Sumda Chey Winter Trek
Ladakh • 9 days
₹24500 + 5% GST
Leh to Leh
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Description
Ladakh is an unmissable corner of the Indian Himalaya. With its combination of breathtaking landscapes, ancient settlements and deep spirituality, the former kingdom offers superb trekking and touring experiences.
Snowcapped peaks, high mountain passes and striking moonscapes dotted with prayer flags and Buddhist monasteries await you in this remote and majestic Himalayan region.
Explore the fascinating high altitude city of Leh, a cultural crossroads of Buddhist stupas, hilltop forts and bustling market bazaars. Walk on the Chadar (frozen river), Marvel at the Sumda Chun Monastery, one of the region's oldest and most sacred; and discover Ladakh's rich history at the Sumda Chey, one of the oldest villages in Ladakh.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Show complete Itinerary
Arrive in Leh. Rest & Acclimatization.
Acclimatization in Leh
Drive from Leh to Rongdo (near Chilling) and trek to Labarpa
On the way to Rongdo, take a small stop in between to cherish the confluence of frozen
Zanskar and Indus river.
From Rangdo, we climb down from the road and enter the Sumda Valley. The valley is very
narrow at this point and we will be crossing the frozen river just moments later.
Walk along the frozen river for 2 hours to reach our first campsite, Labarpa.
Labarpa to Lazgoo
We continue our walk along the river for 4-5 hours. Reach the campsite of Lazgoo. We might
get a glimpse of Blue Sheeps and few amazing birds.
Lazgoo to Sumda Chey
Walk 3 to 4 hours to reach the village of Sumda Chey. We will be camping here for 3 nights.
Just like yesterday, we might get a glimpse of Blue Sheeps and few amazing birds.
Sumda Chey village to Sumda waterfall and ancient cave.
We take our day packs and travel to Sumda waterfall.
For the first time, we will spend a good amount of time walking on the frozen river. While the
walking distance is very less, we will spend time clicking pictures and enjoying the
experience of walking on the frozen river.
After visiting the waterfall, we will visit an ancient cave.
After visiting the cave, come back to the Sumda Chey village campsite.
Sumda Chey to View Point 1 and back.
Today we trek uphill for 4-5 hours and reach a height of 14900 feet. We will have amazing
views of snow-covered mountains from the top. This includes views of many well-known
peaks Kang Yatse and Stok Kangri.
Trek back to Sumda Chey village campsite
Sumda Chey to Rangdo, Sumda Chun monastery, and back to Leh
We trek all the way back to the starting point of the trek, Rangdo.
We board our vehicles and visit Sumda Chun monastery, which is just a 15-20 minutes drive
away from Rangdo. Sumda Chun monastery has been recently connected via a road link.
From Sumda Chun, we travel back to Leh.
Departure from Leh
Frequently Asked Questions
Pick your question
Eligibility: Experience required
- Should have at least 7-10 Himalayan trekking days in your kitty.
- For the trek’s achieving more than 3500 m at least, one should have an experience of trekking at altitudes higher than 2500 meters.
- One should have done at least one Moderate Plus Category trek.
Eligibility: Fitness benchmark
- Jog/Run for 5 Kms in 25-30 mins or Walk continuously for 10 km (with 3-4 small breaks) on plain terrain (slight incline is better)
- Hold your breath for 40 seconds
- 3 sets of Climbing 30 – 40 steps in one stretch
- Push Ups – 10
- 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.
Connectivity: How to Reach the base of the trek & how to go back from the end point?
Sumda Chey 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.
Nearby attraction: What are the nearby attractions that I can explore?
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. You can also visit Gurdwara Pathar Sahib and Leh Royal Palace.
Connectivity: What is the cellular network connectivity for this trek?
BSNL has the best connectivity in Leh-Ladakh region followed by Airtel. However, you won’t receive any connectivity once you move further on the trek.
About the activity: Why should I go for this trek?
Explore the fascinating high altitude city of Leh, a cultural crossroads of Buddhist stupas, hilltop forts and bustling market bazaars. Walk on the Chadar (frozen river), Marvel at the Sumda Chun Monastery, one of the region's oldest and most sacred; and discover Ladakh's rich history at the Sumda Chey, one of the oldest villages in Ladakh.
Best Season: What are the best months to visit this trek?
For this trek the best time is from first- the 1st week of January to the Second - 2nd Week of February.
Eligibility: Requisite Skills
- How to walk on snow
- How to use basic mountaineering equipment like gaiters & micro spikes
- Basic principles of acclimatization
Packing List: What to pack
Click here for packing list.
Age limit: What is the minimum & maximum age limit?
The minimum age limit for Chadar trek 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.
Accommodation: What will be the accommodation type in this trek?
At Leh, trekkers stay at a guest house on a twin/triple sharing basis. During the rest of the trek, camping is done on the trail.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of tents and sleeping bags will be provided to us?
We use four season tents for Sumda Chey trek. The sleeping bags we use are rated from -15 to -20 degree celcius.
Equipment and facilities: Are there any washroom/toilet facilities on the trek?
There are no built up toilets on the trail. We comply with the rules and regulations given by the local authorities.
Weather conditions: What will the temperatures be like during this trek?
The temperatures on Sumda Chey trek are extreme. During nights they drop as low as -30 degree Celcius.
Weather conditions: When will there be snow on this trek?
Since this trek is done only in Jan- Feb period, snow is always there on this trek.
Miscellaneous : Is there an option to offload my backpack?
Yes, you can offload your backpack. Weight limit for each bag is 12 kg.
Miscellaneous : Who will lead us on the trek?
A trek leader will be assigned to your batch nearing the date of the trek.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of food will be provided for the trek?
The meals in Leh aren't included in the fee. In Leh, you can try different restaurants serving all types of cuisines. During the trekking days, our team of kitchen staff will be there who will cook fresh meals for you.
Miscellaneous : Is the trekking pole necessary?
Since there are no steep ascents or descents on this trek, a trekking pole is not necessary. In case you are used to walking with a trekking pole, you can bring it with you.
Miscellaneous : Are there any local stores/shops from where I can shop trekking necessities?
Only limited shops are open during winters in Leh. Therefore, you will be able to purchase only basic items like woolens, gloves etc.
Miscellaneous : Is it safe for a solo woman traveller to trek in Fixed departures?
Yes, it is completely safe.
Miscellaneous : Will you give certificates on completion of trek?
Yes, you will get certificates on completion of the trek.
Equipment and facilities: What equipment can I rent from you?
You can rent trekking equipment from us through our rental portal : http://rent.bikatadventures.com . The facility of rental gear is subject to availability. Please book in advance. For any assistance, feel free to contact our post booking assistance number: 8588878499
Transport: In case we opt for the transport with you, where will you pick us from and where will you drop?
We do not provide transportation from the airport to the hotel. However, you can opt for local taxis and buses that ply between airport and Leh city regularly. It takes 10-15 minutes to travel from Airport to hotel.
Transport: What time will you drop us at the end point on last day of the trek?
We will reach the hotel in Leh by the afternoon.
Packing List: How should I pack my rucksack?
Packing List: How should I select my trekking shoe?
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 during the trek on twin sharing basis and hotel stay in- Leh on Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 and Day 8 on twin/triple sharing basis.
- Meals during the trek starting lunch on Day 4 till lunch on Day 8
- Trek equipment includes Dome Tents (twin sharing), Siachen sleeping bags, mattress
- Helmet, Gaiters, Harness & Carabiners as required
- Experienced & mountaineering certified trek Leader with first aid certification.
- Services of Guide, Cook and Support team
- Transport from leh to Road head and return
Whats Not Included?
- Meals during hotel stay in Leh
- Any kind of personal expenses
- Any kind of Outdoor Insurance
- Portage of personal luggage
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head price Includes
- Altoa & Environmental / Wildlife Permit Fee
- Any expenses incurred on medical examination in Leh
- Gum Boots will not be provided by us. Please carry your own Gum Boots or buy the same in Leh.
- Inner Line Permit Fee
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
How to Choose the perfect pair of Trekking Shoes?
Sarthak Madan 21 May 2021
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Your choice of trekking shoes can make your trek a blissful or blister-full experience based on how well it fits you. A good pair of trekking shoes is the most essential piece of equipment you will use while hiking.&n
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