Among the Indian Himalayan trek crossing the Zanskar valley is considered one of the major treks in north India. Zanskar remain cut off from the rest of the world for large part of the year due to snow fall which block the accessibility in to this valley hence the local use frozen river path during the winter to be connected with nearest town of Leh and the external world.
During the trek you will explore isolated villages and its oasis, Ancients monasteries perched on the top of the villages, Phukta/ Karsha and lingshed are some of the prominent monasteries, you will appreciate the spectacular extensive lunar landscape, high passes, you will enjoy ever changing colours with the light of the day. Traversing the deep gorges with its rivulets that drain the farm land, people living in the valley are called Zanskari are welcoming people, grows one crop a year and lives with their domestic animal as Yak, pashmina goats etc. Trek ends in the valley of Indus; you will be transferred by vehicle to Leh the capital of Ladakh which was once an important destination for the caravans of silk route.
Detailed Itenerary
DAY 01: Arrival Delhi.
On arrival you will be met by our representative and will escort you to the hotel, check in at hotel for overnight stay.
DAY 02: Delhi to Manali (2000 m.) 570 kms - 16 hours - by night tourist bus.
Today proceed for the half day sightseeing of Delhi which includes visit to Jama Masjid, Red Fort, India Gate and President House. Later rkholid back to hotel for wash and change, evening transfer to bus station to board bus to Manali overnight in Volvo bus.
DAY 03: Manali
On arrival at Manali bus stand pick up and transfer to hotel, after breakfast visit Manu Temple, Hadimba Temple and Tibetan Monastery;
Manu Temple: is believed to be the only temple of Manu in India, who is considered as the creator of the human race on earth.
Hadimba Temple: dedicated to Goddess Hadimba the Bhim of Mahabharat fame, built in 1533 A.D.
Tibetan Monastery: was constructed in the year 1969. The architecture of the monastery represents the Tibetan style of architecture designed with hued frescoes. The statue of the Lord Buddha presides in the monastery... Rest of the day will be at leisure, overnight stay at hotel in Manali.
DAY 04: Manali to Darcha-Palamo (3600 m) 150 km
rkholid along the Beas River upstream through several villages to the Rohtang pass (4050 m). Downhill rkholid to Gramphu and passport check point at Koksar. Reach Keylong the tribal dist. Headquarter. Arrive at Jispa and Darcha; continue rkholid through the last villages of the valley (Rarick andChhika). Finally the camp is visible on the right bank of Zanskar Chhu, overnight stay in Camp.
DAY 05: Palamo to Zanskar Sumdo (3950 m) - 6 hours - Trek 1
Gradual walk through the boulders and meadows; shepherds from the Kangra valley can be seen with their flocks. Easy stream crossing camping site are available on both side of the river, overnight stay in Camp.
DAY 06: Zanskar Sumdo to ChhumikMarpo (4500 m) - 7.30 hours - Trek 2
Day begin with Short climbing upward the Shingola along with tributary of Zanskar chhu, after while gradual walk in the narrow valley through meadows of wild flowers, campsite on the foot of Shingola where night gleams by the snowy mountains, overnight stay in Camp.
DAY 07: ChhumikMarpo to Lahkhang (4300 m) over Shingo la (5090 m) - 7 to 8 hours - Trek 3
Path leads over moraines, ice chilled stream may have to crossed, over snow and glacier, suddenly prayer flags can be seen flattering over the pass. Descend to the Zanskar valley, before arriving at campsite one have to walk through KargyakChhu, beautiful campsite on the bank of LhakhangChhu, overnight in Camp.
DAY 08: Lhakhang to Kargyak (4060 m) - 5 hours - Trek 4
Easy trek beside the right bank of KargyakChhu and foot of the Gumboranjom tower; a chilled stream has to be cross. An opportunity to see closely the herds of yaks and Marmots whistling around the meadow and plays hide and seek. Long series of Mane wall and Chhorten are a symbol to reach Kargyak village, it houses a small Gompa on the top of village, overnight stay in Camp.
DAY 09: Kargyak to Purni (3800 m) - 6 hours - Trek 5
Trail goes through Tanze, Kuru, Testa and Yal, villages Farmers can be seen cultivating their fields with melodious song of Zanskar. Reached Purni, situated on the confluence of the Tsarap and KargyakChhu, overnight stay in Camp.
DAY 10: Purni to Phuktal back to Purni - 4 hours to and fro. - Trek. 6
Today trek to Phuktal to visit Phuktal Monastery which is around 2 hrs. Walk one way, later trek back to the camp site.
PhuktalGompa: Built around a natural cave believed to have been visited by important sages, scholars and translators beginning around 2,550 years ago, the present PhuktalGonpa of the Gelug lineage was established in the early 14th century by JangsemSherapZangpo, a disciple of GelugfounderTsongkhapa.
DAY 11: Purni to Pipula (3600 m) - 5 hours - Trek 7
Back till bridge, and follow the confluence and continue by the left bank of Tserap river to Cha, Surley till Pipula situated on the bank of river Tserap.
DAY 12: Pipula to Raru via Ichar (3700 m) - 5.30 hours - Trek 8
Again sunny trail beside the river, Photogenic Ichhar village located opposite of the trail, visit the village and Gompa at the top of the village, after short distance camp site is located beside the lake where people stock the water for irrigation.
DAY 13: Raru to Padum (3600 m) - 6 hours - Trek 9
Leave early in the morning, visit MuneGompa and Bardan, Kagyupa monastery is famous for its prayer wheel. ReachePadum administrative headquarter of Zanskar sub-division of Kargil district, overnight stay at camp in Padum.
DAY 14: Padum to Rinam (3500 m) - 6 hours - Trek 10
From Padum head toward Karsha Monastery, a beautiful Gelugpa monastery dating from the XVth century, in common with the Likkirgompa in Leh and KamolingGompa, camp site at Rinam out of the village.
DAY 15: Rinam to Pishu (3400 m) 3 hours, via Jangla - 6 hours - Trek 11
Flate trail beside the Zanskar River, visit Zangla village ancient capital of Zanskar, ruins of the castle and Nunery can be visited;Thankas and Statues has been shifted in a family house in the village. After visiting this village back to the beautiful camp site of Pishu.
DAY 16: Pishu to Hanumil (3550 m) - 5 hours - Trek 12
Moranic track leading up and down, Crossing a bridge over stream, colourfulChorten appear before arriving in the village, explore the Pidmo village. 2 hours walk till the campsite inHanumil.
DAY 17: Hanumil to Snertse (4200 m) over Parfila (3900 m) - 6 hours - Trek 13
Trail goes through cliffy track, graduel climb to the Parfila, Steep zigzag descend to the riverside and refresh rkholidelf beside the river under Willow shrub. Again dusty and sunny trail will lead to the campsite; occasionally one can see the Ibex (Mountain goat) grazing on the slope in front of the camp.
DAY 18: Snertse to Lingshed (3800 m)over Hanumala (4700 m) - 7 hours - Trek 14
Gradual ascend through gorges, later valley get widen. Reach at the top which provides extensive view of the rugged Himalayan Mountains layered one after one. Long descend to Lingshedestablish the camp and visit monastery of (Gelugpa sect).
DAY 19: Lingshed to Yulchungyra (4500 m) Trek starts over Murgum la (4100 m) - Trek 15
One hour easy climb to the Murgumla, enjoy the view around, easy descend along the slope to the beautiful Nieraq valley, after passing Gongma and Skiumpata villages steep ascent to the Kuba-la (3800 mtrs) and easy walk to the campsite.
DAY 20: Yulchungyra to Phutoksar (3750 m) - 7 hours - Trek 16
Two hours to reach at the top of Singee la (5000 m ).short descend to the broad valley, herds of Yak can be seen, Several times cross rivers, later reach at Phutoksar a Splended village at the base of a huge mountain wall, campsite out of the village.
DAY 21: Phutoksar to Hanupata (3500 m) - 6 hours - Trek 17
Easy walk in the beginning and after steep climb take you to the Sirsila (4900 m) Descend to the river bank, farmers can be seen cultivating their fields ( Peas and Barley etc.) Camp site located before the village on the bank of stream.
DAY 22: Hanupata to Wanla (3300 m) - 5 hours - Trek 18
Cross the village, steep gorgeous path cut in to the rocks, getting out from the gorge and arrive Franjila village. Pleasant walk through the villages till wanla, Monastery can be visited at the top of the hill, overnight stay in Camp.
DAY 23: Wanla to Lamayuru/Leh via Alchi (3600 m) over Pritink la (3800 m) - End of the Trek 19
Go up to the Shilacong and cross the bridge, follow the broad chhorten then narrow and dry gorge up to the Pritink la, again descend and cross the small stream, climb to the village of Lamayuru. After visiting the monastery, rkholid to Leh through Indus valley via Alchi, overnight stay at hotel in Leh.
DAY 24: In Leh
Today visit Shey, Thiksey and Hemis Monasteries.
Shey palace: built in the sixteenth century AD. The monastery enshrines the Du Khang with an almost 10 meter high gilder copper statue of Lord Buddha.
ThikseyMonastery: is noted for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet and is the largest gompa in central Ladakh.
Hemis Monastery: is revered as the largest monastic institution in Ladakh. The monastery has more than 200 branches with more than 1,000 monks in the Himalayan region. It is the wealthiest monastery in India and famous for its rich collection of ancient remnants like the statue of Buddha made of copper, stupas made of gold and silver. Monastery also has sacred Thangkas, murals and various artifacts. Rest of the time will be at leisure to do your personal activities or walk around Leh market on your own, overnight stay at hotel in Leh.
DAY 25: Leh-Delhi flight.
Today as per the flight timing transfer to Leh airport to board flight for Delhi, on arrival at Delhi airport you will be met by our representative and will escort to the hotel, check in at hotel rest of the day will be at leisure, overnight stay at hotel in Delhi.
DAY 26: Departure.
Today half day sightseeing of Old Delhi or New Delhi, evening transfer to IGIA to board flight for onward destination.