Traverse Planning – Trans Himalaya, Jun-Oct 2025

May 27, 2025

Introduction

I’m Kosta, 23, born in Adelaide, Australia, with a strong foundation in elite-level sports including basketball, rugby, tennis, Australian football, cricket, and national-level Judo, where the seeds of my journey were first planted. At 17, I began pilot training with the Australian Air Force while finishing school, but by 18, I left all formal paths to pursue real-world experience, beginning with a job in sales that led to building my own marketing and investment companies. Despite achieving external success, I felt lost and empty, eventually giving it all up in search of true purpose.

At 20, I moved to the Gold Coast with nothing, sometimes going weeks without food, and began to experience glimpses of deeper truths, uncovering passion in the mundane and awakening to Love and Truth. During this time, I met a mentor who spoke to the same inner revelations I was beginning to live. After returning to Adelaide, I began training in high-level Qigong under another master, deepening my inner transformation. I am now about to traverse the entire Himalayan range from far west India to East Nepal, continuing my inner and outer journey into the unknown, anchored in presence, devotion, and and the purpose to inspire, uplift, and support the growth of all.

Kosta 23 years young (Australia), one of my Patreons, is on a solo 6 months mission through the Indian and Nepal Himalayas following a mix of OSM mapped trails and exploring new Survey map trails.

Download GPX here and load in nakarte.me for an interactive map.

Part 1 – Trans Uttarakhand (Manali to Darchula)

  • Beas river – Naggar (food) – Chander Khoni
    • Optional: Malana valley – Nilhani Thach – Bukora Thach – Umbraruar Thach – Motagran Thach – Wechim – Bhutoling (food)
  • Malana valley – Bhutoling (food) – Rasol Pass
  • Parvathi valley – Kasol (food) – Garahan (food) – Kandi Galu
  • Hurla Nal – Manihar (skip road / hitch ride) – Kharna (food) – Kandi Galu
    • Alternate: Jhuni – Buga – Palgi
    • Alternate: Kandi Galu – Jauli – Shikari – Bhatkanda – Shulga
  • Sainj river – Sainj (food) – Kathyaugi- Nuhara Gad – Thini top – Chhadhar
    • Alternate: Shanar Nala – Nah – Pass – Jhaleri – Bashel Thach – Manjali
  • Tirthan river – Banjar (food) – Lambri top – Pass
  • Tirthan valley – Bathad (food) – Basleo pass
  • Kurpan Gad – Sarahan (food) – Dim – Matlaloi Tach
    • Alternate: Sagopha – Chamarla – Damdwar Thach – Muharna Thach – Waraphala Thach
  • Sutlej river – Muchka – Kargar (food) – Jakhri (food) – Pass – Daranghati Dogri
  • Nogli Gad – Munish (food) – Taklech – Wari ka Devta – Maral Kanda – Pass
    • Alternate: Sauraka Dogri Kandi – Kathrech Ghati – Jatwani
  • Maira Gad – Dumera – Dogri (food) – Pass
  • Andhra Khad – Goskuwari (food) – Pass
  • Pabar Nadi – Bhatwari (food) – Chbedag Thach – Tagan Khai
    • Optional: Sathu Talao lake
  • Rupin Nadi – Jiskon (food) – Ridge – Pass
    • Alternate: Bharura Sar – Sural Gad – Lewari – Rekcha
  • Supin Nadi – Rekcha (food) – Kuparkhai
  • Barasu Gad – Gangar (food) – Taluka (food) – Phachikandi pass – Samay ka Tibba
    • Alternate: Daunsu – Reswal Tal -Bali pass – Janki Chhati
  • Yamuna river – Hanuman Chatti (food) – Darwa Pass – Dodi Tal
    • Optional: Ridge – Jana Tal – Multatha – Uchalara – Gorginda – Sunagar
  • Binsi Gad – Dandalka (food) – Dyara
  • Bhagirathi river – Bhatwari (food) – Kailapir Pass – Kyarki Khal
    • Alterante: Sunagar – Charku – Khera Tal – Dina Gad – Bhus – Pagariya – Pilang
    • Alternate: Pilang – Awera – Kyarki Khal – Shastru Tal – Kaliani – Gangi
  • Bal Ganga – Gainwali (food) – Muneri pass
  • Bilangana river – Gangi (food) – Kinkola Khal
  • Mandakini – Sonprayag (food) – Rail – Manjhera – Jagi – Lenkh
    • Optional: Sonprayag (food) – Gaurikund (hot spring) – Rambara – Kedarnath (touristic pilgrimage)
    • Alternate: – Rambara – Khani – Simtoli – Mandani Mandir – Dwarak Khal – Jethar Danda – Ransi (food)
  • Madhyamaheshwar Ganga – Ransi (food) – Lenkh (food) – Patwariyan – Pass – Chopta (food) – Tungnath
    • Alternate: Ransi – Gaundar – Tuliyar Kharak – Bisuri Tal – Ridge – Tungnath
  • Balkhila Nadi – Gaundi (food) – Naola pass – Rudranath – Toli Tal
    • Alternate: Naola pass – Rudranath – Rikhni Gad – Bridge – Panch Dhyuli – Gangartoli Gad – Mainwa Khal – Urgam (food)
  • Maina Gad – Dumak (food) – Bansi Narayan – Urgam (food)
  • Alaknanda – Joshimath – Ridge – Kuari pass
  • Birahi Ganga – Pana (food) – Jhinji – Pass – Ridge
  • Nandakini – Ridge – Harasing Gad – Ali Khal
    • Optional: Rup Kund – Nandakini – Hom Kund (temple)
    • Alternate: Rup Kund – Pass – Ali Khal
  • Kail Ganga – Himni (food) – Dulam – Pass
    • Optional: Pass – Chholiya Minsingh – Dak Danda – Tharkot – Bharakandi
  • Bauru Gad – Bharakandi – Pass
  • Pindar river – Badiyakot (food) – Surag (food) – Khati (food) – Khati pass
    • Optional: Jatoli – Sundardhunga – Nag Kund (touristic)
    • Optional: Khati (food) – Dwali – Phurkiya – Pindar Kanda (touristic)
  • Sarju river – Khalpata (food) – Pass
  • Ramganga – Namik (food) – Sur Sungri Khal
  • Jakula Nadi – Rur Khan – Pass – Kwiri
  • Goriganga – Buin (food) – Dhilam – Boti pass
    • Alternate: Milam valley: Lilam (food) – Pass – Bod Udiyar – Rilkot – Burphu – Pass – Ralam – Ralam Gad – Paton (food)
    • Optional: Ganghar – Milam (end point)
    • Alternate: Paton – Pethal Gad – Rachanka Dhar – Nagni Dhura – Khauliban – Phapa
  • Badakani – Mathkot (food) – Rapti – Mujurka Khal
    • Alternate: Bothi – Ramthing – Khata – Bauna (food)
  • Paina Gad – Bauna (food) – Daharti Khal
  • Kulka Gadhera – Guindar Khal
  • Jimba Gadhera – Balchchidura Pass
  • Dharma Yankti – Sungdom (hospitality) – Teejam (food) – Darchula
    • Optional: Dharma valley – Dar – Sela – Datu (U-turn)
  • Exit: Darchula – Pithogarph – Banbassa (Nepal) – India Visa reset 90 days

Part 2 – Ladakh / Zanskar

When the monsoon sets in during July-August and the Himalyan foothills are flooded it’s time to hop across the Great Himalayan Range to the alpine deserts of Ladakh and Zanskar.

  • Beas river – Setan (food) – Hampta pass
  • Chandra valley – Chhatru (food) – hitch ride – Chhota Dara – Batal
  • Batal (food) – Chandra Tal – Chandra valley – Crossing 1+2+3 – Baralachala – hitch ride

OPTIONAL

  • Yunam river – Bharatpur – Yunam peak (6000m, optional)

OPTIONAL

  • Sarchu Tal – Pass – Sarchu Nala
  • Yunam valley – Sarchu (food) – Gata Loops
  • Tsarap Chu valley – Laol La – Umlung La x2 – Chhohama La – Puhshum La – Satak – Kormoch – Gotunte La – Nialo Konstse La – Tok Phu – Niri Chu – Phuktal Gompa (food) – U-turn
  • Niri Nala – Shade – Gautang La – Larla – Ningri La – Zangla Sumdo
  • Zanskar valley – Zangla (homestay) – Hanamur (food) – Parfi La

OPTIONAL

  • Stay on left / South of Zingchan Tokpo – check if trail continues
  • Take left in Ralakung Topkop upstream till Nagama Ralakung
  • Cross over pass to Phima Ralakung
  • Kadapong Tokpo downstream

CONTINUE

  • Neche (campsite) – Haluma La – Lalang Tokpo – Chapskang La – Linshet (food)
  • If possible try: Kesi La – Doksa – Kesi Tokpo
  • Alternative: Barmi La – Oma Toktpo – bridge 1 – bridge 2
  • Dauri Nala – Dibling (homestay) – Gongma (deserted) – Pingdon La
  • Ringdom Nala (fording / morning) – Kanji La – Pass
  • Hemar Nala – Himar Pulu (camp) – Kwangdo (deserted) – Kanji (food)

OPTIONAL

  • If you feel like it you could try to explore: Siddi Sumod Lungpa – Pass??? – Ganu Lungpa
  • Kanji Rong – Timti La
  • Bayakpan Lungpa – Shugu (food?) – Shugu la
  • Yukmal Lungpa – Shyalgo (food?) – Sarbatan La
  • Namche Nala – Namche (deserted)
  • Whaka Rong – Ragyalkhang (food) – Goma Brok – Pass
  • Whaka Rong – Saraks – Namik La – Chhache –
  • Barsuks La – Bakyab La
  • Yukmap Lungpa – Chiktanche – Rakche – Shugu
  • Byakpan Lungpa – Timti La – Kanji Rong
  • Kanji Rong – Kanji (food) – Yogma La – Shinguche La
  • Spang Nala – hitch ride on dirt track downstream – Wanlah Tokpo – Phanjila (food)
  • Ursi – Tar La – Tar – Hibti La – Mangyu La –

OPTIONAL

  • Indus river – Gira (food on NH1) – Yangthang – Wuleh – Wuleh La
  • Gianchurap Nala – Gongma – Pachathang
  • Shyok river -Kharu (food) – Sumda Nala – Rakurti – Lago La – Saspoche

OPTIONAL

  • Indus river – Sumdo – Lingstut (food) – Likir – Yarkazi – Likir La – Syongang – Hundark Dok (food) – Yanak Lake – Nia La – Chhilchhil Lungpa – Dok
  • Indus river – Naushar (food) – hitch ride – Alchi (food) – Stakspi La
  • Murmeik Lungpa – Sumdahchun (homestay) –
  • Chenmo Tokpo – Pass – Lankdo – Dungdungchan La –
  • Zanskar river – Chilling (food)
  • Markha river (touristic) – Skyu – Gand La
  • Rumbak Tokpo – Rumbak (food) – Stok La – Stok Kangri (6000m, optional)

OPTIONAL (*)

  • Indus – Stok – Sabu (food) – Sabu Nala – Digar La
  • Lungtung Phu – Diger (food) – Pass – Khema – Kilkar La
  • Tangyar Lungpa – Tangyar – Lazung Lunpa – Togpo Gompa
  • Tangste river – Darbuk (food) – Tangste (food)
  • Taruk Lungpa – Taruk – Kela Tso – Ke La
  • Igu Tokpo – Lankor – Dema Kyang
  • Indus – Martselang (food) – Shang Sumdo

IF NOT ABOVE (*)

  • Stok Tokpo – Mankarmo – Stok Kangri (6000m, optional), Matho La
  • Jaglung Tokpo (campsite) – Pass
  • Chhurtenchen Tokpo (campsite, cafe) – Shang La

CONTINUE:

  • Shang Tokpo – Shang – Shang Sumdo (food)
  • Chushkurma Tokpo – Chogdo (food) – Kongmaru La
  • Markha valley – Chhiu – Kang Yatse II (6000m, optional) – U-turn (peak) – Hankar (food) – Langtang Chan – Zalung Karpo La
  • Churik Tokpo – Khuma Kur – Chhijurcham (deserted) – Numpel Nala – Tairi La – Pholung Nakma
  • Mundar Tokpo – Gya (food) – Rumtse (food) – Kumrila Nala
  • Kiameri La – Tajurma Nala (camp) – Mandalchan La
  • Ting sale Nala (camp) – Shingbuk La
  • Tso Kar – Thugje Gompa (food)
  • Horlam La – Kayur La – Koste La – Yalung Nyau La
  • Tso Moriri – Karzok (food)

OPTIONAL

  • Gyama Nala – Pilung La – Tazangkuru Tso lake – Kyagarnin La
  • Khalra Nala – Khara La
  • Ralldong Nal – Pidong
  • Ribil Phu – Ribil Sumdo – Sumdo La – Nebokh Lungpa
  • Longdol Lungpa – Kyun La – Kyun Tso lake – Thyung La – Ungti – Dungti La

OPTIONAL

  • Phirtse Phu – Manechan La – Tagurigu Lungpa
  • Toze Lungpa – Pang (food)
  • Zara Chu – Lun (deserted) – Tojok Nala – Marang La
  • Tsrap Chu – Langturma Lunpa -Hot Spring – Gata Loops
  • Yunam river – Sarchu (food)

CONTINUE PART 3 TO HEMIS /GHR. OR PROCEED BELOW TO SPITI:

  • Chharap Nala – Pangpo La –
  • Lingti Nala – Skam Tsho – Pass –
  • Aiya Paiya Chu – Lingti Nala – Phirse Phu

OPTIONAL

  • Pare Chu – Tasang Yogma – Taklingla Nala – Takling La
  • Spiti valley – Latarse – Kibber (food) – Kanamo Peak (6000m, optional)
  • Gete – Tashigang
  • Shila Lungpa – Langza – Hikim (food) – Pass – Dumak
  • Lingti Sangvo – Rama – Dankar (food) – hitch ride / bus
  • Pin valley – Mud (food) – Pin Baba
  • Wangar Gad – Kaphnu (food) – hitch ride
  • Baspa river – Sangla (food) – Rupin Ghati –
  • Rupin Gad – Jishkun (food)

Part 3 – Hemis / Great Himalayan Range

You ll finish the red Ladakh traverse in Sarchu from where you hop across Surichun La / Singo La / Tarsalamu La to the yellow Great Himalayan Range (Kang La, Poat La, Hagshu La) mid August when these high passes across large glaciers are most accessible. Later in Sep you ll come back to Hemis National Park to do very interior / remote passes (Shapodak La / Charchar La / Rubarung La) which cross the Kurna river and can only be done last summer when water flow is less

  • Sarchu (food) – Lingti Chu – Surichun La – Surichun Lungpa
  • Kargiakh Chu – Kurgiakh (food) – hitch a ride – Shingo La
  • Jankar Nala – Jankar Sumdo – Mayar Nala – Tarsalamu La
  • Miyar Nala – Khanjar – Tingrat (food, optional)
  • Miyar Nala – stay left – Pimu Nala – Dagal Jot
  • Jambu Nala – Tuan (food) – Paphita Nala – Pass
  • (if Pass not possible do Pratap Jot)
  • Miyar glacier – Kang La
  • Temasa Nala – Poat La
  • (optional: exit to Reru / Padum to pick up food)
  • (if Poat La not possible return to Padum do Muni La)
  • Darlang glacier – Darlang Nal – Machel (food)
  • Bhuzas Nal – Sumcham – Hagshu Nal – Hagshu La – Hagshu glacier
  • Stod Doda – Akchho (food) – hitch ride to Padum (food)
  • Zanskar river – Padum (food) – hitch ride to Stongde – Stongde La – Niri Nala
  • Niru Chu – Shade (homestay) – Gautang La – Niri – Tokpo – Pass
  • (if not possible then reroute via Shapodak La)
  • Lalunga Tokpo – Khurna river (morning / less flow) – Chhokzang Dungsa
  • Churik Tokpo – Tanje – Gunjur Nala – Zalung Karpo La

OPTIONAL: (food supply in Hankar)

  • Langtan Chan – Markha valley – Hankar (food) – Umlung (food)
  • Chacham Nala – Rubarung La

CONTINUE:

  • Shortcut via Zalung Karpo La – Tokpo – Kurna river (morning crossing)
  • Charchar Tokpo – Charchar La – Zangla Sumdo
  • Kong Lumche – Ningri La – Shiachum La – Lungpa
  • Zanskar river – Chazar – Padum (food)
  • (share taxi to Manali)

Part 4 – Nepal

Using 1:50K/1:25K Nepal topo sheets to identify trails and villages

  • Sharda river – Darchulla (food) – Simar (food) – Ridgeline – Pass
  • Chamaliya – Khandeshwari (food)- Kathar Rashi Bhanjyang – Pass – Nilgatti La
  • Seti Nadi – Dauphan La
  • Siyanban Khola – Krarang pass
  • Kairang Khola – Chara (food???) – Sakya Lagna
  • Kuwari Khola – Lampato (food???) – Dhia Lagna
  • Mimiban Khola – Ripa (food) – Darma – Chankheli Lagna
  • Mugu Karnali Nadi – Gamgadi (food) – Mangri – Puwagau – Dele Lagna – Sankada Lagna
  • Chaudhahesi Khola – Talphi (food) -Syalgadhi – Leti Lagna
  • Tila Nadi – Piraure – Mare Lagna
  • Bheri Nadi – Majhgau (food) – Pass
  • Thuli Beri – Tripurakot (food) – Durgau – Sun Daha – Pass
  • Saure Khola – Pass
  • Pelma Khola – Ranmagau – Maikot (food) – Pelma (food) – Pass
  • Unknown valley – Syalpakha (food) – Pass
  • Myagdi Khola – Ghattekholagau (food) – Khiban – Pass
  • Thula Khola – Malampara (food) – Kuinekhani – Chaurkhani – Chhari – Pass
  • Kali Gandaki – Lete (food)

Continue via: to be detailed via OSM / topo sheets

  • Annapurna Circuit (OSM, requires permit)
  • Manalsu Circuit (OSM, permit, guide?) or a lower traverse
  • Lapu Besi to Borang to Syabru Bensi (OSM)
  • not: Langtan trek (Tilman’s pass-dangerous)
  • Instead: GosainKunda Trek (OSM)
  • Melamchi + Lower altitude traverse (topo sheets)
  • Jugal-Himal + Kyansingh to Alamput (OSM, topo sheets)
  • or: Great Himalayan Trail (Tashi Lapsa 5700m, Col West technical)
  • or: Jiri-Lulak trek (lower altitude, OSM)
  • EBC 3 pass trek (OSM)
  • Lower traverse through Makalu National Park (topo sheets)
  • GHT East (OSM) or lower altitude trail (topo sheets)

References:

To check the right season – Oct/Nov ok??