Often referred to as “Baby Trek” due to being the easiest in the region to complete, the Sham Valley trek is a perfect introduction to India’s region of Ladakh. As you ascend various mountain passes adorned with prayer flags that provide vibrant colors to these otherwise barren landscapes, you’ll witness expansive vistas throughout the way. The green fields of barley, cascading creeks, apricot orchards, and willows you’ll come across on your way to sleepy villages stand in stark contrast to the arid terrain which dominates the area. To enhance this experience even further, you’ll explore the Himalayan city of Leh, the capital of Ladakh, before the trekking portion and visit its famous monasteries. Discover this truly serene mountainous region with the help of your expert guide and immerse yourself in the captivating culture of Ladakh.
Accompany your guide on a hiking tour across the marvelous Sham Valley trek in India’s region of Ladakh and spend your days exploring its capital and the barren mountainous regions. Get on top of mountain passes to witness some of the most astounding views and make your way to quaint villages steeped in history. Set up camps near bubbling creeks and enjoy the combination of fresh air and expansive landscapes all around you.
You will arrive at the international airport in Delhi where your guiding service will transfer you from the airport to your hotel in Delhi. You will have some free time to discover the city of Delhi and get ready for tomorrow’s flight to Leh.
Accommodation: Hotel in Delhi
Meals: No meals on this day
On your second day in India, you’ll take a flight from Delhi to Leh early in the morning. You’ll meet with your guiding service’s representative when you arrive and they’ll transfer you to a hotel in Leh. Once you check into the hotel, you’ll have plenty of time to rest and acclimatize your body to the altitude (3,500 m/11,483 ft). In the evening, you’ll explore the city’s local market.
Accommodation: Hotel in Leh
Meals: Breakfast
It’s time to do some sightseeing in Leh, the joint capital and largest town of Ladakh, a union territory in India. You’ll visit some of the most famous gompas (monasteries). The first monastery is the Shey Gompa, about 15 km (9.3 miles) to the south of Leh in the village of Shey which used to be the old capital of the upper Ladakh region and the place where the rulers of Ladakh used to have their summer residence. The main attraction in Shey is its giant statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. Then you’ll head towards Thiksey Monastery, located on top of a hill at an altitude of 3,600 m (11,800 ft), 19 km (11.8 miles) east of Leh, whose red and white buildings can be seen for miles on end. This is one of Ladakh’s most famous and largest monasteries.
Accommodation: Hotel in Leh
Meals: Breakfast
Today marks the first day of your trekking portion of this exciting adventure. After breakfast, you’ll drive to Likir, 58 km (36 miles) away from Leh. You’ll cross two passes – Phoebe La (3,580 m/11,745 ft) and Chagatse La (3,630 m/11,909 ft). Yangthang is located on the other side of the Chagatse La. You’ll spend the night in Yangthang, next to a stream.
Trekking: 8 km (5 miles), 4h
Accommodation: Camp/tent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today’s hike will be quite easy regardless of ascending to a pass. You will be ascending and descending on modest slopes. To get to Tsermangchan La (3,850 m/12,631 ft), you’ll head towards the north, cross a creek and ascend towards the west. After crossing the pass, you’ll descend to Hemis-Shukpachan, a small village.
Trekking: 5 km (3.1 miles), 3h
Accommodation: Camp/tent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
The third day of trekking will also be relatively simple. Kick off the day by hiking up between two hillocks in the west of the village till the trail heads south and starts ascending to Mebtak La (3,750 m/12,303). You’ll notice prayer flags which mark the path through this valley. From the pass, you’ll head down the gorge to Ang, a town surrounded by apricot orchards.
Trekking: 9 km (5.6 miles), 5h
Accommodation: Camp/tent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
On the final day of the trek, you’ll take another simple downhill stroll on the main road. At Themisgam, a car will be waiting for you and you’ll be transferred to Leh. Once there, you’ll check into your hotel.
Trekking: 8 km (5 miles), 4h
Accommodation: Hotel in Leh
Meals: Breakfast
It’s your final day of this thrilling adventure. This morning you’ll be transferred to the airport in Leh and board your flight to Delhi where you’ll board your flight back home. After discovering India’s region of Ladakh and its amazing geographical and cultural features, you’ll come home fully recharged and with some great memories.
Accompany your guide on a hiking tour across the marvelous Sham Valley trek in India’s region of Ladakh and spend your days exploring its capital and the barren mountainous regions. Get on top of mountain passes to witness some of the most astounding views and make your way to quaint villages steeped in history. Set up camps near bubbling creeks and enjoy the combination of fresh air and expansive landscapes all around you.
You will arrive at the international airport in Delhi where your guiding service will transfer you from the airport to your hotel in Delhi. You will have some free time to discover the city of Delhi and get ready for tomorrow’s flight to Leh.
Accommodation: Hotel in Delhi
Meals: No meals on this day
On your second day in India, you’ll take a flight from Delhi to Leh early in the morning. You’ll meet with your guiding service’s representative when you arrive and they’ll transfer you to a hotel in Leh. Once you check into the hotel, you’ll have plenty of time to rest and acclimatize your body to the altitude (3,500 m/11,483 ft). In the evening, you’ll explore the city’s local market.
Accommodation: Hotel in Leh
Meals: Breakfast
It’s time to do some sightseeing in Leh, the joint capital and largest town of Ladakh, a union territory in India. You’ll visit some of the most famous gompas (monasteries). The first monastery is the Shey Gompa, about 15 km (9.3 miles) to the south of Leh in the village of Shey which used to be the old capital of the upper Ladakh region and the place where the rulers of Ladakh used to have their summer residence. The main attraction in Shey is its giant statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. Then you’ll head towards Thiksey Monastery, located on top of a hill at an altitude of 3,600 m (11,800 ft), 19 km (11.8 miles) east of Leh, whose red and white buildings can be seen for miles on end. This is one of Ladakh’s most famous and largest monasteries.
Accommodation: Hotel in Leh
Meals: Breakfast
Today marks the first day of your trekking portion of this exciting adventure. After breakfast, you’ll drive to Likir, 58 km (36 miles) away from Leh. You’ll cross two passes – Phoebe La (3,580 m/11,745 ft) and Chagatse La (3,630 m/11,909 ft). Yangthang is located on the other side of the Chagatse La. You’ll spend the night in Yangthang, next to a stream.
Trekking: 8 km (5 miles), 4h
Accommodation: Camp/tent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today’s hike will be quite easy regardless of ascending to a pass. You will be ascending and descending on modest slopes. To get to Tsermangchan La (3,850 m/12,631 ft), you’ll head towards the north, cross a creek and ascend towards the west. After crossing the pass, you’ll descend to Hemis-Shukpachan, a small village.
Trekking: 5 km (3.1 miles), 3h
Accommodation: Camp/tent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
The third day of trekking will also be relatively simple. Kick off the day by hiking up between two hillocks in the west of the village till the trail heads south and starts ascending to Mebtak La (3,750 m/12,303). You’ll notice prayer flags which mark the path through this valley. From the pass, you’ll head down the gorge to Ang, a town surrounded by apricot orchards.
Trekking: 9 km (5.6 miles), 5h
Accommodation: Camp/tent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
On the final day of the trek, you’ll take another simple downhill stroll on the main road. At Themisgam, a car will be waiting for you and you’ll be transferred to Leh. Once there, you’ll check into your hotel.
Trekking: 8 km (5 miles), 4h
Accommodation: Hotel in Leh
Meals: Breakfast
It’s your final day of this thrilling adventure. This morning you’ll be transferred to the airport in Leh and board your flight to Delhi where you’ll board your flight back home. After discovering India’s region of Ladakh and its amazing geographical and cultural features, you’ll come home fully recharged and with some great memories.
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures for the Sham Valley trek, India, please refer to India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India’s Department of Foreign Affairs, and the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India webpage.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
In order to hike the Sham Valley trek, you need to have a moderate level of fitness since you’ll be hiking anywhere between 3-5 hours covering 5-9 km (3.1-5.6 miles). Even though this trek is also called “Baby Trek” and is considered to be among the easier treks in this region, you’ll still need to be able to acclimatize to the altitudes in these mountainous areas. Keep in mind that you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day.
All trekking gear is included in the price. It includes tents, thermal mats, a blow pillow, a hot water bag for warmth during the night, a pressured altitude bag for emergencies, and a basic medical kit.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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Group sizes and prices:
Hiking the Sham Valley trek can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to your meeting point in Delhi, most people fly into Indira Gandhi International Airport about 50 minutes away from Delhi. From there, your guiding service will transfer you to your hotel in Delhi. On Day 2, you’ll take a flight from Delhi to Leh. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.
At the end of your adventure, your guiding service will transfer you from your hotel to the airport in Leh, where you’ll board a flight for Delhi and, from there, take your flight back home.
A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies, and deposits are no longer refundable. The remaining 70% of the amount is paid at the latest 3 months (90 days) prior to departure.
All cancellation requests need to be sent in written mail. If you cancel your booking, the following cancellation fees will apply.
If you leave a trip for any reason after it has commenced, your guiding service is not obliged to make any refunds for unused services. If you fail to join a tour according to tour booking dates or join it later or change departure date no refund will be made (in case of a group booking).
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