Tsomothang 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 Tsomothang Base Camp [16,388 ft.]. I did all the arrangements on my own; no tour company was contacted for the same.



During the first three days [20th to 22nd October 2022], I did Kanji La Base Camp; details of the same are already available on the following Blog post:


https://himalayanbasecamps.blogspot.com/2023/03/kanji-la-base-camp.html


Day 4 [23rd October 2022]


The trek was from Kanji village [12,631 ft.] to Tsomothang Base Camp [16,388 ft.]. My guide was Tsewang Gurmat [9797562489]. Gurmet hired a helper [Punchok Samstan] to carry daypack.

The tall Ladakhi houses at Kanji village were visible on the way.



The way to Tsomothang Base Camp was completely different from that of Kanji La Base Camp.



The motorable bridge was built in recent past.



Fresh snow was visible.



With the onset of winter, shrubs were drying.











En route, we came across a shepherds' settlement.



We rested there for some time.



In the next photograph, [from left to right] Gurmat [guide] and Punchok [helper] are visible outside a tiny Buddhist temple.




The mountains were covered with snow.



The shrub was looking like a big flower.



The landscape was typical Ladakhi.



The trek did not involve crossing of any major river / stream.




Around 12 noon, we reached a place from where we had to walk 100% over the snow to reach Tsomothang Base Camp.



However by that time, we did not cover even half the trek! As walking over snow would have taken more time compared to walking on soil and rocks, we might have reached Tsomothang Base Camp in the evening. As we did not make any arrangement for stay at the Base Camp, I decided to go back to Kanji Village.



On return journey, I took photographs of Himalayan vistas and vegetation.












Surprisingly, I found some fresh flowers!




The area was predominantly Buddhist.



We were nearing Kanji Village.





We walked on under construction road.


Nearly after eleven hours [since morning] of trekking, we reached Kanji Village.


The driver [Mohamad Ali: 8491809705] was waiting for me at Kanji Village. I went to Kargil Town for the night stay.

Comments

  1. TreklineApril 4, 2023 at 12:19 AM

    Your spirit of adventure is taking you to high altitude base camps. We enjoyed the photographs posted by you predominantly, the snow-splattered land scape, the old structures, rare plants and flowers which proliferate in such bleak climate.

    ReplyDelete

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