Lamayuru and the Sham Valley

Popularly referred to as the Apricot Valley, the Sham Valley, with its prosperous villages, medieval monasteries, rushing streams and green valleys, offers easy to moderate treks through the roof of the world. This region, which lies west of Leh, is renowned for its magnificent scenery of barren mountains crested with snow-capped peaks, spectacular gorges, and mountain passes.

A stimulating trek through the Sham Valley will enable visitors to discover fertile, isolated villages and experience the rustic charm of Ladakh whilst staying in comfortable lodges. A typical four-day Sham Valley trek begins at Likir, a small village on the banks of the Likir Tokpo River and leads you on a trail that takes you through the beautiful villages of Yangthang, Hemis-Shukpachu, Ang and Temisgam. Along the way, enjoy picnic lunches, the glorious views of the pink-and-mauve-coloured trans-Himalayan Mountains from Hemis-Shukpachu, and the striking Zanskar range from Yangthang. Whilst the visit to local schools, monasteries, markets and interaction with monks, as well as villagers, will allow you to gain an in-depth understanding of the traditional Ladakhi lifestyle, this trail also provides trekkers with the chance to conquer three mountain passes, including Phobe La pass (3,580m); Kunu La pass (3,910m) and Mebtak La pass (3,750m).

Amongst the many austere gompas decked with colourful prayer flags that dot the landscape, one of the major attractions is the ancient Ridzong Monastery, which is noted for its strict rules that resident monks have to adhere to and is regarded as the ‘Paradise for Meditation’. A visit to Ladakh’s Sham Valley is usually combined with a visit to the charming village of Lamayuru, celebrated for its surreal landscape that looks like the surface of the moon and the ancient Lamayuru monastery, which is set dramatically amid an arid moonscape and is believed to be the oldest monastery in Ladakh.