Ladakh: The Tso Moriri Trek

Join veteran Trip Leader Hashmat Singh for an expedition into a lost world of nomads, rare wildlife, and mystical lakes amid the wild beauty of Ladakh. Set on a high plateau in the Himalayas and part of the vast Changthang Plateau that stretches into Tibet, Ladakh is a high-altitude enclave of spectacular landscapes as well as a treasure-trove of ancient Buddhist culture. We head out on a 13-day trek, crossing the Changthang to reach the shores of serene, mountain-ringed Tso Moriri (15,000'), a huge turquoise lake held sacred by the local people. Long forbidden to outsiders, the Changthang (“northern land”) is the land of Changpa nomads, who maintain a traditional Tibetan way of life, moving seasonally to find fresh grazing for their yaks and goats, trading salt and meat for grain and other goods from lower regions, and bringing their yak caravans into Western Tibet on age-old trade routes. Our trek is a high-altitude adventure, with camps at around 15,000 feet and pass crossings of up to 18,532 feet. As we experience this realm of cobalt skies and craggy escarpments, we enjoy memorable encounters with the Changpa nomads and keep an eye out for wildlife that ranges from little Himalayan pikas to bharal (sheep), ibex, and keyang (wild Tibetan donkeys).

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-4
Delhi / Leh

Arrive in Delhi, India, and fly to Leh (11,500'), Ladakh’s capital and a former trans-Himalayan trading post in a side valley of the Indus River. We acclimatize by visiting Ladakh’s ancient monasteries, including Likir, founded in the 14th century, Alchi, built in the 11th century, and Rizong Gompa, founded by the great lama Tsultim Nima in 1831.

Days 5-10
Kyamar (14,760') / Tso Kar Lake (15,088')

We begin our trek from Rumtse with a hike into the green Kyamar Valley, an ancient trade route to Tibet. We are now in the region known as Changthang, a vast high altitude plateau that extends from western Tibet into eastern Ladakh. On these days, we encounter Changpa nomads and cross three 16,000-foot passes with spectacular views across the Changthang Plateau. On Day 10 we arrive at Tso Kar, one of the highest lakes in the world, sometimes known as “White Lake” because of its salt fields.

Days 11-17
To Tso Moriri

Hiking over the Kayaru La (17,548'), the Barma La (17,548'), and finally the Lanyal La (18,532') brings us to the breathtakingly beautiful Rupshu Valley and our final destination, magnificent Tso Moriri Lake, with its vivid blue waters. The lake and the surrounding area is part of Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve and seasonal home to trans-Himalayan migratory species including black-necked cranes, along with many shorebirds. We camp nearby and also visit the tiny hamlet of Karzok (15,760'), with its lovely monastery.

Days 18-19
Leh / Depart

Heading back to Leh, we enjoy a last visit to Leh’s colorful bazaar before flying to Delhi and homeward, departing Day 19.

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 6, Very Strenuous. Most of the hiking and camping is between 12,000 and 15,000 feet, and the maximum elevation we reach is 18,532 feet. The hiking is over reasonably well-made nomadic trails, with a lot of climbing and steep descents and many stream crossings. The winds can be fierce over the passes, and the nights at these high altitudes will be cold, yet daytime temperatures will be pleasant, in the 70s, sometimes as high as the low 80s. At night at high altitudes, the temperatures drop considerably and it can be very cold. 

Trip members carry only a daypack with camera, jacket, windbreaker, water bottle, and other small necessities. For the most part, you can hike at your own speed; the group will spread out along the trail during the day to cover a normal maximum of 6 to 10 miles per day (4-8 hours of hiking). There are a number of days on this trek when the walks are shorter, as well as a rest day.

Every participant must understand that this trek is truly challenging—you should be in excellent physical condition. We recommend that you make a special effort to get in top physical shape for the trip. There are also dangers inherent in any expedition traveling to remote wilderness regions, especially when they involve travel to high altitude. These dangers include everything from rock falls to the possibility of a serious fall, accident or sickness without access to the means of rapid evacuation. The availability of medical supplies or the adequacy of medical attention, once provided, cannot be guaranteed and cannot be expected to measure up to western standards. Each trek is an expedition. Although we are accompanied by a support crew staffed by experienced veterans of the Ladakh Himalaya, it takes cooperation and flexibility from each participant to ensure a successful trek.

Altitude Acclimatization
Please also note that individuals vary widely in both their physical response to high altitude and the ability to acclimatize and, since physical fitness does not confer any protection or facilitate acclimatization, it is impossible to predict how you will adapt to the altitude. The greatest protection is avoiding rapid ascents and allowing time for acclimatization. Your body can adapt to altitude if given time. We feel this itinerary specifically provides that option, but you must individually pace yourself to go slowly and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Do not push too hard regardless of how physically fit you may be or feel.

Early symptoms of high altitude sickness include: headache, nausea, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, vomiting, dry cough, irregular breathing, shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling of ankles and eyelids. It is not uncommon to experience some of these symptoms when you first arrive at high altitude and then to have them decrease in severity within a few days. It is important that you inform your Trip Leader immediately of any symptoms or discomfort, however minor, so that they can help you monitor the situation. Please be aware that remaining at high altitude in spite of alarm signals from your body may result in serious illness or even death.

Medical conditions that are aggravated or complicated by high altitude include heart diseases, lung diseases, pregnancy, anemia, and sickle cell disease. It is imperative that anyone with any of these conditions consult their physician in detail before attempting this trekking expedition.

Explanation of Trip Levels