Day 01:
Arrival in Delhi, Meeting upon at Indhira Gandhi International airport. Transfer to hotel.
Day 02:
Delhi – Chandigarh – Manali (2,040 m) 16 hrs.drive.Today
after breakfast we begin an early drive out from Delhi city to the foothill of Himalayas.
Before heading up to Kullu – Manali we have lunch on the way. Finally arriving at Manali overnight stay at lovely hotel.
Day 03:
Manali – sight seeing around Manali or day for final preparation (purchasing accessories for trekking) before heading
off to starting point of trek, Darcha.
Day 04:
Manali to Darcha (3360mt.) – Chhika Rarik 7 hrs.
7hours
drive over Rohtang pass (3978mt.), which is the gateway Lahoul and Spiti Pangee and Zanskar valley.
Day 05:
Rarik –Zanskar Sumdo (4,100mt.) 5-6 hrs.
Starting
point of our trek from Rarik we trei to Palamo 3825 m. We pass a spectacular gorge. Continue along the left bank and cross
the first ford. Gradual climb and good view of mountain continue on the left bank until reaching a second ford. 400mt.gradual
climbs from Palamo to Zanskar Sumdo. Good camp aside a ford.
Day 06:
Zanskar Sumdo-Chhumik Nakpo (4670mt) 6 hrs.
Cross
the second ford then go up the right hand valley following the stream, which comes from Shingo la. Streams in Himalayas
should be cross carefully even if they look small. Camp in the meadow.
Day 07:
Chhumik Nakpo –Shingo-la (5090mt.)-Lakong (4590mt) 7/8 hrs.
An eventful
day for those who have never climbed to this height. From the camp, climb moderate slopes to foot of the pass. Finally at
the top of the pass of Shingo-la (5090mt.) see the view of various peaks. Walk over the glacier and fallen rocks. Finally
reach Lakong camp beside small stream.
Day 08:
Lakong –Kargyak (4230mt.) 5/6 hrs.
Cross
the stream and come to the right side of stream. Walk on a mass of fallen rocks, then cross a small stream. After one hour,
you pass beneath the face of the Gombarangjum, then an easy descent to the first village
of Zanskar region Kargyak.
Day 09:
Kargyak-Purne (3965mt.) 6 hrs.
Walking
through the Buddhist regions means always go from the left side of Chorten (Stupa) and recite as OM MANE PADME HUM, Continue
on the right bank along an easy walk. Reach Tanze
Which
is a small village, gompa in ruins a bit higher up? A short distance beyond Tanze, there is a small bridge across to the left
bank. Slight rise leading to Kuru, a major village of livestock breeders. Then arrival in Testa, beautiful village. The path
continues downward as near the river. Stay on the left bank, and then climb to Yal. Reaching Yal steep descent towards a large
bridge, which you cross to go Purne
Day 10:
Purne-Phuktal (4055m)—Purne 6 hrs.
Go up
the right bank of the Tsarap River
in to the Splendid
Gorges.
Cross a bridge in good condition, walk up for few minutes. A ledge leads to a small plateau sprinkled with Chorten and religious
banners. From here see the most spectacular sights in the Zanskar regions. Phuktal Monastery, which is built under a huge
cave. Phuktal belongs to the tradition of Gelukpas (Yellow section) visiting Phuktal return back by the same route to Purne.
Day 11:
Purne- Vipula (3865mt) 5/6 hrs.
From
Purne come back to the bridge, cross the bridge and then go up the left bank. Frequent small canyons of pudding stones. Pass
a bit above a hanging bridge, which leads to the village of
Cha. 2hours later reach Kheydang, a small village in a poplar grove.
Carry one until Gyalbo teashop. Pass below the village of Surle. The trail is still not good Finally reach the campsite of Vipula near teashop
Day 12:
Vipula—Raru (3960m) 6 hrs.
Long
way to Large bridge which leads to Ichar village. Gradual climb before coming to a major tributary (bridge), then to the campsite
of Raru. Camp near the lake.
Day 13:
Raru –Padum (11,580 ft/3,530 m) 5/6 hrs.
From
the camp cross a beautiful plain covered with flowers. Watch the monastery of Mune. Go down a steep incline to the main trail.
After two hours, arrive at Burdan Gompa, a Kargyudpa Monastery famous for its prayer wheel. Several beautiful villages on
the right bank of Tsarap River.
A dusty trail will take you to the sub-headquarter of Zanskar regions, Padum.
Day 14:
Padum – Stongde – Zangla 3370 mtrs. drive by jeep.
After
Padum we drive along the Zanskar river over long deserted streches. Enroute we pass
Stongde village and 2 village on route and arrive at Zangla. Once which was old capital of Zansjar kingdom.
Day 15:
Zangla Rest day.
Today
we visit the ancient palace of the kings of Zangla empire. The Hungarian traveler Cmoso de koros visited in winter 1820 .
Day 16:
Zangla – Zangla Sumdo 3800 mtrs. 4 hrs.
After
leaving Zangla the trek to Zangla gompa is steep uphill. Later we enter in gorge of knee deep river. From here we start to
put on our sandles for several river crossing. We cross the river several times on the same day. This side valley is still
used by the sheperds for in search of high pasture land . Arriving at Sumdo where two river meets. We camp here for overnight
stay.
Day 17:
Sumdo – Char Char la pass 4950 mtrs. – camp 4000 mtrs.
Today
we take the left valley from this point at Zangla Sumdo and continue to base of pass. Gradually uphill to pass at 4950 mtrs
over boulders. A spectacular view of Zanskar mountain range of Himalaya from this point. Crossing pass trail descend to chupchak
plateau. And further to campsite.
Day 18:
Camp – Tilat Sumdo 3750 mtrs.
Today
after camp we cross again several time chang chu or Khurna river. We follow the river until arriving at campsite at two river
junction.
Day 19:
Tilat Sumdo – base camp Rubering la 4300 mtrs.
Today
after camp the trail continuesly through the canyons, some of which are very small and narrow. We take the left hand valley
which leads towards Ruberang la pass. On right which goes to Zalung Karpo la pass. Passing through pasture area afternoon
arrive at lovely camsite.
Day 20:
Base camp – Rubering la 4700 mtrs. – Markha village 3800 mtrs.
Leaving
camp behind climb for 2 hrs to pass of Ruberang la, a magnificient view of Stok range of Ladakh mountains. We descend down
to the valley of Markha. And arrive at Markha village. A beautiful camp at village.
Day 21:
Markha – Hankar 3900 mtrs. 6 hrs.
Today
after Markha we follow a well defined trail through the fields along the right bank of Markha river. An easy day of walking. Enroute we see kang gyatse peak 6400 mtrs. Afternoon arrive at Hankar Sumdo. Overnight
camp near the village.
Day 22:
Hankar Sumdo – Nimaling 4900 mtrs. 6 hrs. trek.
Now the
valley narrows and goes higher. Cross onto the left bank after crossing bridge to arrive the pasture of Tchatchutse. The path
climb steadly up, then across the pasture of Nimaling. The Nimaling plain is a broad undulating meadow with tiny ponds and
rivulets flowing all over its meadows. Providing pasturage in summer for astonishing numbers of animals – yaks, Dzos,
sheep, goats, and horses. Himalayan marmots and white tailed hares are seen in plenty. Nimaling is one of the most beautiful
high valleys in Ladakh, dominated by Kang Gyatse (6’400 m). Overnight camp at Nimaling.
Day 23:
Nimaling – Kongmaru la (5’150m) – Chukirmo , 5-6 hrs trek
After
camp cross the Markha river and then climb along the mountainside for 45 minutes. Then some zigzagging up to the pass of Kongmaru
la which offer incredible view of mountains all around. Long descent into gorges with two stretches difficult for the horse.
Leave the gorge and keep walking on the left bank to Chukirmo.
Day 24:
Chukirmo – Shang Sumdo 3980 mtrs. 3 hrs. trek – Leh. Drive.
Day 25:
At Leh. Visit of lacal market. Leh palace.
Day 26:
Fly Leh – Delhi by Jet airways or Indian airlines.
