Kanji La Base Camp

Text and Photographs by Mr. Sachin Vaidya


During Diwali 2022 [20th to 23rd October 2022], I visited Indian Union Territory of Ladakh and trekked to two base camps: one of them being Kanji La Base Camp [14,399 ft.]. I did all the arrangements on my own; no tour company was contacted for the same.




Day 1

As there was no direct flight available from Mumbai to Leh [11,483 ft.], I had to change the flight at Delhi.

Aerial view of snow-capped mountains was surreal.






Leh town and the airport were visible.



After landing at Leh airport, I proceeded to a hotel and relaxed. I made arrangements for my travel and trek. Due to cold climate, I did not venture out of the hotel. I had scheduled my shopping at Kargil.


Day 2

 

I travelled from Leh to Kanji village [12,631 ft.]. Kanji village lies in Leh district and Khalsi tehsil. It is 12 km off Leh-Kargil National Highway. The road to Kanji village diverts from the National Highway near Heniskote village which lies in Kargil district. It snowed during the day and no photographs were taken.

My trek guide [Tsewang Gurmat: 9797562489] and driver [Konchok: 9622252466] were known to each other. Gurmat had told Konchok to buy some food from Leh market. After shopping, we left for Kanji.

During the 12 km stretch off the National Highway, no other village was visible. Kanji village had electricity and internet connectivity 24*7 with some minor exceptions. According to Wikipedia, total population of Kanji village was 325 [2011 census].

The road ended at Kanji village. Gurmat invited me to stay at his home. However, I chose a better home stay run by a schoolteacher and his wife. Gurmat insisted to hire a helper [Punchok Samstan] and I agreed to the same.

It was a cold night at Kanji.


Day 3


After 06-15 am, we three - I, Gurmat, Punchok - started the trek to Kanji La Base Camp.



Kanji was 100% Buddhist village.





It was surprising that in a small village like Kanji, tall Ladakhi houses existed!



The trek was through typical Ladakhi landscape.






My colleagues during the trek [from left to right]: Punchok [helper] and Gurmat [guide].



It snowed earlier day.













During the trek, we had to cross three streams / rivers.



A stone was painted with Ladakhi words.



Snow, snow everywhere!










Shrubs were drying and producing seeds for the next summer.




Nearly after seven hours of walking, we reached Kanji La Base Camp!


Punchok [helper] is visible with me.



Kanji La was visible from the Base Camp.


Gurmat [guide] told me that trekkers [mostly foreigners] used to pitch tents at Kanji La Base Camp and stay overnight. On the next day, they used to reach Kanji La and go back to Kanji Village.
After a brief rest, we started our return journey.



As I was tired, very few photographs were shot by me during return journey.






The return journey was nearly three and a half hours duration.
The night stay was at the same home stay.
The next day was scheduled for a trek to Tsomothang Base Camp. The link to the same is as follows:

Comments

  1. TreklineApril 4, 2023 at 12:26 AM

    Gives the impression of your trek through very tough terrain partially covered with snow. Photographs of the landscape is marvelous. Snow peaks are looking very great. Good going. Keep it up.

    ReplyDelete

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