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At a Glance
Trip Overview
Discover the Rupshu Trek — a high-altitude adventure through Ladakh’s remote valleys, wild plateaus, and timeless mountain culture.
Experience the unforgettable Rupshu Trek, a stunning high-altitude journey through Ladakh’s most remote and untouched landscapes. Starting from the Markha Valley and leading to the wild Rupshu Plateau, this trek is perfect for those seeking solitude, raw Himalayan beauty, and authentic cultural encounters. The Rupshu Trek takes you far off the beaten path—through hidden valleys, ancient villages, and over dramatic mountain passes—offering a side of Ladakh few travelers ever see.
Trip Highlights
- Traverse one of Ladakh’s most isolated regions, from the lush Markha Valley to the windswept plains of Rupshu.
- Cross the stunning Zalung Karpo La Pass (5,200m / 17,056ft) – the highest point of the trek, offering panoramic Himalayan views.
- Camp at the foot of Kang Yaze peak (6,400m / 20,992ft) – a striking backdrop to one of the most scenic campsites.
- Visit remote monasteries like Umlung Gompa, perched dramatically on hillsides.
- Multiple river crossings and varied terrain, from green valleys to high-altitude deserts.
- Stay in traditional Ladakhi villages, including Markha, Hankar, and Dat — offering a glimpse into local life and culture.
- Experience incredible night skies, with clear air and minimal light pollution in the high-altitude camps.
- Moderate to challenging trek, ideal for fit trekkers with some prior hiking experience.
- Disconnect from modern life, as you walk through regions with no phone signal, just pure silence and nature.
- Scenic return drive from the plateau to Leh, completing a circular route without retracing your steps.
At a Glance
When to Visit
Trip Itinerary
- Full Itinerary
- Outline Itinerary
Departure from home
Arrival in Leh
We’ll greet you at Leh Airport and assist with the transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is for rest and acclimatization — it’s important to let your body adjust to the altitude before trekking begins.
Altitude: 3,500m / 11,480ft
Monastery Tour Around Leh
Spend the day visiting some of the region’s iconic monasteries — like Thiksey, Hemis, or Shey. These sites offer insight into Ladakh’s deep-rooted Buddhist culture while giving you more time to acclimate.
Drive to Sku (3,400m / 11,152ft), Trek to Markha (3,700m / 12,139ft)
After a scenic drive to Sku village, we begin our trek through the breathtaking Markha Valley. The trail winds through high desert scenery and river crossings before reaching the welcoming village of Markha.
Drive: 2 hours
Overnight altitude: 3,700m / 12,139ft
Trek to Hankar (4,000m / 13,120ft)
Today includes a few river crossings and a challenging but rewarding climb up to Umlung Gompa, which sits high on a hillside with panoramic valley views. The path then levels out as we approach Hankar. We camp near the base of the majestic Kang Yaze peak (6,400m / 20,992ft).
Overnight altitude: 4,000m / 13,120ft
Trek to Langthang Chu (4,250m / 13,940ft)
The trail now veers away from Markha Valley and heads south. We follow the Langthang stream, crossing it several times through a dramatic, narrowing gorge until we reach our tranquil campsite.
Overnight altitude: 4,250m / 13,940ft
Trek to Yakrupal (4,700m / 15,416ft)
We ascend through a stunning high-altitude valley, eventually fording a glacial stream and climbing a moraine wall. The landscape becomes stark and powerful as we reach the base of the Zalung Karpo La pass.
Overnight altitude: 4,700m / 15,416ft
Trek to Sorra (Kurna Chu) (4,200m / 13,776ft) over the pass Zalung Karpo La (5,200m / 17,056ft)
This is one of the most dramatic days of the trek. We cross the high pass of Zalung Karpo La with sweeping Himalayan views before descending into a beautiful valley, eventually reaching the quiet village of Sorra, where we camp near the river.
Overnight altitude: 4,200m / 13,776ft
Trek to Dat (4,200m / 13,776ft)
A peaceful walk along a canyon lined with willows and a small stream. After a short climb, the trail opens into a broad valley. We end the day in Dat — a lush village surrounded by high, rugged mountains.
Overnight altitude: 4,200m / 13,776ft
Drive Back to Leh
We leave the high plateaus behind and drive back to Leh. It’s a scenic return through vast open spaces and mountain roads. The comforts of town will feel well-earned after your trek.
Overnight altitude: 3,500m / 11,480ft
Explore Leh on Your Own
A free day to relax and enjoy Leh at your own pace. Visit Shanti Stupa for sunrise or sunset views, explore Leh Palace, or shop in the local bazaars.
Airport Transfer
We’ll arrange your transfer to Leh Airport. With lungs full of mountain air and hearts full of memories, you head home from one of the most extraordinary places on earth.
Back to home
Cost Include
- Airport transfer
- All other transfer as required on private coach
- English speaking guide
- Meals as mentioned
- All hotel accommodation with breakfast and dinner in the town
- All camping during trek
- Porter during trek to carry your beggage
- All permit and taxes
Cost Exclude
- Meals other than those mentioned
- Flight tickets
- Insurance
- personal drinks and Bar Bill
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Tips for guides and other trek staff
Tailor made Journeys
Your journey, your way - This itinerary can be tailored to your desire.
You can also use this tour as a base for a tailor-made itinerary. Like your personal architect creating your one-of- a-kind home, our Travel Specialists will execute the trip of a lifetime. It’s all up to you – logistics, pace, budget, dates, performances, visits, explorations, meals and lodging are hammered out down to the finest customized detail. Please fill in our tailor-made request form.
Private Journeys
Customize the departure dates suitable for you
If you do not want to join a group then you can also make this a private trip with your friends and family one at your own schedule. Considering this, Trekking Team Group organizes private journeys as well. Please choose your own departure date.
Trip Photo Gallery
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How these top guide books have described us?
"Ein Absolut verlässlicher, superfreundlisher veranstalter mit erstlkassigem Service.”
“Long-established trekking company with a breadth of experience and an easy-to-find location."
"A very reliable, super friendly agency offering top-notch service.”
“une agence engagée avec une belle expertise du terrain.”
Additional Information
This is ADVENTURE travel, and many of the destinations on this site are in remote, underdeveloped areas where unpredictability is the norm. Despite careful planning and organization, our adventure trips can’t be taken for granted like regular trips. Many of the places we visit lack the emergency health and safety services you’re used to in the developed world. Internal flights can be canceled, road transport is often uncomfortable and unreliable, and hotel standards may not match those of the West.
If you’re not prepared for this, you shouldn’t travel with us. The unpredictability also means that our itineraries are statements of intent, not contractual obligations. Factors such as weather, transport difficulties, and political instability might require us to change any itinerary. The trip leader will make any necessary changes after consulting with the group. Such changes are rarely significant, and we always do our best to minimize their impact. However, we cannot be held responsible for changes or delays, regardless of their cause.
What makes this trip different ?
Trekking Team Groups is one of the main supporters of Ambe Foundation, a non-political and non-profit social organization. We contribute our support to the remote village of Nuwakot and different schools like Gramin Devi, Khumbeshwori through donation, sponsorship and partnership in various projects. For details click here what we do and why we do?
Donation
Trekking Team Group donates a percentage of business profits to the foundation on a yearly basis, which supports the ongoing maintenance cost required for Gramin Devi and Khumbeshwori school, a community-based school in Nuwakot.
Sponsorship
One of the major activities of Ambe foundation is the children sponsorship program, which is conducted with full collaboration with Trekking Team Group.
Partnership (Volunteering Program)
The Ambe Volunteer Program, organised by Ambe Foundation and Trekking Team Group, aims to mobilize teams of experts and interested individuals as an effective and economic measure in providing the human capital for education, health and community development in Nuwakot District.