Trek Difficulty
Moderate-Difficult
Trek Duration
4 Days
Highest Altitude
12,303 ft
Suitable For
12-62 years
Overview
Sham Valley trek is the best beginner trek in Ladakh. This picturesque trek traverse through the Sham region of the lower regions of Ladakh. The trek is a bundle of experiences. An immersion into the culture, tradition, and serenity of nature in Sham valley. This trek is easy and remains open all year. The trek has many attractions one among them being the visit to Alchi monastery – one of the largest monasteries of Ladakh. It is an old monastery tshahat was built around the 11th century by Rinchen Zangpo.
- Book: Markha Valley Trek
- Book: Warwan Valley Trek
Sham valley trek Ladakh is fit for family tours as well. A short walk through the Ladakh landscape leaves the trekkers amazed with little of the challenge thrown by the trek.
Sham valley trek Ladakh reaches the highest altitude of 3900m. This trek is a combination of a nature walk along with the heritage walk as the trail goes through ancient villages, monasteries, historical places, cultures, and traditions of Ladakh.
Sham valley trek is also called the baby trek. This is because the trek is easy as compared to the high altitude, high pass trek in the Himalayas of Ladakh. The barren and challenging treks of Ladakh are quite in contrast with this trek in the difficulty level.
Trek Fee
Original price was: ₹18,000.00.₹11,000.00Current price is: ₹11,000.00.
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What are the Highlights of the Trek?
- Monastery: You can visit Alchi Monastery as you are on your way to Likir which is the starting point of Sham valley trek or Baby trek.
- Culture: Ladakh is highly influenced from Tibetan culture hence you can experience the aspects of it in this trek.
- Charming villages: Villages like Likir, Tingmosgang lie on the route of the trek and gives you an insight into locals' traditional lifestyle and cultures.
- Apricot orchards: Do spend some time in the orchards of apricot which are blooming in the summer.
- Easy Treks: Another name ‘baby trek’ is there because it is a very easy and beginner-friendly trek.
How Easy is Sham Valley Trek?
The gradient of the Sham Valley trek is considered quite easy. There is a reason why it is called a “baby trek”. However, this is only in comparison to the other big treks of Ladakh like Markha Valley Trek.
Even though you have to cover shorter distances every day, the altitude gain is the real challenge. It is physically demanding and will be a bit hard on your feet. In the entire trek, you have to cover just one pass and that too, on the last day.
Summarizing at last, given the shorter trail but significant elevation gain, it is of moderate difficulty level. Prepare in advance through brisk walk/jog/ run everyday before the start of the trek.
Sham Valley Trek– A Detailed Itinerary
- Trek Distance: 10km.
- Likir (11,548 ft
- Yangthang (12,073 ft)
- Phobe La (11,745 ft)
- Chagatse La (12,171 ft)
The first day of this trek starts with a drive of around 57km. The cab will drop us at Likir which is the start of the trek. The trail takes you through two high-altitude passes of Phobe La and Chagatse La – 3580m and 3630m respectively.
After crossing these two passes in a short distance you will reach your beautiful campsite called Yangthang. The campsite is beside the shimmering river stream.
The gradient of this day is easy. You will be passing a mountain pas called Tsermangchan La – 3750m. The day has a small ascent too but is mostly dominated by gentle slopes. Right after the Pass is Hemis Shukpachan. The landscape here is dominated by multiple river streams shady willows and barley fields.
This day again is gentle on legs. The gradient of the day is easy. It takes around 3 hours the trek only today with a moderate trekking pace. The trail takes a route between two small mountains and then heads up to Mebtak La which is around 3750m in altitude. You will see the landscape here dominated and decorated with typical ladakhi prayer flags. Rest in the Ang village for the night stay. Ang is a beautiful village full of apricot orchards.
The last day of the trek takes around 3 hours of gentle walking on mostly the downhill and flat routes. The trail will be terminated on a road from where you can board a cab to Leh.
Packing List for Sham Valley Trek
Clothing & Footwear
- Lightweight base layer, fleece jacket, and windproof outer cover are a must to carry.
- Quick-dry and comfortable trekking pants.
- Thermals are essential for colder nights.
- Keep a waterproof jacket since weather can be unpredictable.
- Carry gloves & woolen cap to remain protected against cold winds.
- Sturdy, comfortable, waterproof, and with good grip trekking Shoes:
- Carry extra pairs of woolen and moisture-wicking socks.
Gear & Essentials
- Lightweight yet spacious backpack (30-40L)
- If camping, choose a sleeping bag suitable for cold weather.
- To reduce strain on knees, carry trekking poles.
- Bring a headlamp with extra batteries.
- To stay hydrated, carry water bottles & purification tablets.
- Snacks & energy bars for quick energy boosts.
Personal Items:
- Sunscreen & Sunglasses,
- Basic First Aid Kit that includes personal medications as well.
- Biodegradable toiletries & Wet wipes
- Since there’s limited electricity availability in the homestays, carry a power bank.
- Carry necessary documents ID & Permits.
Best Time to do Sham Valley Trek
Sham Valley Trek remains open from June to September. Since it is a summer trek, these months offer perfect weather conditions for the trek.
The temperature ranges between 20°C to 25°C during daytime. It does drop at nights, however, it isn’t that significant.
The trails are clear and can be traced easily. In months like July and August, light rain showers are frequent. However, it doesn’t rain heavily in Ladakh. Carry a raincoat/poncho and an umbrella if trekking in the monsoon season.
Since the altitude achieved in the trek is not that high, the trek is possible even in May and in October as well. However, get a weather update before planning it.
For the rest of the year, Sham Valley Trek is not possible due to snowfall. Even in spring, snow patches are still present and visible.
Plan the trek in the convenient time for a safe and smooth experience.
Sham Valley
The Sham Valley is dubbed the Apricot valley. This is because of the Apricots that are grown here in abundance. There is an apricot bloom festival here during the winter. This valley is the most famous sightseeing destination from Leh Ladakh.
Unlike other tourist destinations in Ladakh where you will have to drive for hours and spends days, Sham valley remains quite easily accessible and with a strikingly beautiful landscape.
Some of the finest places to visit sham valley are Phyang Monastry, Gurdwara Pathar Sahib, the Magnetic hill of Ladakh, the Indus and Zanskar valley confluence, etc. You can get a cab from Leh easily to Sham valley and along with this you can enjoy the Zanskar valley tour.
While you are in sham valley Leh explore the pulsating bazaar on a day tour and visit the summer retreat and biggest monasteries here. You can go for a sham valley trek and behold the breathtaking Ang village which is quite charming and gorgeous with apricot orchards.
FAQ's
In Ladakh Sham valley trek is called the Baby trek. The reason for calling sham valley trek the baby trek is the easy gradient of the trek. The trek is gentle and fit for beginners and families.
The sham valley is located in Ladakh and 125km west of Leh. This valley is located in the green and fertile plains of Ladakh. The valley is some distance away from the village called Likir.
You can reach Sham valley by taking a cab from Leh. Leh is the nearest airport to Sham valley. There are many shared cabs available too. However, the cabs are not as frequent as we see in cities.
You can enjoy swimming in the Great Lakes, only if you are a seasoned swimmer. One should also take good consideration of the fragile environment. These lakes are fresh and glacier-fed. You will have to be extra careful not to spoil the lakes of great lakes.
The distance from Leh to the sham valley is around 125km. This is a scenic drive and will make you mesmerized by the beautiful landscape on the way to the sham valley. The drive take around 5 hours
The sham valley altitude goes above 3000m as the valley has high altitude passes. It takes you to a maximum altitude of 3900m. However, the valley itself lies at a low altitude of around 3500m.
Sham Valley has gained popularity for trekking and hiking. The Sham Valley trek offers a complete exploration with sightseeing at monasteries and local villages. The treks found here offer a perfect blend of raw beauty and culture.
Since Sham Valley doesn’t lie in the restricted region of Ladakh, you do not need any kind of special permit for the trek. However, carry your ID proof, photographs, etc.
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