Right now at Gyamar Barma: −3°, raining
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.
Max altitude
5435 m
Distance
90 km
Days
9
Honest grade
Difficult
AMS risk
severe · 66
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)
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.
- 1Leh (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.
- 2Kyamar4550 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.
- 3Tisaling4950 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.
- 4Ponganagu4550 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.
- 5Nuruchan4650 m (+100 m) · est SpO₂ 79%Rest daySleeping altitude held — this is where the body actually acclimatises.
- 6Rajun Karu4900 m (+250 m) · est SpO₂ 77%
- 7Gyamar 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.
- 8Gyamar5200 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.
- 9Korzok (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
-15°
Mon
-16°
Tue
-16°
Wed
-16°
Thu
-18°
Fri
-20°
Sat
-20°
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)
⛑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
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.
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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).
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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.
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