Package Itinerary

• Day 1 Manali to Atal Tunnel Rohtang - Keylong (3,100 m) - Jispa (3200 m) - Shinku La (5,090 m) - Gumbok Rangan (4,330 m) - Kurgiakh (4,150 m) - Purne (3,800 m).

  Starting the trip from Manali, which is located at the head of the lush green Kullu valley. Leaving Manali first to Solang and then to the Atal Tunnel, which is now the new gateway to Lahaul, Spiti, Pangi, and Zanskar Valley. The landscape changes dramatically, the greenery being replaced by barren hillsides, surrounded by high peaks, and hanging glaciers, and the village with its bountiful fields of barley, peas, and potatoes, stands out in stark contrast. On entering Lahaul, the Buddhist influence is visible in the many monasteries crossed on the way. The people here have distinct Tibetan features. From Tandi along the Bhaga River to Keylong and to Jispa, continue Jispa to Darcha and to Chikka & Rarik, the last two villages before Shinku La. Crossing the bridge at Palamo and then along the river to Zanskar Sumdo. Leaving Zanskar Sumdo, the road passes through the second bridge and then up the right-hand valley following the stream, which comes from Shinku La. The highest point of our trip was at 5,090 meters. On top of Shinku La, there are prayer flags and mani stones that tell the story of those people who crossed over years back. With an impressive view of the Zanskar side of the valley, with summits rising above 6000 m of the Great Himalayan range. The road descends to Pankeya, and further to Lakhong, we reach the valley floor. Lakhong is high pasture land for yaks, dzo, and sheep, where domestic animals are kept during summertime and produce cheese and butter for winter stock. Along the right bank of Kurgiakh chu and below the mass of fallen rocks of Gumbok Rangan peak. We finally arrive at Kurgiakh, the first village of Zanskar. We pass the Karu, Tangze village, to a series of stupas before reaching Purne. Purne is situated at the confluence between Tsarap and Kurgiak chu and forms the Lungnak River valley.
  
  
  
• Day 2 Purne - Phuktal (3,900 m) - Purne - Raru (3,800 m) – Bardan – Shilla - Padum (3,600 m).

  Purne to Phuktal distance: There is a road that goes along the left bank of the Tsarap River up to a wooden bridge before Phuktal monastery, a hike for an hour. It's 2 to 3 hours for the Phuktal hike & visit, also called Phukthar. This monastery is built under a huge cave, and it belongs to the Gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. There is a stone tablet that serves as a reminder of the stay of Alexander Csoma de Koros at Phuktal, while he worked on the first English-Tibetan dictionary between 1826 and 1827, when he explored Ladakh.
  Leaving Phuktal back to Purne and the zig-zag road to Cha village. The road passes through the beautiful village of Raru. En route, passing and visiting Bardan gompa, continue to drive to Padum.
  
  
  
• Day 3 Padum – Local sightseeing - Sani - Karsha (3,750 m) - Stongde (3,800 m) - Zangla palace (3,650 m)

  Today, visits to major attractions in Central Zanskar. At the first visit to Karsha monastery. Karsha is one of the biggest monastic complexes in the Zanskar region.
  Leaving Karsha to Thongde, which is built on a hilltop by Lama Marpa and is more than 950 years old, finally drive to visit Zangla Fort. Visiting Zangla, and finally to visit the Sani monastery & the small Lake.
  
• Day 4 Padum – Dzonkhul (3,890m) – Phey (3,700m) – Abran (3,750m) - Drang Drung glacier - Penzi La (4,494 m) – Rangdum (4,040m) – Parkachik (3,600m) – Panikhar (3,250m) – Damsna (3,190m) Nun peak view – Kargil (2,6

  Leaving Padum, a short drive to Ating village, and continuing to Tungri. Take a diversion to the left to the Bardur River beside Stod Valley. Dzonkhul belongs to the Drukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism &is traditionally home to famous yoginis. Dzonkhul is also a starting point of the trek that leads to Umasi la, which joins Zanskar and Pangi Kishtwar. Built directly on a rock wall with two caves behind. The Huchot festival is famous at Dzonkhul. After visiting Dzonkhu,l we drive back to Tungri and pass many small villages along the route to Penzi La. Penzi La is known as "The gateway to Zanskar," which connects the Suru Valley to the Zanskar region. The Nun (7,135m) and Kun (7,077m) peaks, both above 7,000m, can be seen. The Drang Drung glacier to the Eastern flank of Penzi La is the source of the Stod or Doda River, which flows into central Zanskar and joins with Tsarap Chu to form the Zanskar River. After visiting the Penzi La, drive to Rangdum plains and pass through the beautiful Suru Valley to Kargil for an overnight stay.
  
• Day 5 Kargil – Mulbekh Chamba (3,250m) – Fotu La (4,109m) – Lamayuru (3,550m) – Khaltse (3,000m) - Alchi (3,100 m) - Leh (3,600 m).

  You continue to join the Srinagar – Leh highway and take this road to Lamayuru, passing through Mulbek, Chamba, and Fotu La small pass. We drive to the Alchi monastery, situated at a distance of 68 km from Leh. Its monastery is built on lowlands rather than on a hilltop, as others are, to protect from enemies. The Chortens around Alchi Gompa contain numerous murals of Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo, who built this monastery. The Alchi monastery has a vast collection of wall paintings and wood sculptures. After the visit, we continue our journey to Leh, where our 5-day trip comes to an end.