Zanskar Trek

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Zanskar Trek is one of the most well-known Himalayan Trek. It starts from the lush green valleys of the Himalayas, and leisurely traverse the great Himalayan range. As it arrives in the trans-Himalayan range and its landscapes, the people go through an amazing transformation. The spectacular scenery and the monasteries are really remote and breathtaking. This demanding Ladakh trek goes right into the heart of the Zanskar.

Zanskar trek is crouching between the formidable peaks of the Great Himalayan range and the Zanskar range It is a large area of about 5, 000 sq kms made up of two valleys. Zanskar is one of the most inaccessible places in the world. It is sheltered in the north by the Ladakh range and in the south by the Zanskar Mountains.

During Trekking, we will cross five high passes and wander through remote valleys, past hilltop monasteries and pictorial villages. The fields of barley and potatoes add color to the bleak Zanskari landscape. The ancient kingdom of Zanskar is famous for its hardy inhabitants and starkly beautiful landscape. There is very little rainfall. In some of the side valleys we will discover more oases, Leh being the biggest. The best season to visit this trek is monsoon, July to September. The territory immediately becomes dramatic and waterless as you enter a land of Tibetan Buddhism where white chortens and prayer flags form part of a striking landscape. Local people are friendly and are often seen in their colourful traditional dress. In short Zanskar trekking is a challenging Himalayan adventure trek.

Day 01: Fly Delhi-Leh (3500m)

On the very first day we will fly from Delhi to Leh. Check into the hotel of Leh. Relax and acclimatize. In the evening we can visit the Leh market. Stay overnight in hotel.

Day 02: In Leh (3500m)

Next day after having an early breakfast, we will visit Shey, Thikse and Hemis gompas. Enjoy your visits with packed lunch. Stay overnight in the hotel of Leh and relish your dinner.

Day 03: Drive Leh – Kargil(2180m). 8-9hrs

Get up early in the morning and have our light food. Third day will be for visiting Kargil, it takes 8-9 hrs to reach there. Overnight follows in the hotel of Kargil.

Day 04: Drive Kargil – Rangdum (3650m) 8-9 hrs

On this day after having breakfast, we will take a journey to Rangdum, which takes 8-9 hrs to reach. Overnight follows with mouthwatering dinner at camp side.

Day 05: Drive Rangdum to Karsha (3500m) 6-7 hrs

An early morning drive of 6-7 hrs will take us to Karsha. Here we can visit the famous Karsha Gompa. Overnight follows with delightful dinner at camp side.

Day 06: Trek to Karsha (3700m) 3hrs.

Next day follows with a short trek of 3 hrs. This trek will help us to get acclimatized – It is a pleasant walk through Pipiting. From here we can go for a visit of Karsha gompa. Stay overnight in Camp. Enjoy our dinner and share our experiences.

Day 07 Trek to Pishu (3500m) 4-5 hrs.

Day 7 starts with 4-5 hours of drive to reach Pishu. On this day we will trek along a well established path to the village of Pishu. Overnight follows with hot dinner in Pishu.

Day 08: Trek to Hanumil (3300m) 5-6 hrs.

Today’s walk of 5-6 hrs will take us to the base of the climb towards the Parfi La, the first high pass on the walk. This track climbs and descends frequently until reaching a sandy terrace leading up to the houses of Pidmo (3300m). From here we will continue further along the river to Hanumil at the mouth of a fine rocky gorge. Overnight follows with dinner at camp side.

Day 09: Trek to Snertse (3800m) 7 hrs.

After having morning breakfast, we will start for Snertse, which takes 7 hrs to reach. It is the long and exhausting stage of the trek, leading to the edge of the impassable steep valleys of the Zanskar River. To get rid of them, we will climb the Parfi La (3950m) and the Snertse La (3800m) successively. Stay at night in camps at Snertse.

Day 10: Trek to Lingshed (4000m) 7 hrs.

Said to be another long day’s trek will lead us to Lingshed after 7 hrs driving. We will climb through an increasingly charming setting, crossing back and forth over mountain streams a number of times. We climb over the Hanuma La (4877m) which provides great views of Lingshed. We will move down again and climb up to the summit of Chapskang (4100m) before descending to the campsite.

Day 11: Trek to base of Sengge La (4500m) 5-6 hrs.

Early in the morning, after having breakfast, we will start for the trail, which runs up a rise to reach Lingshed monastery. It is at the base of a colorful rocky precipice. From here, we will climb over Nekutsi La (4250m) and move down to the houses of Chumpado Gongma (3900m). Thereafter, another steep climb will take us over the Kuba La (4400m) from where the trail bangs on along a slope. Overnight follows with hot dinner at camp side.

Day 12: Trek to Photoksar (4100m) 7-8 hrs.

Early morning after having light food, start a drive of 7- 8 hrs. From here, we will continue mounting to the Sengge La (Col of the Lion) at 5060m. The trail then comes down a slope to a chorten from where it climbs briefly to Bumitse la (4450m). Thereafter a steep descent will lead us to the plains of Photoksar. Overnight follows at Camp site, and we enjoy our dinner in soothing milieu.

Day 13: Trek to Hanupata (4100m) 5 hrs.

On this day we will leave for the valley bottom and venture into a solitary valley climbing across a steep slope that leads to Sisir La (4900m). From here we will move down beyond it along a new trail, which crosses a bridge over the waters of Spandang Tokpo. Trek along a slope to reach camp at Hanupata. We will have our dinner here and stay for the overnight.

Day 14: Trek to Phanjila (3300m) 5 hrs.

A morning drive of 5 hrs will take us to Phanjila. We will start our trek from here and as we advance in to our journey we will witness the increasingly narrowing valley which is three kilometers long. At the end of the gorge lies Phanjila. We position our self here at a camp for the night.

Day 15: Trek to Lamayuru (3500m) 6 hrs.

The last day of the hike will take us to one of the most interesting monasteries in Ladakh at Wanla. It has some magnificent frescos. Thereafter we will climb up to the houses of Shila and continue along a steep valley that leads to Prinkiti La (3850m). A descent will lead us to a mountain stream, from where it is a short climb to Lamayuru. We will visit monasteries nearby and stay overnight in Camps.

Day 16: Drive Lamayuru – Leh (3500m).

We drive entire day from lamayuru to reach Leh. Overnight follows in the Hotel.

Day 17: In Leh (3500m)

Stay overnight in the hotel of Leh.

Day 18: Fly Leh-Delhi.

Early morning transfer to Leh airport.

Package Includes

- Pick up from the Airport / Railway Station

- Breakfasts, lunches and dinners

- Airport transfers

- Group medical kit

- Good quality accommodation

- Trek pack including sleeping bag, down or fiber filled jacket and insulated mat

- Private transportation

- All park entrance fees and trekking permits

- Porters to carry all personal and group equipment.