Ladakh Trans Zanskar Trekkking

Zanskar Valley

About 20 kms. South of Rangdum stands the Pazila watershed across which lies Zanskar, the most isolated of all the trans Himalayan Valleys. The Panzila Top (4401 m) is the picturesque tableland adorned with two small alpine lakes and surrounded by snow covered peaks. As the Zanskar road winds down the steep slopes of the watershed to the head of the Stod Valley, one of Zanskar's main tributary valleys, the majestic "Drang-Drung" glacier looms into full view. A long and winding river of ice and snow, the Drang-Drung" is perhaps the largest glacier in Ladakh, outside the Siachen formation. It is from the cliff-like snout of this extensive glacier that the Stod or Doda River, the main tributary of river Zanskar, rises.

Zanskar comprises a tri-armed valley system lying between the Great Himalayan Range and the Zanskar mountain; The three arms radiate star-like towards the west, north and south from a wide central expanse where the region's two principal drainage's meet to form the main Zanskar River. It is mainly along the course of this valley system that the region's 10,000 strong, mainly Buddhists population lives. Spread over an estimated geographical area of 5000 sq. kms. High rise, mountains and deep gorges surround Zanskar. The area remains inaccessible for nearly 8 months a year due to heavy snowfall resulting in closure of all the access passes, including the Penzi-la. To-day, Zanskar has the distinction of being the least interfered with microcosms of Ladakh, and one of the last few surviving cultural satellites of Tibet. Within the mountain ramparts of this lost Shangrila stand a number of ancient yet active monastic establishments. Some of these religious foundations have evolved around remote meditation caves believed to have been used by a succession of famous Buddhist saints for prolonged meditation in pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment.

The 240 km long Kargil-Padum road, of which the first 90 km stretch is paved, remains opened from around mid July to early November. In June, the summer is at its height in the region and the climate is ideal for trekking along the route free from vehicular traffic of any kind and when the countryside is freshly rejuvenated into life after months of frigid dormancy.

Ladakh Trans Zanskar Trekkking Itinerary

Day 1: Early morning flight to Leh. Day free for rest and acclimatization.

Day 2: Tour of Leh city, including the 17th century palace and gompa.

Day 3: Touring the monasteries and palaces of the Indus valley.

Day 4: Touring the monasteries and palaces of the Indus valley.

Day 5: Travel by jeep to Lamayuru gompa, a site that abounds in myth and legend. Overnight in the village.

Day 6: Trek from Lamayuru over Prinkiti La (3725 metres) to the village of Wanlah, with its ancient gompa.

Day 7: Trek through remarkable gorge country to the village of Honupatta.

Day 8: Trek to Photoksar.

Day 9: Trek to the Singge La north base camp.

Day 10: Trek over the 5100 metre Singge La to south base camp.

Day 11: Trek to Lingshet.

Day 12: Trek to Snertse.

Day 13: Trek to Hanuma.

Day 14: Trek to Pishu.

Day 15: Trek to Karsha, the largest monastery in the entire Zanskar valley.

Day 16: Trek to Padum, crossing the Zanskar river on a remarkable bridge.

Day 17: Day at leisure in Padum.

Day 18: Trek past the riverside citadel of Bardan gompa to Mune.

Day 19: Continue along the banks of the Lungnak (Lingti) river to the hamlet of Ichar.

Day 20: Trek to Purni, where the Kargyak and Tsarap rivers first merge to form the mighty Lingti Chu (river).

Day 21: Trek to Phugtal gompa, one of the world's most spectacular structures. Its location, spilling down a sheer cliff face from the mouth of a massive cave, is a staggering sight.

Day 22: Trek to the friendly village of Tangtse, at the base of the gorge leading to Phirtse La.

Day 23: Trek to Shingsaw, the base camp for our pass crossing.

Day 24: We make an early start to cross Phirtse La (5350 metres) to the vast nomad camp at Chumik Marpo.

Day 25: Trek to Serchu Serai, on the banks of the Yunan river.

Day 26: Trek to Kilang Sarai, where we meet the Manali to Leh military road.

Day 27: Travel by jeep to Keylong, the capitol and administrative center of Lahaul.

Day 28: Continue by jeep over Rohtang Pass to Manali.

Day 29: Rest day in Manali.

Day 30: Jeep to Pinjore, stay in Palace Hotel there.

Day 31: Jeep to Chandigarh, then express train to Delhi, on arrival check in at Hotel. Stay overnight at Hotel.

Day 32: Depart-Delhi, Transfer to airport for flight to onwards journey.