This classic trek starts from Pannikhar in Suru valley of Kargil is beautiful contrast of stark and green landscape. This trek which can generally be made in a week’s time gives an insight of the upper Wardwan valley and existence of semi nomadic life of Bakerwal herdsmen in the green pastures of this area.
Day 1: Leh Airport – Hotel (3500 M)
Board the early morning flight from Delhi to Leh. It takes a little more than an hour to get to Leh, the capital of Ladakh. On a clear day the flight offers excellent views of the mighty Himalayas. Arrive at the hotel for welcome drinks followed by breakfast. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 2: Leh (3500 M)
We spend half the day visiting Shey and Thiksey monasteries around Leh. Return to hotel for lunch and spend the day exploring the Leh market.
Day 3: Leh – Sonmarg (2800 M)
Long day of driving today. Set out after an early breakfast, travelling west of Leh towards Kargil. 36 kms from Leh, we reach Nimu, the confluence of the Zanskar with the Indus. We pass the derelict fort at Basgo, the painted caves at Saspol to reach Khalsi where the road crosses the Indus River and slowly winds its way 27 kms upto the beautiful gompa at Lamayuru.
Continue to cross the Fotu La (4108m) and Namika La (3700m) to reach the village of Mulbekh. 41 kms further is the town of Kargil which marks the transition to a predominantly Muslim area. Continue to drive West to Kashmir, over the Zojila (3500m) with sheer drop on one side. Drive through Baltal to reach the meadows of Sonmarg.
Day 4: Kargil to Pannikar and start trek to Donara (3770 m)
An early start from Kargil as the road snakes up the Suru valley past the settlement of Sankhoo. Arrive Pannikar 3200 Mts from Kargil and start trek to Donara 3770 Mts, we follow the Cholong River for about 3 hours in-between crossing many side streams till we reach a huge valley at Donara where we camp overnight.
Day 5: Donara to Kannital (3800 m)
Donara to Kannital 3800 Mts via Boktol 4980 Mts Pass, this day we start very early in the morning for our longest day on this trek (8 to 10 hours). After leaving the camp at Donara we prepare ourselves for a water crossing on a Rolvoling river which comes from Lonlivadgalli, after water crossing we start our uphill walk towards the Boktol pass at 4980 Mts, the trek to the pass is a mix of easy and hard walk for about 4 hours, on the top of the pass there are beautiful views of some 6000 Mts high unnamed mountains peaks around and a huge hanging glacier towards the Nun massif gives a great look, from the pass there is a long descend on main Boktol glacier for about 4 to 5 hours till we get to a beautiful camp at Kannital.
Day 6: Kannital to Humpet (3350 m)
The 10 Km long walk from Kannital to Humpet is an easy walk all along the Boktol river, we camp in an open meadow at Humpet.
Day 7: Rest day at Humpet
Sidewalks or read, sleep, or just stare at the beautiful surroundings!
Day 8: Humpet to Rangmarg (3000m)
From Humpet we start our downhill walk through some beautiful birch trees till we get to Wankadal where we cross the Boktol river on a wooden log bridge and soon start taking up hill trek towards our right to traverse a long hill which will take us to our beautiful camp at Rangmarg.
Day 9: Rangmarg to Sheeshnag (3590 m)
Rangmarg to Sheeshnag 3590 Mts over Golol Gali pass 4450 Mts. This is a second longest day on this trek. We gain about 1400 mts to the pass from our Rangmarg camp, it is a long uphill trek with steep climb towards its end to the Golal Gali pass from top we get some beautiful mountain views, We descend to our camp near the beautiful lake Sheeshnag.
Day 10: Sheeshnag to Chandanwari (2890 m)
Sheeshnag to Chandanwari 2890 Mts and drive Srinagar via Pahalgam. Today we walk all along the Baba Amarnath Ji trail losing the height of about 750 Mts to Chandanwari. It is a beautiful walk hitting Pissu top where from we get the best views of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva mountains. At Chandanwari we board the vehicles to drive to Srinagar with some time to spend at Pahalgam. Overnight houseboat!
Day 11: Srinagar – Srinagar Airport
It’s an early morning flight back to Delhi. Trip ends!
All travel from Leh and back to Srinagar by road
All arrangements for staying and camping while on trip
Accommodation on twin sharing basis in Tents / Hotel
All meals as mentioned in itinerary & safe drinking water
All trekking arrangements with India’s most experienced guiding team, camp staff and cooks
Porterage upto 15kg/ person
Peak fee/sanctuary fee/royalty/permits where applicable
Sleeping bag
Any transfers or meals outside of itinerary
Bottled water
Items of personal clothing
Expenses of any personal nature (laundry / phone calls / alcohol / cigarettes / insurance / camera fee / etc.)
Any expense incurred due to force of nature such as landslides, bad weather or reasons beyond our control
Tips & gratuities (we recommend 5-10% of your trip cost- to be distributed among the team) – personal choice
Travel & cancellation insurance
Scream and Shout! For I just completed the hardest treks in the Himalayas, the lesser known Auden’s Col Trek. It tests you, beats you down but you when you summit starting in the wee hours of the morning you know that it couldn’t have been a better decision not for just the moment but for life.
Read More
Well what a wonderful trip it was, we were 14 climbers with about 60 helpers including guide and porters. It could not have been better, right from our stay at Kuflon to Pooja at Gangotri to climb to the Auden’s to stay at the glaciers and finally a walk through the forest which can beat the amazon.
Read More
A difficult trek made so much easier by the professional, ever-ready-to-help, alert trek leaders of Aquaterra. The support staff was wonderful and made the hard days lighter by their cheerful attitude. All along it felt not like client and staff but friends out for a trek.
Read More
Everything right from the beginning till the end – the pre-trip updates, travel planning, itinerary, equipment, camping sites, medical help and preparedness, food, etc. were all well thought, planned and great.
Read More
We strive to create the best trips possible for you, with uncommon professionalism, unsurpassed personal service and a commitment to protect and preserve the cultures and environments through which we travel. Get in touch with us to plan your next holiday
