Zanskar & hidden Valley of Himalaya

Day 1: Arrival Delhi & Fly to Leh

Arrive Delhi & report for domestic airport. Fly to Leh over majestic Himalaya, you will be landing on 3500m, on arrival in Leh airport our colleague will transfer you to hotel, to be better acclimatize you will relax till mid-day, after lunch in hotel acclimatization walk to visit Shanti Stupa dominates entire Leh town, Royal Palace built by 5th Dalai lama in 17th century is look like little Potala of Lhasa , stroll in the Bazar and night in hotel.

Altitude gain –3284m

Altitude down—60m.

Day 2: Visit Monasteries of Hemis- Thiksey and Shey

Leave early to visit the Hemis Monastery, A mass of splendid architecture built by the inveterate royal architect Singe Namgyal in 1630. the monastery belongs to Drukpa sect of Buddhism. Thiksey, A majestic monastery perched on a rocky outcrop built in the15th century during the first wave of expansion of Gelugpa sect in Ladakh. In the entry there are painting of protective deities and the great masters of the sect.

Drive to Shey, once the capital of Upper Ladakh before being supplanted by Leh, monastery housed rich murals painting, well restored and represent the 18 arhats (disciples of Buddha who attained enlightenment), Back to Leh & evening at leisure, night in hotel.

Altitude gain –-120m

Altitude down–120m

Day 3: Leh to Kargil 7-8hrs. 230 kms.

Drive to Kargil, enroute visit Alchi monastery, Among the many temples, caves and stupas built in Ladakh. Alchi choskor is the largest and most famous of all of them, built by Rinchen Zangpo about 990 years ago. Monastery house valuable mural painting and Thangkas. Next stop at Lamayuru, one of the ancient Monastery magnificently perched on the hill. Before Buddhism penetrated in the region this site was known as a center for Bon religion, en route short stop at Malbec is said to consist of two gompas, one Drukpa and one Gelugpa, is the famous for enormous Chamba Statue carved into the rock face. Evening reached at Kargil town inhabitants by Muslims (both Shea and Sunni communities) is situated at bank of Suru river. Night hotel.

Altitude gain –-400m

Altitude down–850m

Day 4 : Kargil to Rangdum (3700m) 126 kms, 5h

Driving through the Suru valley, one of the most beautiful and the difficult terrain of the Suru –Kartse area. The lonely route goes along vast stretches of uninhabited land and close to the glacier of Nun- Kun which provide the magnificent view of the Himalayan peaks of Zanskar range including Nun- Kun. The broad edelweiss carpeted meadow of Rangdum (Juldu) is surrounded by the massif of the Zanskar range and dominated by the Rangdum gompa. Night in camp.

Altitude gain –-420m

Altitude down–250m

Day 5: Rangdum to Padum via Karsha (3600m) 110 kms. 4-5 h.

After crossing the seemingly endless plain, visit 11th century monastery of Rangdum belonging to the Gelugpa sect. Continue over the Pensila (4400m) that provides stunning beauty of Drung- Drung glacier and Zanskar mountain range.

Here inhabited places are the narrow ravines of the Zanskar river. Fierce wind blows from Central Ladakh and trees are scanty even in the villages and the crops ripen with difficulty. Enter in the valley of Zanskar traversing several villages aside the Doda river.

Visit Karsha monastery belongs to Gelugpa order “the Yellow Hat” built high on ridge dominate the valley, monastery attributed to Padmasambhava is embellished with exquisite paintings, cloth painting and relics. Night in camp.

Altitude gain –-600m

Altitude down–500m

Day 6: Padum to Reru (3700m) – Ichar 6 hrs. Trek-1

Drive to Reru, enroute visit Bardan monastery situated a top belongs to the Drukpa order of Buddhism, next is Mune gompa belongs to the Gelugpa order housing about 20 monks, Reach at Reru, meet the pony man and here the adventure start with easy trail through Reru village and farm land, cross the bridge over Tserap river, follow gradual and easy path for about 3 hours to reach at Camp site. Late afternoon, visit the village and Gompa a top. Night in camp.

Altitude gain –-250m

Altitude down–50m

Day 7: Ichar to Purni (3800m) 6-7hrs. Trek-2

It’s a bit long day, descend to the river bed, then follow the Tserap passing by tinny villages of Abnop, Dorzong and oasis. from the confluence of Lungnak Sangpo and Tserap keep your left down to Purni where a beautiful camp site with tiny hamlet is located. Night in camp.

Altitude gain –-290m

Altitude down– 90m

Day 8: Purni – Phugtal, return to Purni (3800m) 4hrs. (round trip) Trek-3

Leave early morning, trail goes beside Tserap river to visit the Phugtal monastery suspended in a cliff over Tserap river. The monastery belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Buddhist tradition (Yellow hat), which was founded in the 11th century. It has the collection of Dukhang tangkas and fresco. Water source flows into the cave is sacred. Meet monks and afternoon return to Purni. Night in camp.

Altitude gain –-220m

Altitude down–180m

Day 9: Purni – Tangse (4000m) 4hrs. Trek-4

A short walk till bridge over Lungnak Sangpo, take a steady climb to join the main trail of trek, after a short walk reach to Yal villages, cross a clear water stream to Testa, now trail goes through farms where farmers can be seen cultivating the peas and Barley. Further a gravel terrain will bring you to Tangse village, explore the village. Night in camp.

Altitude gain —430m

Altitude down— 60m

Day 10: Tangse – Jhinchen, the Base of Phirtse la (4700m.) 6 hrs. Trek-5

Follow the trail towards Karygyak, now leave the trail and bifurcates to the left through the gorge by a winding path until you reach on a green meadow. Enjoy the spectacular Panorama of the colored rocks, take a steady trail to the base camp. Night in camp.

Altitude gain –700-m

Day 11: Jhinchen- Chhumik Marpo (4750m) over Phirtse pass (5450m) 7-8 hrs. Trek-6

Long day begins with a steep climb on the moraine and beside the hanging glacier to reach the Phirtse la which offers an extensive panorama of the snowy peaks and colorful mountains around. After a while take a long descent to the camp site located on the meadow where the shepherds of Tanje and Kargyak lives with their herds of yaks, sheep and goats. Night in camp.

Altitude gain –-750m

Altitude down–700m

Day 12: Chhumik Marpo – Khamirap – Lingthi (4200m) 6-7 hrs. Trek-7

Easy walking begins on a rocky trail, through lush meadows down to the river bed of Lingthi, cross it before the day temperature rises which can increase the river flow due to high melting rate of glacier. Now take scenic gradual path, several rivulets have to be crossed, during summer shepherd of (Kangra) Himachal Pradesh are found here with their flocks. Campsite on the beautiful place on the confluence of Lingthi and Yemen river opposite of Sarchu plateau. Night in camp.

Altitude down–550m

Day 13: Lingthi – Sarai Keylong (4400m) 5-6hrs. Trek-8

The trail goes upward to the Yumen flows, follow the Lingthi plateau . One can observe the varieties of wildflowers. Cross a steam before campsite near the Manali-Leh high way not far from Baralachala pas. Night in camp.

Altitude gain –-200m

Day 14: Keylong Sarai to Manali over Rohtang-la (3980m)

Take scenic road of Leh –Manali over Baralachala (4800m) by accompany of hanging glaciers, Pristine mountain ranges, through several villages of Lahoul, Passport required for checking at Jispa and at Koksar. Snake curved road to the Rohtang pass (3950 m) providing a magnificent view of surrounding Himalayas. Long descend of 51 kms, traversing fields of wild flower and cascading waterfall accompany you till Manali (2000m) night in hotel.

Altitude gain –-520m

Altitude down–2400m

Day 15: Manali – Delhi by night bus – 570 km – 14 hours

Visit the temple of Manu at old Manali, The Hadimba Devi temple is famous for its association with the Mahabharata temple, Shiva temple and monastery in town are main attraction, afternoon at 4-5 o’clock transfer to bus station to board your comfortable night bus to Delhi, It is an air-condition confortable bus hence we request you to keep at least one pull over or one polar jacket with you to avoid to getting cold. On the way you will have diner stop in local restaurant. Night in bus.

Day 16: Arrive in Delhi

Morning between 8h-10h arrive in Delhi, Transfer to hotel, later half day sight seen to visit old Delhi by rickshaw ride to explore the spice market, Visit Grand mosque and red fort, evening after dinner transfer to the airport and board the flight to your onward destination. End of services. Check in from 12 noon onward.