Phyang Village to Hunder Village Trek

Duration: 06 Days Trek

Max Altitude: 5390mts (Nakpo Gonzing Pass)

Difficulty: Moderate

Best time: June to October

Briefing of the Trek: Phyang to Hunder trek is an overall moderate trek which starts from Phyang, a village in Lower Ladakh and ends at Hunder, a village in Nubra (Northern Ladakh). The Nubra Valley lies to the north of Leh and was once the gateway to the ancient Silk route. The valley has vast alluvial plains and bacterian camels, which roam the sandy banks of the Shayok River. This trek is one of the least visited and the beauty of the unspoiled landscape will leave you reminiscing about its stunning views of Karakoram ranges. The beauty of the trek is surpassed only by the final day a spectacular bus or jeep ride over the highest motorable road in the world (5606 m).

Itinerary Details:

Day 01: Leh to Phyang and Phu.

Drive to Phyang monastery, 17km. This monastery belongs to the Degungpa Order. It was the first monastery, which introduced the Degungpa teaching of ‘Skyob Jigsten Gonbo’ in Ladakh that was founded by Chosje Danma Kunga, during the reign of King Jamyang Namgyal in the 16th Century A.D. It has about 50 monks in residence. Phyang also has a festival called ‘Phyang Tseruk’ on the 2nd & 3rd of the 6th month of Tibetan Calendar. After visiting the Monastery, trek to Phyang Phu. Today is a short day in terms of walking but a good day for Acclimatization. Overnight in camp.

Day 02: Phyang Phu to South base of Lasermo pass.4680 m

After a leisurely breakfast, we will continue our trek to the base of Lasermo La 4700 m. up and away early for an easy climb to the pass at 5400m, from where we have views of the Stok range behind and the Karakoram ahead. Then a descent-possibly on snow to our high pasture camp.

Day 03: South base of Lasermo to North base vai Lasermo 5400 m

Start quite early in the morning as we will cross the Lasermo Pass (5400m). Walking of 6 hours. The top of Lasermo pass offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, the Indus valley and the Shayok Valley. The trail from the pass towards our camp passes rough moraines for an hour and a half. It is important to start early, as the ponies must cross the glacier before midday in order to avoid difficulties arising from snow and ice melting. The campsite is in a beautiful meadow and offer opportunities to explore and see flowers growing at high altitude.

Day 04: North base to Hundar Drok

Today we have walk of 5 hours down through meadows, flowers, Most of the time, we will be walking along the Hundar stream. After following the stream for a while, we will pass through shepherds’ huts, where the men and women from Hundar Drok Village live with their Yaks, cows, goats and sheep. They could be seen collecting milk, cheese, butter, wild vegetables and fuel for the winter. Overnight at Village of Drok Gongma.

Day 05: Hunder Drok Gongma to Skarchen.

Another beautiful day. We will pass through the villages of Drok Gongma, Drok Yokma and Wachan, which are names of different places with concentrations of scattered houses belonging to a common village known locally as Hundar Drok. If you are not in a hurry to get to your camp at Skarchen (a place where some of the local families go with their animals during the winter), you can spend sometime exploring the villages and share a few moments getting to know the locals.

Day 06: Skarchen to Hunder Village.

An amazing day: forest valleys, steep hillsides, reach the end of a valley guarded by ancient forts. Ahead of us the snow peaks of the Karakoram and below the old Silk Road oasis of Hunder. The last day of trekking is through the beautiful Hunder Gorge, which opens up just before descending to Hunder Bridge. Before the final descent we will have a great view of Saser Kangri Peak (7672m).

Trek ends