Chumathang to Yaya Tso Trek – Trek No 09
Trip Overview
Chumthang to Yaya Tso Trek
The Chumathang to Yaya Tso trek is a captivating adventure that takes trekkers through the mesmerizing landscapes of Ladakh, a region renowned for its rugged beauty and remote wilderness. This trek offers a blend of challenging terrains, high-altitude passes, stunning lakes, and an immersion into the unique Ladakhi culture. The journey commences from Chumathang, a village known for its hot springs and lush greenery, providing a stark contrast to the arid landscapes of Ladakh. Trekkers gradually ascend through the barren yet breathtaking terrain, passing by charming villages and interacting with the hospitable locals, gaining insights into their way of life. The trail leads through high-altitude desert expanses, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Trekkers traverse rocky paths and narrow trails, requiring a good level of fitness and acclimatization to the altitude. As they ascend, the air becomes thinner, adding to the challenge. Yaya Tso, a pristine alpine lake surrounded by majestic mountains, is the highlight of this trek. The lake's crystal-clear waters and the serene ambiance provide a perfect backdrop for camping and rejuvenation. Trekkers can enjoy peaceful moments by the lake, appreciating the tranquil beauty of the remote Ladakhi wilderness. The journey continues, presenting trekkers with awe-inspiring vistas of snow-capped peaks and colorful meadows. The sense of accomplishment is palpable as they reach the highest point of the trek. This breathtaking views of the Ladakh Range awaits. The descent allows for further exploration of the region's hidden gems and encounters with nomadic shepherds and their livestock. Cultural encounters along the trek add a unique dimension to the experience. Trekkers have the opportunity to interact with the Ladakhi people, learn about their customs, and relish their warm hospitality. The trek also provides a chance to taste traditional Ladakhi cuisine, enhancing the cultural immersion.Conclusion and Summary
In summary, the Chumathang to Yaya Tso trek is a challenging yet rewarding adventure that takes you through the heart of Ladakh's rugged landscapes, offering glimpses of both its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. It's an expedition that combines physical exertion with an enriching cultural experience, leaving trekkers with indelible memories of Ladakh's untamed allure.Trip Highlight
The Chumathang to Yaya Tso trek is a breathtaking journey through the rugged landscapes of Ladakh, offering a variety of highlights and memorable experiences:
- Scenic Landscapes: Encounter stunning vistas of barren mountains, high-altitude deserts, and rugged terrain as you trek through the remote Ladakhi landscape.
- High-Altitude Lakes: Explore pristine high-altitude lakes such as Yaya Tso, surrounded by majestic peaks and offering serene views that are perfect for photography and relaxation.
- Cultural Immersion: Interact with the indigenous communities of Ladakh, including visits to remote villages like Thukje, where you can experience the local way of life and learn about traditional customs and practices.
- Chumathang Hot Springs: Begin your trek from Chumathang, famous for its natural hot springs, where you can relax and rejuvenate before embarking on your trekking adventure.
- Wildlife Sightings: Keep an eye out for wildlife such as Himalayan marmots, wild goats, and various bird species that inhabit the region, adding an element of wildlife spotting to your trekking experience.
- Camping Under the Stars: Spend nights camping under the starry skies of Ladakh, far away from light pollution, allowing for a mesmerizing stargazing experience amidst the tranquility of the mountains.
- Challenges and Rewards: Challenge yourself with high-altitude trekking, river crossings, and steep mountain passes, and feel a sense of accomplishment as you conquer each stage of the trek and soak in the breathtaking views that await you.
- Photographic Opportunities: Capture stunning photographs of the dramatic landscapes, colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind, picturesque villages, and shimmering lakes, creating lasting memories of your trekking adventure in Ladakh.
Overall, the Chumathang to Yaya Tso trek offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural immersion, adventure, and tranquility, making it a truly unforgettable experience for trekking enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Itinerary
Upon arrival Leh airport, pick-up and transfer to hotel. After tea/coffee rest in hotel to get acclimatization. Evening walking walking tour in Leh bazaar. Overnight at hotel.
The pleasant drive along the Indus takes 3,5 – 4 hrs. Chumathang is famous for its Hot Springs. People come here for medical treatment – or washing their laundry. The village of Chumathang is located 2 km further west from the Hot Springs with a pleasant campground at a big farmhouse. You can either visit the monastery (characterization of monastery?) in the afternoon or in the morning. It is 20 min by walk from the camping
Set off in Chumathang, 4.050 m, walk through the village and follow up the valley north. The path is easy to find as many shepherds use this trail to go for the high pastures with their animals. You will find some of their places on their way. Also it is very likely to see some wildlife as marmots and bluesheep. As one treks up following the Chumathang river there is no scarcity of water and plenty of camping possibilities. Our choice Gangra is located at 4.630 m with a fine scenery.
Today is just a short walking-day, but you won’t regret it as the camping is set in such a fine scenery, that one has enough time to explore it or just relax in the sun. The trail leads still along the Chumathang river from 4.630 m up to 5.140 m. Sumdo, the goal of the day, is a junction of three valleys. As oxygen is getting less, one has to walk very slowly. But time enough to spot some of the many marmots and maybe some Kyangs. Sumdo is also a favorite place for big herds of Yak.
As this is quite a tough day as one has to cross the 5.560 m high pass Choku-la, it is advised to start early in the morning. We climb over a ridge and follow the high valley to the east of Sumdo, reach an even higher valley and find a small and unremarkable pass without prayerflags in the very east of this valley. This is the highest point of this trekking and one has a superb view along the surrounding mountains and valley. After that it goes slowly down, plateau after plateau, each being dominated by a beautiful lake. First it is Sengnapo-Tso on 5.460 m, then xxx on 5.310 m and followed by xxx on 5.300 m. We have to climb over a ridge again to finally reach a shepherds place at 5.200 m, which is fine for a camping.
While walking further down, one passes several shepherds places, walks along a refreshing river crosses a desert-plateau with a big Lhato and reaches a small lake with a gorge on the left side. Passing this gorge one gets a fine view to the big blue Yayatso with its surrounding short meadows, grazing goats and yaks and the small village of Yaya, containing of seven houses, on the east side of the high valley. Situated on 4.700 m the Yayatso is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Changthang area. Camp next to one of the several small rivers leading to Yayatso and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere with men and animals living adjusted to natures conditions.
One could trek over another 4.800 m pass to Mahe as there is a road, but it is better to set off by car. On the way to Mahe, visit the famous nunnery which has more than 100 nuns in Mahe monastery. In Mahe you’ll have the choice to go further into Changthang area such as newly opened area of Nyoma and Muth and/or Tsomoriri/Tsokar Lakes or drive back to Leh.
Early morning on time transfer to Leh airport to catch flight for onward destination .Trek end.
Departures & Availability
The set departure dates listed are specially quoted and specified for group joining option. Let us know if the set departure dates are not suitable for you- another dates which are suitable for you can certainly be added by us.
Check Available Dates
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All trip prices are per person based on double occupancy, are subject to change without notice and do not include airfare. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars.
Price include
- All transportation by Toyota Qualis, Innova or Scorpio.
- Two men tent, Kitchen and dinning tents.
- Kitchen equipments and Toilet Tent.
- Stool, Table and mattresses.
- Food veg and non-veg.
- Cook, helper and guide.
- Ponies for Luggages for Trekking with Camping.
- Ponies/Potters for Luggages for Trekking with Homestay.
- Monument entrances, wild life fees and camping charges.
- GST
Price Excludes
- Any flight tickets .
- No accommodation in Leh is included in Trekking Packages.
- Sleeping Bags, trekking shoes and clothing.
- Any Kind of Personal Expenses or Optional Tours / Extra Meals Ordered
- Any thing not specifically mentioned under the head “Prices Included”.
- Tips, Insurance, Laundry, Phone Calls.
- Any Kind of Drinks (Alcoholic, Mineral, Aerated)
- Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/ stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control.
Gears And Equipment
Trip Information
Chumathang to Yayatso trek is High Altitude Trek and challenging trek. Trek is focuses more on Landscape, Peaks, People Villages and High Altitude Lake. The best season to do the trekking is from mid June to September. Trekking sector: Leh / Chumathang / Gangra / Sumdo / Phayalung / Yayatso / Mahe / Leh,.
Drive to Chumathang from Leh along the Indus will take 3.5 – 4 hrs. Chumathang is famous for its Hot Springs. You can either visit the Chumathang monastery in the afternoon or in the morning. It is 20 min walk away from the camping. Set off from Chumathang 4.050 m, walk through the village and follow up the valley north to reach Gangra. There is plenty of camping possibilities on the way but our choice Gangra is located at 4.630 m with a fine scenery. Proceed to Sumdo on next day, on the route have opportunity to spot some of the marmots and maybe some Kyangs (wild ass). Sumdo is also a place known for huge herds of Yak. Leave Sumdo early morning to reach Phayalung which will take 8 hrs. It will be quite a tough day as one has to cross the 5.560 m high pass Choku-la. Next morning proceed toward Yaya tso by passing several shepherd’s places,continues walking along the refreshing river, crosses over a desert-plateau with a big Lhato and reaches a small lake with a gorge. Reach Yaya tso by 5 hrs of walk and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere with men and animals living in their natural conditions. Next day leave for leh by car, enroute visit to the famous nunnery which has more than 100 nuns in Mahe. From Mahe you’ll have the choice to go further into Changthang area such as newly opened area of Nyoma and Muth or Tsomoriri or Tsokar Lakes or drive back to Leh. monastery.
Chumathang to Yaya Tso Trek Route Map
Gallery
FAQS
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Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
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