RecceIgoo to Shachukul

On 27th of September 2020 the Altoa and LMGA team conducted the fifth phase of reconnaissance/recce from IGOO to SHASHUKUL.

               On 27th of September 2020 the Altoa and LMGA team conducted the fifth phase of reconnaissance/recce from IGOO to SHACHUKUL.

DAY 1: IGOO (4,300 m) TO LARTSA (Igoo phu 4,900m):


Till the beginning of Phu there is a rough road so we have an option to drive till the end of the road. From the valley nearby Sumdo, the trails to Changla, Tharuk and Shachukul divert. We will be entering into the extreme left valley to Shachukul village. We can find the old trail and it’s a gradual steep along the stream but the stream is almost dried with little water. Most part of the valley is rocky with good amount of grass. Today the Elevation difference from Igoo trekking point to the Lartsa camp is around 600m.

Duration: Approx 4 hrs

Overnight: Igoo-phu Upper Sumdo(4,900m) (33°56’28”N77°55’28”E)

Recommended to stay overnight here, as its gets steeper from here and also looking at the water source this place is more suitable.

DAY 2: LARTSA (igoo phu) To SHACHUKUL-PHU via IGOO-La (5,664 m)


The second day will be a long and bit challenge as compare to first day. Today we will cross the IGOO-La 5,664 m to reach towards Shachukul valley, most of the part from beginning is a rocky and rough trail of around 600m up till the top of the pass. From top of the pass we can have a clear beautiful view of high peaks like Stok Kangri and Kangyatse and most part of Zanskar ranges. The descend part is quite steep down of about 250m and reach an open flat Changthang valley. Finally after descend down for an hour we reach a perfect place for camp with full of grass and good water source.

Duration: Approx. 7-8hrs

Overnight: Shachukul Upper Phu (5,167m) (A small lake) (33°56’04” N 77°58’11”E)

Recommended to stay overnight here as after an ascend you get tired and would love to spend a night at a green surface near the stream. Also you can have a visit to a small lake which is just near to this place.

DAY 3: SHACHUKUL-PHU TO SHACHUKUL-DOKSA (Lato)


Third day will be a quite easy walking down through the wide valley with full of grass and this valley is one of the main summer grazing places for nomads. The trail down follow the stream and there is also a rough road for the jeep of nomads and finally reach the place Lato-Doksa a Pullu for around 20 families of Shachukul. A perfect place for the camp with nomads.

Duration: Approx5hrs

Overnight: Shachukul-Doksa (Lato) (4,840 m) N: (33°56’58”N 78°01’40”E)

Recommended to halt here as from here as the valley is still longer and also you will enjoy the valley better if you walk slowly while enjoying the nature. Also the best part is you will find the nomads almost round the summer season.

DAY4: SHACHUKUL-DOKSA (Lato) TO SHACHUKUL VILLAGE


Last day is quite easy and a short trek to the village. There is a rough road but can follow the separate trekking trail, the nomads used to use before the road. After walking for two hours we get the first view of the village and it takes more two hours to reach the village.

Duration: Approx. 4 hrs

Overnight: Shachukul Village (4,240m)

Recommendation:

The trail from Igoo to Shachukul is pretty good for the trekkers as well as horses except the pass. The trail through the pass is quite rough and difficult, so need to be done properly for the horses. It would be around 1 Km that has to be done properly. Rest the trail is perfect, the valleys and mountains on both side is so beautiful and it would be a perfect trekking route.