After all the planning and preparation the wait is finally over. On arrival in Delhi late this afternoon you will be met by World Expeditions and transferred to your hotel. Due to the late flight arrival and the early morning departure to Leh the following morning the initial briefing will be on ‘a need to know basis’ such as what to pack, ordering a packed breakfast, what time for departure from the hotel, arrangements for leaving gear in Delhi etc. Your World Expeditions kit bag will also be distributed after the briefing. Overnight Delhi The Lalit Hotel or similar Note: the main briefing will be on arrival in Leh and sleeping bags, liners, insulated mattress and down jackets will be distributed.

Meals:  Nil

We take the early flight from Delhi to Leh in the Indus Valley. If the conditions are clear you will be rewarded with grand views across the Great Himalaya and Zanskar ranges before landing at the capital of Ladakh. After resting that morning we spend time wandering the main markets and the imposing Leh Palace. We have the opportunity to climb to the Victory Fort (above the Palace) built in the 17th century to commemorate Ladakh's independence from the invading armies from Baltistan and Kashmir. From the Palace we can also appreciate the alleyways that comprise the old town of Leh, located to the east of the main bazaar. Overnight: Hotel Omasila or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

We have the opportunity to visit some of the outlying forts and monasteries. These include the 15th century Tikse monastery where we gain insights as to how the monks conduct their daily life. We also visit the Shey Palace, the seat of the Ladakh Royal family before they moved to Leh in the 17th century. In the afternoon we rest with an option to ascend to the nearby Chanti Peace stupa or visit the Ladakh Ecological Centre. An invaluable day to assist with our acclimatization before we commence our trek. Overnight: Hotel Omasila or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

The festival at Hemis commemorates the Indian sage Padmasambhava who introduced Tantric Buddhism to this region of the Himalaya in the 8th century. The festival consists of an elaborate series of masked dances depicting the life of Padmasambhava and the moral victory of knowledge over ignorance etc. Several hundred Ladakhi villagers from throughout the Indus Valley attend the festival. Besides its religious significance it is a time to renew acquaintances, visit the many stands and drink large quantities of butter tea and barley beer. In essence it is more of a medieval fair than a religious festival that reflects much of the contemporary cultural life of Ladakh.

Meals:  B,L,D

From Leh we drive down the Indus Valley to the confluence of the Zanskar River. We gradually ascend alongside the Zanskar River to the confluence of the Markha River. It’s a further one hour drive to Skiu (3435m) where we meet our crew and mule attendants. After lunch we slowly ascend alongside the course of the Markha River and our comfortable, grassy campsite at Narding (3530m).

Meals:  B,L,D

Our trail winds up the Markha valley passing a few small settlements to Markha (3770m) the largest village in the valley. That afternoon we visit the tiny monastery that has been recently renovated with funds from trekkers and Hemis monastery. We also have time to consider what the future holds for Markha and the nearby villages with most of the younger generation leaving the valley to gain employment in Leh and elsewhere in northern India.

Meals:  B,L,D

From Markha we continue up valley (with one river crossing) just before the village of Umlung. A few kms beyond the village the imposing peak of Kangyaze (6400m) forms an impressive backdrop. We follow a well-defined trail past ancient mani walls to the substantial village of Hanker (3980m) the highest village in the Markha Valley. Note: Possible Contingency day. We may elect to spend two nights at Hanker and to assist acclimatisation spend the next day ascending towards the vast Nimaling grazing plains.

Meals:  B,L,D

From Hanker we divert from the main trail (leading to Nimaling and the Gongmaru la) and commence our ascent across yak pastures to our secluded camp (4650m) at the base of the Zalung la

Meals:  B,L,D

A challenging stage. From camp it takes around three or four hours to reach the pass. At first the trail follows a narrow gorge before ascending steeply in places to the summit of the Zalung la (5190m). From the pass we gain impressive views of the peaks and jagged ranges of the Zanskar Range. It takes a further three hours descent, initially steep in place to reach a delightful camp near an abandoned encampment known at Tsoska (4200m).

Meals:  B,L,D

A relatively long final stage. From Tsoska we descend through an impressive gorge to a river junction. We then ascend another impressive gorge as we gradually ascend to the settlement of Dat. (4340m). During the summer the settlement is practically deserted as most of the villagers are grazing their yaks and goats on the higher, remote pastures. The shepherds known as Chang Pa follow lifestyles similar to their counterparts in western Tibet.

Meals:  B,L,D

To be spend on the trek – see note on Day 7 with the option of ascending to Nimaling on Day 8. Alternatively Day 10 can easily be split shortening this day with no end of campsites before a short walk the following day to Dat.

Meals:  B,L,D

From Dat we drive across vast grazing area populated by Chang Pa shepherds with huge flocks of yak and goats (famed for their pashmina wool). After two hours we reach the main Leh to Manali highway from where we head north to the Taglang Las (5328m) – the second highest motorable road crossing in the world. It’s then a steep exhilarating, descent of nearly 2000m to reach the Indus valley before returning to Leh

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we have the opportunity to rest or explore Leh. You may wish to visit the Snow Leopard Conservancy centre, as well as catching up on last minute shopping in the markets in preparation for the return flight to Delhi the next day.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we travel to the airport for our early morning flight to Delhi, connecting on Singapore Airlines to Melbourne via Singapore.

Meals:  B

Meals:  Nil