Ladakh's 6 Passes Trek Photo Story

Rumtse to Tso Moriri Lake Trek otherwise known as the 6 Passes Trek of Ladakh is a behemoth of a trek that takes you through a portal to a different universe altogether.

Starting from the village of Rumtse, this trek ends in Karzok located near the banks of the radiating blue Tso Moriri Lake but only after taking you over 6 mighty 5000M+ passes of the Changthang Valley over a massive length of 106km.

The Rumtse to Tso Moriri Lake Trek lets you experience the raw, brutal, remote yet magical vistas of the Changthang Valley, the visually scintillating scenery, unique and colorful landscapes, 3 high altitude lakes and nature at its best.

Here we present to you the photo story of this impressive 6 Passes Trek of Ladakh.

DAY 1: Rumtse (13,667 ft) to Kyamar (14,714 ft)

Starting from the village of Rumtse housing about 20 families located on the Leh-Manali highway, the trail takes you crisscrossing over rivers to reach the first campsite of Kyamar across a fairly flat terrain of green and brown.

DAY 2: Kyamar (14,714 ft) to Tisaling (16,378 ft)

The second day of the trek picks up with 2 massive pass crossings, Kyamar La (16,700 ft) and Mandalchan La (16,976 ft) and takes you through spellbinding landscapes sprayed with an array of colors giving it the appearance of a rainbow.

The valley opens up far and wide with rivers cutting through flanked by high peaks and barren terrain. A picture-perfect journey one can ask for.

DAY 3: Tisaling (16,378 ft) to Ponganagu (14,922 ft)

After crossing Shibuk La (17,248 ft) we get to see miles and miles of never-ending trail over a flat but brutal terrain taking you to the campsite of Ponganagu giving you the first sight of the White Lake, Tso Kar.

DAY 4: Ponganagu (14,922 ft) to Nuruchan (15,254 ft)

Trek along the banks of the Tso Kar lake, a saltwater lake with deposits of salt on its shores on relatively flat but lengthy terrain to reach the campsite of Nuruchan located next to a gushing stream.

You will also get to witness Changpa, the nomads of Changthang Valley with their horses, pashmina goats, sheep and yak living in canvas tents and semi-permanent settlements built of stone and mud.

DAY 5: Nuruchan (15,254 ft) to Gyamar Barma (17,074 ft)

The trail takes you to the nomadic settlements of Rajun Karu where you also get an opportunity to interact with the Changpa and get to know their culture and their life in such a harsh environment.

A steep climb to the Kyamayuri La (17,717 ft) takes you to a completely different setting on the other side, which will be your campsite Gyamar Barma, possibly the best campsite of the trek located beside a meandering river with towering snowcapped peaks flanking from all sides with a massive green meadow spread acres wide and long with marmots, wild asses and blue sheep running around you.

DAY 6: Gyamar Barma (17,074 ft) to Gyamar (16,787 ft)

Climbing the Kartse La (17,614 ft) gives you the best view of the entire valley. Be ready for the fantastic spread of landscape and mountains. The pass is the steepest of them all and takes you to the campsite of Gyamar after multiple stream crossings.

DAY 7: Gyamar (16,787 ft) to Karzok (14,890 ft)

The final day of the trek is not an easy one, taking you over the highest and the 6th pass of the trek, Yalung Nyau La (17,760 ft) the trail takes you gradually beside a beautiful gushing stream to the prayer flag studded pass to give you the first glimpse of the beautiful and enchanting Tso Moriri Lake.

These pictures are just an essence of what this trek has in store for you.

Experience Ladakh a whole new way and move away from the norm by doing this absolutely magnificent Rumtse to Tso Moriri Lake Trek or as we say it, Ladakh's 6 Passes Trek.

Happy trekking!