In this trek we
visit one of the most popular and beautiful region of ladakh which we
called ZANSKAR. Zanskar is known as a land of religion and has greatest
concentration of Gompas in Ladakh, outside the Indus valley. The important
ones are Sani, Karsha and Thonde in the central plain, Bardan and Phugtal
just off the Padum Darcha trail .Zanskar has two rivers flowing towards
each other along the northern flank of the Great Himalayas, meet in
the broad plain of Padum. They become the Zanskar river which flows
off northwards through a gorge in the Zanskar range. On this trek we
have cross pass of Shingola which is 5090 Mtrs. During last day of this
trek one can drive to Ladakh or Srinagar by Jeeps/Coach.
Day 01: Manali
Darcha 8/9 Hrs drive
Leaves Manali and climbs upto the Rohtang pass and then winds down into
the Lahaul valley. Overnight in tents.
Day 02: Darcha
Chhalang Topko 6/7 Hrs. Trek
After passing two villages arrive at Chalang Tokpo 3580 Mtrs. Overnight
in tents.
Day 03: Chhalang
Topko – Zanskarsumdo - Ramjak
After a major for ascending the valley on the right there are good but
hard paths on the both sides of the stream. Arrive at Ramjak a small
meadow. Overnight in Tents.
Day 04: Ramjak
– Chhumikanakpo 7 Hrs. Trek
Easy walk towards the stream flowing from Shingola and arrive Chhumikanakpo
4060 Mtrs. Overnight in tents.
Day05: Chhumikanakpo
– Shingola – Lakong 8/9 Hrs. Trek
Today is harder zig-zag path leads to Shingola pass (5090 Mtrs) another
one hour is Lakong (4450 Mtrs).Overnight in Tents.
Day 06: Lakong
– Kurgiakh/Table (4000 M) 6/7 Hrs. Trek
Passing beneath the face of the Gomborangoo descent easily towards Kugiakh
on the right bank. Either camp at Kugiakh or continue for another two
hour upto Table . Overnight in Tents.
Day 07: Kurgiakh/Table
– Purne (3745 M) 6/7 Hrs. Trek
After half an hour walk from Table is Tanza on the right bank, now cross
in front of a narrow gorge and arrive at the junction where the trekking
route from Darcha via Baralachala joins.Tanza is a small village with
a Gompa in ruins on highest elevation. Overnight in Tents.
Day 08: Purne
– Phuktal Gompa – Purne 4/5 Hrs. Trek
Phuktal monastery is like a honeycomb, cut into a rock under a gignantic
grotto and has more than 70 Monks. The library three large and one small
prayer room etc and the grave of Gangsem Sherap Sampo who founded Phuktal.
In the cave over the monastery there is a hollow in rock the water level
of which never reduces even after taking out any amount of water from
there. Water is said to have healing powers. There is also a stone tablet
left by Alexander Cosmo de Koros an Hugaraian who explore Tibet and
lived in this monastery in 1826-27. Overnight in Tents.
Day 09: Purne
– Ichar 5/6 Hrs. Trek
After crossing small canyons of pudding -stones which leads to char
village. After 2 hrs is Kaydang a village in a power grove. The trial
is rough and difficult for horses at Hamuni and Surle after crossing
a large village arrive at Ichar, green oasis in the monotonuus grey-brown.
Overnight in Tents.
Day 10: Ichar
– Mone 5/6 Hrs. Trek
After descending towards Reru and crossing a plain with wild flower
(flowering in July-Aug) Overnight in Tents.
Day 11: Mone
– Padam (3650 M) 5/6 Trek
After short walk cross Tema and reach Charmocha Kore camping ground.
It goes on the past to large rock where from Bardan Gompa is visible.
Bardan Gompa is famous for its giant wheel (1.8 Mtrs high) this Gompa
was founded by Shabdru who also found Hemis Monastery and continue walk
to Padam which is capital of Zanskar valley. Overnight in Tents.
Day 12: Padam
Day at Padam and visit around the town. Overnight in Tents.
Day 13: Padam
– Rangdom (150 Kms) 6/7 Hrs drive
After breakfast leave for Rangdom 5/6 Hrs drive from Padam. On the way
we visit Sunni Gompa. After crossing Penzila pass 4401 Mtrs we reach
Rangdom and visit the Gompa. Overnight in Tents.
Day 14: Rangdom
– Kargil (135 Kms) 6/7 Hrs. drive
Today we drive close to Nun and Kun peaks and visit interesting villages
Parkachan and Panikar arrive Kargil in the evening. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 15: Kargil
– Leh/Srinagar
From here one may take Ist option drive to Leh or 2nd option to Srinagar.
Alternative
stages on the same program
Manali
– Darcha – Patseo – Baralacha La – Sarchu – Lingti Ground – Phirtsela
– Tanza – Purne
Phuktal
– Purne – Ichar- Mone - Padam