Zanskar Valley Trek

Places Covered: LEH, SHEY, THIKSEY, HEMIS, Ladakh, MULBEK, RANGDUM, PADUM, ZANGLA, SUMDO VILLAGE, TILAT SUMDO, RUBANG LA, MARKHA VALLEY, THOCHUNTSE, NIMALING, SUMDO
Duration: 17 Nights 18 Days
Best Season: July – September
Grade: Challenging
Altitude: 5150 mts

Since 1974, when Ladakh first became accessible to foreign visitors, this high and arid region has captured the imagination of adventure travelers. Geographically, Ladakh is a western extension of the Tibetan Plateau and, as recently as the beginning of the nineteenth century, this mountainous country was a part of Tibet. Buddhism was brought to Ladakh by Guru Rimpoche who was born in Pakistan’s Swat Valley and this colorful religion is still practiced throughout Ladakh and neighboring Zanskar. Large numbers of monasteries, many of them occupying impressive hill-top sites, are active in the region to this day. The Muslim religion is also important in Ladakh, thanks in part to the influence of Kashmir to the west. A mixture of cultures and religions is an important element in the attraction of Ladakh as a destination for adventure travel. Just as important, however, is the remarkable landscape of the area, which provides perfect terrain for trekking. A number of parallel mountain ranges, including the Great Himalaya Range and the Zanskar and Ladakh ranges, divide this territory and provide the setting for a wealth of excellent trekking routes, usually involving high pass crossings. Scattered high villages, each with its irrigated fields of barley and potatoes, add color to this otherwise quite barren environment. Our journey starts out with an exciting flight to the town of Leh, where we spend several days taking it easy, exploring some of the monasteries of the upper Indus Valley, visiting the world’s highest road pass at the Khardung La (5300m.) and traveling to the start of the trek. After this acclimatization period, our trek into the ‘Land of Passes’ starts out at Chilling beside the Zanskar River and follows an ancient trade route westwards. Crossing the first of 5 high passes on our route, we can look back across the Markha Valley to the popular peak of Stok Kangri. Dropping down into the remote Ripchar Valley, our trek continues by way of centuries-old hill-top monasteries and scattered villages, each with its fields of barley and potatoes which add color to the stark Zanskari landscape. Increasingly impressive views culminate at the Kanji La (5150m.), where the twin peaks of Nun (7085m.) and Kun (7135m.) dominate the western horizon. This exciting trek traverses a rarely-visited corner of Zanskar and is a fantastic addition to our collection of Indian adventure treks

Itinerary:

1st Day: ARRIVE DELHI. Upon arrival at Delhi airport met our representative and then transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

2nd Day: DELHI TO LEH (Complete Rest in Leh for acclimatisation). Take the morning flight for Leh. Check into the guest house and relax the whole day. This is necessary for getting acclimatised. Overnight at the guesthouse.

3rd Day: LEH TO SHEY TO THIKSEY TO HEMIS. On this day you will go a sightseeing trip to some ancient monasteries in this area.

Shey Gompa is about 15 kms from Leh. It used to be the summer palace of the kings of Ladakh. There are lots of Stupas and Gompas built around the palace. Shey palace was built by Deldan Namgyal in the beginning of 17’Th century AD. Main attraction in Shey is the 12m Shakyamuni Buddha statue inside the Dresthang Gompa.

Thiksey Gompa, close to Shey is about 17 kms from Leh. The monastery is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Ladakh and belongs to the Gelukspaorder.

Hemis, about 45 kms south of Leh it is one of the most famous and largest monastery in Ladakh. It belongs to the Drukpa order and was founded in the early 17’Th century. The setting is perfect with the monastery cradled in a lovely valley, surrounded by streams and fronted by long Mani walls. Overnight stay at the guest house.

4th Day: LEH TO MULBEK. In the morning after breakfast drive to Mulbek via Kargil. The drive takes you over the Fotu La. One can visit Lamayuru Monastery enroute. On arrival set out camp for overnight stay.

5th Day: MULBEK TO RANGDUM. In the morning drive to Ramela via Panikar and Prakachik. One can see the views of magnificent twin peaks of Nun & Kun. On arrival set out camp for overnight stay.

6th Day: RANGDUM TO PADUM (5 hrs). In the morning we will drive up to Padum, the starting point of our trek. Enroutewe will cross Peni La (4421 mts/14500ft) and from here one can find the magnificent view of the Zanskar range. Dinner and overnight stay in tents.

7th Day: PADUM TO ZANGLA (20 kms/7 hrs). In the morning we will set out for our day one trek up to Zangla. Enroute we will Cross the Tsarap River Bridge & the Karsha Gompa. Overnight stay in tents.

8th Day: ZANGLA TO SUMDO VILLAGE (9 kms/3 hrs). After breakfast trek up to Sumdo Village. After few hours of trek we will enter on Zulung valley. On arrival set our camp for overnight stay. In the evening explore the Sumdo village.

9th Day: SUMDO VILLAGE TO CAMP SITE (16 kms/6 hrs). Today we will trek through the Cha Cha La (4950 mts/16236 ft). one can see the beautiful views of the Himalayan Range. On arrival at camp site set out a camp for overnight stay.

10th Day: CAMP SITE TO TILAT SUMDO (17 kms/7 hrs). After breakfast trek up to Tilat Sumdo. In this day we can find some wild life. The route is full of thrill& adventures. Dinner and overnight stay in camp.

11th Day: TILAT SUMDO TO BASE OF RUBANG LA (17 kms/6 hrs). From Tilat Sumdo we will trek up to the base of Rubang La. Here you can see the Yaks & Horses. On arrival set out camp for overnight stay.

12th Day: BASE OF RUBANG LA TO MARKHA VALLEY (17 kms/ 6 hrs). Today we will cross the Rubang La (5020 mts/16465 ft) and finally reach one of the most popular valley in Ladakh region; Markha valley. Dinner and overnight stay in camp.

13th Day: MARKHA VALLEY TO THOCHUNTSE (12 kms/5 hrs) This day we will trek the part of the Zanskar gorge. After few hours we will cross the Markha river. Dinner and overnight stay in camp.

14th Day: THOCHUNTSE TO NIMALING (7 kms/3 hrs) Highlights: The Nimaling Plains & the Mani walls and Chortens that dot the trail. Also a side trip to thebase of the Kangyaze peak (6000 mts) is possible.

15th Day: NIMALING TO SUMDO (18 km/7 – 8 hrs) In the morning trek to Sumdo. Enroute we will cross the Kongmaru La (5150 mts/16892 ft) highest pass on the trek, we can see the entire Ladakh and Indus Valley. Dinner and overnight stay in camp.

16th Day: SUMDO TO HEMIS TO LEH (10 kms/3 hrs) In the morning we will trek up to Hemis Monastery. On arrival at Hemis, visit the monastery and later drive to Leh. Overnight stay in Guest House.

17th Day: LEH. The day is for relaxation. Overnight stay in Guest house.

18th Day: LEH TO DELHI. In the morning take a flight for Delhi. Upon arrival at Delhi transfer to hotel. By night depart for international airport.