Suru Glacial Trek
The Suru valley glacier lake trek is an offbeat but ideal trek for trekkers who are just getting introduced to high altitude Himalayan trekking. Unlike other high altitude treks in Ladakh which can go upto 5000m in dry arid climate, this trail is set in the green oasis of Suru valley in the Zanskar mountain range. The trail runs almost flat starting at 3600m and reaches the highest altitude of 4200m gradually at the Lonval glacier lake, making it one of the lowest altitude treks in the Ladakh Himalayas.
This trail is sure to keep your spirits and adrenaline high with what it has to offer. The trail has plenty of rare wild flowers and wildlife such the omnipresent Himalayan Marmots, Asiatic Ibex, Brown Fox and if lucky the rare Himalayan Brown Bear. You will be crossing many icy cold streams and doing a glacier traverse. You will also get a unique opportunity to get up close and interact with an ancient, nomadic tribe called “Bakarwals”. These valleys have been their summer abode for centuries. An ideal trek for beginners.
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Tour StartsKargil
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Tour EndsSrinagar/Leh
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Style of TourTrekking (4 days)
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Max Altitude4008 m
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Approx Trekking32 kms
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Trek DifficultyEasy
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Best SeasonMay to October
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StaysHotel in Kargil, organized Camping on trek
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MealsBreakfast and Dinner in Hotel, All meals on the trek
Day 1: Arrive in Leh & Leave for Kargil
- Pick up from Airport and drive to Kargil (5 hours)
- Lunch Enroute
- Evening for leisure
Day 2: Aclimatization day and local sightseeing
- After an early breakfast, we will drive to Hundurman which is border settlement on the LoC between India and Pakistan and check out the Hundurman Museum
- Visit to Munshi Aziz Bhat Museum, a family run museum that had preserved the silk route history of Kargil
- Post lunch, explore Kargil bazaar
- Dinner and overnight at hotel
Day3: Drive from Kargil (2600m) to Panikhar (3225m). Trek from Panikhar to Chumik (3625m)
- After an early breakfast, drive from Kargil to the basecamp in Maita, Panikhar
- Today, the trail follows Chalong nala upstream and gains altitude gradually
- Our first drinking water source comes 2 and half hours into the trail.
- We will cover a short distance today and camp at Chumik, a spring water source.
Day 4: Trek from Chumik to Kalapari (3770m)
- The trail runs fairly flat along the Chilong nala fed by the Lonval and Bobang glacier
- You will climb gradually to a meadow that will then lead to a wide river basin, that is a confluence of two rivers, called Sumdo or Deonardo
- From here we have cross multiple icy cold stream to reach our campsite at Kalapari, a meadow area right before the moraine area.
- From Kalapari various peaks are visible and the whole valley is blooming with wild flowers in the summer
- You will be inspired by the wide panorama of the Sumdo basin.
- Late lunch or snacks will be served on camp
- Enjoy bonfire by evening followed by dinner
Day 5: (Trek day 3) Trek to Glacier lake and back to Deonardo (6-8 kms/5 to 6 hours approx)
- This day will be marked by heart stopping views of a glacial lake, The Kalapari Peak and a view of a wide glacier tumbling down the flanks of a mountain into a greyish crevasse.
- Pack lunch will be carried
- Explore and spend the afternoon around the lake
- Return back to camp in Deonardo by evening
- We will change our camping location from Kalapari to Deonardo
Day 6: Trek from Deonardo to Panikhar. Drive back to Kargil
- After an early breakfast we will return back via the same route to Panikhar
- Vehicle will pick us up from the point and we will drive back to Kargil
- Check into hotel in Kargil
- Rest and dinner at the hotel
Day 7: Drive from Kargil to Leh/Srinagar
- Early morning departure from Kargil
- INCLUSIONS
- EXCLUSIONS
- ADDITIONAL INFO
- Airport pick up and drop
- Journey to and From Kargil
- Trek point transfers
- Transport for sightseeing
- Breakfast and dinner at hotel in Kargil
- All meals on the trek
- Twin sharing rooms at hotel
- Dome tents on trek
- Camping gear (sleeping bags, mattress, two man dome tents, toilet tent, dining tent)
- Safety gear (ropes, ice axe, micro spikes)
- Onsite first aid
- Oxygen cylinder
- Trained and experienced guide/trek leader
- Kitchen and support staff
- Porters / Mules
- Trekking permits
- Camping charges
- Single room accommodation
- Lunch during stay in Kargil and Srinagar
- Meals while on the road
- Personal equipment such as walking sticks, rain coats, gloves etc
- International & Domestic flight fares, visa charges
- Monument/monastery and Museum visit fee
- Any expenses of personal nature such as mineral water, laundry.
- Cost incurred due to emergency evacuation
- Any kind of insurance, such as accident, theft, medical, evacuation etc.
- Personal Mules & porters. You can request for one in advance while booking
- Tips to porters, camping team, driver, guide, etc.
- Cost incurred due to change / extension in the itinerary due to roadblocks, bad weather condition, flight delays, vehicle breakdowns, etc.
- We have a zero trash tolerance policy. We always clean up after ourselves on all hikes and trips
- We use portable T3 tents and portable toilets and wash basins at our campsite which are cleared and wrapped up at the end of each journey.
- Our camp locations are temporary and we don’t keep any permanent fixtures at the location. We say no to plastics
- Be Local – there is no harm learning at few local words while you are there. It always helps in building a rapport with the locals and blend in. Try to eat and buy locally. Carry your own water bottles.
- We use comfortable mattresses with -10degree sleeping bags
- There is no electricity at most of our campsites as they are at remote locations. We use solar powered tent lamps.
- Our trips require a moderate level of fitness.
- The maximum altitude for treks can go upto 6100m
- Drink lot of water to stay hydrated and to avoid mountain sickness
- We always carry a first aid kid and a portable oxygen canisters for emergencies
- Average of two guides are provided for a group of 10 people
- We respect the local traditions and customs. We will always brief you regarding these each time you travel to a different location. We encourage you to be open and free while travelling to these locations and invite you to explore the region in its true sense.
- We focus on engaging local communities in our work to create livelihoods locally. Most of our camps/homestays are managed by the local villagers and local youth is engaged as guides/hosts
- We organize workshops to train local communities and youth for technical training in mountain guiding, hospitality and responsible tourism. If you are interested in contributing, do let us know.
- Valid ID proof (Passport/Voter ID/Drivers Licence)
- No suitcases. Opt for 70 to 90 litre backpacks
- Water-proof trekking shoes
- One down jacket or warmer for chilly nights
- Rain poncho or jacket/windcheater (a must!)
- Thermal inner (not advisable to wear it while trekking)
- Trekking pants (one spare)
- Sun block
- Hat
- Sun goggles
- Trekking pole
- Spare under garments and socks (three pairs max)
- Flashlight with extra batteries (preferably wearable)
- Water bottle, preferably wide mouthed, with at least one litre capacity
- Personal toiletries
- Power bank (if you want to use phone camera)
- That book you’ve been meaning to read
- Delays are expected on account of roadblock & weather conditions. Our effort will be to continue with the trip as per the schedule & make you as comfortable as possible. But in such situations we may have to compromise on the campsite / hotels & adjust to these situations then & there.
- The itinerary should be viewed as ideal & we may have to make some spot changes due various unavoidable reasons.
- The distances & altitude mentioned in the above itinerary are to the best of our knowledge & information; marginal variance in the actual distances & altitudes is possible.
- You are expected to be in reasonable shape and fitness, being able to walk for several hours at a normal pace as well as to take care of your own equipment.
- You are required to produce a Medical Fitness certificate before starting the trip.
- The minimum age restriction for this trip is 18
- All outdoor related activities involve a certain level of risk. You are expected to sign an Indemnity Form in agreement to the risks involved through part taking in such outdoor activities.
- Rafting is subject to water levels and weather conditions. The final call will be taken by our Lead Rafter on location.
- Cycling is subject to weather conditions
- Roots Ladakh reserves the right and permission to use photographs of individuals and photographs submitted by them on tour for use in promotional and publicity purposes