Southern Zanskar Trekking

Zanskar, inaccessible for centuries, is unlike anywhere else on earth: A high arid land with fortress-like Buddhist monasteries steeped in myth and rich in imagery. It is also a world where the only way to travel is on foot or by pony. This trek takes us from the Lahaul valley of Himachal Pradesh into the ancient kingdom of Zanskar, where we visit the remarkable cave gompa of Phugtal. The people, the scenery and the challenge make this a truly unique adventure.
Most of the visitors travel to the remote parts of Zanskar region for trekking. Numerous trails wind their way north from Padum to Central Ladakh, west of Kishtwar and south to Neighbouring Lahaul - all along hard hikes that involve strenuous ups and downs. The two main routes leading in to Zanskar, despite the region's isolation are those from Kargil and from Manali to Padum.

Duration : 25 Nights / 26 Days
Trekking Routes : Delhi- Chandigarh - Manali - Darcha - Rarig - Zanskar Sumdo - Shingo La - Lakang - Kargyak - Testha - Purni - Phugtal Gompa - Tangtse - Shingsaw - Phirtse La - Chumik Marpo - Sarchu Serai - Kilang Sarai - Keylong - Manali - Delhi

Day 1: Delhi

Arrival in Delhi and transfer to a hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 2: Delhi-Chandigarh

Train to Chandigarh, jeep to Pinjore, stay overnight at Hotel.

Day 3: Chandigarh-Manali

Jeep to Manali, on arrival check in at Hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 4: Manali

Day at Leisure in Manali, and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 5: Manali

Day free in the Kullu valley, to explore the surrounding region.

Day 6: Manali-Darcha

Travel by jeep over to Rohtang Pass (3,978 meter), the gateway to the Lahaul valley, to Darcha.

Day 7: Darcha-Rarig

Trek to Rarig, a prosperous farming village.

Day 8: Rarig-Zanskar Sumdo

Trek to Zanskar Sumdo, where one camps by the shore of the raging Barai Nallah.

Day 9: Zanskar-Shingo La

After crossing the Barai Nallah by Cable Bridge, trek towards Shingo La base camp.

Day 10: Shingo La

Rest and acclimatize with the surroundings.

Day 11: Shingo La-Lakang

Trek over 5,080 meter Shingo La to the high pasture of Lakang.

Day 12: Lakang-Kargyak

Continue down the valley in the shadow of the massive arrow-shaped Gumbaranjon (peak) to Kargyak, one of the highest villages in Zanskar.

Day 13: Kargyak-Testha

Trek to the village of Testha.

Day 14: Testha-Purni

Trek to Purni, where the Kargyak and Tsarap rivers merge to form the mighty Lingti Chu.

Day 15: Purni-Phugtal Gompa

Trek to Phugtal Gompa, one of the world's most spectacular sights. Its location, spilling down a sheer cliff face from the mouth of a massive cave, is a staggering one.

Day 16: Phugtal Gompa-Tangtse

Trek to the friendly village of Tangtse, at the base of the gorge leading to Phirtse La.

Day 17: Tangtse-Shingsaw

Trek to Shingsaw, the base camp for pass crossing.

Day 18: Shingsaw-Phirtse La

Trek over Phirtse La (5350 metres) to base camp.

Day 19: Phirtse La-Chumik Marpo

Trek to Chumik Marpo.

Day 20: Chumik Marpo-Sarchu Serai

Trek to Sarchu Serai, on the banks of the Yunan River.

Day 21: Sarchu Serai-Kilang Sarai

Trek to Kilang Sarai, where one will meet the Manali to Leh road.

Day 22: Kilang Sarai-Keylong

Travel by jeep to Keylong, the capitol and administrative center of Lahaul.

Day 23: Keylong-Manali

Continue by jeep over Rohtang Pass to Manali.

Day 24: Manali

Rest day in Manali.

Day 25: Manali-Delhi

Jeep to Kullu, then catch a flight to Delhi, on arrival check into a hotel for an
over night stay.

Day 26: Departure Transfer

Depart- Delhi and transfer to airport for catching a flight to onward journey.