Ladakh trek - Lamayuru to Chiling?

maree · May 18th, 2004, 08:09

Wondering if anyone has done the trek from Lamayuru to Chiling via the Konze La and Dung Dung La... as mentioned in LP. It appears to be the shortest one (5 days) in the book and I could probably fit it in.

Any advice from anyone? Any other better short treks? Recommended guides/agencies?...

Thanks, as always.

Maree

AvidTrekker · May 18th, 2004, 13:57

It is a straightforward trek. All hiring can be done at Leh. You may have already read the thread "Family trek to Ladakh", I presume. It has a more detailed discussion on acclimatization probs. If you actually need detailed info, I'll be glad to oblige.

rickshawwallah · May 20th, 2004, 03:20

If you're looking for a trek to squeeze in on a tight schedule, Lamayuru to Alchi may not be the most appropriate. Konzke La is nearly 5000 meters, which is rather high for a third day of trekking, unless carefully acclimatized. I've seen a number of people really struggle on that pass. I'll second the conservative acclimatization advice referenced above.

Better short treks? Sorry, but my expertise is primarily on the longer routes, and the "too high, too fast" syndrome is chronic in Ladakh: especially since recent road-building has taken over many of the lower trekking routes. (My views about trekking on roads have been posted before.)

My advice: spend as much time as you can in Ladakh, take your time, and explore what interests you along the way. Sorry if that's not practical.

maree · May 20th, 2004, 08:57

Quote:

If you're looking for a trek to squeeze in on a tight schedule, Lamayuru to Alchi may not be the most appropriate. Konzke La is nearly 5000 meters, which is rather high for a third day of trekking, unless carefully acclimatized. I've seen a number of people really struggle on that pass.

Yeah... I was wondering about this. The LP has the trek in 5 stages but recommends an additional day acclimatising in Hinju before tackling the Konze La. Which would make it 6 days... is that still too quick do you think?

Quote:

My advice: spend as much time as you can in Ladakh, take your time, and explore what interests you along the way. Sorry if that's not practical.

As much as I'd love to spend all of July and August in India, I have to go home to New Zealand in August to perform some bridesmaid duties. So this is just going to be a three week diversion... 2 weeks in Ladakh and one week in Srinagar.

Has anyone done one of the rafting trips from Nimmu to Alchi or Khalsi? How was it and how long did it take?

Thanks again,
Maree

rickshawwallah · May 20th, 2004, 11:38

With 2 weeks, you have time to acclimatize before the pass. If trekking is really your interest, though, you may find your time better spent with more like 2 and a half weeks in Ladakh and 3-5 days in Srinagar.

We used to finish the trek in Chiling, spend the night there, then start the rafting on the Zanskar river the next day, riding the river to its confluence with the Indus at Nimmu and on toward Alchi. (never got all the way to Alchi, though: we always had to bail because of a narrow and treacherous spot past Basgo). This only took a few hours and we'd be in Alchi by early evening (after a short jeep ride). The rafting is easy, it's mostly just a float, but it was a great way to finish the trek.

I don't know if the rafting trip would be worth it as a "stand-alone", though, especially since the planned trips rarely include the Zanskar river portion.

maree · May 20th, 2004, 12:29

Thanks... something more to think about.

IainC · May 24th, 2004, 04:09

The Likir-Temisgam trek is an easy 2 days and the highest point is 3700M and is the only 'Tea House' style trek in Ladakh. I have done this trek myself and it is a good intro to trekking in Ladakh. You could also do the Stok to Spituk trek which is 4 days. Have a read of 'Trekking in Ladakh' by Charlie Loram.

phacops · Jul 19th, 2004, 20:13

Did the Lamayuru - Chiling trek after the Lamayuru festival in early july within three days (after having trekked the Markha valley before and beeing good acclimatizised).
Hired a donkeyman in Lamayuru (he was utterly drunk after the festival so we reached the first day just Phanjilla. Hinju is the common stop on first day. There are basic accommodations in Wanla, Phanjilla and Hinju.
The second night we spent with a ladakhi family in Sumda.

The third day dont forget to take lot of water at the yakshepards hut before climbing Dundunchenla. For 5, 6 hours you will find no water!

phacops

montana · Jul 20th, 2004, 22:34

Hope if it's ok if I piggyback with a couple of general questions to this thread....

1. re tipping, any suggesion on tips for guides, cooks, assistants, etc. i hear there's a hierarchy to respect, but have no idea what's considered good/reasonable if all goes well?

2. From Chilling to Hemis--my husband is worred we're going to end up with our daughter on some steep footpath on a ridge that drops off to a bottomless abyss on both sides. Anybody got any first hand experience opn theis classic markha valley trek (lopping off first 3 days)? Would like to be able to reassure. Are the footpaths reasonable, or are we in for some spine- tingling portions?

thanks, as always.

rickshawwallah · Jul 21st, 2004, 07:51

No steep or scary drop-offs on the trail itself, but you should be aware that when starting the trek in Chiling, your immediate crossing of the Zanskar river will be on a "flying fox" style bridge (small basket suspended from a cable). This type of bridge is decidedly unpopular with many people, especially those with vertigo. The horses will meet you on the opposite bank, having approached by a different route, since they can't ride across in the basket.

This of course presumes there has been no new bridge built since 2001.

I'll let someone else answer your first question. Being a guide myself, answering that question could be a conflict of interest.

May 18th, 2004, 08:09	#1
maree Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New Zealander in Bangkok Posts: 850	Ladakh trek - Lamayuru to Chiling? Wondering if anyone has done the trek from Lamayuru to Chiling via the Konze La and Dung Dung La... as mentioned in LP. It appears to be the shortest one (5 days) in the book and I could probably fit it in. Any advice from anyone? Any other better short treks? Recommended guides/agencies?... Thanks, as always. Maree

May 18th, 2004, 13:57	#2
AvidTrekker Veda Chanting & Mantra Yoga teacher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: body in Mumbai, head in Himalaya Posts: 2,784	It is a straightforward trek. All hiring can be done at Leh. You may have already read the thread "Family trek to Ladakh", I presume. It has a more detailed discussion on acclimatization probs. If you actually need detailed info, I'll be glad to oblige. __________________ The Universe is an ellipsoid?... or a Spheroid?? If the sphere smiles... it becomes an ellipse. This IS Creation.

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May 20th, 2004, 03:20	#3
rickshawwallah I know cheap and best! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New York City, USA Posts: 204	If you're looking for a trek to squeeze in on a tight schedule, Lamayuru to Alchi may not be the most appropriate. Konzke La is nearly 5000 meters, which is rather high for a third day of trekking, unless carefully acclimatized. I've seen a number of people really struggle on that pass. I'll second the conservative acclimatization advice referenced above. Better short treks? Sorry, but my expertise is primarily on the longer routes, and the "too high, too fast" syndrome is chronic in Ladakh: especially since recent road-building has taken over many of the lower trekking routes. (My views about trekking on roads have been posted before.) My advice: spend as much time as you can in Ladakh, take your time, and explore what interests you along the way. Sorry if that's not practical.

May 20th, 2004, 11:38	#5
rickshawwallah I know cheap and best! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New York City, USA Posts: 204	With 2 weeks, you have time to acclimatize before the pass. If trekking is really your interest, though, you may find your time better spent with more like 2 and a half weeks in Ladakh and 3-5 days in Srinagar. We used to finish the trek in Chiling, spend the night there, then start the rafting on the Zanskar river the next day, riding the river to its confluence with the Indus at Nimmu and on toward Alchi. (never got all the way to Alchi, though: we always had to bail because of a narrow and treacherous spot past Basgo). This only took a few hours and we'd be in Alchi by early evening (after a short jeep ride). The rafting is easy, it's mostly just a float, but it was a great way to finish the trek. I don't know if the rafting trip would be worth it as a "stand-alone", though, especially since the planned trips rarely include the Zanskar river portion.

May 20th, 2004, 12:29	#6
maree Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New Zealander in Bangkok Posts: 850	Thanks... something more to think about.

May 24th, 2004, 04:09	#7
IainC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London Posts: 194	The Likir-Temisgam trek is an easy 2 days and the highest point is 3700M and is the only 'Tea House' style trek in Ladakh. I have done this trek myself and it is a good intro to trekking in Ladakh. You could also do the Stok to Spituk trek which is 4 days. Have a read of 'Trekking in Ladakh' by Charlie Loram.

Jul 19th, 2004, 20:13	#8
phacops Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 68	Did the Lamayuru - Chiling trek after the Lamayuru festival in early july within three days (after having trekked the Markha valley before and beeing good acclimatizised). Hired a donkeyman in Lamayuru (he was utterly drunk after the festival so we reached the first day just Phanjilla. Hinju is the common stop on first day. There are basic accommodations in Wanla, Phanjilla and Hinju. The second night we spent with a ladakhi family in Sumda. The third day dont forget to take lot of water at the yakshepards hut before climbing Dundunchenla. For 5, 6 hours you will find no water! phacops

Jul 20th, 2004, 22:34	#9
montana Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Paris Posts: 23	Hope if it's ok if I piggyback with a couple of general questions to this thread.... 1. re tipping, any suggesion on tips for guides, cooks, assistants, etc. i hear there's a hierarchy to respect, but have no idea what's considered good/reasonable if all goes well? 2. From Chilling to Hemis--my husband is worred we're going to end up with our daughter on some steep footpath on a ridge that drops off to a bottomless abyss on both sides. Anybody got any first hand experience opn theis classic markha valley trek (lopping off first 3 days)? Would like to be able to reassure. Are the footpaths reasonable, or are we in for some spine- tingling portions? thanks, as always.

Jul 21st, 2004, 07:51	#10
rickshawwallah I know cheap and best! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New York City, USA Posts: 204	No steep or scary drop-offs on the trail itself, but you should be aware that when starting the trek in Chiling, your immediate crossing of the Zanskar river will be on a "flying fox" style bridge (small basket suspended from a cable). This type of bridge is decidedly unpopular with many people, especially those with vertigo. The horses will meet you on the opposite bank, having approached by a different route, since they can't ride across in the basket. This of course presumes there has been no new bridge built since 2001. I'll let someone else answer your first question. Being a guide myself, answering that question could be a conflict of interest.

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