ACROSS ZANSKAR
(The classic journey through Ladakh, Zanskar and Lahual)

North of the Great Himalayan range, amongst a tangled knot of jagged mountains, lies a rugged and fascinating land, the once independent kingdom of Zanskar. Sandwiched between the Indus Valley and the main crest of the Indian Himalaya, this remote and inaccessible setting, well guarded by snowy mountain passes, has kept alive an archaic form of Tibetan Buddhism which flourishes in chain of far-flung monasteries, most of which occupy spectacular fortified locations, high on rocky ridges in isolated valleys. Lovely high meadow camp sites and dry desert land, high passes and snow-capped peaks stunning scenery, Buddhist monasteries and picturesque villages with their irrigated fields of barley and potatoes, and fascinating encounters with the Zanskari people turn a trek in this area into an unforgettable experience.

18 DAYS  DARCHA TO PADAM TREK (Maximum altitude: 5090 m)
(A long strenuous trek commencing from Lahual Valley in Himachal Pradesh)

DAY 1) Arrive Delhi, where you will be met and transfered to your hotel
DAY 2) Delhi - Manali by bus
DAY 3) Manali - Darcha by bus
DAY 4) Darcha  Ford Camp (3650m)
We start our journey with an easy walk into the valley. Follow a broad track NW upstream along the Barai Nala, past Rarig and Takpachan; after about 4h arrive at Jankar Sumdo (3580 m) where a stream coming from the slopes of Shingu La meets the Barai Nala. Head N along the W bank of this stream, up a rough dusty path for 2h30 to camp beside a tributary stream. It is advisable to ford this stream early in the morning when the water level is low.
DAY 5) Ford camp- Ramjak (3750 m)
Another stream must be forded in 1h. Beyond this the path(still good) crosses a boulder- strewn plain, then winds up steeply over decomposing slopes, with a further ascent to cross a ridge shoulder. Following a descent, cross a snowbridge over the Jankar Sangpo to reach Ramjak campsite.
DAY 6) Ramjak - Chumiknakpo (4060m)
The route leaves the valley and starts climbing up quite steeply towards the Shingu La pass.
DAY 7) Chumi Napo - Shingu La (5090m) - Lakong (4400m)
Prayer flags flapping in the wind mark the Shingu La pass, surrounded with fascinating views of the glaciers. An easy traverse of a glacier takes us to the valley and to the Lakong yak pastures.
DAY 8) Lakong - Kurgiakh (4050m)
A gradual descent along the Kurgiakh river, lined with mani walls. On the way, we will come across a few Doksas, where yaks are kept in summer time.
DAY 9) Kurgiakh - Tetha (3950m)
The trail is now boarded by meadows of flowers and barley fields. Shortens are spread all the way and highlight the religious fervour of the Zanskaris.
DAY 10) Tetha - Purni (3700m),
We visit Phuktal monastery (3850m), perched on the side of an impressive cliff. (4h return journey).
DAY 11) Purni - Ichar (3650m)
DAY 12) Ichar - Mune (3900m)
The trail goes up and down along the Tsarap river. On arriving at Mune, we will visit its monastery.
DAY 13) Mune - Padam (3600m)
En route we visit Bardan monastery, one of the most important in the area.
DAY 14) Padam - Kargil (3700m) by bus
DAY 15) Kargil - Leh (3500m) by bus.
DAY 16) Visit Leh
A full days sightseeing tour. We visit some of the areas most important monasteries, including Shey and Thikse. Each of these monasteries occupy hill-top sites, and offer remarkable views across the Indus Valley. The third monastery we will visit is Hemis.
DAY 17) Leh  Delhi by plane
DAY 18) At leisure in Delhi. Safety day for your international flight
DAY 19) Transfer to airport and fly back home.

18 DAYS PADAM TO LAMAYURU TREK
(Maximum altitude: 5050 m)

DAY 1) Arrive Delhi, where you will be met and transfered to your hotel.
DAY 2) Delhi - Leh (3500m) by plane
We go to the Domestic Airport for the early morning internal flight to Leh. The
hour long flight provides close views of the 7000 meter-high massifs of Nun and Kun. After arrival at Lehs 3500 meter- high airfield, we drive by jeep to the Ladkahi style Hotel. Evening free for personal activities and overnight at Hotel
DAY 3) A full days sightseeing tour. We visit some of the areas most important
Monasteries, including Shey and Thikse. Each of these monasteries occupy hill-top sites, and offer remarkable views across the Indus Valley. The third monastery we will visit is Hemis, Which is the most influential of the monasteries in the vicinity of Leh, and belongs to the Kagyupa Buddhist seet. We have time to look around the monastery, which has large numbers of excellent statuettes and wall paintings.
DAY 4) Leh - Kargil (3700m) by bus
DAY 5) Kargil - Padam (3600m) by bus.
DAY 6) Padam - Karsha (3600m)
A pleasant walk through fields. On the way we will visit Pepiting monastery and the Karsha Gompa--one of the most important in Zanskar and dating back to the 15th century. We have beautiful panoramic vistas of the full Himalayan range.
DAY 7) Karsha - Pishu (3470m)
We progress along the Zanskar river.
DAY 8) Pishu - Hanumil (3380m)
An easy-going walk along the right bank of the river takes us to Rinam village. We continue to the tiny hamlet of Hanumil.
DAY 9) Hanumil - Purfi La (3950m) - Snertse (3850m)
Up and down over a steep path.
DAY 10) Snerstse - Hanuma La (4950m)  Lingshot (4000m)
After a steep climb we reach the Purfi La pass, from where the panorama towards the Ladakhi and Zanskari ranges is quite impressive. Visit of Lingshot monastery.
DAY 11) Lingshot - Camp before Singi La (4550m), in 6h.
We start a long and gradual ascent to the Netuke La pass (4280m), where we have a wonderful view towards the Nierag valley. The trail then descends shortly to reach Skimpata and Gongma villages, then climbs steeply to reach the second pass, Khyupa La (4300m).
DAY 12) Camp before Singi La -Singi La (5050m)- Photoksar (4200m)
An amazing spectacle of hanging icefalls. We descend towards the Photang river and progress through barley fields.
DAY 13) Photoksar - Sirsir La (4850m) - Honupatta (3760m) in 6h
Photang valley turns into a gorge labyrinth, which forces us to make a detour via Sirsir La pass. Three shortens mark Honupatta and its giant hundred-year-old cedar, flanked by colorful prayer flags.
DAY 14) Honupatta - Wanla (3250m) in 5h
We head down towards the Photang valley and climb up to the Panjila pass(3410m). We finally descend to Wanla and visit its tiny monastery.
DAY 15) Wanla - Lamayuru (3420m) in 4h
Visit of the monastery at Lamayuru, which is the biggest in western Ladakh and was built in the 16th century on the site of a much older temple. The gompa is very well kept and famous for its many colorful wall paintings.
DAY 16) Lamayuru - Leh (3500m) by bus
DAY 17) Leh  Delhi by plane.
DAY 18) Transfer to airport and fly back home

LAMAYURU ALCHI TREK

Season: July to September
Duration: 2-day drive, 8-day trek
Grade: Moderate
Heighest Point: 4,320m approx.

This trek distills the very essence of Ladakh and in a short span of time, provides intensive experience of the land, its people and culture. Linking two of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh at its either end, the trail passes through dramatic desert mountainscape with vivid verdant villages tucked away into the hillsides. Highlights include the gompas at Lamayuru, Wanla, the Sumdochoon valley, inhabited by descendants of Nepalese craftsmen brought by the king of Ladakh in the 18th century renowned for their metalwrok in copper, tin and silver, and Alchi and ancient wood carvings at Sumdah Chenmo, all made in the 11th century by Rigzing Zangpo.

Itinerary at a glance-

Day 01 Arrival Delhi
Day 02 Delhi
Day 03 Fly Delhi to Leh
Day 04 Leh. Day at leisure.
Day 05 Day for City Tour
Day 06 Drive leh to Lamayuru (11,033 ft/3,364 m) - 5 to 6 hours.
Day 07 Trek Lamayuru to Wanla (10,135 ft/3,090 m) - 3 to 4 hours.
Day 08 Wanla to Hinju (12,421 ft/3,787 m) - 5 to 6 hours.
Day 09 Hinju .Rest day. Explore the village and its surroundings.
Day 10 Hinju to Marjek (11,152 ft/3,400 m) - 6 hours.
Day 11 Marjek to Lanka (13,547 ft/4,130 m) - 6 hours.
Day 07 Lanka to Sumdah Choon (12,579 ft/3,835 m) - 6 hours.
Day 08 Sumdah Choon. Rest day.
Day 09 Sumdah Choon to Pulu (14,170 ft/4,320 m) - 6 hours
Day 10 Pulu to Alchi - 2 hours.
Day 11 Drive Alchi to Leh - 3 hours.
Day 12 Fly Leh to Delhi.
Day 13 Departure Delhi.