Zanskar Trek

 

Zanskar Trek

Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days
Trekking Route: Delhi – Leh – Kargil – Rangdom – Padam – Mune – Reru – Ichar – Surle – Purne – Phukthal – Surle – Reru – Padam – Kargil – Mulbek
 

Day 01: Leh

After landing at Leh airport, meet our representative who will transfer you to your hotel in Leh. Take good rest as at such elevations, it is extremely important to be accustomed to the climate. Overnight stay at hotel.

 

Day 02: Leh

In the morning after breakfast, visit Thiksey Monastery which is the finest example of Ladakhi architecture. This Monastery is located on the top of a hill in solitude which lies at a distance of 20 km away from Leh. It is a twelve storey monastery complex with a number of thangkas, stupas, statues and wall paintings. There is also a large pillar engraved with Buddha’s teachings. Then visit Shey monastery and palace which is located 15 km from Leh. It was built in sixteenth century A.D. This monastery has a 10 meter high gilder copper statue of Lord Buddha. Finally visit Hemis Monastery, situated on the foothills of Indus at a distance of 45 km from Leh, notable for its rich collection of ancient remnants like the statue of Buddha made of copper, stupas made of gold and silver. The monastery also has sacred Thangkas, murals and various artifacts. The massive structure of Hemis Monastery is unique and depicts a specific style of architecture. Overnight stay at hotel.

 

Day 03: Leh –Lamayuru – Kargil (235 Kms)

After having breakfast proceed towards Kargil. En route stop and visit Alchi Monastery which is situated on the banks of the River Indus. It is the only monastery in Ladakh which is built on flat grounds. The monastery houses two main temples. Du Khang is the oldest conserved building of the monastery complex and Sum Tsek is the main temple, Sum Tsek possesses huge figures of four armed Boddhisattvas. Visit Lamayuru, the Lamayuru or Yuru monastery as it is often called is also one of the oldest and largest monasteries in the whole of Ladakh. The word Lamayuru means eternal in the Tibetian language and hence the monastery is known as the eternal one. It is is abput 125 kms from Leh. Reach Kargil, it is the second largest town in ladakh. Accredited to the world as the Kargil War, the place holds a good registration in the records of the history and hence is a socially relevant as well. Overnight stay at hotel.

 

Day 04: Kargil – Rangdom – Padam (285 Kms)

After having breakfast, go ahead towards the Zanskar valley, heading toward Panikar and Parkachan villages. Enjoy the sight of Nun and Kun peaks. Mount Nun is the topmost peak in the Zanskar range and is part of the Nun-Kun, a twin-summit mountain massif separated from each-other by a high snowy plateau of 4 km. The Mount Nun-Kun massif is the most stunning peak of the famous Suru Valley that is adorned with a number of spectacular peaks. After a short drive, stop at Rangdom Gompa. It is one of the most important monasteries of the Zanskar Valley, with more than 50 monks. The gompa itself is a massive structure, consisting of quarters for guests, lama quarters, a hall for worship, stores, kitchens and working rooms. After crossing Tungri bridge visit Sunni Gompa and finally reach Padam in the late afternoon. Padam is the largest town in the Zanskar Valley and was once capital of Zanskar. The area surrounding Padam is relatively flat. Overnight stay at hotel.

 

Day 05: Padam

En route visit Piptong, Thonde Gompa and Zangla (3450 meters).It is the most beautiful village with ancient Zangla Gompa and you may get a chance to visit Queen’s house at Zangla. On the way back, visit Karsha Gompa which is one of the oldest Monasteries. The monastery contains a number of shrines and some exquisite wall paintings by the Lama Dzadpa Dorje. It is home to around 100 monks. Overnight stay at hotel.

 

Day 06: Padum – Mune – Reru (6 Hours Trek)

From Padum move ahead along a dusty Jeep track. En route, you will come across Shila and Bardhan villages. Bardhan is known for its valley monastery (3620 meters). It is also acclaimed for its huge and beautifully engraved (mantras) prayer wheels. From Bardhan it will take another 2-½ hours to reach Kangla, and climb to a plateau and the village of Mune (3900 meters). Continue walk till Reru (3770 meters). Overnight stay in camp.

 

Day 07: Reru – Ichar – Surle (6/7 Hours Trek)

From Raru (3850 meters) onwards, the track is a bit tough. There is a short walk before a gradual descent to the main valley after crossing the main tributary beyond Raru. Thereafter the trail goes alongside the river leading to Ichar village (3650 meters), continue walk to Surle (4000 meters). Overnight stay in camp.

 

Day 08: Surle – Purne – Phukthal (6/7 Hours Trek)

There are many climbs and falls as we pass some small streams leading to Surle and Cha village. From Surle, the trail is really thrilling in the magnificent gorge. The trail to Phuktal (3850 meters) follows the right bank of the Tsarap River and enters splendid gorges before reaching a makeshift bridge. After a while, you will come across a small plateau with sprinklings of chortens and prayer flags. Here you’ll have a wonderful view of Phuktal monastery, the fact of being built into or around a natural cave in the cliffside, like a honeycomb, adds more attraction to the trek of Phugtal Monastery. It is also widely known by the name of “cave monastery”. The remote location of Phugtal monastery leaves you with nothing but all the peace and solitude you can ask from the mother nature. Overnight stay in camp.

 

Day 09: Phukthal – Surle (6/7 Hours Trek)

Start from Phuktal (3850 meters) following the right bank of the Tsarap River and get in wonderful gorge for a while before reaching a makeshift bridge. Headed for Surle, the trail is really thrilling to be in the magnificent gorge. There are many climbs and falls as we pass some small streams leading to Surle and Cha village. Overnight stay in camp.

 

Day 10: Surle – Reru – Padam (10/11 Hours Trek)

Start for a long walk of about 10 to 11 hours from Surle. Gradual descent down towards Reru village and then we walk through quite a beautiful plain area covered with flowers as far as Mune. Arrive late in Padum, which is around 3505 meters above the sea-level, is the administrative center of Zanskar Sub-division of the Kargil district. Inhabited by around 2000 people, this town is the most populated town of Zanskar. Overnight stay in camp.

 

Day 11: Padam – Kargil (285 Kms)

From Padum, it will take an entire day to reach Kargil, Spanned across 15,000 km of area, Kargil is situated on the banks of the Indus River. Kargil holds a vital place in the Indian war history, major attractions of this region include Zongkhul, Sani, Rangdum, Stonday and Mulbekh monastery. In the evening you will reach Kargil. Overnight stay at hotel.

 

Day 12: Kargil – Mulbek – Leh (235 Kms)

After having breakfast, proceed to Leh and on the way visit Mulbek monastery. The Mulbekh Monastery is one of the most important places to see near Kargil that is Known for its two Gompas that belong to the Drukpa and Gelugpa sects respectively. The monastery is situated at an elevation of 3,304 meters and is indeed a remarkable piece of workmanship that maintains a carved nine meters tall statue of Maitreya Buddha, which is said to be overlooking the old trade route and the present day highway. Reach Leh, overnight stay in hotel.

 

Day 13: Leh

In the morning transfer to the airport for your flight to onwards destination.