Trekking in Zanskar

 

Sarchu - Padum Trek (23 Days / 09 Days Trek)

 

This beautiful trek starts from Sarchu in Rupshu Valley and ends at Padum in Zanskar Valley. During this trek you have cross only 2 pass in 9 days trek. The pass at the altitude of 5490m. During this trek you will come across many beautiful monasteries like Phugtal. After that drive to beautiful monasteries like Sani, Karsha, Sthongde and Rangdum.

 

Day 01: Arrive Delhi

Arrive in Delhi, Transfer to nearby hotel for few hours.

 

Day 2: Delhi - Chandigarh by Train (4 hrs)

Leave early morning, for Shatabadi express train to Chandigarh. Enjoy the journey in the Train till we reach Chandigarh. Arrive to Chandigarh. Transfer to hotel. In afternoon, visit Chandigarh city. Stay overnight at hotel in Chandigarh.

 

Days 03: Drive Chandigarh - Manali (305 kms/ 10hrs)

Early morning drive to Manali. Arrive to Manali. Evening, hike around the Market. Overnight at Hotel.

 

Days 04: In Manali

Day is free or explore around Manali.

 

Days 05: Drive Manali – Rohtangla (3978m) – Keylong (128 kms/ 5-6 hrs)

Morning; after breakfast at hotel, drive to Keylong via Rohtang pass. This pass is attractive hill station for tourist, a scenic winding Leh-Manal highway over Pir-Panjal Range and divides Kullu valley and Lahoul- Spiti valley. From the top you enjoy spectacular and amazing view of far-flung view of stunning Towering snow capped peaks and enchanting landscape. From the top, while descending down into Lahoul valley, continue drive onward to Keylong. Overnight at hotel (3080m)

 

Day 06: Drive Keylong – Keylong Sarai (97 kms / 4-5 hrs) Then Trek to Rabo Chorten (4-5 hrs)

Morning after breakfast, continue your journey to Sarchu along the beautiful valley. At Darcha, the road goes up in zigzag steep incline to the left which leads to the Leh. Follow the road, open valley. Today your journey will be long also and you pass through a place called Zingzingbar (4150 m), military camp and a river over a bridge and several rising steeps and a plateau. After zigzag ascent of slope, you reach near an attractive lake and then the road passes through large imposing pasture and the Baralacha-la (4830m). The road continues on the left bank of the Tsarap River. After reaching Keylong Sarai your adventurous and first day trek with marvelous view of landscape begins. After walking few kilometers, you reach near Tsarap River crossing and enter in Lingti valley on right side and continue upwards along the valley. This superb valley offers awe inspiring and wonderful landscape and you find yourself in another world. The duration of the trek kept low as you need more strenuous walk ahead and short day trek because of acclimatization. Overnight at camp. (4390m)

 

Day 07: Trek Rabo – Khamerup (4-5 hrs)

After breakfast, continue trek and after 2/3 hrs of walk, crossing of a river and it is advisable to start early from the camp as density of water in the river may increase in the afternoon because of snow melting. Continue towards the left into a high desert valley and after less than one hour you find Shepherd huts and a Mani wall. Possible to see animals like Yaks and many others in this valley. The duration of trek kept short today to acclimatize you completely before the wonderful pass. Campsite across the Shepherds and Mani wall. Overnight at camp. (4490m)

 

Day 08: Trek Khamerup – Chumik Marpo (4-5 hrs)

Post breakfast, Continue up till you reach near canyons. Cross two canyons with imposing scenery and gradual ascent of a small pass then again descend down to cross a river and continue up along with upstream river as far as Chumik Marpo. Campsite across Shepherds huts near river. Overnight at camp. (4710m)

 

Day 9: Trek Chumik Marpo – Phirtsela (5490m) – Zingchan (7 hrs)

After early breakfast, continue trek with crossing of broad river .Cross the river and find a good ford, along the imposing valley which narrows. Cross the river then continue slowly ascending up towards the Phirtsela top along the right bank of downstream river. Ultimately you reach at top of Phitsela. From the top, enjoy wonderful panoramic view of landscape, huge stunning mountains and enchanting valleys. Easy descent down in the valley leads you to summer campsite of Zanskari shepherds. Possible to see domestic animals and Yaks. Good and nice campsite near river. Overnight at camp (5030m)

 

Day 10: Trek Zingchan – Tantse (5/6 hrs)

As usual after breakfast, continue trek along the path that leads away from the river. Ascend gradually up the slope. You pass across first view of a rocky escarpment and further ahead across a cairn and beautiful pasture land. From this point, you see awesome view of the enchanting Zanskar Valley and the first village of Zanskar. Continue down then leave behind a rocky bridge and carry on towards a steep gorge. Cross a small stream, then easy trek as far as Tantse village. Late afternoon, explore the village and interact with villagers. Overnight at camp in Tantse village. (3980)

 

Day 11: Trek Tantse – Purney (5 hrs)

After breakfast, continue easy trek downward along the valley. A short distance beyond Tanze, you cross the river over a bridge towards left. Monotonous going down across morainic terrain. The trail rises slightly up leading to Kuru (major village of livestock breeders). Afterwards, an excellent path that leads steadily going down. You pass through Charming village Testa. Follow the path and continue downward along the left bank of downstream river. Stay on the left bank and then climb gently slope up to Yal village. Then the path goes down towards a bridge. Cross the bridge, trek further for few minutes take you at Purney village. Beautiful and charming village with good, nice campsite near houses. (3850m)

 

Day 12: Trek Purney – Phuktal – Purney (5 hrs)

Go up along the left bank of the Tsarap river and enter into splendid gorges. After 1 ½ hours, cross a bridge. Then you arrive at a small tributary of the Tsarap, beautifully clear water cascading down. A ledge leads to a small plateau sprinkled with chortens (Stupas) and religious banners. From this point, you see the Phuktal monastery, one of the most spectacular sights in Zanskar. Phuktal belongs to the tradition of the Gelupas (Yellow Hats). The spring that gurgles deep in the cave is still out of bounds to Women. History says that a Hungarian historian Cosma de Koros stayed there and spent full winter season in 1825/26AD. After the visit, resume trek back to Purney for Overnight stay. (3850m)

 

Day 13: Trek Purney – Kalbok – Tsetang (5/6 hrs)

Morning after breakfast, trek towards the bridge. Cross the bridge, then continue easy trek down along left bank of downstream river. You pass across charming villages of Zanskar such as Zamtang, Surle, Kalbok. While enjoying the trek with beautiful landscape, you pass these villages and continue easy trek downward till Tsetang village (Few house) with imposing view of scenery. Overnight at camp. (3810m)

 

Day 14: Trek Tsetang - Raru (5/6 hrs)

Leave camp after breakfast; continue the trek on the left bank of river till we reach Kaydang in 2 hours, a small village in a poplar grove. Carry on until Hamuni. Arrive at a large bridge which leads to Ichar, then a gradual climb before coming to a major tributary (bridge) Cross the river towards right,then continue along clear route passing the village behind. Pass Yal village and continue as far as at a point where you find the route descend down. Gradual descent down towards a wooden bridge, cross the bidge and then ultimately you reach at Raru. Camp near small water reserver. (3770m)

 

Day 15: Drive Raru – Karcha – Stongde – Padum

Today you have full day tour around Padum by drive. Morning after breakfast, drive to Padum (the capital of Zanskar). After then drive to Karcha (Pair of White i.e., Outer white and Inner white) by crossing Zanskar River. Visit Karsha monastery. This monastery is the largest of all the monastery in Zanskar and this monastery (Gonpa) was first founded on hill to with imposing view of valley, by Great Lama Phagspa Shesrap (the translator of Zanskar). From the monastery, you have amazing and spectacular view of the enchanting valleys and its surrounding stunning huge towering mountains of Zanskar range. Later drive to Stongde village. Visit beautiful picturesque monastery built on hill, overlooking the valley, top by Lama Marpa 950 years ago. After then drive back to Padum. Afternoon, explore Padum (The capital of Zanskar). Overnight stay at Camp in Padum (3590m)

 

Day 16: Drive Padum- Sani – Bardan – Zongkul – Padum

Morning after breakfast, drive to Sani to visit the most famous monastery wherein you visit the sacred statues of Buddhas and Boddhisattavas. This monastery located and picturesquely built in the middle of field and houses. After the visit, proceed to Zongkul monastery and then continue drive to Bardan monastery. On the way you have the view of beautiful and charming villages of Zangskar valley. After visiting the Bardan village, drive back to Padum. Evening enjoy walking in and around the market of Padum. Overnight stay in Padum.

 

Day 17: Drive Padum - Rangdum - Kargil (245kms / 09-10 hrs)

Today you drive Padum to Kargil (245km). You have long journey but drive along zanskar valley and Suru valley provide you spectacular and awesome view of landscape, magnificient mountain peaks, stunning Drang Drung Glacier and astonighing view of highest mountain peak in the region Nun(7035m) and Kun(7180m). En route, visit Rangdum Monastery. History says that Gelek Yashy Takpa built this picturesque monastery on hill top about 200 years ago. This monastery is physically located in the Suru Valley and culturally it is part of Zanskar. From the monastery, you have wonderful panoramic view of landscape and Randum village. After the visit, drive to Rangdum village where you take some refresment and then continue drive to Kargil. you drive through the several beautiful and charming villages (inhabitants are almost Muslim) . Arrive Kargil. Overnight at hotel in Kargil. (2900m)

 

Day 18: Drive Kargil – Mulbek – Lamayuru – Alchi – Leh (225 kms / 6-7 hrs)

Morning after breakfast, drive to Leh via visiting Lamayuru monastery and Mulbek chamba (Rock curved statue of Maitreya Buddha). Today you drive on Srinagar- Leh highway till Leh. Spectacular and magnificent view of landscape and its beautiful mountains like pillar in the blue sky. You pass across many beautiful and charming villages of Ladakh. Arrive Mulbek and visit 9m high rock curved statue of Maitreya Buddha (Future Buddha). After the visit continue drive to Leh via crossing Photo-la. Overnight at Hotel in Leh. (3500m)

 

Day 19: In Leh

The day is free for Rest or Shopping. Overnight stay at hotel in Leh.

 

Day 20: Cultural Sightseeing Tour to Stok Palace, Matho Monastery, Shanti Stupa and Samkar Gompa

After breakfast, drive to Stok via Choglamsar by crossing a bridge on the river Indus. In Stok, visit the royal palace of present king and queen which constructed by the king Tsespal Tondup Namgyal in 1825. Inside the palace, you see great collection of ancient royal ornaments, Thankas and old statues. After visiting Stok Palace, drive to Matho village, 10 km from Stok. Visit Matho monastery built by Lama Tumgpa Dorje in 13th century. The famous two oracles (known as Rongtsan), who were invited from Tibet by the founder of this monastery, still make appearance during the festival of the monastery. After visiting Matho, drive back to Leh. Afternoon, visit Shanti Stupa and Sankar Monastery in Leh. Overnight at hotel in Leh.

 

Day 21: Full Day Excursion (Shey Palace, Thiksey Monastery and Hemis Monastery)

After breakfast, drive to Hemis monastery which is 45 km far from Leh and it takes 90 minute drives. The great Mahasiddha Staktsang Raspa along with great ancestor Singey Namgyal built this biggest monastery in 16th century. After visiting this monastery, drive back to Thiksey monastery, which is 27 km from Hemis. This monastery is the oldest monastery of Gelugpa sect in Ladakh. The great Lama Paldan Shesrap built in 14th century. Here you visit the big statue of the Future Buddha. After visiting this monastery drive back to Leh via visiting Shey Palace wherein you visit big copper gilt statue of Lord Buddha. Overnight at hotel in Leh.

 

Day 22: Flight Leh to Delhi

Early morning transfer to Airport to board flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi, transfer to Hotel. Overnight at Hotel in Delhi. (239m)

 

Day 23: Departure.

Morning, post breakfast, visit Old and New Delhi. Late evening, transfer to IGI Airport to board return flight.

 

 

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Guaranteed Departure

 

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