Zanskar Trek
Category: Trek
Duration: 18 Days
Location: Ladakh
Season: Monsoon (july - sep)
Grade: Demanding
 
The classic Ladakh trek, which goes right into the heart of the Zanskar. This trek takes one into the remote villages and some out of the world landscape.

Day 01: Fly Delhi-Leh (3500m)
Transfer to hotel. Relax and acclimatise. Visit Leh market in the evening. Overnight hotel in Leh.

Day 02: In Leh (3500m)
Visit Shey, Thikse and Hemis gompas. Packed lunch. Overnight Leh.

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

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

Day 05: Drive Rangdum to Karsha (3500m) 6-7 hrs
Visit the famous Karsha Gompa. Overnight Camp.

Day 06: Trek to Karsha (3700m) 3hrs.
A short day to help acclimatise - a pleasant walk through Pipiting. Visit Karsha gompa. Overnight Camp.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 16: Drive Lamayuru – Leh (3500m).
Overnight Hotel.

Day 17: In Leh (3500m)
Overnight Hotel.

Day 18: Fly Leh-Delhi.
Early morning transfer to Leh airport.