Zingchen to Chilling is one of the nice homestay short treks in Ladakh passing through Hemis High Altitude National Park or HNP. In the summer if you are just trekking through this route, you need not pay Snow Leopard fees which is Rs 1500/day/person. Beautiful homestays supported by different agencies involving in conservation activities in Ladakh including the apex organization the Deparment of Wildlife Protection, Govt. of Jammu and Kashmir.
Itinerary
Day 01 Leh to Zingchen to Rumbak 4-5 hours
After having breakfast drive to Zingchen and walk towards Rumbak through the accending narrow gorge. The trek is short but every 3-5 steps you gain a meter of height and hence quite tiring. The valley opens up to three wider valleys at Rumbak Sumdo from where you take a detour to the east to your homestay at Rumbak. Homestay at Rumbak.
Day 02 Rumbak to Yurutsey 2-3 hours
With traditional Ladakhi breakfast begins your day trek to Yurutse. The trek is short today and hence plenty of time for taking advantage of being in a National Park – spotting different wildlife including Blue-sheep, Himalayan Snowcock, Marmot, Red Forx, Tibetan Wolf and if you are lucky, Eurasian Lynx and Snow Leopard. Homestay at Yurutsey.
Day 03 Yurutsey to Kaya 6-7 hours
Trek to Kaya across Ganda La pass (4380m) and and enjoy the spectacular view of the Zangskar range from the top of the pass. If late in starting the trek the morning, overnight can also at Shingo Homestay village.
Day 04 Kaya to Chilling to Leh 2-3 hours
After having the breakfast walk towards Chilling across the Zanskar River and drive back to Leh. The experience of crossing the Zangskar River by a trolley is worth a nice memorable photograph.
