Suru Warwan Great Himalayan Transverse

The Great Himalayan Transverse between Suru Valley in Ladakh and Warwan Valley in Kishtwar, also known as the Warwan Trek is one of the eight ancient Trans-Himalayan traverses that transcend from Ladakh Himalayas (Suru valley) to Kashmir Himalayas. Known as the Salt Route, for centuries Trans Himalayan traders from Kashmir and Ladakh have passed through here. 

This trek is unique and highly adventurous for multiple reasons; for one this is one of the few treks which give trekkers a rare opportunity to get a taste of both the stark beauty of Ladakh and the lush green valleys of Kashmir. The highlight of this trek is a 9km long glacier traverse while crossing the Lonvilad Gali (Pass) as you transcend from higher Himalayas into the lower Himalayas.

Once in Warwan, you will witness vast pastures and greenlands with wide valley floors. Warwan is a sandwich valley between Ladakh and Kashmir and is unknown to even the locals of Kashmir. These pristine valleys are only inhabited by the ancient nomadic tribe of “Bakrwals” who have made these valleys their summer abode since times unknown. This trek is the ultimate adventure into the unknown.

Total duration: 10 days

Region: J & K

Tour Starts: Leh/Srinagar

Tour Ends: Srinagar

Style of Tour: Trekking

Max Altitude: 13,800 ft./ 4,200 m

Approx Trekking: 95 kms

Trek Difficulty: Difficult

Best Season: July/August

Stays (nights): Organized Camping

Food: All meals on Treks

Ideal for : Seasoned Trekkers, adventure enthusiasts, wilderness lovers 

Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Leh & Leave for Kargil . Pick up from Airport and drive to Kargil (5 hours). Lunch Enroute. Evening for leisure

Day 2: Visit to Hundurman border village and Kargil Vijay Diwas.Samarak :  After an early breakfast, we will drive to Hundurman which is border settlement on the LoC between India and Pakistan and check out the Hundurman Museum Post Hundurman, we will drive to Drass to attend the annual Kargil Vijay Diwas at the Kargil War Memorial. Return to guest house by evening

Day 3: Trek  fom Panikhar to Sumdo/Deonora : This is the first day of your trek. Drive from Kargil to basecamp in Panikhar. Start trek at 7 am from Panikher, after a healthy early breakfast. You will cover a total of 15.6 km with an altitude gain of 1,550 ft. The trail follows Panikher nala upstream and will take you around 6 hours as it gains altitude gradually. Our first drinking water source comes 2 and half hours into the trail. You will climb gradually to a meadow that will then lead to a wide river basin, that is a confluence of two rivers, called Sumdo. Denora is a bit ahead of Sumdo. Overnight will be spent in tents at Denora.

Day 4: Denora to Kalapari :  After an early breakfast, take of your shoes for crossing multiple icy streams.  You will cover 3 km in 1 and a half hours.
You can consider this as an acclimatization/rest day for the pass climb the next day. Your breath will be taken away by the bright pink flowers that you will see on the slope on your left. You will be inspired by the wide panorama of the Sumdo and Denora basin. Overnight will be spent in tents at the Kalapari meadows. 

Day 5: Kalapari to Kaintal via Lonvilad Gali :  This is going to be the most challenging day of the Warwan Valley trek. It is imperative to start early. You will cover 11km in 11-13 hours. You will gain 1,600 ft. and lost 2950 ft. by the time you reach the campsite. This day will be marked by heart stopping views of a glacial lake, The Kalapari Peak and a view of a wide glacier tumbling down the flanks of a mountain into a greyish crevasse.  Overnight will be spent in tents at the Kaintal meadows.

Day 6: Kaintal to Humpet : Today you will cover 19 km in 6-8 hours and you will lose 600ft. in altitude. On the trail you will cross several streams before you hit a wide river basin that leads to lush, green meadows. We will take a short lunch break here by rocks that are chiseled like square. The view from Humpet of the fresh grasslands, the wide Kaintal river and the Bhakarval settlements on the opposite side of the bank will dazzle your eyes. Overnight will be spent in tents at Humpet.

Day 7: Humpet to Sukhnai :  Today’s trek will be a 19 km long descent with an altitude loss of 1,700 ft.. You will descend quickly from two valleys to the meticulous grasslands of Sukhnai. On the other of the valley you’ll see the trail that leads to Sheshnag and Amarnath. This is the junction at which and the Warwan Valley begins. We’ll take a break at a grassy clearing near the mound of Sukhnai for lunch. Sukhnai is startlingly beautiful. The closely packed village will remind you of the gaul Village in Asterix and Obelix. Overnight will be spent in tents at Sukhnai.

Day 8: Sukhnai to Chaudraiman : This day will be long. It’s the last leg of the Great Warwan trek. You will cover 16 km with an altitude loss of 900 ft as you make your way towards Chaudraiman. The picturesque trail beyond Sukhnai will lead you to different villages very 5-6 km.  The Marwah River slices the valley in half, as it meanders its way to the Chenab River. The heart of the Warwan Valley is lined with vast unbroken green pastures. A medical dispensary and a few government houses signal the start of Chaudraiman. Overnight will be spent in tents or a home stay in Chadraiman.  Chaudraiman is connected by road to Ishan, Anantnag, Larnoo and Srinagar.

Day 9: Depart for Srinagar : Departure for Srinagar.    Check into hotel in Srinagar by evening.  You can celebrate the completion of the Great Himalayan Traverse. The experience will teach you that you are capable of much more than you can ever imagine. And the images that are captured in your mind, shall stay with you for a long time to come. Congratulations!

Day 10: Fly out of Srinagar Airport

Cost Includes:
-    Accommodation: Guest House in Kargil and Srinagar.
-    Transport: Leh Airport pickup. Transfers from trek points and campsites to hotel in Kargil, Leh-Kargil-Leh or Sgr-Kargil-Sgr. Sgr aiport drop.
-    Meals: Breakfast & dinner at guest house in Kargil. While on the trip all meal & snacks will be provided. Meals will be freshly prepared on camps.
-    Professional trekking guide and kitchen staff would accompany the group.
-    Trekking permits
-    Equipment: sleeping bags, tents, gaiters, mattresses, safety gear, oxygen cylinders.
-    Medical Kit

Cost Excludes:
-    Meals at guest house in Srinagar
-    Personal equipment such as walking sticks, rain coats, gloves etc
-    International & Domestic flight fares, visa charges
-    Travel/Medical Insurance
-    Medical emergency and evacuation
-    Monument/monastery and Museum visit fees. .
-    Any expenses of personal nature such as mineral water, laundry.
-    Any kind of insurance, such as accident, theft, medical, evacuation etc.
-    Personal Mules & porters. You can request for one in advance while booking
-    Tips to porters, camping team, driver, guide, etc.
-    Cost incurred due to change / extension in the itinerary due to roadblocks, bad weather condition, flight delays, vehicle breakdowns, etc.