a Ladakhi
Buddhist family and share a cup of butter tea, tsampa
(roasted barley) and tschang (fermented barley beer),
and see their way of living. Evening free. Dinner
and overnight in the hotel.
Day 4, Leh-Hemis, Thiksey Shey: Full day
of sightseeing, visiting the three most important
monasteries of Ladakh - Hemis Gompa, Thiksey Gompa
and Shey Palace. Hemis is one of the largest and
wealthiest monasteries in Ladakh and houses about
150 monks; it also stages the annual Hemis festival.
The Gompa, nestled in a gorge and surrounded by
dramatic mountain scenery, was built in the 18th
century and houses a wide range of beautiful frescoes,
thankas, Buddha statues and an excellent library.
On the way back to Leh, we visit the superbly situated,
16th century, Thiksey Gompa, which is perched on
a hill top. The Gompa houses an important collection
of Tibetan-style books, a huge Buddha statue and
some excellent works of art. Last stop is the ruined
Shey Palace, once the summer palace of the pre-Tibetan
kings. The palace monastery houses a large, bronze,
blue haired Buddha statue. Back to Leh hotel for
dinner and overnight.
Day 5, Leh- Rumtse: After breakfast, we drive
along the main Indus Valley to Rumtse village (4300
M) which we reach after a scenic drive of almost
80 kilometres (3hrs.). Enroute, we pass through
amazing Ladakhi scenery, with huge rock walls towering
on either side of the road. After unloading at Rumtse,
we trek few kms to a camping place situated
on the river.
Day 6, Rumtse- Kyamar ( Trek Starts). On
this first day, we start out with a lovely walk
on a well defined path to a camp at the foot of
the Kyamar La (4925 M). The route takes us through
pleasant pastures, with several small river crossings.
This is an area much used by nomadic shepherds and
we will get used to seeing their tented camps, surrounded
by herds of sheep. We set up camp on the grazing
ground of Kyamar (4380 M). 5 to 6 hours trekking.
Day 7, Kyamer- Tisaling: After breakfast
ascend to the Kyamar La (4925 M) from where
there are beautiful views of the Zanskar range,
and towards north high plateau of the Chang Tang.
We descend on grassy slopes to Tiri Doksa, a temporary
shepherding settlement and then continue to a stream,
beyond which we trek up to the low col of the Mandalachan
La (4805 M). Descend to camp at Tisaling (4720 M)
about 6hrs trek.
Day 8, Tisaling- Phongponagu: After breakfast
we start our long day trek over the Thasang La (5030
M) from the top we will have fine views of Tso Kar
Lake. We desend gradually to the shores of this
brackish salt water lake, we find ourselves in an
area where there are lots of nomad camps. Flocks
of sheep and goats and small herds of yaks are scattered
across the pastures, as are the nomads' tents. Walking
around the lake, we set up camp at Phongponagu (4430
M), a place which is well known for sighting tibetan
wild asses (kyangs), ibex, marmots and several species
of migratory birds. 7 to 8 hours trekking.
Day 9, Phongponagu- Nuruchan. Today after
breakfast we star relatively easy trek , as we cross
open plains, looking out for the distinctive and
very robust kyangs amongst the occasional groups
of livestock. It takes 4 to 5 hours to reach our
overnight halt on the pastures of Nuruchan. This
is a high and wild part of the world, inhabited
by rare blue sheep (bharal) and also wolves. Camp
for overnight.
Day 10, Nuruchan- Rachungkaru: After breakfast
continue our trek towards Tso Morari. We climb gently
to the Nuruchan La (4750 M) and drop down into another
herding area. We aim to reach our camp at Rachungkaru
early afternoon and have the afternoon to unwind.
4 hrs trek.
Day 11, Rachungkaru- Gyabarma: Another hard
day, as we cross passes of Kyamaru La (5200 M) and
the Gyabarma La (5175 M). Even though we are by
now well - acclimatised, trekking at this altitude
always feels quite tough. Camp is on the pastures
at Gyabarma at a height of around 5000 metres. About
7 to 8 hrs. trek.
Day 12, Gyabarma- Karzok Dok: Today after
breakfast we cross the higest pass (Yalung Nyau
La /5300 M). on the trek to reach Tso Morari. Beyond
an initial ridge at 5150 metres, we drop into a
broad valley to begin the easy climb to the pass.
At the crest of the pass, there are breath-taking
views of the blue expanse of Tso Morari and its
backdrop of snow-capped peaks. The long descent
to Karzok Dok takes about 4 hours
Day 13, Karzok Dok- Karzok, After breakfast
we trek along the beautiful lake and after 3/4 hours
we reach the very picturesque lakeside village of
Karzok (4350mts)., with a dozen or so houses and
a gompa appearing like a mirage among the barren
hills. This is the only permanent settlement in
Rupshu, otherwise the region is only inhabited by
the nomadic Chang Pa heard people, who move with
their Yaks and cattle to high pastures. Afternoon
We explore this area and lake, which supports Kayang
(the wild ass of Tibet), marmots, hares, and tailless
rats. We may also see blue sheep, if we are lucky,
we may even spot a snow Leopard. The lake is the
breeding grounds for numerous species of birds,
including the Bareheaded Goose, great crested grebe,
brahmini duck, brown headed gull.
Day 14, Karzok- Kurchu: After breakfast we
make a 5/6hrs trek along the lake to the eastern
shore. After a climb, we reach a grassy slope of
Kurchyu ( 4915mts), Overnight in tents.
Day 15, Kurchu- Rugyado Phu (Base Camp): After
breakfast we trek for about 4hrs to our base camp
at Rugyado Phu (5630mts). Camp for overnight.
Day 16, Rugyado Phu- Advance Camp: WE start
early mornig and make steep ascent to our Advance
Camp between 5900mts to 6000mts, the views of the
Lake are amazing, This is very important stage for
next, we acclimitize and set up our camp.
Day 17, SUMMIT DAY: An early start (4 a.m.)
for the long climb. The climb itself is not technical
and requires basically walking on scree, moraine
and then snow slopes. If we encounter any exposed
or icy sections, the group will rope up to safeguard
the ascent. It is a climb of 6 or 7 hours to the
summit, where we find stupendous views in all directions.
About 4/5 hrs back to our camp at Rugyado Phu, celebrations
of this fascinating climb. Overnight in tents.
Day 18, EXTRA DAY: One more day for ascend
to the peak, incase we can't make it on day 17.
Overnight in Camp.
Day 19, To Karzok: After breakfast long trek
back to Karzok,. Overnight in camp.
Day 20, TO LEH: After breakfast drive back
to Leh, we drive over the bumpy and dusty road the
village of Chumathange, and arrive Leh in the evening
for overnight in hotel.
Day 21, Leh-Delhi: Early morning flight back
to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and drive to Agra (240kms/4hrs)
to see the most splendid monument ever built for
Love- The Taj Mahal. Overnight in hotel.
Day 22 Agra- Delhi & Departure:, After
breakfast guided sightseeing of Agra visiting T^aj
Mahal, Red Fort and Skindra, late afternoon drive
back to Delhi, in time to board your return flight.
Note: Discovery Journeys should not be responsible
for any accident, mishap, weather conditions etc.
