A trek starting from green valley of Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh to barren and rugged landscape of Zanskar. Change of Himalayan topography and profile is most evident and interesting. Activities: One of the most exotic treks in crossing over to Ladakh from Himachal Pradesh. The trek starts at Darcha and after crossing high himalayan ranges and passes finishes at Padum - Capital of Zanskar. Drive past the majestic peaks of Nun & Kun and visit the 1000 yr old magnificent murals of Alchi.
PRE TREK
Day 01 : Delhi
Arrive Delhi, Met upon arrival and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 02 : Delhi/Chandigarh/Manali (Train/Coach)
Transfer to railway station for supper fast train to Chandigarh.-3 hours . Arrive Chandigarh , meet upon arrival and drive straight to reach Manali (1920M) by covering 338 kms. Arrive Manali and check into hotel for overnight stay.
Day 03 : Manali
Morning at leisure. Afternoon proceed for half day city tour. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 04 : ManaliI - Rohtang la pass (3,978 m) - Udaipur (2650 mtrs.).
Drive 145 km. (6/8 hrs): the journey starts from Manali, at the head of the lush green Kullu valley. The road slowly winds up the Rohtang-la pass (3'978m.), the first of the high passes, then down into the Lahoul valley. The landscape changes dramatically, the greenery being replaced by barren hillsides, where the village with their bountiful fields of barley, peas and potatoes, stand out in stark contrast. On entering Lahoul the Buddhist influence is visible in the many monasteries crossed on the way. The people here have distinct Tibetan features. Today we drive along the Chenab River . On the way we visit famous Trilok Nath temple and Mrikula Devi temple at Udaipur .
ACTUAL TREK
Day 05 : Udaipur - Chamrat ( 2,090m), trek 15 kms. on unmattaled road.
From Udaipur follow a road, which has recently been constructed, through the narrow gorge making the entrance to Miyar valley. Cross the wooden bridge before Chamrat and continue on the true left bank of the valley. The village of Chamrat is with Mani walls and prayer flags, is the first village in the Miyar valley. On the way visit gompa at Karpat.
Day 06 : Chamrat - Urgos (3,250m), 5/6 hrs.
Trail leads through flowered meadows and peas and millet fields before re-crossing the Miyar river on a well constructed bridge to the village of Charput . Urgos is at the confluence with the valley leading to the Mt. Menthosa (6,443m). Overnight camp.
Day 07 : Rest and acclimatisation day.
Or hike towards base camp of mt. Menthosa . Highest in Miyar valley.
Day 08 : Urgos - Tharang (3,450m) 4/5 hrs.
Now gentle walk down to the river floor, a newly constructed bridge to be cross, further 2 km on the true left side of the valley, to the village of Khanjar (3450m). Overnight camp at Khanjar, also the last police check post. The trail crosses a wide alluvian fan before a gradual ascent to the highest settlement of Tharang. 200 m climb to a beautiful campsite, with numerous snow-clad peaks far side of Chenab valley.
Day 09 : Tharang - Gumba nallah (3,900m), 6 hrs.
Now gradual ascent over rich grazing pasture, yak herder from Zanskar can be seen nearby Taralasuma pass. From camp at Gumba Nullah, you gain glimpses of some of the 6,000 m peaks of the Himalayas .
Day 10 : Gumba nallah - camp I (4,200m)
From camp 2 hrs trek to the shepherds camp locally known as Khai got 4100m. Further to an open meadows. Crossing some side streams. A comfortable base before heading to Zanskar.
Day 11 : Camp I - Camp II (4750m) 6/7 hrs
Miyar glacier, which is 28 km long, from camp at the snout glacier there is choice of route. Walk across the terminal moraine to the left side of the glacier, route tiring ups and downs along and increasingly ill-defined trail.
Demanding terrains for the first 7/8 kms untill the confluence with a glacier flowing from the East side. Easy going from here with a gradual ascent over smooth black ice. An occasional well exposed crevasses to negotiate. Camp just above the confluence with the side glacier, there is 3 cols and the center one is the actual col.
Day 12 : Camp II - Kang la ( 5450 mtrs. ) - Camp III (4800m), 7/8 hrs
A magnificent views down the valley to Menthosa 6443m. At the head of the glacier, A large snow field curves to the East side to the base of the pass. 250 m ascent from the snowfield to the pass is not hard. Better to rope up to crossing crevasses. 1.5 kms long Kang la pass enclosed by rock cliff to the north and snow walls to the south. After crossing Kang la pass camp near the two confluences of the 2 streams
Day 13 : Camp III - Burdan, 5 hrs.
Now follow the true right side of the valley. Crossing the many side streams and grassy campsites. 2/3 km down the valley. Arriving at rocky plateau, trail descends steeply in places through meadows and boulder fields. Tenasa Tokpo remains on the right bank, it flows down to a grassy meadow above the Tsarap River . Continue for 2 hrs to reach Burdan. Overnight camp.
Day 14 : Burdan - Padum ( 3540 mtrs. ) 5/6 hrs. hrs.
A well define trail on the left bank of Tsarap river continues up to Padum. Overnight at camp.
POST TREK
Day 15 : Rest Day in Padum
Day 16 : Drive Padum - Kargil
Day 17 : Drive Kargil - Lamayuru
Day 18 : Drive Lamayuru - Leh
Day 19 : Leh Sightseeing
Post breakfast full day to acclimatize in Leh or you can also it to take a tour of some of the famous Gompas (Monasteries) around Leh.
Day 20 : In Leh
Morning excursion to Phyang Gompa. This Gompa is 20 kms from Leh on the right side of Leh-Srinagar road. The beautiful statues and Thankas are worth seeing. Also visit Spituk Gompa which lies on the right side of Srinagar-Leh road about 6 kms short of Leh Proper. Some very interesting Thankas are pride of this monastery. Afternoon free. Dinner overnight Hotel
Day 21 : Leh/Delhi (Flight)
Transfer to domestic airport in time to board flight for Delhi . Arrive and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.