Shang La - Matho La Trek
The Easiest and Beautiful pass Crossing Trek for Beginners in Ladakh
A Himalayan High Experience
About The Shang La - Matho La TrekWalk the old Indus Valley Civilization. Witness the traditions and monasteries of the Ancient Tibetan Buddhism in the Little Tibet of India - Ladakh. Be mesmerized by the majestic peaks, beautiful valleys, and the lovely people of Ladakh. Oh, there are villages too!! For all those who love not just the beautiful mountains, but also its people, culture, traditions, flora and fauna.. Ladakh will love you back.
In this trek, you venture into the snow Leopard's winter home. If lucky, you might well sight the elegant and elusive cat. The trek takes you through 2 high altitude passes Shang La and Matho La, and the beautiful pasture lands of Shang Phu and Gangpoche to exit via Stok Village.
If you are yet ready for climbing Stok Kangri peak or Kang Yatse, or if you are for the first time in Ladakh and want to get introduced to trekking in this high altitude cold desert, the Shang La - Matho La trek is the best choice for you.
Detailed Daywise Itinerary For Shang La - Matho La TrekDay 1From Delhi To Leh
Quick Information: - Delhi: 216 meters / 713 feets
- Leh: 3500 meters / 11550 feets
- Approximate Time: 2 hours
- Day's Activity: Fly, Rest, Acclimatize
Brief Details Of The Day: Today, we fly from Delhi to reach Leh by afternoon, and checkin to our hotel. All of a sudden when you take in the cool dry air of Ladakh, your body won't not conform to the new changed environment, that too in only couple of hours !!
Staying hydrated is the key to a successful trek in Ladakh. Drink enough water from the previous night itself, and not after landing on Ladakh. Likewise, have a Vaseline convenient to apply to your nostrils to keep it moist, else you will feel the air is excessively dry and cold making it difficult to inhale comfortably.
We rest for the rest of the day and meet in the evening for a light Snacks and a formal Team Introduction where we share few important information on the trek preparation and planning.
Time for Dinner to catch some more sleep.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: None
Day 2From Leh To Leh, Via - Chemo Monastery, Shanti Stupa
Quick Information: - Leh: 3500 meters / 11550 feets
- Chemo Monastery: 3600 meters / 11880 feets
- Shanti Stupa: 3600 meters / 11880 feets
- Leh: 3500 meters / 11550 feets
- Approximate Time: 4 - 5 hours
- Day's Activity: Rest, City Surfing, Acclimatize
Brief Details Of The Day: Today we spend our day visiting places around Leh and acclimatizing further. Leh is at very high altitude and this day is very important for us. We visit places like Leh Palace, Chemo Monastery, Shanti Stupa, etc.
Each of these places can be hiked to and its the best for us to do, if we are not feeling exhausted. If we do, we need to take some light walks in the town itself for some window shopping. Leh has some good shops selling trekking gears. So you can do some last moment purchases.
Evening we will visit the monastery of Shanti Stupa to seek some peaceful aura around it.
Tomorrow we start the trek. Hence we recheck that we are all set for it. Do the last moment purchases, repack our bag according to the trek requirement, have dinner and sleep early.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3From Leh To Shang Sumdo, Via - Alchi Monastery, Lamayuru Monastery
Quick Information: - Leh: 3500 meters / 11550 feets
- Alchi Monastery: 3100 meters / 10230 feets
- Lamayuru Monastery: 3510 meters / 11583 feets
- Shang Sumdo: 3678 meters / 12138 feets
- Approximate Distance: 150 Km
- Approximate Time: 10 hours
- Day's Activity: Drive, Trek
- Shang Sumdo:
Coordinates: 33.85371776 , 77.70748178Fly to Shang Sumdo on Google Map
View 360 degree from Shang Sumdo using Peak Finder
Brief Details Of The Day: After breakfast drive to Lamayuru 125kms 03hrs , visit moon land and Lamayuru monastery.Later drive back towards Leh . Lunch at Khaltsi, after lunch drive Alchi, visit the most famous monastery Alchi Choskor (Religious Enclave). The 1000 year old gompa was built by a great monk & translator Lotsava Rinchen Zansgpo. The gompa is famous for rare fresco paintings and Kashmiri style woods carvings. Reach Leh and have tea and snacks. Later drive 1 and half hr to Shangsumdo for overnight in Camp enroute visit Thiksey , Takthok and Hemis monasteries. Meet your other trekking crews. Sumdo means meeting place of three ways. The village consists of about 7 houses which takes you to ancient way of living and peace of mind.
Accommodation: Tents
Meals: All Meals
Day 4From Shang Sumdo To Shang Phu
Quick Information: - Shang Sumdo: 3678 meters / 12138 feets
- Shang Phu: 4349 meters / 14352 feets
- Approximate Distance: 9 Km
- Approximate Time: 5 - 6 hours
- Day's Activity: Trek
- Shang Phu :
Coordinates: 33.87879100 , 77.61313300Fly to Shang Phu on Google Map
View 360 degree from Shang Phu using Peak Finder
Brief Details Of The Day: Today the trail ascend gradually through green fields of wheat and barley, after distance walk visit small gompa of Shang and continue to walk path adjacent to a water channel flowing from south of Matho kangri.The trail flourish you with chortens( Buddhist structure which indicates the step to enlightenment of Buddha)many high altitudes flowers like anemone, blue poppies and meadows etc.The valley heads up to shepherd hut where animals from different villages live together for grassing for a period of about 3 months which includes Yak,Zo,Cow, sheep, goat and donkeys. Camp o/n at Shang phu at the height of 4250m.
Accommodation: Tents
Meals: All Meals
Day 5From Shang Phu To Gangpoche, Via - Shang La
Quick Information: - Shang Phu: 4349 meters / 14352 feets
- Shang La: 4950 meters / 16335 feets
- Gangpoche: 4428 meters / 14613 feets
- Approximate Distance: 12 Km
- Approximate Time: 6 - 7 hours
- Day's Activity: Trek
- Shang La:
Coordinates: 33.90502500 , 77.58911600Fly to Shang La on Google Map
View 360 degree from Shang La using Peak Finder
- Gangpoche:
Coordinates: 33.95170800 , 77.54740800Fly to Gangpoche on Google Map
View 360 degree from Gangpoche using Peak Finder
Brief Details Of The Day: The day is long and strenuous with over 6 hrs. walking. The first three hrs.is gradually steep up to shang pass through couple of zigzag trail. The area declares as snow leopard area by forest Dept, where every year about 30 to 40 pet animals has been killed by snow leopards. The killing actions by snow leopards normally done night time but some time you can see them on high mountain cliff. Animals like blue sheep, marmots and brown eagle can find everywhere in that area. When you reach shang pass the view from there puts you in beauty of nature, the mountain wall of Matho kangri 5800 to 5900 m will refresh your mind. As you descend from the left hill side, the undulating slope makes your way more interesting and beautiful. Gangpoche( high plateau)is most wonderful place for camping.
Accommodation: Tents
Meals: All Meals
Day 7From Monkormo To Leh, Via - Stok Village
Quick Information: - Monkormo: 4450 meters / 14685 feets
- Stok Village: 3600 meters / 11880 feets
- Leh: 3500 meters / 11550 feets
- Approximate Distance: 10 Km
- Approximate Time: 4 - 5 hours
- Day's Activity: Trek, Drive
- Stok Vill:
Coordinates: 34.06365392 , 77.54511221Fly to Stok Vill on Google Map
View 360 degree from Stok Vill using Peak Finder
Brief Details Of The Day: Descent along with the stream through rocky trails. This is a delightful long walk and amazing geographical structure of the mountain. We reach Stok village where transport meets us to take you back to hotel in Leh, enroute visit Stok Palace museum
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: All Meals
Covid19 Safety Protocol For Himalayan Treks
Unnatural times call for an unusual response. We at Himalayan High are facing it with even more stringent safety measures to ensure our treks, trekkers, and the local support team are safe. The Covid19 Pandemic has completely changed the way we look at the World and do things. It has changed the way we trek as well. Here is a brief.
- Small Groups of less than 15 members
- No Fixed Camps at all. Use a single sleeping bag, mattress & sleeping bag inners throughout the trek without any mixup
- Sanitized Transportation
- Contactless Screening of Participants on arrival
- Contactless Paperwork and Online Booking Procedure
- Mandatory Sanitization Before Entry
- Sanitized Accommodation, Linens, Sleeping Bags, etc
- Sanitized and sun-dried Camping Equipment
- Monitored Support Crew with extra protection of masks, gloves and frequent use of sanitizers
- Social Distancing from other unmonitored groups
- Daily evaluation of Health for Safe Mountain Health
- Twin Sharing Accommodations on the trek
- Single tent supplement available
- Proper Dining Hygiene in Dining Tents
- Dry Toilets in toilet tents.
- Covid Hygiene Kit including personal Sleeping Bag Inner for free
- Precautionary Quarantine Tents On Trek
- Immunity-Boosting Food Menu and Drinks
- Filtered, Boiled and Treated Drinking Water
Read more on the following link about our Covid19 safety measures to ensure a safe trek.
Safe trekking in the Himalayas during COVID-19With this protocol, we have resumed our Himalayan Treks.
** click to expand and read
+ Quick Info- Duration: 7 days/ 7 nights, Leh to Leh
- Highest Altitude: 5200m
- Grade: Moderate ( know trek grades )
- Best Time: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
- Terrain: Meadows, rocky, snow field
- Activity Type: Trek, Click
- Trail Type: Same Exit Entry Point
- Starts At: Leh
- Ends At: Leh
- Region: India - Ladakh
- Country: India
- Nearest Airport: Leh, Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport ( IXL)
- Nearest Rail Head: Katra, (KEA), Jammu Tawi ( JAT)
- Travel Guide: Where and How To Reach Leh
- Mobile Network: BSNL postpaids
- Internet Option: yes, when there is network.
- Temperatures:
- Is Cloak Room Available: Yes
- Generic Food Menu: Indian, Tibetan, Ladakhi
+ Short Travel Itinerary** click on the DayNumber to read detailed itinerary for the day
- Day 1
Fly, Rest, Acclimatize
Arrival Day Arrive In Leh (3500m ) . 2 Hrs.
Overnight In: Leh (3500m )
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: None
Cost Of Transport Included: NO
- Day 2
Rest, City Surfing, Acclimatize
From Leh (3500m ) To Leh (3500m ), Via - Chemo Monastery (3600m ), Shanti Stupa (3600m ). 4 - 5 Hrs.
Overnight In: Leh (3500m )
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
- Day 3
Drive, Trek
From Leh (3500m ) To Shang Sumdo (3678m ), Via - Alchi Monastery (3100m ), Lamayuru Monastery (3510m ). 10 Hrs. 150 Kms
Overnight In: Shang Sumdo (3678m )
Accommodation: Tents
Meals Included: All Meals
- Day 4
Trek
From Shang Sumdo (3678m ) To Shang Phu (4349m ) . 5 - 6 Hrs. 9 Kms
Overnight In: Shang Phu (4349m )
Accommodation: Tents
Meals Included: All Meals
- Day 5
Trek
From Shang Phu (4349m ) To Gangpoche (4428m ), Via - Shang La (4950m ) . 6 - 7 Hrs. 12 Kms
Overnight In: Gangpoche (4428m )
Accommodation: Tents
Meals Included: All Meals
- Day 6
Trek
From Gangpoche (4428m ) To Monkormo (4450m ), Via - Matho La (4950m ) . 5 - 6 Hrs. 10 Kms
Overnight In: Monkormo (4450m )
Accommodation: Tents
Meals Included: All Meals
- Day 7
Trek, Drive
From Monkormo (4450m ) To Leh (3500m ), Via - Stok Village (3600m ) . 4 - 5 Hrs. 10 Kms
Overnight In: Leh (3500m )
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: All Meals
+ Trek Highlights- The magical landscape of Ladakh: If you have not witnessed the magic which the mountains of Ladakh does to your heart, you have lost on so many things in life. Being an Indian if you have not visited Ladakh, GO !!! What Are You Doing ??
- Ancient Buddhist Monasteries and Culture: There is a reason why people call it 'Little Tibet'. It is said the the most raw and ancient practices of the Tibetan Buddhism can in found in India ( Ladakh and Sikkim ) and not in Tibet.
- Moonland scape of Lamayuru. The unique and very famous moonland-scape of Lamayuru can be seen on this trek.
- River crossings . Its very exciting to cross a Himalayan river, and on this trek you do that several times. Sometimes you need to take precautions and extra care though!!
- People of Ladakh, their culture and way of life. This trek give you a lot of options to interact with the locals and know their way of life.
- Peaks of Nubra, Shayok and Zanskar. The views of the snow covered peaks seen from the pass tops are marvelous.
+ Reviews & Testimonials
Read All Our Reviews Online
We keep our reviews gladly, transparently and boldly on Google unlike hiding it on our own website and showcasing only the positive ones. Heartful thanks and gratitude to all of our Trekkers who took the effort to review us after they completed their trek with us. We understand none is perfect, but with proper experience, intention and feedbacks, one can achieve perfection. Our reviews are a result of our hardwork and intention to serve with the best intentions. + Cancellation PolicyWhen Should You Book?
We typically get booked about 3 - 6 months in advance. It is advisable to book this much in advance as you get early bird discounts and also your travel costs like flights/hotels/trains etc are much cheaper and confirmed if you book well in advance.
SPECIAL CANCELLATION TERMS DURING COVID19:
(1st OCTOBER 2020 TILL 31st MARCH 2021 )
Considering the uncertainties during the COVID19 pandemic, we have eased our cancellation rules.
- Up to 3 days or more before the trek start date - Full Refund of the total invoiced amount. No questions asked.
- 2 days to 1 day before the trek start date - We will either issue you a trek voucher with a value of 100% of the trek fee or refund 85% of the trek fee if you want us to transfer the money back.
- Transfer Of Seat to Different Batch/ Trek: No Loss Of Money, valid up to 1 year from Invoice date. It can be availed up to 1 day before Trek Start Date by sending an email.
- Transfer of Seat to Friend/ Family: No Loss Of Money, valid up to 1 year from Invoice date. It can be availed up to 1 day before Trek Start Date by sending an email.
- Validity Of The Covid19 Cancellation Policy: The above-listed cancellation rules apply only to bookings for which the trek start date falls between 1st October 2020 till 31st March 2021.
Find detailed info on Cancellation & Refund Policy
Friday, September 18, 2015 5:10:00 AM
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