Brief Description
The Leh Nubra Pangong Tso Circuit via the 18000 ft Digar La is our brand-new, see-it-all, best-of-Ladakh tour. The circuit puts an adventurous twist on the classic Nubra-Pangong sightseeing tour. It is the perfect way to explore Ladakh for beginner trekkers with a little bit of trekking and all of Ladakh's awe-inspiring, unreal landscapes. The tour starts with two days of acclimatization and local sightseeing in Leh town, followed by a 4-day easy trek across the 17,800 ft Digar La that connects the Indus and Nubra valleys. The route to the pass goes through classic dry Ladakh terrain with sparse vegetation, and a high possibility of wildlife sightings - trust us, we saw a wolf pack there. After the pass, the trail descends to Digar in the Nubra valley with magnificent views of the Karakoram range to the north. From Digar, we drive to Hunder in the Nubra Valley, followed by a jeep trip to the unbelievably gigantic Pangong Tso across the high passes of Wari La and Chang La.
Gallery
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View of the Stok Range from Base Camp
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View of Stok Kangri from Base Camp
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Sunset at Base Camp
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View of Stok Kangri from Base Camp
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View of Stok Kangri from Base Camp
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Wolves near Digar La
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Wolves near Digar La
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On the way to Base Camp
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Route to Base Camp with Stok Range in the back
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On the way to Base Camp
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On the way to Base Camp
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Base Camp
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Climb to the pass
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Digar La at 18000 ft
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Digar La at 18000 ft
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Descent from Digar La
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Beyond Digar La
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Descent to the Nubra Valley
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Herd of Yak near Wari La
Itinerary
Itinerary
Show complete Itinerary
Arrival at Leh (3500 m)
Arrive in Leh by 12 PM. Today is for rest & acclimatization. Staying indoors all day isn't a great idea. Go out for short walks during the day as it helps in acclimatization. Explore the local market of Leh.
Acclimatisation in Leh (3500 m)
Explore the cultural and natural beauty of Leh. This will make you familiar with the town and also help in acclimatize to the weather. Leh is the center point of Ladakh and also a major town from where all expeditions begin. It is also a culturally rich place. There are dozens of monasteries and ancient temples that you can go around. They are located in and around the town. Enjoy the local cuisines which are a major attraction for travellers.
Leh - Saboo (3900 m) [15 km Drive] - Saboo Phu (4200 m) [3 km Trek]
Today, we will drive a short distance from Leh to the village of Saboo. Saboo is a beautiful village with idyllic Ladakh rurality and streets lined with birch trees. We will drive across the village and the vehicle will drop as at the trailhead at the upper end of the village. From here, we will cross a bridge and start hiking on an easy wide trail through the local grazing grounds. A short 3 km trek will bring us to Saboo Phu, where the villagers leave their animals to graze in the summer months. We will set our camp here.
Saboo Phu - Digar La Base (4850 m) [5 km Trek]
Today is another easy day of trekking to the base camp of Digar La. We will see beautiful views of the Stok range towering behind us, as migratory birds, marmots, and pika populate the landscape around us. We will set camp on a broad knoll at the confluence of two valleys. Towards our right, we will see prayer flags marking the pass we will cross tomorrow.
Digar La Base - Digar La (5432 m) - Chumik Yokma (4650 m) [12 km Trek]
A short 2 km walk brings us to the base of the pass, from where we will begin a steep climb. This is the only difficult part of the entire trek, though the trail here is also just as well marked and easy to walk on. If you're lucky, you might spot rare Himalayan wildlife like snow leopards and Tibetan wolves. From the pass, you will have amazing views of the Stok range, and permitting clear weather, Saser Kangri and the Karakoram range to the north. The descent is easy, through one of the most beautiful valleys in the Ladakh and Nubra region. We will descend to a huge field in about 3-4 hours from the pass. This is the campsite of Chumik Yokma, where we will stay for the night.
Chumik Yokma - Digar (3950 m) [7 km Trek] - Hunder (3200 m) [70 km Drive]
Today is the last day of our trek. It is an easy, short descent to the village of Digar, where a vehicle will pick us up and drop us to Hunder, higher up in the Nubra Valley. Overnight in guesthouse/homestay at Hunder.
Hunder - Wari La (5300 m) - Chang La (5360 m) - Pangong Tso (4400 m) [240 km Drive]
We will board our vehicles after breakfast to drive across incredible high passes of Wari La and Chang La all the way to Pangong Tso. Pangong Tso is the largest of the high altitude lakes in Ladakh, right at the border of China. The bright blue lake is actually situated half in India, and half in China. Spend the evening walking along the banks of Pangong Tso. Overnight in guesthouse/homestay.
Pangong Tso - Chang La - Leh [230 km Drive]
This is the last day of the trip. We will drive back across Chang La to Karu and further to Leh. The trip ends in Leh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pick your question
Eligibility: Is this trek good for me?
Digar La Trek is a moderate level trek i.e. it requires more strength and endurance than easy level treks. It is recommended that you first gain an experience of trekking to altitudes higher than 3000 metres, and then move one level up with this trek. However, if you are a beginner but committed to prepare, then you need at least 2-3 months to prepare physically & mentally for this trek. For details on trek difficulty level, please read on Bikat Rating Scale.
Eligibility: Experience required
You must have done a small trek of 2-3 days before and hiked to an altitude of more than 3000 meters.
Eligibility: Fitness benchmark
- Jog/Run for 4 Kms in 35-40 mins or Walk continuously for 8 Kms (with 3-4 small breaks) on plain terrain (slight incline is better)
- Hold your breath for 25-30 seconds
Eligibility: Requisite Skills
- Know campsite basics like how to use a sleeping bag, sleeping tet, toilet tent.
- Ascending & Descending technique for mountain trails.
- Basic mountain mannerisms.
About the activity: Why should I go for this trek?
Leh Nubra Pangong Tso Via Digar La ( Trekking options in Ladakh )
The Leh Nubra Pangong Tso Circuit via the 18000 ft Digar La Trek is our brand-new, see-it-all, best-of-Ladakh tour. The circuit puts an adventurous twist on the classic Nubra-Pangong sightseeing tour. It is the perfect way to explore Ladakh for beginner trekkers with a little bit of trekking and all of Ladakh's awe-inspiring unreal landscapes.Best Season: What are the best months to visit this trek?
This trek can be done anytime from May to October, though there is a higher chance of the passes being snowbound in May-June and late September - October.
Packing List: What to pack
Click here for text packing list.
Packing List: How should I pack my rucksack?
Packing List: How should I select my trekking shoe?
Connectivity: How to Reach the base of the trek & how to go back from the end point?
The start point of the Digar La trek is Leh.
By Road:
By Bus - The Delhi to Leh has many stops. There are direct HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation) state run buses from Delhi to Ladakh via Manali. The distance is covered in a span of 35 hours. The bus departs in the afternoon from Delhi, passes Chandigarh in the late evening, crosses Kullu early in the morning and Keylong a little later. After an overnight stay at Keylong the bus starts early from Keylong to reach Leh by the evening.
By Car/Cab – Delhi to Leh by road is considered as an adventure. The road trip to Leh by motorcycle, bikes, Jeep and SUV is a lifetime experience for the travellers. The distance of Delhi to Leh Ladakh by road via Leh Manali Highway is around 1011 km and the total travel time is approximately 24 hours.
By Rail:
There is no direct train from Delhi to Leh, as Leh does not have a railway station. Travellers can either catch a train to Tawi, Jammu or Chandigarh and board a bus or take a cab to Leh.
By Air:
Leh has a military airport and there are regular flights from Delhi to Leh. It is also connected to a few other major cities in India. Early flight booking can be economical.
The options for the return journey remain the same.
Connectivity: What is the cellular network connectivity for this trek?
Only postpaid connections work in Ladakh region. BSNL and Airtel get the best network. You get full network at the base and end point of the trek. You will also get 4G connectivity at the top of Digar La!
Nearby attraction: What are the nearby attractions that I can explore?
Digar La is in Ladakh region. Leh-Ladakh holds within themselves some soul-stirring attractions which are accessible through shared or privates taxis. The blue saphire famous Pangong Lake is a jaw dropping beauty which one can visit. Nubra Valley which is an alluring landscape carpeted with vibrant flowers. Magnetic Hills which have magnetic property offers breathtaking view. Hemis Monastery, Leh Royal Palace, Khardung La Pass, Tso Moriri Lake are few places that you cannot miss.
Age limit: What is the minimum & maximum age limit?
The minimum age limit is 13 years. However, minors aged between 13 to 17 should be accompanied with their parents or guardians. If you are above the age of 60, kindly carry a medical certificate from your doctor that deem you fit for adventure activities like trekking.
Accommodation type: What will be the accommodation type in this trek?
When you arrive in Leh, your stay will be made at local hotel/guest house stay. The rooms will be provided on twin or triple sharing basis. You will receive the details of your accommodation through email few days prior the trek. On trekking days, all the trekkers will be accommodated in twin or triple sharing tents. Along with this, there will be also be a toilet tent and a dining tent installed at every campsite as we roll. Hotel / guest house accommodation will also be provided at Hunder and Pangong Tso.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of tents and sleeping bags will be provided to us?
We provide 4 seasons tents by Gipfel for higher altitudes which can easily withstand heavy snowfall and storms. They are spacious enough to accomodate 3 people at once with a vestibule to place the backpacks. Our sleeping bags are made up of Heatseeker Pro synthetic insulation that can provide you comfort in -10 degrees celsius. We also use additional fleece liners to have thermal efficiency even in the extreme temperatures of -17 degrees Celsius. If you carry your own sleeping bag, you will get a cashback reward provided that you inform us as soon as you have booked your trek.
Equipment and facilities: Are there any washroom/toilet facilities on the trek?
Toilet tents will be provided to you on the trek.These are portable toilets tents where a deep pit will be dug. A shovel will be provided inside the tent to cover the waste after you have made your business. You can take a toilet roll inside. Make sure you dig used toilet paper along with the waste. Though water is recommended in place of toilet paper. Please refrain from using wet wipes as they are non-biodegradable. There will be no facility for bathing on the trek. Go through our blog section for tips on how to maintain personal hygiene on treks.
Equipment and facilities: If we trek in snow, what equipment will you provide?
You will be provided with good quality of gaiters and microspikes from us depending upon the situation of the snow. Our trek leaders will also be carrying ropes and ice axe.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of food will be provided for the trek?
Vegetarian food will be served throughout the trek. The only non-vegetarian item served on our treks are eggs. Our kitchen staff follows a proper menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner which has been designed in order to fulfil the nutritional requirements of the participants. There will be milk, poha, eggs, muesli/corn flakes, bread and butter served for breakfast. Rice or simple roti sabzi will be packed for lunch. In dinner, you will have dal, egg curry or any other vegetarian dish along with rice, roti, and a dessert item. Packed lunch will be provided to you on the days you are trekking. You are requested to carry your own tiffin box and a mug to consume food. The meals consumed on journey and arrival day are not included in our cost.
Equipment and facilities: What equipment can I rent from you?
You can rent following items from us- Trekking Pole, Trekking Shoes, Fleece Jacket
Weather conditions: What will the temperatures be like during this trek?
During the day, the temperature will range from 24-31 degrees celsius. The nights will get cold dropping the temperature to 11-20 degrees celsius. Higher the altitude you gain, the colder it gets.
Weather conditions: When will there be snow on this trek?
You might find snow in the months of May, late September and October.
Miscellaneous : Is there an option to offload my backpack?
If you want to offload your rucksack, you will have to make a request for offloading a few days prior the trek through an email so that arrangement can be made in advance. You will be charged per day for offloading your rucksack. In case you decide to offload on the spot, you may have to pay a higher price than usual. However offloading your rucksack is not recommended since it is not a safe practice.
Miscellaneous : Who will lead us on the trek?
A team of participant will be led by a course certified trek leader and a local guide. All participants are requested to abide by what their leader says. There will also be a team of kitchen staff and porters on the trek. We maintain 1:8 ratio of trek leader and participants. All our trek leaders and staff have a certified training in first-aid and rescue operation.
Miscellaneous : Is the trekking pole necessary?
Yes, trekking pole is necessary. If you don’t want to buy one, you can rent it from us on minimal daily basis charges. You can request the renting link from us.
Miscellaneous : Are there any local stores/shops from where I can shop trekking necessities?
Yes, there are stores and shops in Leh from where you can buy necessary stuff. Though it is recommended that you come prepared with all the stuff. Please do not leave anything for last minute buying.
Miscellaneous : Is it safe for a solo woman traveller to trek in Fixed departures?
Yes, it is absolutely safe for solo woman to travel in fix departures. Women on the trek will be sharing tent with each other. In case you are the only woman on the trek, you will be given a separate tent.
Miscellaneous : Will you give certificates on completion of trek?
Yes, e-certificates will be given at the end of each trek provided that you completed it. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the trek.
Transport: What time will you drop us at the end point on last day of the trek?
Expect to reach Leh late in the evening, post 1700 - 1800 Hrs. Make sure your bookings from this point to your respective destinations are late in the night or for the next day.
Transport: In case we opt for the transport with you, where will you pick us from and where will you drop?
The hotel at Leh is the pick up point from which we drive to Saboo in a jeep. Once the trekking portion of the trip is over, the vehicle will pick you up from the roadhead at Digar, and drive you till Hunder. The next day, the same vehicle will take you to Pangong Tso, and back to Leh on the last day. The drop point remain the same.
Mandatory documents: What are the mandatory documents required for the trek?
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Why Bikat
Why Bikat
Learning Experience
- We are an Adventure Learning Organisation first.
- We want you to not just complete a trek safely but also pick up some basic trekking knowledge and skills along the way.
- To achieve this we have integrated learning modules into our itineraries.
- These modules will help you build the necessary skills to progress from trekking to mountaineering over time.
Loyality Programs
Our community is an integral part of us and we take pride in our trekkers and climbers. When you complete at least three days on any trek or expedition with us, you become eligible for our membership and referral programs.
- Currently we have three levels:
- Basic Membership
- Summiteer Membership
- Leader Membership
Personalized Attention
- Our group sizes on treks don’t exceed 15 members in order to maintain a healthy Participants : Leader Ratio of 8:1.
- Over time we have found this number to be optimum when it comes to ensuring personalised attention to every member of our group.
- On mountaineering expeditions this number is even smaller. Our group sizes are capped at 12 members ensuring a Participants : HAP Ratio of 2:1.
Best Expedition Leaders
- Our Expedition leaders are advanced mountaineering course qualified, specially trained in rescue procedures from NIM and certified first-aid responders.
- Even our local guides are certified first-aid responders.
Eco-friendly Practices
- Group sizes are capped at 15 people.
- Batch sizes are capped at 250 people per trail per season.
- We follow a rolling campsite model.
- We are constantly exploring and introducing new trails to reduce the burden on existing ones.
Safety
For us, a successful summit is not about reaching the highest point of a mountain but about making it safely back to base.
- To ensure this:
- Every region of ours is mapped with an emergency evacuation plan.
- The equipment we use is UIAA certified.
- Our trek leaders are AMC certified with specialisation in rescue procedures.
- Our support staffs are trained in first aid as well.
Reviews
What's Included
Whats Included
- Camping/Homestay during the trek
- Trek Meals (Starting Lunch on Day 3 till Lunch on Day 6)
- Gaiter, Micro-spikes, and Helmet as required
- Trek Permissions Fee, if any (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
- First aid medical kit including oxygen cylinder
- Experienced Guide and Support staff
- Transport from Leh to Road head and return
- Hotel/Guest House Stays in Leh, Hunder and Pangong Tso (Day 1,2,6 and 7)
- Mountaineering course certified Trek Leader with First Aid certification
Whats Not Included?
- Meals in Leh
- Meals during road Journeys
- Any kind of personal expenses
- Any kind of Insurance
- Mules or porter to carry personal luggage
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head Inclusions
Cancellation Policy
Cash Refund
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
5% Deduction
Between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure
50%
deduction
Less than 15 days of departure
No Cash Refund
Voucher Refund
Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
No Deduction
Cancellations less than 5 days prior to departure
No Refund
Please note
- Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers.
- This is only a brief of cancellation terms. For finer details please refer Detailed Cancellation Policy.
Blog Posts
10 Mountain features that must be a part of any trekker’s vocab!
Ritvij Kumar 25 March 2017
MOUNTAIN FEATURES THAT MUST BE A PART OF ANY TREKKER’S VOCAB!
While the terminology used in mountaineering is decently complex but the features that I am going to talk about are mostly the common ones. When we go t
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Experiential
