Zanskar Trek
Places covered: Delhi - Chandigarh - Kullu - Manali - Pidmu - Nyerak - Markha - Kaya - Skiu - Nimu-Saspul - Leh-Delhi
Duration: 16 nights and 17 days
A self-contained multi-day expedition down the spectacular and scenic Zanskar river gorge. The trip takes you down extremely desolates and remote Zanskar gorge with walls rising a few thousand feet from the river bed. The trip ends at the mighty Indus river. This combined with hikes and visits to various monasteries in the Zanskar and Ladakh region makes this a fascinating trip to the last truly lost horizon of our shrinking planet. This run through grade III-IV rapids enhances the experience of journeying down this otherwise un trekkable gorge.
Day 1: Delhi - Chandigarh - Kullu - Manali
New Delhi to Chandigarh by Shatabdi and further transfer to Manali. Evening exploration of Manali mall road, overnight at hotel.
Manali is an important hill station of northern India and is the destination of thousands of tourists every year. Its cool atmosphere provides a perfect haven for the ones afflicted by the hot Indian summers.
Day 2: Manali (Local Sightseeing)
Manali has many attractions but the chief centre of interest, historically and archeologically, is undoubtedly the DHOONGRI TEMPLE dedicated to goddess Hadimba, also visit Manu Temple, Tibetan Monasteries, Vashist Hot Water Springs And Temple (3 Kms: Vashist, a small village located on the left bank of river Beas towards Rohtang pass is worth a visit. It is renowned for its hot springs and temples. Nearby is the pyramidal stone temple dedicated to Vashist Muni.
Day 3: Manali - Darcha
After breakfast drive to Darcha. Across Rohtang Pass(3,980 mts.) which is the gateway to Lahual, Spiti, Pangi & Zanskar Valleys. 8 hours drive through Lahual valley. Overnight at Camp.
Day 4: Darcha (Trek Starts) - Pa Lahmo 3,450 Mts
After breakfast trek to Pa-Lahmo.o/n camp. Darcha is the last village of Himachal Pradesh on the way to Leh. It is the starting point of Darcha to Padam trek.
Day 5: Pa Lahmo - Zanskar Sumdo (3,600 Mts.)
After breakfast trek to Zanskar Sumdo. o/n camp.
Day 6: Zanskar Sumdo - Chumik Nakpo (4,060 Mts.)
After breakfast trek to Chhumik Nakpo. Walk towards the stream flowing from Shingo-La. o/n camp.
Day 7: Chumik Nakpo - Lakhang Over Shingo La (4,060 Mts.)
After breakfast trek to Lakhang over the Shingo-La Pass. Over night Camp.
Day 8: Lakhang - Kargil (4030 Mts.)
After breakfast trek to Kargiak. Over night Camp. Passing beneath the face of the Gomborangoo, descent easily towards Kargiak on the right bank. The first village of Zanskar Region.
Day 9: Kargil - Purni (3,700 Mts.)
After breakfast trek to Purni. O/n camp.
Day 10: Purni - Phuktal - Purni
After breakfast trek to Phuktal Monastery built under a huge cave and back to camp. Over night Camp.
Phuktal Monastery, one of the most spectacular sights in Zanskar. Phuktal belongs to the tradition of the Gelupas(yellow-Hat Monks).The monastery is like a honeycomb, cut into a cock under a gignantic grotto, and has 70 monks. in the caves over the monastery, there is a water hole whose water level never receds, even after taking out any amount of water from there. Water is said to have healing powers.
Day 11: Purni - Pipula (3650 Mts)
After breakfast trek to Pipula. Over night Camp.
Day 12: Skiu - Saspul - Leh
After breakfast trek to Raru. Over night Camp.
Day 13: Raru - Padam (3,500 Mts.)
Trek Ends
After breakfast trek to Padam. Padam is a Sub-divisional Head Quarter of Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir. With a population of nearly 2000, Padum can be described as the most populous settlement of Zanskar, otherwise a very scarcely inhabited valley. Visit Bardan Gompas, one of the oldest gompa in the region. trek ends here o/n camp.
Day 14: Padam - Kargil (2704 Mts.)
After breakfast drive to Kargil.
KARGIL (2704 m) 204 kms from Srinagar in the west and 234 kms from Leh in the east, is the second largest urban centre of Ladakh and headquarters of the district of same name. A quite town now, Kargil once served as important trade and transit centre in the Pan-Asian trade network.
Overnight Hotel.
Day 15: Kargil - Leh (3505 Mts)
After breakfast drive to Leh. Over night Hotel.
Leh: Leh is the fascinating capital of the Autonomous Hill Council of Ladakh, also known as Little Tibet. The important monasteries to visit in and around Leh are Shey, Thiksey, Hemis, Spituk, Samkhar as well as the Shanti Stupa, Stok Palace and main Bazaar. The Leh palace dominating the town was the former home of the Namgyal Dynasty.
Day 16: Leh
Fullday visit of Hemis/Shey and Thiksey monastery. Leave after breakfast for fullday visit of Hemis/Shey and Thiksey monastery.
The monastic festivals are very popular and Hemis, Phyang and Lamayaro festivals in summer are visited by lot of tourists who throng to see the Cham Dances.
Pack lunch will be served. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 17: Leh - Delhi
Fly Delhi & than proceed towards own destination.