Right now at Gyamar Barma: −29°, clear skies
DifficultAMS severeJul–Sep

Rumtse to Tso Moriri

Ladakh · Rupshu / Changthang plateau · from Rumtse (Leh–Manali highway)

A remote Changthang traverse from the Leh–Manali road to Tso Moriri lake at Korzok, crossing seven ~4,900–5,435 m passes and sleeping above 4,500 m every night.

Plan this trekOpen in the grader
Max altitude
5435 m
Distance
90 km
Days
9
Honest grade
Difficult
AMS risk
severe · 66
3D replay

See it in 3D

A Google-Earth-style flyby that drops in from orbit and traces the real approach trail up to Rumtse to Tso Moriri(where it’s mapped in OpenStreetMap), over real satellite terrain — so you can read the climb and the lie of the land before you go.

The map

Where you’ll sleep, on real terrain

The elevation profile traces the full climb and descent; tap a camp on the map and the SpO₂ gauge and safety numbers follow.

Elevation profile — the whole climb
Highest-risk night: Kyamar · sleeps 4,550 m (+1050 m)
4,0005,0006,0004,550 m5,000 m5,270 m0 km89 km
Hover the profile to read altitude & AMS zone at any point.
2,500–3,500 m — acclimatise3,500–5,500 m — AMS commonAbove 5,500 m — extreme
D2 10 km · 4–6 hD3 13 km · 5.5–8 hD4 14 km · 5.5–8 hD5 16 km · 5.5–8 hD6 7 km · 3–4.5 hD7 7 km · 3.5–5.5 hD8 6 km · 2.5–3.5 hD9 16 km · 6–8.5 h

Reconstructed from real per-day distance, ascent and camp altitudes. The line between points is a straight approximation — not a surveyed terrain profile.

When to go

Best months

Prime window: Jul, Aug, Sep

Curated season (Jul–Sep)— off-months reasoned from the region’s monsoon and winter.

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Prime windowShoulderOff-season
Trail path

Stage by stage

Start · Rumtse→End · Korzok (Tso Moriri)~89 km walked · est 36–52 h total
Day 1Rest / acclimatisation at Lehacclimatise at 3,500 m
Day 2Rumtse → Kyamar~10 kmest 4–6 hdrive Leh→Rumtse (4,240 m) first
Day 3Kyamar → Tisaling~13 kmest 5.5–8 hcross Kyamar La (4,870 m) and Mandalchan La (~5,000 m)
Day 4Tisaling → Ponganagu~14 kmest 5.5–8 hcross Shibuk La (5,270 m); camp near Tso Kar plain
Day 5Ponganagu → Nuruchan~16 kmest 5.5–8 h
Day 6Nuruchan → Rajun Karu~7 kmest 3–4.5 hcross Horlam Kongka La (4,905 m); short day
Day 7Rajun Karu → Gyamar Barma~7 kmest 3.5–5.5 hcross Kyamayuri La (5,435 m)
Day 8Gyamar Barma → Gyamar~6 kmest 2.5–3.5 hcross Kartse La (5,365 m)
Day 9Gyamar → Korzok (Tso Moriri)~16 kmest 6–8.5 hcross Yalung Nyau La (~5,435 m), descend to Korzok (4,560 m); drive to Leh

Distances are approximate operator-standard figures. Times are computed— Naismith’s rule (pace + climb + descent) slowed for altitude, for a fit trekker with breaks — not copied from brochures. Plan generously; groups move at the pace of their slowest member.

The route

Night by night, stop by stop

Each stop is where you sleep — the altitude that drives acclimatisation. Exact camps and per-day distances vary by operator; the safety flags are computed from this profile.

  1. 1
    Leh (acclimatise)3500 m · est SpO₂ 87%
    Fast arrivalNight 1 is already at 3500 m. Arriving high (flying/driving straight up) is a leading cause of AMS — spend a night lower first if you can.
  2. 2
    Kyamar4550 m (+1050 m) · est SpO₂ 80%
    500 m/night limitSleeping altitude jumps 1050 m to 4550 m. Above 3000 m the guideline is ≤500 m per night.
    1000 m rest rule1050 m of sleeping gain since your last rest day. Take a rest day every ~1000 m.
  3. 3
    Tisaling4950 m (+400 m) · est SpO₂ 77%
    1000 m rest rule1450 m of sleeping gain since your last rest day. Take a rest day every ~1000 m.
    Big summit pushClimbs ~450 m to 5000 m in a single day. Summit day is when AMS/HAPE most often strikes — start pre-dawn, pace slowly, and turn around at the first symptoms.
  4. 4
    Ponganagu4550 m (-400 m) · est SpO₂ 80%
    1000 m rest rule1450 m of sleeping gain since your last rest day. Take a rest day every ~1000 m.
    Rest cadence4 nights climbing without a rest day above 3500 m.
    Big summit pushClimbs ~320 m to 5270 m in a single day. Summit day is when AMS/HAPE most often strikes — start pre-dawn, pace slowly, and turn around at the first symptoms.
    Sleeps lowerDescends to sleep 720 m below the high point — good, it gets you off the summit overnight.
  5. 5
    Nuruchan4650 m (+100 m) · est SpO₂ 79%
    Rest daySleeping altitude held — this is where the body actually acclimatises.
  6. 6
    Rajun Karu4900 m (+250 m) · est SpO₂ 77%
  7. 7
    Gyamar Barma5200 m (+300 m) · est SpO₂ 74%
    Big summit pushClimbs ~535 m to 5435 m in a single day. Summit day is when AMS/HAPE most often strikes — start pre-dawn, pace slowly, and turn around at the first symptoms.
  8. 8
    Gyamar5200 m · est SpO₂ 74%
    Big summit pushClimbs ~165 m to 5365 m in a single day. Summit day is when AMS/HAPE most often strikes — start pre-dawn, pace slowly, and turn around at the first symptoms.
  9. 9
    Korzok (Tso Moriri)4560 m (-640 m) · est SpO₂ 80%
    Rest cadence4 nights climbing without a rest day above 3500 m.
    Big summit pushClimbs ~235 m to 5435 m in a single day. Summit day is when AMS/HAPE most often strikes — start pre-dawn, pace slowly, and turn around at the first symptoms.
    Sleeps lowerDescends to sleep 875 m below the high point — good, it gets you off the summit overnight.
Why this grade

Sold as "Difficult"; our numbers put it at Difficult. Broadly consistent.

Max altitude
32
Acclimatisation load
20
Daily distance
15
Length & remoteness
12
7-day weather window

Overnight lows lapse-adjusted to the high camp (~5200 m).

Sun
-28°
Mon
-28°
Tue
-34°
Wed
-30°
Thu
-31°
Fri
-31°
Sat
-31°
How to reach
Starting point
Rumtse (Leh–Manali highway)
Ladakh
By air
  • Leh (IXL)~60 km
  • Kullu (KUU)~204 km
By rail

No practical rail link — the nearest railhead (Joginder Nagar) is ~205 km away. Fly to Leh and continue by road.

By road

Drive to the roadhead Rumtse (Leh–Manali highway). From Leh (~60 km) shared taxis and state buses run the last leg to Rumtse (Leh–Manali highway).

Distances are straight-line (as the crow flies), computed from the coordinates. Real road distance and driving time in the mountains are longer — confirm current road status and the last motorable point with your operator, especially in monsoon and winter.

Permits (Indian nationals)

Ladakh: Inner Line Permit for protected areas (domestic); foreigners need a PAP for the same zones.

Inner Line Permit (ILP)
LAHDC / DC office, Leh (online portal available)
Full permit navigator →
⛑Emergency & evacuation
Nearest roadhead
See the trek roadhead
Nearest hospital
Nearest district / community health centre
Helipad
Charter only — arranged via operator/administration
Trek area (approx)
33.630, 77.780
If things go wrong

Descend to the roadhead; arrange onward transport to the nearest hospital. Carry evacuation insurance.

Approximate planning info — confirm with your operator. HAPE/HACE signs = descend immediately.

Known hazards
  • •Consecutive nights above 4,900 m — serious AMS/HAPE exposure
  • •Seven pass crossings including Kyamayuri La and Yalung Nyau La (~5,435 m)
  • •Icy early-morning river crossings
  • •Extremely remote plateau — no road evacuation between Nuruchan and Korzok
Highlights

On the trail

Photo credits →
Before you go

Necessary preparations

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Fitness

  • Serious base needed: 5 km under 30 min, weekly long hikes with a loaded pack; train 8–12 weeks out.
  • Expect ~10 km of walking a day — train on stairs and inclines, not just flat ground.
  • Do a few hikes carrying your actual daypack weight so your legs and shoulders are used to it.
  • Add interval/cardio work — summit days at this altitude are long and relentless.
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Acclimatisation & health

  • Know the AMS golden rules: don't ascend with symptoms; if worse, descend; HAPE/HACE = descend now.
  • Carry a pulse oximeter and take a daily resting reading — a falling trend that doesn't recover means stop.
  • Discuss acetazolamide (Diamox) with a doctor before you go — Shikhar never prescribes medication.
  • This profile ascends fast (AMS: severe) — build in a spare acclimatisation day if you can.
  • Stay hydrated (3–4 L/day), eat well even without appetite, and avoid alcohol at altitude.
  • Carry a personal first-aid kit; tell your operator about any medical conditions in advance.
◆

Gear & clothing

  • Layering system: moisture-wicking base, fleece/down mid, waterproof-breathable shell (jacket + pants).
  • Broken-in waterproof trekking boots with ankle support + 3–4 pairs of wool/synthetic socks.
  • 40–55 L backpack with rain cover; a 20 L daypack if porters carry the main load.
  • 3-season sleeping bag rated to at least −5 °C; a liner adds warmth cheaply.
  • Trekking poles, sun hat, and warm hat + gloves for cold camps.
  • Monsoon-proofing: full rain gear, dry-bags for electronics, quick-dry clothing, leech socks/salt.
  • UV protection: category-4 glacier sunglasses, SPF 50+, lip balm — UV is brutal at altitude and on snow.
  • Headlamp (+ spare batteries), 1 L insulated bottle, and a power bank (cold drains batteries fast).
❖

Documents & permits

  • Government photo ID (original + several photocopies) and passport photos for permits.
  • Line/area permit (ILP for Indians, PAP for foreigners) — see the permit navigator for this state.
  • Travel + trek insurance that explicitly covers high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation.
  • Emergency-contact card: family contact, blood group, allergies, and your day-by-day itinerary.
Ask about this trek

Rumtse to Tso Moriri copilot

Grounded strictly in this trek’s data — route, computed times, AMS grade, permits and field notes. It won’t invent water sources or clear you medically. Ask in English or Hindi.

Community

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