Destination: Stok » Foot of the Stok-la » Yurutse » Ganda-la » Skiu » Markha » Tchatchutse » Nimaling » Kongmaru-la » Shang » Hemis
Day 01 : Stok - Foot of the Stok-la
Cross the village fo Stok, then follow on the left bank the river that which comes from the massif of Stok-Kangri. After 2 houres, the path leads away from the river. Climb gently, Then leave a small pass on the left and go up a small valley. Camp near a sheepfold.
Day 02 : Foot of the Stok-la - Stok-la - Yurutse
From the sheepfold, long and steep ascent to the Stok-la. Steep descent, then a kind of flat untill Rumbak. Pass the village, cross the river and cross an escarpment. Go up the right bank, then the left banl, easy going. Arrive in Yurutse.
Day 03 : Yurutse - Ganda-la - Skiu
From Yurutse, good path along the mountainside, then cross the small valley and zigzag steeply up to a flat, then go along the mounainside to the Ganda-la (4900m, 3hours), Long, easy descent towards Shingo (4:30 hours), then into splendid gorges. Several easy fords. After a 2-hours descent arrive in the Valley of Markha. Turn to the left then a few hundred meters further to Skiu.
Day 04 : Skiu - Markha
From Skiu, good path on the right bank of the Markha. A great deal of vegetation. Then on the left bank, cross a barren plain, go back onto the right bank and arrive in Chaluk. Go to the river, cross it and walk along the left bank. Anothre crossing, then short climb towards Markha.
Day 05 : Markha - Tchatchutse
Go up the main valley on right bank. The path is sometimes difficult in the riverbed. Pass the Monastery of Humlung. Then carry on a along then right bank and arrive in Hankar. Several houses. The path improves. A bit beyond the Hankar, leave a broad valley on the right hand side bridge. The valley narrow and goes hogher. Cross onto the left bank to reach the pastures of Tchatchutse.
Day 06 : Tchatchutse - Nimaling
The path can be seen easily, Several small inclines. The river is rather far to the left. Walk near a small lake, then across pastures to Nimaling. This is one of the most high valleys in Ladakh (4700 m), dominated by the Kang Yaze (6400m). Several fairly difficult routes lead to the summit. Climbing the antecime, on the other hand, is not too difficult.
Day 07 : Nimaling - Kongmaru-la - Shang
Cross the markha. Long climb along the mountainside, then some zigzagging up to the Kongmaru-la (5150m, 1:30 hours). Steep descent. Pass a campsite then reach a stream. Long Descent into gorges with two stretches difficult for the horses. Several easy fords. Leave the gorges and keep walking on the left bank to Chukirmo. Then sone time in the riverbed, right band and again on the left bank, arrive in Shang. Small gompa one hour awya from the village.
Day 08 : Shang - Hemis
Take the riverbed again, then a good footpath through large blocks. Go back on to the left bank. You reach a dusty trail suitable for motor traffic. Pass a small house built to last and then a series of chortens. Leave Martsellang on a right and then follow gently rising trail to Hemis.
