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Six nights of gentle walking in the villages of lower Ladakh. Two nights in Leh, then four at Nimmu House, walking the classic Sham route from Likir to Yangthang, Hemis Shukpachan and Tingmosgang over low passes, with Alchi and Basgo between walks. No camping and no high passes.
The Sham valley walk is the easiest of Ladakh's classic routes, and one of the most charming. It links small villages of barley fields, apricot orchards and stone houses over a series of low passes, none higher than about 3,750 m. Daily stages are three to five hours, with tea in village kitchens and picnics beside streams. It suits families and seniors alike. Days are short and relaxed. Walk at your pace.
Rather than camping, we walk by day and return each evening to Nimmu House, a restored village house with tents in its orchard, where hot showers and good food wait. A local guide walks with you, and the car follows to meet you at the end of each stage. Between walks there is time for Alchi's murals, Basgo's fort-temples and a lazy afternoon in the garden. No permits are needed.
Highlights
Day by day
Your guide meets you at Leh airport and drives you to The Grand Dragon Ladakh. Rest for the day: lunch, sleep and plenty of water. In the evening, your walking guide joins you to talk through the route, check your boots and kit, and explain how the days will work. An early night. If you arrive on an early flight, your room may not be ready at once; the hotel will serve tea and breakfast while it is prepared, and you can rest in the lounge.
A slow walk through Leh's old town to the palace gate, a good test of your breathing at altitude. After lunch and a rest, drive to Thiksey monastery for the late afternoon light, then on to Shey. Return to the hotel for dinner. You will feel stronger each day from now on. Walk slowly and stop often. Thiksey's roof gives a fine view down the Indus. Drink plenty of water.
A relaxed morning, then drive west along the Indus past the Zanskar confluence to Nimmu House. After lunch in the garden, visit the ruined fort-temples of Basgo, a short drive away, and walk around the ridge in the late afternoon light. A gentle walk of about an hour to prepare your legs. Dinner at Nimmu House. Nimmu House is lower than Leh, and most guests sleep well here. Dinner is in the garden.
Drive to Likir for morning prayers at the monastery, then begin walking. The trail climbs gently over two low passes, at around 3,600 m, with wide views back to Likir's golden Maitreya. Picnic lunch in a small valley with a stream. Descend to Yangthang, where a family may invite you in for butter tea. About four to five hours of walking. The car returns you to Nimmu House. Carry water and sun protection.
Drive back to Yangthang and walk for about three hours over a low pass to Hemis Shukpachan, named for its grove of old junipers, sacred to the village. Lunch in a village home. In the afternoon, drive to Alchi for an unhurried visit to the Choskhor and its 12th–13th century murals, returning to Nimmu House for dinner. Bring a small torch for the Alchi temples, where photography is not allowed. The walk is short, so there is time to rest.
The longest and finest walk of the week: from Hemis Shukpachan over the Mebtak La, at about 3,750 m, then down through Ang to Tingmosgang. About five hours of walking, with a picnic on the way. At Tingmosgang, visit the temples and ruined palace on the hill, where a treaty between Ladakh and Tibet was signed in 1684. Farewell dinner at Nimmu House. Carry plenty of water. Wear good walking shoes.
Breakfast at Nimmu House and drive back along the Indus to Leh airport for your morning flight. If time allows, stop at the Indus–Zanskar confluence for a last look at the two rivers meeting. Your guide sees you through check-in. Morning departures are the norm at Leh because afternoon winds make flying difficult, so we plan an early start and carry a packed breakfast if needed. Keep warm layers and any medicines in your hand luggage.
Included
Not included
Where you sleep
The Grand Dragon is Leh's most complete hotel: central, centrally heated and open all year, with mountain-view rooms, several restaurants and a staff used to looking …
Nimmu House is a restored early 20th-century village house at Nimmu, 35 km west of Leh, with rooms in the house and tents in its orchard. …
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Questions travellers ask
Reasonable fitness is enough. If you can walk for four hours on hilly ground at home, you will manage. The altitude makes climbs feel harder, so we walk slowly. The car follows, so anyone can stop at any time. Walking poles help.
No. We walk by day and return each night to Nimmu House, with rooms and orchard tents, hot water and good food. If you would like one night in a village homestay, we can arrange it in Yangthang or Hemis Shukpachan.
Yes, for children aged about eight and above who enjoy walking. The stages are short and the villages interesting. Younger children can join parts of each walk and ride the rest of the way. Families love the village tea stops.
Mebtak La, between Hemis Shukpachan and Ang, at about 3,750 m. Other passes on the route are around 3,600 m. There are no high passes and no nights above Leh's altitude. Most guests find the climbs steady rather than steep, with frequent rests and wide views.
No permits are needed for the Sham valley, Alchi or Basgo. Monastery entry fees are included. The Sham valley lies outside the protected areas near the borders, so there is no paperwork to arrange. Bring a photo identity document, as hotels in Ladakh ask for one at check-in, and keep it with you on the walks.
May to October. May brings green fields and blossom, July and August warm days, and September and October golden poplars and clear skies. Nimmu House's opening months shape the dates. Midsummer days can be hot on the trail, so we start early and carry plenty of water.
Yes. Two nights in Nubra or one at Pangong can be added after the walks, when you are well acclimatised. This makes a nine- or ten-night journey. Permits for Nubra or Pangong would be added to the price, and we arrange them in Leh.
From ₹2,10,000 per person, twin sharing, including stays, private car and walking guide, picnic lunches and entry fees. Flights are extra. Picnic lunches on walking days are included. Single travellers, festival dates and peak weeks in July and August cost more, and we confirm the exact price once your dates and rooms are fixed.
Not needed. You carry only a day pack with water, snacks and a warm layer. The car carries everything else and meets you at the end of each stage. If anyone tires, the car is never far away. Walking poles are worth bringing.
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