Rangdum to Henaskut trek

prasadh

Hi Everyone,
i'm planning a trip with my wife to leh from srinagar. below is the itinerary:

mumbai - srinagar: june 6th (flight)
srinagar - kargil: june 9th (bus)
kargil - panikhar: june 11th (jeep)
panikhar - rangdum: june 12th (jeep)
rangdum - henaskut trek: june 13th to june 18th

i'm looking for information on:
1. is this trek feasible? how difficult is it? we have hardly done any trekking before.

2. where could i arrange for jeep/guides/cooks? srinagar, kargil or rangdum? i'm thinking of taking a bus from srinagar to kargil and then arranging the rest from a travel agent in kargil. is this possible? any info on reliable travel agents in kargil will also be very helpful.

3. how will the weather be? hot/snow/rain?

4. are the breaks planned before the trek sufficient for acclimatisation to altitude?

5. any info on prices for jeep from kargil to rangdum will be very helpful (including overnight stay charges). how much should i budget for the trek (jeep + trek)?

Thanks very much all!!

Balvar

Dear prasadh,

I have personally not done this trek but the Info i could gather from Web & my exp of Ladakh. It think this trek is of Moderate Difficulty Level. & the trek Inloves Passing of Kanji La which about 5000mts. also keeping in mind ur travelling with ur Wife & no Proir Exp of Treking. Seems to be tough.

Also i think u should plan to Start your trek from hensakut the otherway around. Instead of going to Rangdum go to Leh First. Prepare for ur trek form Leh & you would probaly get a group, that would reduce the Cost of the trek.
Rangdum to Henaskut Trek
1. Rangdum to Rusgogdo 5 hours
2. Rusgogdo to Kanjila Base 5 hours
3. Kanjula Base to Kanjila Camp 7 hours
4. Kanjila Camp to Kanji Village 4 hours
5. Kanji Village to Henaskut 4 hours

Weather in Zanskar around this time of the Year would be pleasent in the Day, with Harsh Sun (Take a Sunscreen along), with Cold nights even below Freezing Point. I think Layered clothing is best for Ladakh, as its hot in Sun & cool under the shade. Rain higly unlikely in June

prasadh

Thanks very much for the info Balvar! If I attempt the henaskut-rangdum trek from leh, i guess this might require me to do a overnight road trip: rangdum-kargil-leh?

we're also planning to head to manali (on 22nd jun for a week) after two weeks in the barren leh landscape for some 'greenery' before returning to our chaotic lives in mumbai!!

I'm now thinking of first trying out an easy overnight trek in Rangdum and see how we feel before heading for the 5-day thingy. if we don't feel ok, we'll do a road journey (rangdum-kargil-leh).

Any info on the trek from Rangdum to Drang-Drung Glacier via Penzila Ridge? how difficult is this one? is this feasible?

also, how do i go about arranging for these treks? are there any agents in Rangdum who provide this service?

Thanks!

Balvar

Prasadh,

I am Also Planning a Road Trip into Zanskar valley in the first week of June. I am Plan to Drive Down From Chadigarh to Padum.
From Kargil there is a detour for Rangdum & padum, From kargil , we drive down to sanku (from sanku is there is a diversion of about 7 Kms for Karte Khar on the road leading to Bartu & Farsod.Karte Khar Village is famous for the tall Rock Carving of Furute Buddha. Also in sanku there shrine of Syed Mir hashim (Locals from kargil often Visit the same). then Furhter comes up Paikhar (from where Gunri Glacier is visble) & fruther Down we drove to Tangole (base camp for Nun Mountain) & Further Shafat (Kun Base Camp)

Rangdum is small town & base camp for sevral treks , main attractiona sper me is the Rangdum Gompa. From Rangdum one Asents steppily for pensi La & Drang - Drung glacier Lies besides. Just After Crosssing the La there is a small Glacial Lake also.

Further down the road from pensi La there is a small Village Ating, From there i am Planning 5 Hour hike to Zonghkul cave Gompa . Then reach Padum & visit Monsataries Around Padum (Mainly Stagrimo, Pipting, Karsha, Bardan, Stongde & tsa zar & zangla Gopma's). I am Also hopeful of Making to Phuktal Gompa the which lies on Famous Darcha Padum trek.

I think u r right in Making the sevral Short treks or Hikel, before Deciding on a nay Major trek. In case of any feedbacks & queris Plz get back to me