Between the Indus Valley and the Indian Himalaya is the once independent Kingdom of Ladakh. We trek from Padum to Lamayuru across jagged rocky landscapes, barren plains and high passes. Surrounded by magnificent scenery we explore remote monasteries and palaces. We also spend time meeting Zanskari villagers and learning about the fascinating mountain traditions.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
1
Join tour Delhi
Filled with bustling bazaars and historic sites, Delhi is a magnificent monument to the grandiose designs of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and the British Raj of the 1930s. A city of mosques, memorials, minarets and markets, its vibrancy, colour and chaos captures the very essence of India, making it the ideal place to begin our journey. We will have a full trek briefing this afternoon.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
2
Fly to Leh (3500m)
An early flight out of Delhi brings us to a fertile valley just to the north of the mighty Indus River. Here, amongst the towering peaks of ice and snow, we find the small, picturesque town of Leh, once an important trading centre along the old Silk Road from China. The town is dominated by the nine storey Namgyal Palace, whose faded grandeur has been likened to a mini version of the Potala Palace in Lhasa. We have the rest of the day to relax and perhaps enjoy an orientation walk through the town to help acclimatise to the altitude.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
3
Sightseeing in the Indus Valley
The predominant faith here is the Lamaistic form of Tibetan Buddhism and today we have a chance to discover some of its traditions and influences amongst the gompas (monasteries) of the Indus Valley. We visit the Shey and Thiksay monasteries this morning, before then driving on to Hemis, to visit the 17th century remains of one of the most important gompas in the region. Belonging to the Drukpa order of Buddhism, the monastery at Hemis has long been an important pilgrimage site and each year attracts monks from all across the Indus Valley to its annual festival.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
4
Drive from Leh to Kargil (2704m)
We have a long day’s drive ahead of us today, as we leave Leh and head down the main Leh-Srinagar Highway to Kargil. Nestling besides the banks of the Suru River, Kargil is the second largest town in Ladakh and lies close to the ‘Line of Control’ between the Indian and Pakistani controlled parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Deeply traditional, this region is home to a rich mix of ethnic diversity, with Tibetan and Persian influences still apparent amongst the language and rituals of the local people.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
5
Drive from Kargil to Padum (3500m)
Another full day of driving brings us to the town Padum, the former capital of the ancient Zanskar kingdom. Home to a sizeable community of Buddhists and Sunni Muslims, the town is our gateway into the Himalayan landscapes that will line our route over the coming days ahead. Centred around an old gompa and two large chortens (Buddhist places of worship), the town is the largest in the Zanskar Valley and has the distinction of possessing the only mosque in the entire region.
Overnight Basic Camping
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
6
Trek from Padum to Karsha (3600m)
Breaking ourselves in gently today we start with a three and a half hour trek from Padum to the village of Karsha. We head first for Pipiting and its Gelukpa monastery, before crossing the dusty plains towards the Doda River. Crossing the river by way of its new bridge, we then climb towards Karsha, home to a beautiful 15th century monastery that dominates the crest of a hill above the village. Home to some 170 monks, this impressive structure is the largest and richest of Zanskar’s Buddhist gompas. Total walking approximately 3.5 hours.
Overnight Basic Camping
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
7
Trek from Karsha to Pishu (3470m)
Today’s trek starts with a fairly easy but hot walk along the dusty banks of the Zanskar River, taking us deeper in to the Zanskar region. Continuing on to Pishu we camp this evening just below the village. Total walking approximately 5.5 hours.
Overnight Basic Camping
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
8
Trek from Pishu to Hanumil (3380m)
Continuing along the left bank of the river this morning we cross a moraine plateau and head up towards the bridge at Pidmo. From here it is a further two hour climb to our next camp at Hanumil, hopefully arriving in the village in time to enjoy the late afternoon views across the entrance to the Zanskar River gorges. Our campsite is not far from the river allowing a chance to bathe weary feet whilst taking in the stunning scenery. Total walking approximately 6 hours.
Overnight Basic Camping
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
9
Trek from Hanumil to Snertse (3450m)
We climb steeply this morning, following the trail away from the Zanskar and up towards the Parfi-la Pass (3900m). The pass marks the boundary between Zanskar and Ladakh and the trek up to the plateau should take us around four hours this morning. We then have a rather steep descent back down to the Oma Chu River on the other side. Crossing the bridge we crest a sandy slope to enjoy some stunning views of the mountains and valleys, before completing the journey to our camp, close to the sheep pens at Snertse. Today is a long day of walking with several tough steep sections to tackle. Total approximately 7.5 hours walking.
Overnight Basic Camping
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
10
Trek from Snertse to Hanuma La Base Camp (4010m)
Another tough day today as we leave our camp and enter a deep gorge. The path is rocky and in places there is some scrambling involved. We then have a steep climb up the side of the valley until we reach the ridge. After taking some time to catch our breath and admire the views we drop down again and follow the Mimashisha Nala river for a while before another steep ascent to our campsite. Total approximately 6 hours walking.
Overnight Basic Camping
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
11
Trek from Hamuma La Base Camp to Lingshed (3,800m)
A long, gradual ascent this morning takes us up towards the summit of Hanuma-la (4,700 metres). The journey winds its way through the gorge and past more sheep folds, before a two and a half hour climb to the top. From here we make a steep 1,000 metres descent down the mountain, before another short climb to a small pass that marks the rim of the Lingshed Valley. We then begin an easy hike down to Lingshed and our camp near to the village’s monastery. Total approximately 5 hours walking.
Overnight Basic Camping
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
12
Trek from Lingshed to Singe-la base camp (5,000m)
Breaking camp this morning we trek up to Mugum La (4100m) and then across an escarpment that offers us some wonderful views out across the Nierag Valley and the Zanskar River. After following the gentle slope down to the villages of Gongma and Skiumpata, we then begin a very steep climb to the Kiupa-la (3850m). The last part of our day’s journey then follows a gradual path along the side of the mountain up to our camp at the base of Singe-la. Recently there has been work taking place to put in a basic road in this area, we steer clear of this as much as possible but follow the track for approximately half an hour to reach our campsite. Total approximately 6 hours walking.
Overnight Basic Camping
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
13
Trek from Singe-la to Photoksar (3750m)
A tough day today as we begin with a steep three hour climb to Singe-la. At over 5,000m, the pass offers us some stunning views of the glaciers, before we make the short descent into the wide expanse of the Photang Valley. From here the going is fairly easy, with a gentle climb towards the Bumiktse-la (4,200m) followed by a descent into the village of Photoksar. The village lies enclosed between high mountain walls and lush pastureland, overlooked by an abandoned gompa in the hills above the village. Total approximately 9.5 hours walking.
Overnight Basic Camping
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
14
Trek from Photoksar to Hanupata (3450m)
Departing Photoksar after breakfast we climb to a large chorten, from where we begin the long ascent of the Sir Sir la (4800m). The last part of the climb is steep, but the views from the top look out across the main Zanskar ranges and back towards Singe-la. Descending into a rocky valley we then head for our next camp, just on the outskirts of the village of Hanupata. Total approximately 6 hours walking.
Overnight Basic Camping
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
15
Drive to Leh via Lamayuru
Breaking camp for the last time this morning we drive back to Leh, passing by the 11th century monastery at Lamayuru en route. One of the oldest and largest in Ladakh, the gompa at Lamayuru is home to around 150 monks. Back in Leh we should hopefully have a little time to enjoy the distinctive frontier feel of the town, perhaps taking a stroll through streets that once echoed to the sounds of the caravans that passed through here on their way to the markets of Kashgar.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
16
Fly to Delhi
We fly back to the Indian capital today, after which we have the rest of the day to explore a little more of its bustling streets and historic landmarks. Old Delhi contains many of the city’s most impressive Muslim and Mughal monuments, such as the magnificent Jama Masji, whilst the newer parts of the city are sprinkled with the colonial monuments of Edward Lutyens. Then of course there is the Chandni Chowk, a jamboree of deafening noise and colour that is one of the oldest and busiest markets in the city.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
17
Tour ends Delhi
Our tour ends in Delhi this morning after breakfast.
Included meals: Breakfast
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