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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: Hinju Via Konze La To Camp
(Average walking time 6 to 7 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)
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.