GOING AROUND LADAKH
Ladakh is a good Trekking ground for it has a blend of all the factors needed for trekking. The following are the trekking routes.

1. Spitok to Hemis via the Markha Valley

New trekkers should consult their guides on the trekking tips and other relevant information. For starters each day should take you a day or so and for experienced trekkers they can complete two of these stages in a day.

a. Stage One : Spitok to Rumbak
This trek begins at the Spitok gompa. Crossing the bridge over the Indus and follow the trail along the left bank that stretches along barren and exposed land. This trek is not interesting except during winter as it may get quite warm during the day.

b. Stage Two : Rumbak to Yurutse
Rumbak is a steady ascent up the valley that leads to the village of Yurutse.

c. Stage Three : Ganda La, Markha and Skiu
The first stop on this route is the Ganda Pass followed by a village. After going up the Himalayas the next is the village of Markha, further down the route you will reach Skiu.

d. Stage Four : Skiu to Markha
This is the longest route and there are no inclines along this route. There are a few river crossings which are little dicey, the trial is more or less straightforward.

e. Stage Five : Markha to Nimaling
This is an another long route, passing through the scenic beauty of Tahungtse to finally reach Hankar, which is the highest village in the Markha Valley.

f. Stage Six : Nimaling to Kongmaru La and Chongdo
The stream that flows through Nimaling and after about a walk you will reach Kongmaru La. The zigzag ways of the route are only used by trekkers. The trial enters gorge before reaching Chongdo.

g. Stage Seven : Chongdo to Hemis
This is the last stage for trekking and you can get back to leh by taking a bus.

PLACES TO LOOK AROUND LADAKH

1. Lakes
As winter approaches the temperature reaches around -30 degrees celcius lakes such as the Pangong Tso and Tso-Moriri freezes.

• The Pangong Tso is the longest lake and is bisected by the International border between India and Tibet (China).
• The Tso Moriri is one of the largest lakes in Ladakh region. The surface of the Tso Moriri Lake freezes during winter, as it is possible for animals and humans alike to walk on it. The water of this lake is unfit for human consumption.
• Kyaghr is a small lake to the north on Tso Moriri. This lake is the halting place for trekkers moving from the Kiangdum comping ground to Tso Moriri.

2. Glaciers and Rivers
Ladakh has large number of glaciers out of which a number of rivers flows.

a. Siachen Glacier
Siachen Glacier lies in the northern part of J & K near Indo - Tibetan border. Large tributary glaciers like the Shelkar and the Mamostang open into the main glacier from both sides of its trough. The Siachen glacier lies in a vast trough more than 2km wide and is devoid of vegetation due to its high elevation and weather. The bulk of the total volume of annual precipitation falls in the form of snow. The Siachen glacier can be approached via Skardu in Ladakh.

b. Hispar Glacier
The Hispar glacier is situated on the sourthern slopes of the Karakoram Range in Ladakh. This glacier feeds the main stream of the Shigar River. The central portion of this glacier contains debris eroded by the huge body of moving ice. The entire tract is devoid of vegetation.

c. Nubra Valley Glacier
It is a large glacier ringed by towering peaks. Large tributary glaciers open into the main glacier. The central part of this glacier is a vast snowfield. No vegetation grows in this tract as it lies above the snow line. This glacier can be approached via Leh in Ladakh.

d. Chong Kumdan Glacier
It is surrounded by high peaks on all sides. The melt-water flows into the Shyok river.

e. Rakaposhi Glacier
This glacier is on the lower slopes of the Karakoram range in Gilgit, Ladakh. The tributaries that come out from this glacier flows into the Hunza river. This glacier can be approached via Gilgit in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.

f. Saltoro Glacier
It is located on the border of India and Pakistan. It is situated near a basin in a mountain in the Saltoro massif. The glacier feeds one of the two main streams of the Saltoro river.

3. Valleys in Ladakh
Ladakh has large number of valleys which present a scenic beauty to be observed and seen

a. Dras Valley
The Dras Valley is formed by the Dras River, in summer as the snow melts, the volume of this river rises considerably. The summer begins in May, during which snow begins to melt and crop sowing activities start late. Harvesting is taken care of early, before the beginning of the long, hard winter season. Barely and other cereals constitute the bulk of the main crops grown in the valley. The town of Dras gives a pleasant look in summer while in winter it is covered under thick blanket of snow. During winter the temperature drops to as low as -40 degrees Centigrate.

b. Suru Valley
The Suru valley is around 3,000 m above the sea level. Though this valley is not as inhospitable as the Dras valley, winter begins aound mod-November and usually continues till May. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the people of this valley. The main crops raised by the people of Suru valley are wheat, barely and millet. Grapes, apricots and melons are produced in fairly large quantities at Darchik and Garkoon.

c. Nubra Valley
This is situated 10,000 feet above the sea level and is about 3-4 miles wide. Numerous villages are scattered along the Nubra Valley. It was part of the famous old Central Asian trade route known as the 'Silk Route'. The Nubra River flows out of the Siachen glacier in the north-west and the Terong glacier in the east. It meets the Shyok River at Lungzhung.

d. Shyok Valley
This is also known as the valley of death. The Shyok River also called the river of death, rises from teh Khumdhang glacier and receives the waters of the Nubra and Changchenmo rivers. The river freezes in winter and in summer as the snow melt the river overflows and inundates the surrounding plain for many kilometers.