Crossing the whole of Zanskar from north to south ranks among the world's most amazing treks. Cut off by snow from the rest of the world for over 8 months of the year, Zanskar is one of those legendary places crying out to be visited.
You will spend 18 days trekking and crossing four high mountain passes, in the midst of awe-inspiring scenery, a striking mix of bare mountainside and green villages. Within this isolated enclave, the Zanskaris are still almost completely self sufficient and live under the protection of the monasteries, which are usually perched high up on rocky crags or cling onto spectacular cliffs.
The length of the journey, the high altitude and the isolation mean this trip requires real commitment.
Duration
26 days
based on your travel dates & customizable
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From
£1462
per person
excluding international flights
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A perfect holiday for...
Airport pickup and transfer to central Delhi. Free afternoon. Overnight in hotel near airport.
(3500 m) A very early flight from Delhi to Leh takes you over the great Himalayan range. Transfer to hotel in Leh. First experience of "Little Tibet" and the altitude. Spend the afternoon relaxing. Due to the altitude (3,500 m), you are advised to get plenty of rest on arrival. Overnight in guest house*.
(3500m) Visit the eastern part of the Indus valley: Tikse, Chimre, Hemis. Return to Leh at end of day. Night in guesthouse* Tikse: this amazing architectural complex of the Gelukpa order was built in the 15th century. It covers an entire hillside half way between Leh and Hemis. A hundred odd monks live there. Hemis: this is situated in a valley that joins the left bank of the Indus. Today, Hemis is the biggest monastery in Ladakh, with 500 monks. It was founded in 1602 by a monk of the Kagyupa order.
5h – 130km
Drive west along the Indus valley to Faryok camp. Visit the Phyang and Alchi monasteries. Then take the road to Lamayuru. Visit the monastery enroute to Wanla. Night in camp.
4h walk + 2h road
First day of your trek. A very beautiful stretch walking beside the rockface in deep gorges, bright with colour until Wanla village via the pass Prinkti La (3900m). Then transfer to Hanupatta. Camp near Hanuppatta village (3900 m).
5 - 6 hour walk
5 - 6 hour walk
6-7 hour walk
Cross 2 passes, Kiupa (4200 m) and Murgum La (4100 m), walking through a landscape of bare rock. Steep descent at Skiumpatta, where we camp above the village.
6-7 hour walk
Steep descent to Lingshet and visit the monastery. Short trek up to the camp at the foot of the impressive Hanuma La.
6 hour walk
We start to climb the Hanumal La (4700m). Descend into narrow, stony valley. Continue downhill to the small Snertse campsite (3600 m). Overnight in campsite.
5 hour walk
(3500 m) TREK The descent continues to a torrent which we cross by means of a hanging bridge. There is then a steep climb to Parfi La (3900 m). Camp in Hanumil village (3600 m).
4 hour walk
(3500 m) TREK Climb the Zanskar valley where we pass a succession of monasteries and villages. Camp in the beautiful village of Pishu (3600 m).
1h road
Short stretch today. A major project to open up the Zanskar has nibbled away the trek path. So we will traverse this road by jeep. We will take this opportunity to take a break and visit the Padum Valley. En route, we will visit the Thongde and Karsha monasteries. Night in guest house with a well-deserved shower!
2h road
Because the mules neeDay 2 days to make the journey, we continue on the road by jeep to reach the fortified village of Yichar. En route, we stop at Sani to visit the monastery. We reunite with our mule team. Camp overnight.
4 hour walk
(3850 m) Trek. Short day's walk along the river. Camp overnight.
4/5 hour walk
The Tsarap valley narrows. We cross several small villages before reaching Purne (3950 m). Camp overnight.
4-5 hour walk
(3950 m)
4/5 hour walk
Trek : Steep climb over Purne. From here we follow the river as the valley widens. The landscape changes completely. You will leave the gorge to find fields and crops. You cross Kargyak Chu then climb to the village of Trangtse. Camp overnight.
7-8 hour walk
Trek: The climb continues in totally desert landscapes. Very nice view of the Gumburajon. Crossing fords after the pastures of Lakong. Camp at the foot of the beautiful Gumburanjon.
4-5 hour walk
Trek : With Gumbaranjon in focus, we will gradually climb to a plateau with grazing yaks. Camp at the foot of the Shingo La.
6 to 7 hour walk
Trek : Long climb (but that normal now!) on a moraine to Shingo La (5100 m), our last pass. We leave the Zanskar to enter Himachal Pradesh, in the Lahaul region. Steep descent until the Ramjak camp (4200 m).
4/5 hour walk + 5h road
The stage leads us to the camp of Zanskar Sumdo (3750 m) where you leave the team. Transfer by jeep to Keylong. Night in guest house.
5 hour walk
After breakfast, take the road to Manali. We cross the Rothang La pass (3900 m), which marks the border between the Himalayan range to the north, dry and inhabited by Buddhists, and the south where the majority of the population is Hindu and the land is generously soaked by monsoon rains. Overnight in guest house* in the old village of Manali.
(2000 m) Day at leisure in Manali. Many options for walks or drives round Manali. Overnight in Guest house*. We suggest a drive to the market town of Naggar (30 Km). Have lunch and visit temple and castle. On the way back, call in at several villages and temples remarkable for their architecture which is a mixture of dry stone and wood, sometimes sculpted, and covered with a roof made of large flat stones
Free day in Manali. At the end of the day board a deluxe coach for Delhi.
Arrive in Delhi during the morning. Day at leisure. We keep on a single room in the hotel in the afternoon to leave our things and have a shower before the late evening transfer to the airport. Shanti Travel says 'au revoir'
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