Zanskar Trek

Board the early morning flight from Delhi to Leh. It takes a little more than an hour to get to Leh, the capital of Ladakh. On a clear day the flight offers excellent views of the mighty Himalayas. Arrive at the hotel for welcome drinks followed by breakfast. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

We spend half the day visiting Shey and Thiksey monasteries around Leh. Return to hotel for lunch and spend the day exploring the Leh market.

Overnight at Hotel.

Overnight Camp.

Visit the famous Karsha Gompa. Overnight Camp.

A longer walk today through harsh terrain. The trail begins by skirting terraces of barley and continues to the edge of the plain of Padum. After crossing the pastures of Rinam (3550m), we continue to Pishu, a poverty stricken settlement. Overnight Camp.

Today’s walk takes us to the base of the climb towards the Parfi La, the first high pass on the walk. The trail climbs and descends frequently until reaching a sandy terrace leading upto the houses of Pidmo (3300m). We continue further along the river to Hanumil at the mouth of a fine rocky gorge. Overnight Camp.

A long and exhausting stage of the trek, leading to the edge of the impassable gorges of the Zanskar river. To avoid them, we climb the Parfi La (3950m) and the Snertse La (3800m) successively. Camp at Snertse.

Another long day on the trail. The trail climbs 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 descend again and climb upto the summit of Chapskang (4100m) before descending to the campsite.

The trail runs up a rise to reach Lingshed monastery at the base of a colorful rocky precipice. We climb over Nekutsi La (4250m) and descend to the houses of Chumpado Gongma (3900m). Another steep climb takes us over the Kuba La (4400m) from where the trail continues along a slope. Overnight Camp.

This is a very long stage over the highest pass on the trek but is of great interest because of the views. Continue uphill to the Sengge La (Col of the Lion) at 5060m. The trail then descends a slope to a chorten from where it climbs briefly to Bumitse la (4450m). A steep descent leads us to the plains of Photoksar. Camp overnight.

We leave the valley bottom and venture into a solitary valley climbing across a steep slope that leads to Sisir La (4900m). Descend beyond it along a new trail crossing a bridge over the waters of Spandang Tokpo. Continue along a slope to reach camp at Hanupata.

Continue in the valley as it becomes increasingly narrow, giving way to a daunting gorge three kilometers in length. At the end of the gorge lies Phanjila. Camp overnight.

The last day of the walk reaches one of the most interesting monasteries in Ladakh at Wanla having some magnificent frescos. Climb upto the houses of Shila and continue along a steep valley that leads to Prinkiti La (3850m). A descent leads to a mountain stream, from where it is a short climb to Lamayuru. Visit monastery and overnight Camp.