In this trek we visit one of the most popular and beautiful region of ladakh which we called ZANSKAR. Zanskar is known as a land of religion and has greatest concentration of Gompas in Ladakh, outside the Indus valley. The important ones are Sani, Karsha and Thonde in the central plain, Bardan and Phugtal just off the Padum Darcha trail .Zanskar has two rivers flowing towards each other along the northern flank of the Great Himalayas, meet in the broad plain of Padum. They become the Zanskar river which flows off northwards through a gorge in the Zanskar range. On this trek we have cross pass of Shingola which is 5090 Mtrs. During last day of this trek one can drive to Ladakh or Srinagar by Jeeps/Coach.
Day 01: Manali Darcha 8/9 Hrs drive
Leaves Manali and climbs upto the Rohtang pass and then winds down into the Lahaul valley. Overnight in tents.
Day 02: Darcha Chhalang Topko 6/7 Hrs. Trek
After passing two villages arrive at Chalang Tokpo 3580 Mtrs. Overnight in tents.
Day 03: Chhalang Topko – Zanskarsumdo - Ramjak
After a major for ascending the valley on the right there are good but hard paths on the both sides of the stream. Arrive at Ramjak a small meadow. Overnight in Tents.
Day 04: Ramjak – Chhumikanakpo 7 Hrs. Trek
Easy walk towards the stream flowing from Shingola and arrive Chhumikanakpo 4060 Mtrs. Overnight in tents.
Day05: Chhumikanakpo – Shingola – Lakong 8/9 Hrs. Trek
Today is harder zig-zag path leads to Shingola pass (5090 Mtrs) another one hour is Lakong (4450 Mtrs).Overnight in Tents.
Day 06: Lakong – Kurgiakh/Table (4000 M) 6/7 Hrs. Trek
Passing beneath the face of the Gomborangoo descent easily towards Kugiakh on the right bank. Either camp at Kugiakh or continue for another two hour upto Table . Overnight in Tents.
Day 07: Kurgiakh/Table – Purne (3745 M) 6/7 Hrs. Trek
After half an hour walk from Table is Tanza on the right bank, now cross in front of a narrow gorge and arrive at the junction where the trekking route from Darcha via Baralachala joins.Tanza is a small village with a Gompa in ruins on highest elevation. Overnight in Tents.
Day 08: Purne – Phuktal Gompa – Purne 4/5 Hrs. Trek
Phuktal monastery is like a honeycomb, cut into a rock under a gignantic grotto and has more than 70 Monks. The library three large and one small prayer room etc and the grave of Gangsem Sherap Sampo who founded Phuktal. In the cave over the monastery there is a hollow in rock the water level of which never reduces even after taking out any amount of water from there. Water is said to have healing powers. There is also a stone tablet left by Alexander Cosmo de Koros an Hugaraian who explore Tibet and lived in this monastery in 1826-27. Overnight in Tents.
Day 09: Purne – Ichar 5/6 Hrs. Trek
After crossing small canyons of pudding -stones which leads to char village. After 2 hrs is Kaydang a village in a power grove. The trial is rough and difficult for horses at Hamuni and Surle after crossing a large village arrive at Ichar, green oasis in the monotonuus grey-brown. Overnight in Tents.
Day 10: Ichar – Mone 5/6 Hrs. Trek
After descending towards Reru and crossing a plain with wild flower (flowering in July-Aug) Overnight in Tents.
Day 11: Mone – Padam (3650 M) 5/6 Trek
After short walk cross Tema and reach Charmocha Kore camping ground. It goes on the past to large rock where from Bardan Gompa is visible. Bardan Gompa is famous for its giant wheel (1.8 Mtrs high) this Gompa was founded by Shabdru who also found Hemis Monastery and continue walk to Padam which is capital of Zanskar valley. Overnight in Tents.
Day 12: Padam
Day at Padam and visit around the town. Overnight in Tents.
Day 13: Padam – Rangdom (150 Kms) 6/7 Hrs drive
After breakfast leave for Rangdom 5/6 Hrs drive from Padam. On the way we visit Sunni Gompa. After crossing Penzila pass 4401 Mtrs we reach Rangdom and visit the Gompa. Overnight in Tents.
Day 14: Rangdom – Kargil (135 Kms) 6/7 Hrs. drive
Today we drive close to Nun and Kun peaks and visit interesting villages Parkachan and Panikar arrive Kargil in the evening. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 15: Kargil – Leh/Srinagar
From here one may take Ist option drive to Leh or 2nd option to Srinagar.
Alternative stages on the same program
Manali – Darcha – Patseo – Baralacha La – Sarchu – Lingti Ground – Phirtsela – Tanza – Purne
Phuktal – Purne – Ichar- Mone - Padam