Trekking > Remote Zanskar Trek

Remote Zanskar Trek                                                                                           

Talk about trekking in the corners of the world or shall we say talk about another world! This is what the remote Zanskar trek is all about. Get set to be transported to a world where everything you see is like a photograph, the barren mountains with their proud snow clad peaks inviting yet mocking. This landscape at one point in time belonged to the independent Kingdom of Zanskar and was inaccessible until not so long back.

The trek takes you through the heartland of Zanskar, where an ancient form of Buddhism has been kept alive in their spectacular monasteries perched on high far flung ridges, the Karsha gompa being one of them. From the High passes of Cha Cha La the majestic Himalayan range beyond Padum can be seen and from Kongmaru La, at 5150 m the highest point of the trip stunning views of the Ladakh and Indus valley can be see. The other highlights of the trip are upclose views of the Kangyyaze Peak, Khampa nomads with their hundreds of horses and yaks in the Nimaling plains.

As is with every place, it is the people who make a trip memorable and the simple Zanskari's with their winning smile make this remote place seem like heaven on Earth.

Season: End July - September Max Altitude: 5150 m No. 0f Days:  16 Trek Grade : S

Day 01: Arrival in Leh
Check into Hotel Lah Rimo. Relax and acclimatization to the thin air.

Day 02: In Leh
Today will be spent taking small hikes in the vicinity of the Hotel and complete the acclimatization process.

DAY 03: Leh - Mulbekh
Drive through Kargil to the through some amazing mountainscape. The drive takes us over the Fotu la that is the pass between the Indus and the Suru Valley's. En route visit the Lamayuru Monastery of the "red sect", one of the oldest in the valley. Overnight camp at Mulbekh.

Day 04: Mulbekh - Rangdom
Today we drive from Rangdom to Remala; the drive is through Panikar and Prakachik with up close and personal views of the magnificent twin peaks of Nun & Kun. Camp overnight at Rangdom.

Day 05: Ringdom - Padum
A 5 hrs drive brings us to Padum, the starting point of this grand journey; en route one crosses the Peni la (14500 ft) and gets stunning views of the Zanskar range.

Start of Trek
Day 06: Padum - Zangla: 20 km, 7 hrs
Highlights: Crossing the Tsarap River Bridge & The Karsha Gompa

Day 07: Zangla - Local Village (Sumdo): 9 km, 3 hrs
Highlights: Multiple River crossings & The Zulung Valley

Day 08: Sumodo - Intermediate Camp: 16 km, 6 hrs
Highlights: The Cha cha la (4950 mts) that offers superb views of the Himalayan Range Beyond Padum.

Day 09: Campsite - Tilat Sumodo: 17 km, 7 hrs
Highlights: Crisscrossing the river and some wildlife.

Day 10: Tilat Sumodo - Base of Rubang la: 17 km, 6 hrs
Highlights: The Khampa Nomads with their Hundrends of Yaks & Horses.

Day 11: Base of Rubang la - Markha: 17 km, 6 hrs
Highlights: Rubang la (5020 mts) offers awesome views of the Stok range, the First glimple of Markha Valley.

Day 12: Markha - Thochuntse: 12 km, 5 hrs
Highlights: Part of the Zanskar gorge, Markha river crossings

Day 13: Thochuntse - Nimaling: 7 km, 3 hrs
Highlights: The Nimaling Plains & the Mani walls and Chortens that dot the trail. Also a side trip to the base of the Kangyaze peak (6000 mts) is possible.

Day 14: Nimaling - Sumodo: 18 km, 7 hrs
Highlights: Too many! The Kongmaru la (5150) highest pass on the trek, bird's eye view of the Ladakh and Indus Valley, Kangyaze peak in full majesty

Day 15: Sumodo - Hemis - Leh : 10 km, 3 hrs
Highlights: The Hemis Monastery & National park

Day 16: Leh - Delhi