Day 12: Shang Sumdo - > Martselang -> Leh

Martselang

The rainy weather continued to today. It was raining when we woke up. The whole tent was wet and the wet conditions outside made the packing difficult. We had out last breakfast in the kitchen tent. The cook has prepared a special cake, which was very nice of them. Am didn’t want to walk in the rain with her knee problems and the other other british girls were also not keep to walk either. I didn’t mind walking as I thought the rains are part of the trekking experience. More over its walking and enjoying the landscape even if it’s raining. So Stan decided to call the agency to have the pickup arranged at Shang Sumdo for the 3 of them. The plan was that Stan and I will walk to Martselang village where our official pick up was supposed to be and the girls will start from the Shang Sumdo at a later time. And we all will meet at Martselang. But the plan didn’t work out as Stan couldn’t get any telephone lines to Leh. In the end we all decided to walk to Martselang. When we started there was no rain, but later on it started to rain again. It was not so much of fun as we were walking along the road and the landscape didn’t change much.

Once we reached Martselang our jeep was already there. Still we waited there for almost an hour for the pony guys with the luggage to join us. We could have left early and let the luggage come later on. But we wanted to say good bye to the guys properly. Our guide Stan, the cook, the pony man, the helper Gan was all very nice to us during the last one week. It was only apt that we thank them properly for all the services.

Markha Valley Trek

A visit to the monasteries on the way to Leh was included in the trek program. Since Am and I had already visited them we decided to go directly to Leh. The British girls went with Stan to visit the monasteries and Am and I to our homestay in Leh.

Once in our homestay, I decided not to go anywhere and have a shower and take rest. Am gone out to check the mail. The last 8 days had been incredible. A test of endurance and fitness!  In the end I think we walked more than 100 kms, climbed two high passes (4950 and 5300 m), walked through heat, cold and rains. I have never done anything like this before. But it was times well spend.