Chilling Rangdum Trek
22 Days | Trekking 13 Days
Suitable for families with young children
Kanji La, 5279 metres
Highest point/ Max altitude
Fitness Grade
Challenging
Moderate and strenuous 6-8 hours activity per day with occasional longer days on peaks or high passes. Expect high altitudes, difficult terrain and changeable weather patterns. Previous experience desirable but not vital, good physical fitness and preparation recommended.
A challenging trek covering the remote upper Ladakh and Zanskar areas. There are steep ascents and winding descents along the way as we zigzag across high passes, through deep gorges lined by multi-hued rocks and villages dotted with white mud-brick buildings and Buddhist monuments. It all adds up to a spectacular experience in the rarefied mountain air of the high Himalayas.
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Tour Highlights
- Experience Ladakh, high-altitude isolation from the modern world
- Trek through the magnificent landscape of the Sham and Suru valley of Ladakh
- Rangdum, an elliptical plateau surrounded by colourful hills
- The dramatic views from Kanji La (5,279 metres), the highest point of the trek
- Buddhist temples and monasteries in and around Leh
- Flexible tailor-made booking options
Best Season
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
Tour Details
After two days gentle acclimatisation in and around Leh, the first part of our trek from Chilling village traverses the Dundunchen La (‘La’ means Pass in Tibetan) (4800m). There are wonderful views of the Stok range, before we descend into the beautiful Ripchar valley. We’ll pass through several villages including Sumdo, Phenjila and Hanupatta and stunning landscapes with flower-filled meadows and further dramatic views.
The second part of the trek takes us across the high Sniugutse La (5100m), marked with prayer flags and panoramic views of the Zanskar range and the nearby Tsomothang peak. There’s a good chance of seeing wildlife such as marmots and Himalayan ibex on this section.
Next we trek along the Kong River before ascending the Kanji La (5279m), our highest point and a place to stop and admire the amazing panorama. Finally we descend to the enchanting village of Rangdum, the last stop on our trek. From here we will drive to Leh via Kargil through the scenic Suru valley.
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Flexibility Guaranteed
Please note: You can use this itinerary as a guide to fully customise this tour as per your budget and requirements. Flexible options include travel dates and duration, places, activities and experiences, hotel category (star/rating) and any specific requirements that you may have.
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DAY 01 - Delhi
Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel for check-in, afternoon and evening free
Arrive at the international airport of Delhi. After a traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our KVT’s representative would assist you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. Rest of the day is free to relax at the hotel or can explore the nearby area.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 02 - Leh
Early morning fly to Leh, arrive and transfer to hotel. Afternoon rest and evening stroll around the local market area
Early morning we will be transferred to the Airport to board the internal flight to Leh, which passes over the Himalayan Ranges with breathtaking views and it will brings us to a fertile valley just to the north of the mighty Indus River (this flight is subject to weather). After such a highly spectacular flight over the Himalayas, we arrive in Leh airport. Upon arrival, we will be transferred to the hotel for check-in. Rest of the day is free for us to relax and acclimatize to the high altitude weather. Late afternoon there will be a gentle orientation walk of Leh and its local market.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 03 - Leh
Sightseeing tour of Leh
This morning after breakfast we proceed for the sightseeing tour of Leh city, visit Hemis Monastery; it is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery (gompa) of the Drukpa Lineage. It holds the distinction of being the biggest as well as the wealthiest monastery of Ladakh. The annual Hemis festival in which locals including the monks (Lamas) celebrates the birth anniversary of honoring Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche) at the courtyard of Hemis Monastery. Then we head towards Thiksey Monastery located on top of the hill which holds the resemblance of Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Thiksey Monastery houses a large statue of Buddha and this is one of the most frequently visited monasteries in Ladakh region. After that we visit Shey Palace on the way to Leh. The monastery is noted for its giant copper with gilded gold statue of a seated Shakyamuni Buddha. It is said to be the second largest such statue in Ladakh then after the visit we return back to the hotel and relax.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 04 - Chilling
Drive to Chilling from Leh
Morning after breakfast we drive by surface to Chilling (3-4 hrs drive); else an option of doing a 2½ hours white water rafting on the Indus River from Phey to Nemo can also be done. We have lunch at Nemo and continue our drive towards the valley on a rough track following the Zanskar River upstream to Chilling. Chilling is a small village and one of the few where metalwork is practiced and also the gateway into the Markha Valley.
Overnight Camp
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DAY 05 - Dundunchen
Trek to the base of Dundunchen La (Trek begins)
Today after breakfast we start our trek and follow the trail that enters to a narrow valley then we follow a river, after passing several old Stupas and Mani Walls, we climb up a zigzag path to the base of Dundunchen La. This will be a short day trekking due to the gain in altitude. (Trek begins | 4050m | 3-4hrs trek)
Overnight Camp
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DAY 06 - Sumdo Chenmo
Trek to Sumdo Chenmo en-route cross Dundunchen La (4800m)
This morning after breakfast we start our day by following the trail which is a steep climb for about 3 to 4 hours to the top of Dundunchen La (4800m), a pass offering good views of the Stok range of mountains up to Kangyatse and the Indus valley. After crossing Dundunchen La we descend to a nice spot near a grove of willow trees and wild roses and then to the river from where we climb gradually for another hour to the small village of Sumda Chenmo. Sumda Chenmo has an old monastery and a couple of houses where we may see metalworkers at their craft. (3900m | 5-6hrs trek)
Overnight Camp
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DAY 07 - Sumdo Phu
Trek towards Sumdo Phu
In the morning we continue walk through the trail that goes up to the main valley to some shepherds’ huts at Sumdo Phu, another beautiful secluded village. Then we turn to the corner and continue walking up on the stream bed for another hour and finally we reach to our next campsite for the night at Sumbo Phu (3800m | 4-5hrs trek)
Overnight Camp
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DAY 08 - Konzke La base
Trek to Konzke La base en-route cross Konzke La (4950m)
Today after breakfast we follow the trail that ascent to the base of Konzke La; we climb through green pasture land where shepherds graze their flocks; from here the trail ascents to the pass of Konzke La (4950m) and from the pass the view of Zanskar and Stok mountains range are awe-inspiring. Then it is a steep descent towards the campsite, reach there and relax. (3800m | 4-5hrs trek)
Overnight Camp
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DAY 09 - Hanupatta
Trek towards Hanupatta
This day we descend towards the village of Hinju and then we move towards Ripchar Valley and reach to the village of Phenjila. Afterwards we continue our walk on the trail which enters to a lovely but narrow gorge surrounded with colorful rocks; then we go through some stone archways and bridges before we reach Sumdo which is the meeting point of 3 valleys. From here we take right which goes towards the valley and we keep on following the river for another 2hrs which takes us to the campsite village of Hanupatta, marked by Mani walls and Chortens. (3850m | 7hrs trek)
Overnight Camp
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DAY 10 - Sniugutse La
Trek to the base of Sniugutse La
Morning after breakfast we follow a nice path for ½ hour before we start a gradual climb for some time and enjoying the beautiful scenery of colorful rocks and snowcapped peaks as we walk past juniper bushes and wild rose bushes. After reaching to an irrigation pond, we leave the main trail and take the left one, cross a small river and start climbing to a ridge. We walk along the right bank of the river to another small ridge and climb for another ½ hour to reach the top, which offers very nice views of the surrounding valley and continue a gradual climb towards our campsite at the base of Sniugutse La. (4500m | 4-5hrs trek)
Overnight Camp
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DAY 11 - Sniugutse La base
Trek towards Sniugutse La base en-route cross Sniugutse La (5100m)
Today we may have opportunity of seeing lots of marmots and ibex on the trail. We follow the right bank of the river for about an hour and then enter to a narrow gorge with sharp jagged rocks then we climb a steep section to reach the top of the pass of Sniugutse La (5100m), which is marked by prayer flags and boast great views of the Zanskar mountains range. After that a steep descend on a zigzag path for some time before we climb gradually for about an hour. We cross another small river and pass through some shepherds’ huts before descending to a river we wade across several times. After the last crossing we ascent again for a while and then a gentle descent will lead us to our campsite at the base of unnamed pass. (4767m | 6-7hrs trek)
Overnight Camp
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DAY 12 - Spring camp
Trek to spring camp
In the morning, we start our trek and a steep climb on a direct but not too well defined zigzag trail to reach the top of the unnamed pass. The steep haul for 1½ hours is rewarded with fantastic panoramic views of the colorfully landscaped valley and surrounding peaks, including the prominent peak of Tsomothang. An easy descent brings us to a lovely spot near a spring, where we establish a High Camp. (5300m | 4-5hrs trek)
Overnight Camp
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DAY 13 - Spring camp
Trek to high camp and return back
This day we hike up to the high camp which is located at an altitude of 5520m; where climbers stay on their summit to Tsomothang Peak. As we explore the high camp we can see the glacier and K2 (8611m) also known as Mount Godwin Austen in a distance. Then we return back by following the same trail to reach our camps.
Overnight Camp
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DAY 14 - Kanji
Trek to Kanji
Morning after breakfast we follow the trail which descends to the valley and we walk along the river, after some time of walking we cross the river then head towards a small village of Dumbur with its huge payer wheel. Afterwards we continue walking towards the scenic village of Kanji (3850m); here we get close to civilization again as we can see villagers and shops. (3850m | 5-6hrs trek)
Overnight Camp
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DAY 15 - Kanji La base
Trek to the base of Kanji La
After breakfast we head towards our next campsite the base camp of Kanji La. We walk through some fields and then walk along a river which we cross by a wooden bridge. Then we follow the right bank of the Kong River, which we wade across for several times. We continue through a narrow valley and passing through some shepherds’ huts then we take a small trail leading to the Kanji la base camp. (4390m | 5-6hrs trek)
Overnight Camp
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DAY 16 - Mapollan
Trek to Mapollan en-route cross Kanji La (5279m)
Today the trail is rough and steep at some sections and we will be walking on moraine and rocky terrain to reach the top of the pass Kanji La (5279m). We reach the base of the pass from where the trail is steep ascent with a narrow path that goes towards the top of the pass (snow is likely to be on top of the pass). Fluttering prayer flags and fantastic views of the Nun Kun massif and Zanskar Mountains will greet us at the top. From the pass it’s a long descent on a rocky terrain to a narrow gorge; again we have to cross a river which will take us to the campsite at Mapollan. (4310m | 7-8hrs trek)
Overnight Camp
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DAY 17 - Tashitongde
Trek to Tashitongde (Trek ends)
This morning we walk through green pastureland and walk along a stream until we reach the road head; here we visit Rangdum Monastery (3657m), situated on a hilltop in Suru Valley. It was founded in the early 16th century and also houses a small school. Then we descend to the road and continue a little further to a lovely campsite of Tashitongde. (Trek ends | 3657m | 4-5hrs trek)
Overnight Camp
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DAY 18 - Kargil
Drive to Kargil via Suru valley
This day after breakfast we board the vehicle and drive towards Kargil; the drive is very scenic as we cross the pass of Parkachik la (3810m) from where we will be blessed with views of the Parkachik Glacier and drive through the most scenic valley of Ladakh - the Suru Valley, which is also known as the Granary of Ladakh as its hillsides are green and filled with flowers. Forming a backdrop to the green pastures are the high peaks of Nun (7135m) and Kun (7087m).
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 19 - Leh
Drive from Kargil to Leh
Today we head towards Leh en-route we visit Lamayuru monastery. It is situated on the Srinagar – Kargil – Leh highway at a height of 3510m. It is one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh dating back as 10th century. After that we continue our drive to Leh, late evening we reach Leh and check-in to the hotel.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 20 - Leh
Full day relaxation or can go for local exploration
This day is free for us to relax at the hotel or can explore the surrounding area or can visit the Leh market last minute shopping.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 21 - Delhi
Early morning fly to Delhi, arrive and check-in to hotel. Afternoon and Evening free
Early morning we will be transferred to the Leh Airport to board the flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi airport and will be transferred to hotel for check-in. Rest of the day is free to relax at the hotel.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 22 - Delhi
Departure to the International airport of Delhi
Now today you will be assisted by our KVT’s representative while checking out at the hotel then you will be transferred to the International Airport of Delhi to board the flight for back home.
Tour Map (Only key areas marked)
Send an enquiry
Flexibility Guaranteed! Using the above itinerary as a guide you can fully customise this tour as per your budget and requirements. Flexible options include travel dates and duration, places, activities and experiences, hotel category (star/rating) and any specific requirements that you may have. On receiving your enquiry we will respond with prices and work with you to create a truly personalised holiday experience that is in your budget and personal style.