Sham Valley Trek
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Group Size2 -
RegionIndia
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GeographyHills/Snow/Villages/Desert
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DifficultyEasy
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Max Altitude3750m
The high altitude desert of the Indian Himalayas, Leh Ladakh lies in the beautiful Jammu and Kashmir state. The Sham valley trek is a perfect short trek for beginners as well as experienced trekkers, but can get strenuous due to the high altitude at a maximum of 3750m. Fondly, this route is known as the Baby Trek of India and has been one of the favorite shooting locations for Bollywood movies. The Sham Valley Trek gives you a unique experience of the Indo- Tibetan culture, traditions, and dialects.
The town of Leh was the capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh and was home to the Dalai Lama until his 14th incarnation. The town of Leh as remote as it is once served as a major trading route between Tibet and India whilst being a harmonious city with people of various faiths living together. The old town of Leh is in the list of the World Monument Fund which is the most endangered sites due to increased rainfall and climate change. Sham Valley Trek features places such as the Leh Palace, Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, and the Shanti Stupa whilst in Leh.
The trek comes across rivers, streams, barley fields, monasteries, and several traditional settlements. The highlight of this trek is the Sham Valley itself, which is home to apricot flowers that adorn the valley while in full bloom during the winter. Sham Valley Trek allows you to familiarize with the Tibetan culture that has still been kept alive in India.
Amble Himalya – run and led by women, believes in quality service and provides the best in the field. We operate various national and international holidays for travel enthusiasts from all over the world. We have also been aptly accredited for our services by the Tourism Board of Nepal.
Trip Highlights
Beautiful landscapes: The trek takes you through stunning landscapes, including lush green valleys, snow-capped mountains, and scenic rivers.
Ladakhi culture: The trek offers an opportunity to experience the rich Ladakhi culture and interact with the locals, who are known for their warm hospitality.
Traditional villages: The trek takes you through several traditional Ladakhi villages, such as Likir, Yangthang, Hemis Shukpachan, and Tingmosgang, providing a glimpse into the daily lives of the locals.
Apricot orchards: The Sham valley is known for its beautiful apricot orchards, which are in full bloom during the summer months.
Birdwatching: The trek provides opportunities for birdwatching, as the Sham valley is home to several bird species, including the Himalayan snowcock, the Himalayan griffon vulture, and the Tibetan sandgrouse.
Monasteries: The trek takes you past several ancient monasteries, including the Likir Monastery, which is one of the largest and most impressive monasteries in Ladakh.
Easy to moderate difficulty: The trek is suitable for beginners and families with children, as the trail is relatively easy, with a few steep ascents and descents.
Short Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Leh (3500m) by Flight
Day 2: Preparation day for trek and Sightseeing.
Day 3: Leh to Likir 2 hours’ drive to Yangthang (4-5 hours of trek) 3630m
Day 4: Trek/Walk from Yangthang to Hemis Shukpachan | (8 km) | 2-3 hours walk | 3750m
Day 5: Walk from Hemis Shukpachan to Temisgam to Leh (10 km) | back drive to Leh
Day 6: Departure from Leh
Sham Valley Trek Itinerary
Upon arrival in Leh, you will be transferred to the Hotel and rest for the day. Feel free to stroll around Leh Bazaar.
After breakfast, we will make preparations for the upcoming trip and do any last minute purchasing necessary. We will then spend rest of the day sightseeing around the prominent places of Leh. Overnight at hotel.
For the third day, we will be driving to Likir and then walk to Yangthang for another 4-5 hours. We will be walking through mesmerizing landscapes and cross two low passes, Phobe La at 3700m and Charaste La at 3800m.
After crossing another pass, Tsermangchan La at 3750 meters, we will make our way to Hemis Shukpachan. We will visit the beautiful monasteries along the way and also be making beautiful photographs hoping to do justice to the beauty of the mountains.
On the 5th morning, we will walk from Hemis Shukpachan to Temisgam filled with beautiful apricot trees. En route to Temisgam, we will cross another pass, Mebtak La at 3750 meters, and walk on a trail adorned with Buddhist prayer flags. After reaching Temisgam, we will drive back to Leh. Overnight at guesthouse.
After breakfast, we will depart from Leh. We have the option of taking flights, private taxis, shared cabs, or the state-run bus.
Sham Valley Trek Included
- Accommodation: The cost includes accommodation for the duration of the tour.
- Meals: B/L/D during trek
- Transportation: The cost of transportation, including transfers between cities, is usually included in the tour package.
- Guide and entrance fees: The cost of a tour guide and entrance fees to historical monuments and other attractions.
- Taxes: Government taxes and service charge
Sham Valley Trek Excluded
- International airfare: The cost of airfare to and from India is generally not included in the tour package.
- Visa fees: Visitors to India are required to obtain a visa, and the cost of the visa is not included in the tour package.
- Travel insurance: Travel insurance is recommended for the Sham Valley Trek but is generally not included in the tour package.
- Personal expenses: Expenses such as souvenirs, alcoholic beverages, and laundry are generally not included in the tour package.
- Optional activities: Some activities such as elephant rides, camel rides, or cultural shows may be offered as optional activities, and the cost of these activities is not included in the tour package.
General Packing List
Clothing:
- Base layers (long-sleeved thermal tops and bottoms)
- Fleece jacket or wool sweater
- Insulated jacket or down jacket
- Waterproof and windproof jacket
- Waterproof and windproof pants
- Hiking pants
- Hiking shorts
- Warm hat
- Sun hat
- Gloves
- Hiking socks
- Underwear
Footwear:
- Hiking boots (sturdy and waterproof)
- Hiking sandals or shoes for river crossings and campsite use
- Gaiters (optional)
Camping Gear:
- Tent
- Sleeping bag (-15°C comfort rating or lower)
- Sleeping pad
- Trekking poles
- Headlamp and spare batteries
- Water bottle or hydration system (at least 2 liters)
- Water purification tablets or filter
- Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, etc.)
- Toilet paper
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Other Essentials:
- Daypack
- Camera and spare batteries or charger
- Binoculars
- Trekking map and compass
- First aid kit (including any personal medications)
- Cash and ID
Sham Valley Trek FAQ's
India has a diverse geographical region, so it depends on where you are going and what you want to do there. You can visit the southern part of the country in the winter months (November to March). The temperature is mild and you can enjoy the nature in the national parks. We do not recommend you to visit the northern part of the country in the country as it would be really cold up there. However, if you go north during winter, you can always do bird watching as the migrant species arrive in this period. During summer (April to June), the temperature is mild in the south. You can go for a beach holiday or cultural tours in this region during summer. Summer is also best season to visit the Himalayas in the north. Summer is considered a good time for game viewing in the north.
It is safe to travel to India like other foreign location you visit. You will find very hospitable and helpful people in India. You don’t have to worry about your tour. We will be there to guide you adapt to the country. You should keep your spare currency, traveler’s cheque, passports, and precious jewelry safely in the hotel. Also, you should be careful while walking around alone at late night in small towns because streets are empty early. We recommend you not to travel at late night and not leave your luggage unattended anywhere.
If you are nationals of Bhutan, Maldives, and Nepal, you do not need any visa. If you are not, you need a visa to visit India. You need the visa to arrive in India. Please contact your local Indian embassy or consulate while you plan your trip
We suggest you pack light cotton tops, shorts, and trousers for your visit to India during summer. You need to pack some long-sleeved cotton tops for game drives if you plan to visit national parks in India. You should pack warm clothes while traveling to India in the winters. We advise you to include the clothes suitable for the weather and temperature of the area on the particular season. Also, remember to pack some long skirts and pants while visiting religious monuments and shrines.
Sure, you can easily use your Visa and MasterCard in India. However, American Express, Dinner’s Club, and other international cards are not accepted in India. We recommend you to carry Indian rupees while you are going out of the main cities to the small places.
You can find ATM counters linked to the international networks in the main cities and smaller towns. However, you must have a four-digit PIN code for your card to use the ATM in India.
You can have Indian cuisine with several variations from each region with its own techniques, ingredients, and spices. You can have meat dishes made with chicken, mutton, or lamb in the northern region. The southern region prefers vegetarian cuisine. At the coast, you can have seafood. Most restaurants will gladly prepare the meals at the request of their customer. You can order western dishes in every restaurant. You can also select from Indian to Mediterranean and Chinese to Mexican cuisine in Delhi and Mumbai.
Well, that depends on where you stay. You can choose from comfortable home stays and tribal huts to amazing heritage mansions and maharaja palaces due to its diverse landscape. You will encounter different culture, tradition, languages, cuisines, and lifestyles in a different region of the country. Hence, this effects how you will be accommodated. You can choose from the simplicity of local guest houses and government bungalows to the lavish luxury of royal palaces and five-star deluxe hotel suites depending on your choice.
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Group Size2
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RegionIndia
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GeographyHills/Snow/Villages/Desert
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DifficultyEasy
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Max Altitude3750m
