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Dzo Jongo Peak Trek

An off-beat hidden gem of Ladakh

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Brief Description
Grade:Difficult
Location: Ladakh
Altitude:6240 m
Duration:10 Days
Dzo Jongo is a 6,240M peak which might be every bit as mysterious as any urban legend you ever heard! Hidden like a mystery in plain view, Dzo Jongo is one magical peak. Although housed in the popular valley of Markha, this marvelous peak has been overshadowed by its much popular neighbours, Kang Yatse I and II for much too long. Dzo Jongo, therefore, does not see too many climbers, reserving all the mighty sights, its icy slopes and the breathtaking 360° view of the nearby ranges, just for you. Starting from Leh, the trek takes you through the magnificent and arid landscape of Ladakh. What's fascinating is that the peak stays hidden from view till you get to its very base - the first 5 days of the trek keep you wondering whether the mountain in question actually exists. Does it actually exist? Yes it does! Is it gorgeous? Based on our experience, we'd say every bit worth the wait!

From the dust storms of the valley to the tent-flapping winds of its basecamp at 5200M to the snow storms during summit push, Dzo Jongo East (6240M) is the perfect recipe for adventure for a mountain considered to be a trekking peak. It's the right amount of challenging with the right mix of extreme temperatures, and requires the right combination of motivation and endurance for it to make it to the top of your 'must-have' experiences.

Stay on this page for more information on the peak.

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Itinerary
Day 1

Make your way to Leh (3,500M)

Since the trek starts in the high-mountain city of Leh which is at an altitude of 3,500M, it is essential for the body to acclimatize. We utilize the first two days to get in tune with the new environment and while we are doing that, to get acquainted with each other, some of the basic mountain rules and what to expect on Dzo Jongo (East).

Day 2

Rest and Acclimatization in Leh (3,500M)

Day two is reserved for rest and acclimatization to the altitude, too. This is important to allow your body to adapt to its new environment and reduce chances of adverse health conditions. You can go around and explore the city market, delve into the colors and culture of this high-mountain city and visit some places nearby. A little movement around the city would be good for acclimatization. Also, use this time to go through your checklist and do some last-minute shopping for what you might be missing for the expedition. Leh has the best market for trekking essentials.   

While the body acclimatizes, we take this time to get together with the group for a briefing session where we get to know each other better and delve into the happenings of the next few days - schedule, what to expect, basic do's and don'ts in the mountains, how to maintain the sanctity of the environment and other such matters of importance.

Day 3

Leh (3,500M) to Lato (4,014M)

Distance: 70 kms

Time Taken: 2 hour drive 

Lato is a small village which lies on the Manali-Leh highway. The drive from Leh to Lato, one of the oldest villages of Ladakh, is the perfect introduction to the general terrain we are about to enter for the next few days. We assemble and leave for the day between 10:30 AM and 11:00 AM so that we can make it to the campsite, set up our tents and have hot lunch as we settle into this new environment. The drive is smooth. The road goes through a flat and desolate plain alongside river Indus as we cross quite a few popular places along the way – like Shey Palace, Thiksey and Hemis Monastery, Druk Padma Karpo School (of 3 Idiots fame), Stakna Gompa, Upsi and finally Lato. In this short drive, we witness barren mountains of all shapes, forms and textures – slabs of rock stacked one of top of the other neatly, chunks of rock resting on each other haphazardly, sheets of rock hard-pressed into each other, loose rocks, mountains made of mud, and much more. The entire set up looks like an experimental playfield of forms for the creator where He dumped all the discarded versions of His clay models.

After coming through some of the driest areas you will witness, we reach the campsite by lunch time. This is amongst the many scattered and tiny hamlets spread out in the area which makes it a little green from all the fields of the locals. The freshness of vegetation is a sight for sore eyes. 

Once we set up camp and are finished with lunch, we go for a little acclimatization walk in the early evening. This is extremely important as it’s a new terrain and the body needs time to adapt to new conditions. Remember to carry a bottle of water everywhere you go. It won’t be long before you realize the weather here is peculiar – extremely hot, extremely dry and extremely arid. The heat turns you into a crisp and your throat is likely to feel dry. This, however, is normal. Give your body some time to recalibrate. 

Day 4

Lato (4,014M) to Shiul Sumdo (4,600M)

Distance: 5-6 kms

Time Taken: 3-4 hour trek

The first thing you would have noticed on entering Ladakh is that it is extremely dry – your throat is likely to feel scratchy and your face burnt from all the unobstructed heat that the land receives all day under the harsh sun. 

Today is our first actual day of trekking in the dry climate of the region but it is a short day. Walking along the river on this moderate ascent of 600M eases it up a bit. We also hop and skip over the streams a few times to get to our destination for the day – the tents at Shiul Sumdo.

Expect to reach the tents in time for hot lunch. 

Day 5

Shiul Sumdo (4,600M) to Chaksung (4,900M) via Shiul Pass (5,100M)

Distance: 10 kms

Time Taken: 6-7 hours trek

Today is a relatively long day with a lot of ground to cover. However, the body should be acclimatized to the harsh climate of the region by now which will make it considerably easy to cover the 10 kms of trek for today. We will be passing through our first of the three high mountain passes which is the Shiul Pass at 5,100M. The 4 kms to get to the pass should take close to 3 hours. It is a great vantage point for some magnificent views of the valley and the mountain ranges around. 

From the pass to our campsite today is another 6 kms which should take close to 3-4 hours to cover.

There is a lot to explore around Chaksung on our acclimatization walk later in the day. This is one walk you won’t complain about!

Day 6

Chaksung (4,900M) to Dzo Jongo (East) Base camp (5,200M) via Chak Pass (5,500M)

Distance: 5 kms

Time Taken: 4 hours trek

Today is exciting because after 5 long days we will get our first glimpse of this mysterious mountain on reaching our destination for the day – the base camp. What’s more is that we get to cross another high mountain pass on our way there. Although the distance is not much, the terrain for today is fairly steep, making it a relatively tougher day than any of our previous days on the trek. The shadow-play of the harsh sun and the mountains can ease the strain on your legs a bit, though. 

We also get a glimpse of Dzo Jongo’s more popular cousins – Kang Yatse I and II along the way.

After we set up and get settled into our camp, we go for a short acclimatization walk in the evening, as is the ritual!

Day 7

Rest and Acclimatization at Basecamp (5,200M)

Today is reserved for acclimatization to the altitude since we gained quite a bit of height in the last few days and have also entered a much different terrain. We use this time to distribute equipment and gears required for the climb and also to practice basic techniques we will require on our summit push tonight. After a late breakfast and equipment disbursement, we go to a nearby slope for training and to get comfortable with our technical equipment. We will learn techniques and calls of roping up and ascending and descending on the terrain.

We end the day early so that we can get optimum rest before our climb tonight.

Day 8

Basecamp (5,200M) to Summit (6,240M) and back to Basecamp (5,200M)

Distance: 14kms

Time Taken: 11- 12 hour trek

Today is THE day! We leave for our summit push between 11 PM and 12 AM. We go straight ahead on an almost flat but rocky terrain from our camp to reach the slope of the mountain. Once at the foot of the mountain, it is all an upward incline from here on. Given that we will be gaining a little over a 1000M in altitude today should be indication enough that we have some very steep slopes ahead of us. The altitude and the chilly winter winds in the dark of the night make the climb a tad bit more interesting. The winds here are fierce enough to make you yearn for the morning sun for some solace from the cold. The sunrise on this curve of the planet, however, happens as late as 6 AM, hence it is a long night of walking in the cold. 

A small bit of respite comes at the breaking out of the day and with it a sense of warmth which is enough to replenish our energy to finish the climb. The last bit of the climb calls for all the motivation and strength to get to the heap of big boulders lying next to each other with the world on the other side of the mountain having suddenly appeared – this is the summit at 6,240M – the summit of Dzo Jongo (East). The ascent is likely to take a total of 8 hours. 

The summit of Dzo Jongo is mesmerizing for the expanse of mountain ranges all around, the last ridge walk, its buttery slopes and the way they appear in daylight.

We will begin to make our way down these steep slopes before the sun starts to make the ice unstable. The descent is likely to take close to 4 hours. Expect to reach basecamp by noon.

Day 9

Basecamp (5,200M) to Leh (3,500M) via Kongmaru La Pass (5,236M)

Distance: 14 kms

Time Taken: 8 hours trek + 3 hour drive

The thing about Dzo Jongo is that almost all the days on this trek are long, as is today. Today we take a different route down to Leh, through Kongmaru La pass which lies at an altitude of 5,236M. We start early since there is a lot of ground to cover before we reach the road head from where we will get our drive to Leh. The morning is spent in wrapping up our campsite and heading back down. From Nimaling, we start to climb the mountain on the opposite side. The sun blushes all shades of red, from pastel to a bright orange as the clouds run amuck in all directions. The sunlight makes the snow on the peaks shine like wildfire adding to the drama of the landscape. At Nimaling, the river flows urgently from the meadows towards the mountains as the many animals, in their morning glory, romance the land below. There are no dangerous patches on this day but the distance and the dry terrain make it a rough undertaking. 

The climb up to Kongmaru La pass is a few patches of steep incline between long distances of flat land rich in pikus and marmots. We reach the base of the pass from the base of the mountain in 3.5 hours after which there is a steep incline for half an hour to get on top of the pass. The pass provides for magnificent views of Kang Yatse 1 and 2 and also Dzo Jongo. Adorned with prayer flags, the wind on the pass is fierce. Locals climb the pass very frequently to make phone calls – the pass receives high speed internet and a strong phone network which you lose 5 step on either side of the pass. It is close to 2 kms from Nimaling to the pass. 

From the pass, it is only descent on a narrow trail, through gorges and water crossings with the valley appearing and disappearing on every turn. The terrain is interesting in its colours with rocks across the colour palette, to geological formations with massive walls of rocks standing vertically on either side of you and the gush of water filling up these narrow passageways to the strangest and most interesting fauna you will ever see. It is 3.5 hours of up, down, sideway and any other direction you can think of to cross this section to get to the end point of Chokdo from where we begin our 3 hour drive to Leh.  

Expect to reach Leh by late evening.   

Day 10

Departure from Leh

The trek ends here but not before some celebration. How can we end this adventure without a summit party? 

If you plan to stay for a few more days to explore the wonders of Ladakh, the article below might help start you off on what places to consider.

Places that you must visit in Leh Ladakh

Like we indicated before, the weather on high-altitude is unpredictable as are many other conditions. We would suggest you keep spare days between the end of the expedition and your travel arrangements to head back home.

What's Included
  • Guest House Stays in Leh (Day 1, Day 2, & Day 9)
  • Veg meals as per menu during the trek
  • Technical equipment - Ropes, Helmet, Ice Axe, Crampons, Mountaineering Boots
  • Trek Permit Fee (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
  • First aid medical kits and oxygen cylinder
  • Qualified & experienced trek Leader, Guide and Support staff
  • Transport from Leh to Road head and return
  • Camping during the trek
  • Tents, Sleeping bags, Sleeping Mat, Gaiters, Crampons, Microspikes
What's 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
  • IMF Fee (INR 3500 Approx)
  • Inner Line Permit Fee

Packing List

This is a list of essential items for individuals doing the trek with Bikat Adventures. This list contains only those items which the participants are required to bring with them. The list excludes those items which are provided by Bikat Adventures on the trek. We have divided the items into five categories. All the items in the list are essential except for those marked as optional.

Trekking Gear

  • Ruck sack bag with rain cover. Qty -1
  • Day Pack Bag - Recommended for treks with summit day
  • Head Torch with spare Batteries. Qty -1
  • U V protection sunglasses. Qty -1 Here is how you can choose the best sunglasses for trekking.
  • Water Bottles: 2 bottles of 1 liter each

Footwear

  • Non-skid, deep treaded, high-ankle trekking shoes Qty -1
  • Pair of light weight Slipper/Sandals Qty -1

Clothing

  • Quick Dry Warm lower or Track Pants. Qty - 2
  • Full sleeves T-shirts/ Sweatshirts. 1 for every 2 days of trekking
  • Pair of thick woolen socks. 1 pair for every two days of trekking
  • Thermal Body warmer Upper & Lower. Qty-1
  • Undergarments. Qty - 1 for every day of trekking
  • Warm jacket closed at wrist & neck .Qty-1
  • Full sleeves sweater. Qty -1
  • Rain wear ( Jacket & Pants ) . Qty-1
  • Pair of waterproof, warm gloves. Qty-1
  • Woolen cap. Qty-1
  • Sun shielding Hat. Qty -1

Toiletries

  • Personal toiletries kit (Small Towel, Toilet paper, paper soap, Bar soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, cold cream, etc.)
  • Sun screen lotion small pack. Qty -1 Here is your Sun Protection 101 to stay safe in the bright sunny outdoors.
  • Lip Balm small pack. Qty-1

Utensils

  • Small size, Light weight & Leak proof lunch box. Qty-1
  • Plate. Qty- 1
  • Spoon.Qty-1
  • Tea/Coffee (plastic) Mug.Qty-1

Miscellaneous

  • Camera (Optional)
  • Carry your medicines in plenty in case you have any specific ailment. Consult your doctor before joining the trek.
  • Dry fruits, Nuts, Chocolate bars (Optional)


Frequently Asked Questions

Dzo Jongo trek is made only for experienced trekkers who want to test their limits. The challenges faced in the trek should not be underestimated. You should attempt this trek only If you have already done a trek that climbs to 4700-5000 metres. It is recommended not to opt this trek if you cannot get acclimatized in the mountains of Ladakh. Besides you need to have a strong physical endurance to complete this trek. For details on trek difficulty level, please read on Bikat Rating Scale

A basic mountaineering course is recommended though not mandatory in case of highly experienced & skilled trekkers. At least 2-3 challenging treks along with 20 – 25 total trekking days in the Himalayas. Medical fitness certificate from a recognized hospital.

Jog/Run for 5 Kms in 25-30 mins Or Walk continuously for 10 kms (with 3-4 small breaks) on plain terrain (slight incline is better) and
Hold your breath for 40 seconds and
3 sets of Climbing 30 – 40 steps in one stretch and
Push Ups – 10 and
Lunges & Squats – 15 X 2 sets
If you are not meeting these benchmarks, please use the
preparation schedule to improve your fitness till you achieve the above benchmarks.


How to use an Ice Axe
How to use Climbing boots & Crampons
How to rope up & follow queued climbing/descending
How to self-arrest using an ice axe
Knowledge of Basic First aid


Dzo Jongo is an accessible 6000 m summit in Ladakh. The route to base camp involves hiking through the gorgeous valley, living in Ladkahi homestays, and sampling local cuisine and culture. It is a good alternative away from the crowds of Stok Kangri.


The best months to summit Dzo Jongo are July to October.






The trek begins from Leh in Ladakh. The best travel option around Leh is by air.
By air: Jet Airways, GoAir, and Air India provide daily flights from New Delhi to Leh. It is recommended that you make your flight bookings well in advance not only to save on the price but also for a confirmed seat. You can also take an alternate flight route to Srinagar. Fly to Srinagar from Delhi and then drive to Leh from Srinagar. The 10 hour road journey from Srinagar to Leh can be covered by hiring a shared taxi which will cost you around INR 3000-4000. The drive route from Srinagar to Leh is scenic. For coming back, you can either take a direct flight from Leh to New Delhi. Or take the same route via Srinagar. Flights from Srinagar to Delhi are cheaper than Leh-Delhi.
By road: You can take the route from Manali to Leh. Travel from Delhi to Manali by a HRTC Volvo bus. From Manali get a seat in a shared taxi (INR 2500-3500). If you are on a tight budget, There is also a bus from New Delhi to Leh (via Manali) with one side fare of INR 1365. The bus journey begins at 2:30 pm from Delhi ISBT reaching Keylong next day at 1:30 pm. After an overnight halt at Keylong, it reaches Leh the next day. The another route to Leh can be taken through Srinagar. There are shared taxis from Srinagar to Leh available at cost of INR 3000-4000. If you are an ardent biker, you wouldn’t mind taking a bike trip from Delhi to Leh and back.

BSNL has the best connectivity in Leh-Ladakh region followed by Airtel. However, all the mobile networks like Idea and Vodafone also work in Leh. Please note that only postpaid numbers work in J&K state, prepaid connections will cease to work as soon as you enter Ladakh region. On & Off network coverage is available throughout this trek (BSNL & Airtel mostly).


There are so many enchanting places to visit in Leh-Ladakh. During your acclimatization period, you can roam around the town and visit the monasteries; Diskit Gompa, and Lamayuru Monastery. Drive up to the Magnetic Hill and experience the crazy magnetic phenomenon on the hill. The picturesque Nubra Valley will take your breath away. The green oasis villages, the monasteries, the ruined palaces- Turtuk and Bordang; there is a whole different culture in this place. It is 150 km away from Leh. You can take a shared taxi to this route. How can you leave Ladakh without seeing Pangong Lake, the sapphire blue lake? Also, visit Gurdwara Pathar Sahib and Leh Royal Palace.


The minimum age limit is 13 years. However, minors aged between 13 to 17 should be accompanied by 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.


When you arrive in Leh, your stay will be made at a local guest house/hotel. The rooms will be provided on twin or triple sharing basis. You will receive the details of your accommodation through email a few days prior to the trek. On trekking days, all the trekkers will be accommodated in twin or triple sharing tents. Along with this, there will also be a toilet tent and a dining tent installed at every campsite as we roll.


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.

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.

You will be provided with good quality of gaiters, crampons, and microspikes from us depending upon the situation of the snow. Our trek leaders will also be carrying ropes and ice axe.

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.

You can rent following items from us- Trekking Pole, Trekking Shoes, Fleece Jacket, Rucksack. Visit: http://rent.bikatadventures.com

Ice Axe, Climbing boots & Crampons, Ropes, Carabiners, Helmet, Harness, Gaiters etc.

Yes, high quality climbing gear will be provided to you.


During the day, the temperature will range from 10 to 15 degrees celsius. The nights will get cold dropping the temperature to 0 to -5 degrees celsius. Higher the altitude you gain, the colder it gets.

July to September is likely to receive a good amount of snowfall. During the other months, the snow accumulation is high and therefore the trek is not feasible.

Please refer the packing list section on this page.


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.

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.

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.

Yes, there are stores/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.

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.

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.


The hotel at Leh is the pickup point. The dropping point remains the same.

Expect to reach Leh late in the evening where hotel arrangements would be made by us. Make sure your flight/bus bookings from this point to your respective destinations are in the morning the next day post 10:00 Hrs.


ID Proof (Soft Copy to be sent to us in Advance & original to be carried), Medical Certificate (Soft Copy to be sent to us & original to be carried) and Photocopy of ID Proof and passport size photos are the mandatory documents required for the trek.













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.


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. 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
Cancellation Policy
Cash refund

Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date

Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date

Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date

Voucher refund

Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date

Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date

Please Note:
  1. Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers
  2. This is only a brief of cancellation terms. For finer details please refer Detailed Cancellation Policy.
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