Zanskar Trek, Ladakh

Welcome to India! Greeting and pickup at the international airport by an Ekno Representative.

Our flight to Leh is a spectacular journey over multiple Himaayan ranges. After you land, check into your hotel and rest. After lunch, we take a walking tour of Leh Bazaar, with trade routes loosely dated as far back as the third century, Leh is an ancient city set between mighty mountains and the indus river.

The rest of the day your leisure to acclimatize and rest.

After breakfast, you’ll start your tour of Leh and surrounding areas. Visit Gompa Soma (a monastery part of the Leh palace complex) and Moti Market, the old bazaar. Lunch together. After lunch, we’ll hop in a jeep and head to Saboo monastery, a bit outside of Leh. Spend the afternoon exploring the monastery, talking to resident monks, and local devotees. On way back to Leh visit the SankharGompa and the Shanti Stupa constructed by Japan as a symbol of international peace in 1991.

Leave early to visit the monasteries of Shey, Thikse and Hemis, an hour and a half drive from Leh. Visit the former summer capital of Leh, Shey with its ruined castle, palace, and gompa standing high on a hilltop. Next, head tothe ancient Hemis Monastery, and finally,visitThikse monastery, noted for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Return to Leh, the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Today we head to Lamayuru, stopping to visit the Alchi monastery as we follow the Indus river on its westward journey. The Alchimonastery is set in valley river valley near the village of Alchi. The sight dates back to the 10th century. After taking time to explore this cultural sight, we head to Lamayuru, arriving in time for lunch, followed by a tour of the monastery. The Lamayuru monastery dates to the 11th century and holds a wide array of Tibetan thangkas, statues, and other religious artifacts. The rest of the day at your leisure to enjoy this beautiful monastery and village as well as the famous “moonscape” that surrounds it.

Today, we have a 5 hour drive to Rangdum, where we’ll camp for the night. Rangdum is set at an altitude of 4,031 m and at the outer edge of the Zanskar valley.

Today we drive from Rangdum to Reru by car, a four hour drive. We’ll begin our trek from Reru tomorrow but for now, set up camp and take in your spectacular surroundings.

Today our trek lasts for about 4 hours as we walk between Reruand Itchar. After breakfast, there is a short uphill climb before the trail descends steeply to the banks of the Tsarap river. The village of Itchar (3650m) is on the opposite side of the valley. Our campsite tonight is right below the village.

Today’s trek is 15km in length and passes through a number of small settlements include Surle at a height of 3,670m. We walk along the flowingTsarap river until we meet the Kargyak river. We cross over the Kargyak river bridge and climb to Purne (3,700m), our resting spot for the day.

Today we stay in Purne with a side trip to the 15th century PhugtalGompa, one of the last monasteries in India that is exclusively reached by foot. The monastery is constructed around a natural limestone cave. From Purne, the trail toPhutgal follows the true left bank of the Tsarap river for 4- 5km until it reaches a bridge over the river.From the bridge, it is 1 km further until you reach the Gompa (3850m).

Today we walk from Purne to Tanze. As we leave camp, we’ll cross the bridge over the Kargyak River and follow the valley true left until we reach the settlement of Yal (3930m). From here, the path gradually descends into a large fertile plateau, with the relative prosperity of these communities marked by the white washed houses, including the village ofTetha (3950m).

From Tetha, the trail is marked by well maintainedChortens, or Buddhist shrines, that line the trail to the village of Karu (3990m). After Karu, the trail descends back along the riverbank to the newly constructed bridge just below the village of Tanze, our camp site for the night.

After leaving Tanze, we cross through Yak-grazing pastures full of edelweiss as we head towards the mamouth rock monolith, Gumburanjan, rising dramtically before us. After passing the rock face, it is another 2km walk to the shepherds encampments, known locally as Lakong (4470m).

Just before thealpine meadow, cross the small rock bridge over an upper tributary of the Kargayak River. Our campsite tonight offers panoramic views of the Himalaya Range.

Lakong to Chemuik/Rumjak via Shingo La Pass (6-7 hours). The Shingo La Pass is a relatively easy ascent by Himalayan standards and takes approximately 2 hours crossing some scree and snow. The Shingo La (4980m) is marked by rock cairns and a barrage of prayer flags fluttering in the wind.The pass is set beneath the impressive 6000 m peaks of the Himalaya and Baralacha Ranges and marks our move from Ladakh to Himachal Pradesh, The decent from the pass includes a steep 400m to the glacial floor. The trail continues along the broad glacial valley descending gradually to Chemuik or Rumjak (4290m).

Today is our last day of trekking. We’ll walk for 5-6 hours across the sparse vegetation and scree to the slopes of the JankarSumdo (3850m). We cross the Darcha River and continue through boulder fields, several streams, and grazing pastures to Palamo (3600m). Tonight, we savor our last night camping under the stars as our time on the trail comes to a close.

After breakfast we load into four wheel vehicles and head to Keylong in the LahulValley,Himachal Pradesh. Our drive will take 4-5 hours.

After breakfast, we leave Keylong for our drive to Manali via the famous Rothang Pass (3980m). Arrive early afternoon in Manali. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to explore the town or take a welldeserved rest.

Spend the day sightseeing around Manali including a visit to the hot water springs ofVashist (a short drive from Manali) to soothe your weary muscles. Explore old Manali or Manu Hadimba Temple. Manali has a wide range of great restaurants to enjoy your meals in.

We leave Manali after breakfast and begin our descent to the Indian plains, Chandigarh. The drive will take 7 hours by car. We follow the Beas River from to Manali to Mandi, passing through one of the most beautiful gorges that Himachal Pradesh has to offer.

Depart Chandigarh and take the train to Delhi, arriving at 3:30pm. Transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. In the evening, a farewell dinner to celebrate our successful hike through the Himalayas.

Transfer to the Indira Gandhi International Airport for your return flight home. We look forward to seeing you on another Ekno experience, soon.