Kanji Padum Darcha Trek 22 Days & 21 Nights Mythical trek in Zanskar

Package Itinerary

• Day 1 Arrive Delhi

  Arrive Delhi, transfer to hotel. Rest and relax
• Day 2 Morning flight to Leh, arrival in Leh, check in hotel, Acclimatize: Afternoon visit Leh palace, Tsemo gompa, Shanti stupa

  Today morning early transfer or drive to domestic airport for the flight to Leh, but spectacular flight over the Himalaya to Leh. The rest of the day is free to relax and acclimatize to the altitude of 3500m as well as visit Leh bazaar. visit the Royal Palace of Leh from the 16th century, continue through the fields of Sankar monastery , which is adjoins the north Leh. Finally end with climb to the Shanti Stupa. Overnight in hotel.
  
• Day 3 Acclimatize: Visit Shey - Thiksey - Hemis - Matho - Stok - Leh

  After breakfast,  we drive to visit Shey first, than Thiksey. Thiksey monastery, which is 27 km from Hemis. This monastery is the oldest monastery of Gelugpa School in Ladakh. The great Lama Paldan Shesrap built it in 14th century. Here you can see the big statue of the Future Buddha.  Continue to visit Hemis monastery which is 45 km far from Leh and it takes 90 minute drive. The great Mahasiddha Staktsang Raspa along with great ancestor Singey Namgyal builds this biggest monastery in 16th century. Continue to Matho than we drive to Stok which is situated opposite of Leh at a distance of 14 kms, At Stok visit of Royal Palace built during 1825 AD and palace has great collections of antiquity. Continue to visit Matho situated 10 kms from Stok, which has 10th century complex. Finally we drive back to Leh
  

  
  
• Day 4 Drive Leh - Alchi - Lamayuru - Kanji (3850m). 7-8 hrs

  Today after breakfast at Leh, we drive to Alchi monastery, situated at a distance of 68 kms from Leh. Its monastery built on lowlands rather than on a hilltop as others are, in order to protect from enemies. The chortens around Alchi gompa contains numerous wall murals of Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo, who has built this monastery. Alchi monastery has vast collections of wall paintings, and wood sculpture. We continue to drive to Lamayuru which is 58 kms from Alchi. Oldest monastery in Ladakh, founded by Indian scholar Mahasiddhacharya Naropa in 11th century. Lamayuru host mask dance festival (Yuru Kabgyat) during 17th and 18th day of fifth months of the Tibetal Lunar calendar. It belongs to red hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism; monastery is rich with Thankas and wall paintings. Lamayuru monastery was constructed by Arahat Nimagung in between 10th and 11th century. History says that in the 11th century the Mahasidha Naropa visited this place and the cave where he resided and meditated is still to be seen inside the monastery. After the visit continue your journey to Kanji, still 40 km drives. Arrive Kanji. Overnight at camp in Kanji village. (3850m)
  
• Day 5 Trek Kanji Dok - Yogma La (4720m) - Shilakong (4300m), 6-7 hrs

  Morning after breakfast, you explore the village and attract with the innocent villagers. About 15 houses. After then you start your first day trek with easy trek along the right side of upstream river. After the easy walk for 2hrs, you have gentle ascent and then you arrive at small hamlet where you find the campsite. The view of the valley and its stunning mountains from here is indescribable. Enjoy the scenic beauty of nature of Himalayan Mountains.  Continue for an hour and ascend towards the Yogma-la (4720m). From the top of the pass you have spectacular view of landscape. After enjoying few minutes at the top you have gentle descent and then you arrive at the camp. (4300m)
  
• Day 6 Trek Nigutse La (5100m) - Spangthang / Urtsi Dok (4500m). 6-7 hrs.

  Morning after the breakfast, continue the trek by following the well-defined and clear trek route on the left bank of the river. En-route amazing and beautiful landscape. After few hours of trek, you reach at the top of the Nyigutse-la (5100m). At the top of the pass, you will find yourself top of the world and get the stunning and enchanting view of unforgettable landscape with different mountains of Himalayan range. Cross the pass and then descend in beautiful lost valley opening on an immense plain where you find many animals like sheep’s, goats and yaks etc. Overnight Camp. (4500m)
  
• Day 7 Trek Sirsir La (4805m) - Photoksar (4400m). 5-6 hrs

  Today you have to cross the river so it is advisable to carry some extra stock in your bag so that you may not get wet. As usual after breakfast, continue the trek with ascending the ridge right from the camping. Follow the clear path on rolling ridge and from here you see the Sirsir-la pass. Descend down in towards the river below. Cross the river and then start ascending straight towards the pass Sirsir la (4805m). Enjoy the view of wonderful valleys and its landscape. Gentle and easy descend by following the good trek path to Photoksar (A remote isolated charming village). Evening explore the village. Campsite before the village near the river. Overnight at Camp. (4210m)
  
• Day 8 Trek Boumitse La (4400m) - base of Singe La (Sengge La (4400m), 7-8 hrs.

  After breakfast, continue trek. Today you have to cross one easy pass. Right from the camp, start ascend for few meter and then continue along the clear path.beatiful view of village Photoksar and surrounding mountains and gorge. Carry on ascending up to top of Boumitse-la, from the pass you can directly see the Singey la Pass which is about more than three hours trek from this point. Continue to climb on a high pasture land on photang valley, where villagers of Photokars keep their yaks, dzo, and horses for grazing. At final stage we climb steep to Singey la 5060m the 2nd highest point of our trek. Sengge in Tibetan means lion. So its lion pass, the view and formations of pass appears like lion, from pass a panoramic view of Zanskar range, next 1 hrs of steep ascent to base camp.
  
• Day 9 Trek Sengge-la (4960m) – Kiupa-la (3850) – Skiumpata 7 hrs

  Right from the camp, start ascending up to top of Singe-la. It is easy to ascend but 1200m before the top, it is steep ascend in zigzag. From the pass, the route descends steeply to a loose boulder strewn area. This is called Champado Gongma. Continue along the right side of the valley, clear path up to village Skiumpata. Beautiful and awesome view of landscape of the valley. Follow the beaten easy track and on the way you find a junction. One goes straight towards Lingshed and another goes down towards Yulchung village that you see below. Take left handside and then descend down in zig zag clear path.
  
• Day 10 Trek Lingshed – Lanang / Hanamu la Base, 7 hrs

  There is a great view of Nyerak far across Zanskar River, now we descent slowly to Lingshed and great monastery of Ligshed itself. Continue through the village and upto base of Hanuma la. Overnight camp at Lanang.
  
• Day 11 Trek Hanuma La (4800m) – Zingchen , 7 hrs

  Later long ascents towards Hunuma la pass 4800m. From top of pass panoramic view of Lingshed, Sengge la and Ladakh Mountain range. This pass is connecting point between Ladakh and Zanskar, than descent deep inside hanging valley until Snertse. After Snertse long descent towards Oma tokpo where we camp for tonight.
  
• Day 12 Trek Zingchen – Perfila (3900m) – Hanamur 6 hrs

  Crossing the oma tokpo long ascent towards Perfi la 3950m. It’s the last pass between Kanji - Zangla. From top we will be rewarded with great view of Zanskar Mountains and could visible the Hanumil from pass. Last patch we trek along the Zanskar River to village of Hanumil and overnight camp.
  
• Day 13 Trek Pidmo – Pishu –Zangla River camp, 6 hrs

  Today after breakfast we follow the left bank of Zanskar River on relatively level path. We cross the village of Pidmo 3420m. Small village located beside Zanskar River. We cross the bridge on Zanskar River and follow the right bank of this River upto campsite of Zangla. Beautiful campsite.
  
• Day 14 Drive Zangla - Stongde - Karsha (3320m) - Sani - Padum (3600m).

  Today you have full day culture tour around Padum by drive. Morning after breakfast, drive to Stongde village. Visit beautiful picturesque monastery built on hill top by Lama Marpa 950 years ago. Approximately 60 monks are residing in this monastery. After the visit, continue drive to Karsha (Pair of White i.e., Outer white and Inner white). Visit Karsha monastery. This monastery is the largest of all the monastery in Zanskar and this monastery (Gonpa) was first founded by Great Lama Phagspa Shesrap (the translator of Zanskar). From the monastery, you have amazing and spectacular view of the capital of Zanskar (Padum) and its surrounding mountains. After the visit explore Padum (The capital of Zanskar). Overnight in Padum. (3530m)
  
• Day 15 Drive Padum to Raru (3800m) 1 hr and trek Ichar - Vipula (4000m) - Tsethang. 6 hrs.

  Today an early departure from Padum, we drive to Bardan along the Tsarap tchu and enter in Lungnak valley. The drive is on dusty trail usually a foundation of road to Darcha over Shingo la pass. We follow this dusty trail up to Raru village. We continues to our trek on a well define ancient trail with amazing and spectacular view of landscape. At first we descend down to Tsarap tchu cross wooden bridge and continue along the river back up to Tsethang village via passing beautiful Ichar village. Overnight camp at Tsethang (3900m).
  
• Day 16 Trek Cha - Phuktal (4055m) - Purne (3800m), 7-8 hrs.

  Today leaving Tsethang we cross the cable bridge near Anmo village and follow the trail to Cha village. and continue climb to the ridge, from where we can have spectacular view of Tsarap River valley and Purne at far South. Trail descend to Tsarap River and we follow the right bank of this River to Phuktal gompa, one of most stunning sight of Zanskar. Main temple built inside huge cave and rest of monastery houses built on rock cliff. The monastery was founded by Changsems Sherab Zangpo. Finally we cross the river by temprorary bridge and trail goes along the left bank of river to Purney.
  
• Day 17 Trek Testa -Tangze (4000m) - Kyin (4120m). 6 hrs

  Purney is situated at the confluence between Tsarap and Kurgiak. We take a short descent to bridge and climb steadly to Hal, Testa and continue along the right side of the valley. We pass through beautiful and charming villages of Testa 3900m and Karu. We cross the river just before Tangtse village. Continue to trek along the right bank of Kargiak River we arrive at Kyin village, one of the highest villages in Zanskar region. Overnight camp at Kyin.
  
• Day 18 Trek Kurgiak - Lakhong - Pankeya , 7-8 hrs

  Today leaving Kargyak village behind, continue along right bank of River, a well-defined trail leads us to Gombo Rangjon peak. An impressive summit along the trail is magnificent. The valley ends and the doksa of Kargyak people can be seen as dotted on terrain. This area is high pasture land for yaks, dzo and sheep. We cross the stream and cross the Lakhang doksa. Now we climb for 25 minutes to reach campsite of Pankeya 4700m. Overnight camp.
  
• Day 19 Trek Shingo La (5090m) - Ramjak - Zanskar Sumdo

  Today we climb towards Shingo la pass or Shinkun la 5090m, the highest point of our trek. Right after camp we climb gently on high pasture terrain to base camp, next patch of trek over rock fields and glacier. Top of Shingo la pass there are prayer flags and mani stones are telling story of those people cross over years back. With impressive view back to Zanskar side the valley we trek and summits rising above 6000m of Great Himalayan range. The road has open up this pass and its officially open for public. We descend to Chumik Marpho, Ramjak and continue to Zanskar Sumdo camp.
  
• Day 20 Drive Darcha - Keylong - Rohtang la (3978m) - Manali

  Our vehicle  will be waiting for us at Zanskar Sumdo, here and we say good bye to our horsemen and drive to Darcha. At Darcha Sumdo there are numbers of small tea shops. After refreshing and checking in at Darcha check point, we drive to Keylong, headquarter of Lahaul and Spiti. Enroute we pass Jispa and Gemur village. At Stingri we enter in Ghar valley and continue drive to Rohtang pass to Manali, Overnight hotel. 
  
• Day 21 Manali - Delhi

  Departure to Delhi by early morning. Arrive at Delhi by late evening.
  
• Day 22 Delhi, Departure to airport & flight back to home

  Morning explore Delhi Red fort, Lotus temple, India gate and evening drive to airport and flight back to home.