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Across Zanskar Trek
Duration : 18 nights / 19 days Best Time : Mid June - September
Description : North of the Great Himalayan range, amongst a tangled knot of jagged mountains, lies a rugged and fascinating land, the once independent kingdom of Zanskar. Sandwiched between the Indus Valley and the main crest of the Indian Himalaya, this remote and inaccessible setting, well guarded by snowy mountain passes, has kept alive an archaic form of Tibetan Buddhism which flourishes in chain of far-flung monasteries, most of which occupy spectacular fortified locations, high on rocky ridges in isolated valleys.
Lovely high meadow camp sites and dry desert land, high passes and snow-capped peaks stunning scenery, Buddhist monasteries and picturesque villages with their irrigated fields of barley and potatoes, and fascinating encounters with the Zanskari people turn a trek in this area into an unforgettable experience.
Day 01: ARRIVE DELHI
Day 02: DELHI – NALAGARH.
Day 03: NALAGARH – MANALI. 261 Kms (7 – 8 Hrs). |
Day 04: MANALI – DARCHA. 140 Kms (5 – 6 Hrs).
O/n Camp at Darcha.
Day 05: DARCHA – FORD CAMP (3650 Mts).
We start our journey with an easy walk into the
valley. Follow a broad track NW upstream along the Barai Nala, past Rarig and Takpachan; after about 4h arrive at Jankar Sumdo (3580 m) where a stream coming from the slopes of Shingu La meets the Barai Nala. Head N along the W bank of this stream, up a rough dusty path for 2h30 to camp beside a tributary stream. It is advisable to ford this stream early in the morning when the water level is low.
Day 06: FORD CAMP- RAMJAK (3750 Mts).
Another stream must be forded in 1h. Beyond this the Path (still good) crosses a boulder- strewn plain, then winds up steeply over decomposing slopes, with a further ascent to cross a ridge shoulder. Following a descent, cross a snow bridge over the Jankar Sangpo to reach Ramjak campsite.
Day 07: RAMJAK - CHUMIKNAKPO (4060 Mts).
The route leaves the valley and starts climbing up quite steeply towards the Shingu La pass.
Day 08: CHUMI NAPO - SHINGU LA (5090 Mts) - Lakong (4400 Mts).
Prayer flags flapping in the wind mark the Shingu La pass, surrounded with fascinating views of the glaciers. An easy traverse of a glacier takes us to the valley and to the Lakong yak pastures.
Day 09: LAKONG - KURGIAKH (4050 Mts).
A gradual descent along the Kurgiakh river, lined with mani walls. On the way, we will come across a few Doksas, where yaks are kept in summer time.
Day 10: KURGIAKH - TETHA (3950 Mts).
The trail is now boarded by meadows of flowers and barley fields. Shortens are spread all the way and highlight the religious fervour of the Zanskaris.
Day 11: TETHA - PURNI (3700 Mts)
We visit Phuktal monastery (3850m), perched on the side of an impressive cliff. (4h return journey).
Day 12: PURNI - ICHAR (3650 Mts).
Day 13: ICHAR - MUNE (3900 Mts).
The trail goes up and down along the Tsarap river. On arriving at Mune, we will visit its monastery.
Day 14: MUNE - PADUM (3600 Mts).
En route we visit Bardan monastery, one of the most important in the area.
Day 15: PADUM - KARGIL (3700 Mts).
Day 16: KARGIL - LEH (3500 Mts).
Day 17: Visit Leh.
A full day’s sightseeing tour. We visit some of the area’s most important monasteries, including Shey and Thikse. Each of these monasteries occupy hill-top sites, and
offer remarkable views across the Indus Valley. The third monastery we will visit is Hemis.
Day 18: LEH – DELHI.
Post breakfast transfer to the airport to board the flight to Delhi. Arrive Delhi transfer to Hotel.
Day 19: AT DELHI.
Post breakfast half day sightseeing of Delhi. Post dinner transfer to the International Airport to board the onward flight.
