The short answer
Rumtse–Tso Moriri Trek: what visitors should know first
Go only if you are a fit, experienced and well-acclimatised trekker. It takes about seven to nine walking days from Rumtse to Korzok, with several passes above 5,000 m and a high point of about 5,440 m. Not suitable for beginners or anyone with heart, lung or knee problems.
History and context
The story behind Rumtse–Tso Moriri Trek
The first part of the route follows the old salt road along which salt from Tso Kar was carried to Leh and the Indus valley. The Rupshu plateau it crosses is home to Changpa nomads who graze pashmina goats and yak.
Useful facts
Rumtse–Tso Moriri Trek facts at a glance
- Location
- Rupshu, Changthang, eastern Ladakh
- Altitude
- Yalung Nyau La, about 5,440 m (17,850 ft)
- Experience type
- High-altitude camping trek
- Known for
- Tso Kar, nomad camps and the walk to Tso Moriri
- Time or schedule
- About 7 to 9 walking days; July to September
Why it matters
Why Rumtse–Tso Moriri Trek is worth your time
Few treks in India stay this high for this long. The route crosses the Rupshu plateau, a wide landscape of salt lakes, high pastures and nomad camps, and ends at Tso Moriri, a Ramsar wetland of international importance.
It is also a walk through a working landscape. Changpa families move their yaks, sheep and pashmina goats across these pastures, and the trail meets their camps along the way. Keeping a respectful distance from herds and nesting birds around Tso Kar and Tso Moriri matters as much as fitness.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Old salt road
The first stage follows the valley along which salt from Tso Kar was carried to Leh.
- 02
Tso Kar
The white-edged salt lake that the route skirts in the middle of the trek.
- 03
First sight of Tso Moriri
The view from Yalung Nyau La down to the lake and Korzok on the final day.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Treks begin with a drive from Leh to Rumtse, about 80 km. The first day is a short walk to Kyamar (about 4,550 m) up the valley once used as the salt road. The following days cross Kyamar La and Mandalchan La to Tisaling, then Shibuk La down to Pongunagu near the shore of Tso Kar, and along the lake to Nuruchan.
The second half is higher and emptier. Routes vary by operator, but most cross Horlam Kongka La and Kyamayuri La, camp at Gyamar or Gyamalhoma, and finish over Yalung Nyau La, the highest pass at about 5,440 m (17,850 ft), with the first view of Tso Moriri before the descent to Korzok (about 4,520 m). The drive back to Leh from Korzok takes about seven hours.
The total is about 98 km. Walking days are mostly five to eight hours over open, high ground. This is a fully supported camping trek with horses and crew; it needs at least three days of acclimatisation in Leh, and many operators add a short acclimatisation trek first.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Acclimatise in Leh for at least three days
- Book a fully supported trek with a Leh operator
- Carry a winter-rated sleeping bag
- Bring strong sun protection and water purification
- Arrange permits and the drive back from Korzok in advance
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Rupshu plateau, from Rumtse to Korzok on Tso Moriri
- Time needed
- About 7 to 9 walking days, plus acclimatisation in Leh
- Best time
- Mid-June to September; July and August are usually the most snow-free on the passes
- Walking level
- Demanding
- Senior comfort
- Every camp on this trek is at roughly 4,500 m or higher, the days are long and there are no villages for help between Rumtse and Korzok. Older travellers should not attempt it. Parents can instead be driven from Leh to Tso Moriri, about seven hours, perhaps stopping at Tso Kar, and stay at Korzok to meet the trekkers at the end.
- Tickets and access
- Foreign nationals need an Inner Line or Protected Area Permit for the Tso Moriri area, arranged in Leh; Indian citizens should check current rules before travelling. Operators also include a wildlife or forest entry charge for the Changthang protected area. Confirm current fees and rules locally.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Rumtse–Tso Moriri Trek
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Every camp on this trek is at roughly 4,500 m or higher, the days are long and there are no villages for help between Rumtse and Korzok. Older travellers should not attempt it. Parents can instead be driven from Leh to Tso Moriri, about seven hours, perhaps stopping at Tso Kar, and stay at Korzok to meet the trekkers at the end.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How long is the Rumtse to Tso Moriri trek?
About 98 km, usually over seven to nine walking days depending on the operator's route.
What is the highest pass?
Yalung Nyau La, at about 5,440 m, on the last day before Korzok.
Are there homestays?
No. Apart from Rumtse at the start and Korzok at the end, this is a camping trek.
Sources and further reading
- Ju-Leh Adventure: Rumtse to Tso Moriri trek
- Himalaya Shelter: Rumtse to Tso Moriri trek
- Ramsar Sites Information Service: Tsomoriri
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
