Zanskar is like nowhere lese on earth: a high, arid land dotted all over with Buddhist monasteries shrouded in mythology and legend.  Inaccessible for centuries, it is sometimes called the "lost valley", and it is still only possible to explore on foot or on horseback.  This trek takes us from the Lahul Valley of Himachal Pradesh into the  Kulu Valley of Ladakh, and up high into the ancient kingdom of Zanskar.  The route retraces the footsteps of the famous 18^th century explorer William Moorcroft, into territory still impassable for several months during winter, and still cloaked in mystery that only a great untouched wilderness could muster.

The Zanskar region is difficult to access, and it takes some effort to reach Padum, the start of our trek.  But its well worth it: discover some of the most beautiful, remote valleys and peaks on earth, immerse yourself in ancient Buddhist culture and explore the tiny villages of Ladakh, before visiting the Taj Mahal on your way home.  This tour couldn't be a more complete escape from urban reality and the hustle and bustle of India. 

ITINERARY

DAY 01  DELHI   On arrival in Delhi you are met and transfer to your hotel.  The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

DAY 02  DELHI - LEH   We transfer to the airport for our morning flight to Leh, which takes two hours.  On arrival in Leh, we transfer to your hotel and settle in.  The remainder of the day is at leisure - take it easy to facilitate acclimatisation to the altitude, as this will aid a successful trek.  Leh is at an altitude of 3500m.  

DAY 03 & 04 LEH   The days are spent exploring Leh, the ancient and mystical capital of Ladakh, at a leisurely pace, still becoming accustomed to the altitude.  We visit the former abode of the sixteenth century ruler of Ladakh, Leh Palace, and journey out to Thiksey and Hemis to explore the ancient monasteries.  A second night is spent at your hotel.

DAY 05  LEH - KARGIL   We drive 234 kms from Leh to Kargil along the breath-taking Srinagar - Leh highway.  The route winds its around steep peaks and across spectacular mountain passes, into the villages of Nimmu, Khaltsi, Lamayuru, Bodhkharbu and Mulbek.  Kargil (2704m) is the second largest centre of Ladakh and lies along the border between India and Pakistan. We halt here for the night in a local hotel.

DAY 06  KARGIL - RANGDUM   We drive from Kargil to Rangdum, 130 kms over six hours. Situated at the halfway point between Kargil and Padum, Rangdum (3657m) is a picturesque place, surrounded by hills on the one side and glacial rocky mountains on the other. An 18th century Buddhist monastery of the Geluks-pa order is found here.  We stay overnight at the camp set up here.

DAY 07  RANGDUM - PADUM   The drive from Rangdum to Padum takes around five hours (110 kms), crossing the Penzi-La axis across which lies Zanskar.  The Penzi-La pass (4401m) is a scenic tableland surrounded by snow-covered peaks.  As the Zanskar road winds down the steep slopes of Penzi-La to the head of the Stod valley, the majestic Drang-Drung glacier looms into full view.  Padum itself is a scattering of small, white-washed buildings on a vast, windswept plain with a tiny population of about 1500.  We camp here for the night in one of the well-equipped trekkers' camp sites.

DAY 08  PADUM   Today is reserved for some local sightseeing.  On the banks of the Lungnak river is a set of ancient rock carvings which date back to the 8th century. During the day we visit the nearby monasteries of Tongde, Zangla and Karsha by jeep, and spend time simply wandering around this remote, inhabited place.  A second night is spent camping in Padum.

DAY 09  PADUM - RERU   After a rousing camp breakfast, our trek begins.  The day’s walk is relatively easy, lasting five to six hours.  Our first stop is at Bardan Gompa, famed because of its enormous prayer wheel.  Further ahead we stop again at the Mune Gompa. Fro here, the campsite at Reru takes another three hours to reach.

DAY 10  RERU - CHANGPA TSETAN   Today the trail follows the Tsarap River up and down, crossing streams and undulating into an increasingly lunar, rocky landscape.  After six or seven hours steady walking, we reach the stunning alpine meadow campsite at Changpa Tsetan, and rest.

DAY 11  CHANGPA TSETAN - PURNE   Continuing to follow the Tsarap River, we trek for around four hours past the tiny, isolated villages of Surle, Kalbok and Zantang to the confluence of the Tsarap and Kargyak rivers, a beautiful spot to stop for lunch.  A little ahead is Purne Village, where we stop overnight in the camp.

DAY 12  PURNE - PHUKTAL  Our acclimatisation programme uses Purne as our base today, visiting the famous Phuktal monastery during the day (a four to five hour trek).  This 12th century complex has the most spectacular location, situated high in the clean air and surrounded by snowy peaks.  The monastery spills out of the mouth of a huge cave high up in the vertical mountainside of the tumbling Shadi gorge, through which a major tributary of the Lung-nak river flows.  Later in the day, we return to Purne for the night.

DAY 13  PURNE - KARGYAK   A day of long yet relatively easy walking, six to seven hours, with the gushing of the the Kargyak River our ever-constant companion.  On the way we pass the villages of Testha, Kuru and Tanse, greeting locals along the route and stopping for lunch.  Kargyak is four hours beyond Tanse. We reach our camp at Skino Village for supper, which is situated just before Kargyak.

DAY 14  KARGYAK - SHINGO-LA BASE CAMP  A considerable hike over five hours sees the valley widening and the trail follows the route of the Karyak stream. After passing through the impressive rock face of Gombu Rangjom, the trail reaches Lakhang (4470m).  A little ahead is the Shingo-La Base Camp, with the awesome Shingo-La towering above.  We rest at our set-up camp.

DAY 15  SHINGO-LA BASE CAMP - RAMJAK via Shingo-La Pass  A demanding trek today begins with the ascent across the Shingo-La mountain pass (5050m), which takes two hours.  The highest point of the trek, this windswept pass offers the most fantastic views of this, the greatest mountain range on earth.  After the pass, the track goes on for half an hour at the same altitude crossing a torrent.  A steep, careful descent follows on a path of rocks and scree to Chumik Nagpu, which takes around two hours.  Another three hours of more steady walking brings us to Ramjak (4300m), where we settle into our camp.

DAY 16  RAMJAK - PAL LHAMO  A steady seven hours walking sees our surroundings change dramatically as we leave the rocky, lunar landscape of Zanskar and enter the Lahul Valley, the landscape becoming increasingly green and lush.  A gradual descent takes us on an easy path southwards, crossing the bridge at Zanskar Sumdo and several smaller streams along the way. The trail leads to Pal Lhamo, where we camp for the final night of our trek.

DAY 17  PAL LHAMO - DARCHA  - MANALI   The three hour descent from Pal Lhamo to Darcha is fairly easy. Within the first two hours of our walk we reach Chika Village, where the road starts, and the last stage is a straight walk into Darcha (3300m).  Here we stop for lunch before setting off in the afternoon by jeep to Manali (1926m), 190 kms away.  The Manali - Leh road, the second highest motorable highway in the world, takes us across the Rohtung Pass (3978m) and past tiny clusters of houses into the beautiful Kulu Valley.  When we reach Manali, we check into your hotel and enjoy a well-earned rest.

DAYS 18 & 19  MANALI   Two days are spent resting and exploring Manali.  The original abode of the deity Manu, Manali maintains an air of pure charm and beauty. With the majestic grandeur of the Himalayas on one side, the River Beas winding across the town and verdant valleys with rolling meadows and grazing herds dotting the hillsides all around, Manali simply pours forth romantic ambience that presents a wonderful canvas to the traveller.  It teems with trekkers and mountaineers, and is the perfect place to chill out after the expedition.

DAY 20  MANALI - KULU - DELHI   We transfer from Manali to nearby Kulu, where we board our flight to Delhi.  On arrival in Delhi, we transfer to your hotel and the remainder of the day is at your leisure.

DAY 21 DELHI - AGRA - DELHI   We drive the 200 kms to Agra to see the immortal Taj Mahal.  We spend several hours exploring this sacred sight and learning its history before heading back to Delhi.

DAY 22 DELHI   We transfer to the airport or station for your onward journey.

 Tour ends.

TOUR INCLUSIONS

All food and accommodation during trek, including cooked breakfast, packed lunch and cooked dinner.  Accommodation in Delhi, Leh and Manali is on a room-only basis.

All trekking expeditions as specified with guide, all camping equipment (modern tents, down sleeping bags) and porters.  You carry only your daypack.

All transfers by road, including pick-ups and drop-offs at start and end of tour.  

All sightseeing tours as specified.

All economy class internal flights as specified: DELHI - LEH; KULU - DELHI.