Trekking in Nepal, Adventure travel in the Himalayas, Tibet tour, Bhutan visit

Ladakh Zanskar Trek

Ladakh Zanskar TrekLadakh being a very delicate and fragile ecologically, beauty and unique natural heritage of this region, Ladakh is both historically and culturally Tibetan. Its ancient monasteries and villages have remained unchanged over the centuries. North of the Great Himalaya range, amongst a tangled knot of jagged mountains, lays the once independent kingdom of Zanskar. Being close to Himalayas there is very little rainfall. The Indus already 500 kilometers from its source flows through wild countryside between Halse and Leh. Upstream, above the Capital, it waters a broad plain where are many beautiful oases.

Zanskar trekking trail is one of the most well-known Himalayan Trekking in Ladakh. It starts from the lush green valleys of the Ladakh Himalayas, and leisurely traverse the great Himalayan range. Zanskar trek is crouching between the formidable peaks. Its remote and inaccessible setting, well guarded by snowy Mountain passes, Zanskar has kept alive an archaic form of Tibetan Buddhism which flourishes in a chain of far- flung monasteries, most of which occupy spectacular fortified locations, high on rocky ridges in isolated valleys.


Trekking Highlights

Duration of Trip:         18 Days
Trekking Days:           14 Days
Type of Trek:              Teahouse Lodge stay
Max. Altitude:             4950 mts/16236 ft
Grade of Trek:            fairly challenging -strenuous
Main Attraction:          Zanskar Lamayuru
Season:                    July to October

 

Zanskar Lamayuru Trek Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive in Delhi by International flight met our representative and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 02: Delhi - Leh
Early morning transfer to Domestic Airport to connect the flight for Leh. Upon arrival at Leh Airport our representative would assist you at the Airport and transfer to Hotel.

Day 03: Leh - Lamayuru (3 ½ hrs drive)
We leave Leh in the morning for Lamayuru. Along the way, we come across some of the oldest and most famous monasteries in Ladakh, founded around 11th century by Lotsawa Rinchen Sangpo Lamayuru, Likir and Alchi offer truly memorable visits on account of their age and history.

Day 04: Lamayuru - Wanla 3-4 hrs  (3250m).
We pack our small backpacks, watch the horses get ready, and set off for this first day of our adventure. A gentle trail leads up to the small pass of Prinkti La (3750m) before heading down to the village of Shilla and the last 3 km to Wanla .
 
Day 05: Wanla -Hanupatta 6-7 hrs (3,600 mts.)
An easy walk towards Phansila (3410m) will lead us to a beautiful valley. From here we descend to a pass beyond which the valley starts to narrow, with mountain towering above our heads and the Zanskar River making its way deep down in the gorge

Day 06: Hanupatta - Sirsir La (4850 Mts) - Photoskar (6 -7 Hrs)
We follow the river and the wide valley up for some time before we cross the river and start the long and gradual ascent to SirSir La (4850m). From the top of the pass we can get panoramic view of the main Zanskar range as well as our next pass, the Singe La (5090m). It is another 2 - 2 ½ hr of walk down to the village of Photoskar (4200m), situated in the cliff of mountains virtually piercing the sky and surrounded by green fields.

Day 07: Photoskar - Singge La (5090 M) - Foot of Singge La (7-8 Hrs)
After crossing the small pass of Bumiktse La (4200) this morning, we enter the broad and lush Photang valley. A gentle trail leads us through this beautiful landscape, where villagers graze their yak/dzo and horses. One of the most fascinating things about the Zanskar trek is the ever-changing landscape.

Day 08: Foot of Singge La - Ingshed (4030 mts./ 6 hrs)
We follow the trail high above the Zanskar River; the mountains take a greener and gentler formation, before we descend from Kiupa La (4400 m) down the steep zigzag trail to the village of Gongma (3840m) and Skiumpata. From here we climb up a gentle trail to the Margum La (4400m), from where we can see Lingshed an hour or so away.

Day 09: Lingsed - Snertse via Hanuma La (4950 mts /8 hrs)
A long day, we walk through the green fields of Lingshed early in the morning. It takes some ups and downs before we reach the base of the Hanuma La, from where we start climbing the many steep zigzags that lead to the top of the pass.

Day 10: Snertse - Hanumil (3380 m), via Purfi La
A short walk after Snertse, there is a wonderful lookout from where we can see the pass and down the valley, the Oma Chu River .We follow the trail 500m down the valley, cross the bridge and tart on the juniper covered zigzag trail up to Parfi La. Red alert!

Day 11: Hanumil - Pishu (3470 mts / 5 hours)
We will start with an easy walk on plain and barren land along the Zanskar River and follow it all the way to Pishu (3470 m), passing Pidmo (3420m), an exotic landlocked hamlet of 8-9 families leading a simple traditional life. Pishu is located on the west side of the Zanskar River and opposite of Zangla (formerly a tiny kingdom).
 
Day 12: Pishu - Karsha (4-5 hrs)
After a hearty breakfast we will begin our day with another effortless stride towards our next destination. From Pishu the trail ascends gradually to Rinam (3550 m.) along the bank of the Great Zanskar River. We will have a view of the stunning monastery of Tongde. Once reaching Karsha (3600 m), we can reinvigorate ourselves at the bank of Zanskar River.

Day 13: Karsha - Padum (3531m / 2hrs)
Our trail begins with the crossing of the bridge, where we inhale fresh air to gear up for a trip to the capital of the Zanskar valley .We will follow the route to Pipiting village on the unmetalled, dusty road from Karsha. Padum is the major hub of activities of the entire valley, whose population gathers here on every auspicious occasion. It is a high time to have a good rest on this short day before we begin a drive back to Leh.

Day 14: Padam - Kargil 234 Kms
We drive towards Kargil, passing Sani monastery (6 km ) after turning west and cross the Doda River at Dhungri .We will be driving along the right bank of the River. Further on, we will cross a beautiful valley covered with comprehensive green patch. Between Padum and Aksho, we will come across a few small villages: Dhungri, Phay and Hamuling.

Day 15: Kargil - Leh via Sham Valley (230 kms)
A Today will be our last traveling day before coming back to Leh, and we will pass some of the most beautiful monasteries and villages of Sham.

Day 16: Leh (Local sight seeing)
Today we proceed for Indus Valley monastery tour. We start with a visit to Shey, the ancient capital of Ladakh. The monastery here has a huge gold-gilded statue of Buddha Sakyamuni with a large silver lamp burning in front of the statue. Then we visit Thiksey Gompa, an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village.

Day 17: Leh – Delhi
Transfer to the Airport to catch the flight for Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi we as assist you to check in at our Hotel. Later in the afternoon we depart for Delhi sightseeing that includes Humayun'Tomb, Lotus Temple and Qutub Minar.

Day 18: Delhi- Departure
Our tour concludes: Caper thank you for your patronage and ensures a punctual transfer to the International airport for your onward travel to your next destination.