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See Our treks
for all the trips running.
Remote Zanskar
Ladakh and Zanskar are captivating high altitude mountainous deserts. Rugged colourful
rock contrast with the azure rivers and green village oases. Monasteries cling to rock faces and
Buddhist chortens dot the immense landscape. Out of this world scenery and a delightful culture -
the trek across Zanskar is a
total classic run in our own special way.
See the photo gallery for why we just love the place!
The classic route into Zanskar crosses the Shingo La,
instead for a change we cross the Phirtse La into Zanskar, then once in Zanskar
we trek the classic section. Normally the stunning Phuktal Gompa is a side trip,
but for us we follow the valley up to take a back way to Zangla and Pichu that
avoids Padum and the road that is being constructed.
Preparation and trekking with us
There is lots of India trek and preparation information on the left. Also
take a look at About us and at the
photo galleries to see why we rave about Ladakh
and Zanskar.
The itinerary
Note that most flights into Delhi arrive late at night/very early in the
morning. Plan your arrival time-date carefully and ask if you are not sure.
Day 1 - arrive Delhi
Joel, Kim or a representative from Druk Expeditions will be at
the airport to meet you and take you to the atmospheric Metropolis Tourist Home
in Paharganj, near Connaught Place in central Delhi.
If your flight is delayed, please phone the hotel or Druk
Expeditions.
Day 2 - drive Manali
A 5am start for our drive to Manali in the Pir Panjal range. We have our own comfy Tato Sumo jeeps (7 seaters but we put 5 in each) and we stop for frequent drinks, lunch, or just to stretch our legs. We arrive at our hotel, the Rajans, by 7pm, and head for Johnsons, a family run restaurant in Manali who have been host to our groups for 3 years now.
Day 3 - Manali
Our staff are busy shopping in the market for the last fresh supplies, so it is your day to relax and recover, or shop with them. If you want some exercise, we can point you to many local walks.
4 - drive Keylong 3300m
A leisurely start for our 6 hour drive. Crossing the 4000m Rohtang Pass is
simply spectacular, and on the other side the monumental nature of the Himalaya
is breath-taking. In Keylong we stay at Hotel Snow Leopard. Sleeping here is
part of our careful acclimatization plan. We can spend the afternoon climbing to
Keylong gompa, again, good for acclimatization. Over dinner we go through our
trekking route and the daily routine on the trek.
5 - drive Keylong Serai
Up at 6 and a beautiful drive over the Baralachla, at 4050m. Then we drop to
the Serai, wide plains at 4600m. This area was where Tibetan traders bringing
wool from the Changtang would traditionally hold a market every year.
6 - trek to Lingti river camp 4400m
An easy day as we trek to our camp at the bottom of the gorge to our first
camp. Very important for our first day at altitude to take it easy and drink
lots of water.
7 - trek to Chumik Nakpo 4800m
This herding summer settlement is where the people of Kargyak village, old
friends, graze their herds. We will be entertained with butter tea and fresh
curd.
8 - over Phirtse la to camp 4300m
An early start to the rocky Phirtse la, at 5250m, with stunning views down
valley of the Zanskar and Himalayan ranges. We drop steeply to camp below the
pass.
9 - to Purne 3700m
An hour from our camp we emerge into the green summer fields, classic Zanskar
scenery, and follow the Kargyak river to Purne, standing oasis like high above
the junction of the Tsarap and Kargyak rivers. Our old friend Dolma will make us
welcome.
10/11/12/13 to Tongde 3500m
We trek off the map! We follow the Tsarap river past Phuktal Gompa by a
little known route that visits the remote hamlet of Shade, then we emerge from
the gorge behind Tongde. We have now entered the ancient kingdom of Zangla.
14 - to Hanumil 3380m
An easy days walk along the Zanskar river through the village
of Pidmu, before we climb away from the river to the Hamlet of Hanumil set by
the gorges the Zanskar river drops into. Now our time in Zanskar is over as
tomorrow we cross into Ladakh via our second pass, the Parfi La.
15 - Snerste 3850m
Up early to beat the heat as we follow the Zanskar for an
hour then climb steeply away from the gorges to the 3950m Parfi la. From here
you can see our steep drop to the river where we have lunch (and cool our feet
in the river!) And the steep climb and traverse on an exposed trail to the tiny
camp at Snerste.
16 - Lingshed 4000m
"One of the longest, hardest, Himalayan trekking
days" As one of last years trekkers said, we ascend gently at first , then
a steep pull to the 4950m Hanuma la, where we lunch and from where we can see
our camp at Limgshed on the far side of the valley. A steep exposed drop to the
valley then a steep exposed climb to the rim of the Lingshed valley. Sitting at
lunch, it is important to realise, yes, it is a long way, but we have plenty of
time. Put on the sun block, drink plenty and take your time. Think about Temba's great dinner, and that Lingshed is a
"wet" night (rum available)!
17 - Singge La high camp, 4550m
One step at a time! By now we should be very fit, and need to
be; shake off that red wine hangover with an early morning pull to the 4280m
Netuke la, then traverse high above the Zanskar gorges before dropping to the
base of the 4550m Kyupa La. Coming around the corner before we descend to the base, you
see a totally insane trail climbing straight up, and that's our route, with
lunch on top. After lunch a 2 hour walk takes us to a rocky camp at the base of
our next pass. This rocky camp has spectacular views back across Zanskar, and
from here you can see the easy climb to the Singge la.
18 - Photosakar 4200m
A steep climb to the 5050m Singge la ("lion pass")
from where we can see the next pass, the Bumkitse la, above Photosakar village.
The valley between the two passes is normally alive with marmots waking up after
their long winter. Photosakar itself is one of the prettiest villages in Ladakh,
and one of the most photographed, thus the people can be very sensitive to
trekkers invading their space! The picture to the left is Photosakar.
19 - Panjilla and Leh
Ladakh never fails to delight, and on this last day our 3
hour walk to our jeep pick up at Panjilla takes us along narrow trails through
spectacular gorges. A fairly full day, as our jeep takes us through high Ladakhi
scenery to Lamayuru monastery then along the beacon highway to Leh. We stop en
route for pictures, amazing scenery with the mountains receding to China and
Pakistan, then arrive in Leh for hot showers, cold beer, and dinner.
20 - Leh
Leh is a little piece of old Tibet and we know many quiet corners where you can easily imagine the busy
caravans entering the bazaar after their long journey from Tartary and Yarkand. A late
breakfast and an afternoon exploring the old town.
21 - Leh
The area around Leh is rich in ancient Buddhist sites: we
jeep to Tikse, Shey, and a few other Buddhist sites in the Indus
valley, and in the evening, our farewell dinner.
22 - spare day
(Joel will use this somewhere during the trek.)
day 23 - Fly Delhi
You take the early morning Jet Airways (nothing but the best!) flight to
Delhi. You will be
met at the airport by Druk expeditions and driven to the Singh Continental Hotel.
Optionally you can take a day or even overnight trip
(depending on your flight time) to the Taj Mahal. (Not included in the trip
cost.)
day 24 - Delhi
A free day, one possibility is our Taj Mahal extension. Occasionally
flights out of Leh are delayed by bad weather, so also this extra day allows for
this. Note that you could fly out on the night of 20 Aug, and this still means
that you have one day in hand for if the Leh flight is delayed.
day 25 - depart
We hope you had a fantastic trek!!
Cost
See Our treks for the cost.
The cost includes
+ Hotels: 3 nights in Delhi, 2 nights in Manali, 2 nights guest house in Leh
+ Leh-Delhi flight
+ airport transfers
+ Jeep transport: Delhi-Manali-Udaipur
+ All meals and full service on trek
Budget $200 of your own money for crew tips, meals and drinks for Delhi, Manali and Leh.
Not included: international airfares, meals in Delhi, Leh or Manali, equipment rental
(if any), alcohol, laundry, tipping and other items of a
personal nature.
So you fancy visiting the Taj Mahal?
Have a look at what we offer...
Come have a riot with us - what now (Contacting us)?
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all rights reserved --
2008
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