Trekking Zanskar (15 days)

Himalayan river along Padum Trek, Ladakh, India.

©iStockphoto/Roberto Caucino

special(Departures July & August)
A trek through Zanskar is an exhilarating adventure.  Trek through lush barley fields, along roaring rivers and over hanging bridges.  Visit century old monasteries.  See the shepherds grazing their yaks and horses.  Meet monks and local villagers who travel on foot for days with their donkeys for supplies. Panoramic views from the tops of mountain passes are hypnotizing and some of the best views of India’s Himalaya that you will ever see.  Trekking Zanskar is an exploration for those who want a new experience.

Day 1 – Delhi
Arrive in Delhi where you will be met and driven to your hotel. 

Day 2 – Delhi/Leh
You will be met at your hotel and driven to the airport for your flight to Leh.  You will be met by our representative and driven to your hotel.  The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 3 – Leh/Lamayuru.
Drive to Lamayuru visitng Likir and Alchi, monasteries which date back from the 11th century, along the way.  See the monastic hill complex of Lamayuru.

 Day 4 – Lamayuru/Wanla
You begin your trek by a slight ascent to Prinkti La pass before ascending down to the village of Shilla and on to Wanla.  Explore Wanla monastery. Overnight.

Day 5 – Wanla/Hanupatta
You can easily walk to Phansila and head into a beautiful valley.  Beyond where the valley narrows, trek downward to the Zanskar river deep into the gorge.  A large snow-capped mountain rises above you and rosebushes are plentiful.  Overnight.

Day 6 – Hanupatta/SirSir La/Photoskar
Cross the river and ascend to Sirsir La pass where you get a panoramic view of the Zanskar valley from the top.  Trek onward to Photoskar which lies steeply on a cliff.  Overnight.

Day 7 – Photoskar/Singe La
Cross the Bumiktse La pass into the lush Photang valley. Trek this beautiful ever changing landscape past villagers grazing their horses and yaks.  Ascend to Singe La or “Lion’s Pass” and trek downward to where you will stay.  Overnight.

Day 8 – Singe La/Lingshed
You follow a trail high above the Zanskar river before descending downward the zigzag trail to Gongma.  Climb the trail up to Margum La and trek onward to Lingshed.  The monastery at Lingshed, Gelukpa sect, is home to 60 monks.  The village of Lingshed is surrounded by barley fields.  Overnight.

Day 9 – Lingshed/Hanuma La/Snertse
Trek through the lush green fields of Lingshed to the base of Hanuma La.  From here the trek begins a series of zigzags until you reach the pass.  Trek down a rocky trail to an area in the river valley below, Snertse.  This spot often has herders above the valley who sometimes sell cheese, milk and curd.  Overnight.

Day 10 – Snertse/Purfi La/Hanumil
Trek over the small Purfi La pass   You trek downward and along the Zanskar river where blue sheep may be seen onto the village of Hanumil.  Overnight.

Day 11 – Hanumil/Pishu
The trek along the river to Pishu is on barren land.  Pishu is located on the West side of the river and formerly was Zangla, a tiny kingdom.  From here you cross a rope bridge over the river into Pishu.  Overnight.

Day 12 – Pishu/Karsha
The trail ascends and continues to follow the river.  You can see the monastery of Tongde, one of the largest monasteries of the Gelukpa sect, on the hillside before reaching Karsha.  Overnight.

Day 13 – Karsha/Padum
Follow the dusty road from Karsha to Pipiting and onto Padam, the capital of Zanskar and hub for valley activities. Overnight.

Day 14 – Padum/Kargil/Leh
From Padum you can go by bus to Kargil and on toLeh.

Day 15 – Depart Leh
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

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