Trek · Hemis, Ladakh
Rumbak village walk and homestay night
A short trek into Hemis National Park from the Zingchen road head to Rumbak village, with a night in a family homestay. It is the gentlest taste of the Markha valley route and a good acclimatisation walk.
Photo: Stanzin1945 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsFrom the road head at Zingchen, about an hour's drive from Leh, a trail follows the Rumbak stream up a gorge of red and grey rock. After 3–4 hours of steady walking, the valley opens at Rumbak, a village of fields and stone houses at roughly 3,800 m inside the national park.
Rumbak families take turns hosting guests, a system that spreads income across the village. Rooms are simple, meals are eaten in the kitchen and dinner might be thukpa or skyu with butter tea. In the evening, look for blue sheep on the slopes above.
Return the same way the next day, or continue over Ganda La towards the Markha valley if you are equipped for a longer trek. Walk slowly, carry water and snacks, and hire a local guide if you are not an experienced trekker. Pay the park fee where it is collected.
Good for
Also in Hemis
More days here
Photo: Bernard Gagnon Canon EOS REBEL T4i · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Hemis Monastery courtyard and museum
Ladakh's richest monastery, hidden in a gorge above the Indus. See the courtyard where the festival is danced, the pain…
Photo: Sundeep bhardwaj · CC BY 3.0 · Commons
Snow leopard tracking in Hemis National Park
In late winter, snow leopards follow their prey lower into the valleys of Hemis National Park. Guided trips with local …
Questions
Before you book
How difficult is the walk to Rumbak?
It is moderate: about 3–4 hours and 400–500 m of climbing on a clear trail. The main challenge is altitude, so do it after three nights in Leh. Families with fit older children manage it well. A local guide is recommended if you have not trekked in the Himalaya before.
Do I need to book Rumbak homestays in advance?
Usually not in summer, since village families operate a rota and can host walk-in guests. In peak July and August, ask your Leh guesthouse or a trekking agency to confirm. Carry cash; there are no card payments or ATMs in the park.
Is there a fee for Hemis National Park?
Yes, a small park entry and camping fee is collected for trekkers, usually at a checkpoint or by wildlife staff along the route. Amounts change, so check current status before you travel and keep the receipt with you.