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Ladakh is a land like no other land. Its boundaries contains the world's two giant mountain ranges, these are 'The Great Himalayas' and 'The Karakoram'. Trekking in Ladakh is a paradise for trekkers. Ladakh has plenty of trekking options, which suits all the adventurers and nature loving persons. Ladakh is a land of endless discoveries.
Here, nature is at its extreme. Ladakh is a land of freezing winds. It can be said as a cold desert lying in the midst of the great himalayas and other smaller himalayan ranges. One of the most pleasurable as well as the challenging activities of the highlands of Ladakh is trekking.
Some of Ladakh’s most prominent gompas (Tibetan monastery) include Lamayaru (the oldest), Hemis (the largest and wealthiest), Thikse, Shey, Stok, Spituk, Alchi and Deskit. Buddhism predominates in Ladakh and imparts a distinct identify to its people.
Ladakh is often described as 'Little Tibet'. Ladakh receives less of snow and less of rain thorughout the year. In winters, the temperature dips to about -200C. It is at an altitude ranging from 3000 to 7672 meters. Ladakh comprises of the Indus Valley, Rupshu, Changthang, and the Nubra Valley.
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Have a look at a 17 day tour to Ladakh from Delhi
Day 1:
Travel from Delhi to Leh by air. The early morning flight from
Delhi gets to Leh in less than two hours. From the airport guests
would be transferred to a three star city hotel where they would be housed
on full board. Leh is at an altitude of 3500 mts. And all guests are
advised to rest for the entire day. A successful trek in Ladakh requires
you to acclimatize well.
Zanskar Trek Tour Itinerary
Day -2: This day is meant to provide an opportunity to get a feel of
the place. Guests will be driven to the Leh Palace, which houses old
relics that belong to the sixteenth century ruler of Ladakh. Later in the
day a trip to the monasteries at Shey. Thiksey & Hemis will also be
arranged.
Day -3: Drive from Leh to Kargil (234 kms. / 10/12 hrs. ) : Driving
along the Srinagaer to Leh National Highway the route traces its way past
the villages of Nimmu, Khaltsi, Lamayuru, Bodhkharbu and Mulbek.
Kargil (2704m) is the second largest urban centre of Ladakh and lies on the
Line of Control between India and Pakistan. We halt here for the night
in a local hotel.
Day -4: Drive from Kargil to Rangdum (130 kms. / 6 hrs. ) : Rangdum
(3657m) is almost midway between Kargil and Padum. It is a picturesque
place, surrounded by colourful hills on the one side and glacier –
encrusted rocky mountains on the other. Rangdum also has a 18th Century
Buddhist monastery of the Geluks-pa order. We shall camp here for the
night.
Day -5: Drive from Rangdum to Padum (110 kms. / 5 hrs. ) : About 20
kms. southeast of Randum stands the Penzi-la axis across which lies
Zanskar. The Penzi-la pass (4401m) is a scenic tableland surrounded by
snow-covered peaks. As the Zanskar road winds down the steep slopes of
Penzi-la to the head of the Stod valley, the majestic Drang-Drung glazier
looms into full view. Drang-Drung is one of the largest glacier in
Ladakh. Padum is just a scattering of small, white-washed buildings in a vast
plain with a tiny population of about 1500. We shall camp here for the
night in one of the many camping sites.
Day -6: Today is a day reserved for some local sightseeing. On the
banks of the Lungnak river is a set of ancient rock carvings which date to
the 8th century. During the day we shall visit the monasteries of
Tongde, Zangla and Karsha by jeep. These monasteries are located within 30
to 40 kms. of Padum.
Day -7: Padum to Reru (5/6 hrs. ) : Today we begin our trek. The
day’s walk is relatively easy. On the way our first halt is at Bardan
Gompa which is worth visiting because of its enormous prayer wheel. Further
ahead is Mune Gompa. The campsite at Reru takes another three hours to
reach.
Day -8: Reru to Changpa Tsetan (6/7 hrs. ) : The trail, today, follows
the Tsarap River up and down through a dark, rocky landscape. There
are some stream crossings. The campsite at Changpa Tsetan is located in
the fields.
Day -9: Changpa Tsetan to Purne (4 hrs. ) : The trail continues to
follow the Tsarap River. We trek past the villages of Surle, Kalbok and
Zantang to the confluence of Tsrap and Kargyak rivers. A little ahead is
Purne Village.
Day -10: Purne to Phuktal to Purne (4/5 hrs. ) : Today while keeping
our base at Purne we shall visit the famous Phuktal monastery during the
day. Phuktal is by far the most spectacularly located monastic
establishments anywhere in Ladakh. The Phuktal complex spills out of the mouth
of a huge cave high up in the vertical mountainside of the lateral
Shadi gorge through which a major tributary of the Lung-nak river flows.
The foundation of Phuktal dates back to the early 12th Century.
Day -11: Purne to Kargyak (6/7 hrs.) : It’s a long but easy day
today. The trail follows the Kargyak River. On the way are the villages of
Testha, Kuru and Tanse villages. Kargyak is four hours beyond Tanze. We
shall camp at Sking Village which is just before Kargyak.
Day -12: Kargyak to Shingo La Base (5 hrs.) : The valley widens up here
and the trail follows the traverse of the Karyak stream. After passing
through an impressive rock face known as Gombu Rangjom, the trail
lands to Lakhang (4470m). A little ahead is the Shingo La Base.
Day -13: Shingoha Base to Ramjak across Shingo La (7/8 hrs.) : Today is
a tough walk. The ascent to Shingo La (5050m) takes two hours, and
this is the highest point of the trek. The views are fantastic but the
place is cold and windy. After the pass, the track goes on for half an
hour at the same altitude crossing a torrent. This is followed by a steep
descent on a path full of rocks and scree for two hours to Chumik
Nagpu. Another three hours of walking brings us to Ramjak (4300m).
Day -14: Ramjak to Pal Lhamo (7 hrs.) : Today is the momentous day when
we leave the rocky landscape of Zanskar and enter Lahul, the vista
gradually becoming green. It is a gradual descent on an easy path
southwards crossing a bridge at Zanskar Sumdo. The trail leads to Pal Lhamo,
with a few stream crossings. We shall camp here for the night.
Day -15: Pal Lhamo to Darcha (3 hrs.) : The descent to Darcha is fairly
easy. Within the first two hours of our walk we reach Chika Village
where the road starts and the last stage is a straight walk into Darch
(3300m). We shall all board a jeep that will drive us to Manali (190
kms.) through Jispa, Keylong, Khoksar and Rohtang. At Manali we shall check
into a three/from star hotel to spend the night.
Day -16: Today is a rest day in Manali. The town teams with trekkers,
mountaineers and those going on jeep or motorbike safaris into the
mountains. It is an excellent place to chill out after a trek.
Day -17: Drive from Manali to Kulu; where we catch a flight for Delhi.
There is also the alternate option of driving from Manali to Delhi
which is a distance of around 600 kms. and can be completed in a day.
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