Zanskar Odyssey

DAY 01 - Delhi

Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel for check-in, afternoon and evening free

Arrive at the international airport of Delhi. After a traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our KVT’s representative would assist you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. Rest of the day is free to relax at the hotel or can explore the nearby area.

Overnight Hotel

DAY 02 - Leh

Early morning fly to Leh, arrive and transfer to hotel. Afternoon rest and evening stroll around the local market area

Early morning we will be transferred to the Airport to board the internal flight to Leh, which passes over the Himalayan Ranges with breathtaking views and it will brings us to a fertile valley just to the north of the mighty Indus River (this flight is subject to weather). After such a highly spectacular flight over the Himalayas, we arrive in Leh airport. Upon arrival, we will be transferred to the hotel for check-in. Rest of the day is free for us to relax and acclimatize to the high altitude weather. Late afternoon there will be a gentle orientation walk of Leh and its local market.

Overnight Hotel

DAY 03 - Leh

Local exploration of Leh

Today we do the local exploration, visiting the bazaar (local market) of Leh. Then, we visit Shanti Stupa which is a Buddhist white-domed stupa (chorten) on a hilltop in Chanspa, in the north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. This was built by Japanese monks to promote world peace. The Shanti Stupa holds the relics of the Buddha at its base, enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama himself. Later we visit Leh Palace, nine storey palace built in 1553. One can have the beautiful view of Leh city and surrounding mountains. Afterwards proceed to Shankar Gompa (‘Gompa’ means monastery) which is located at 3 kilometers distance from Leh, it is a subsidiary of Spituk Monastery and belongs to the Gelugpa Sect. The Gompa is also the residence of Kushok Bakul (Head of the Gelugpa Sect). We also visit Namgyal Tsemo Monastery perched on a hilltop from where we have a bird’s-eye view of the Leh city. The Gompa has a three-storey high solid gold statue of Matireya Buddha and ancient manuscripts and frescoes. It was built in 15th century by King Tashi Namgyal; after that we come back to hotel and relax.

Overnight Hotel

DAY 04 - Lamayuru

Drive to Lamayuru and visit Lamayuru monastery

In the morning after breakfast we leave Leh and drive towards Lamayuru (Distance: 125km) where we visit Lamayuru monastery this is one of the oldest and largest monasteries in Ladakh region. The monastery is famous for its rich wall paintings, collections of thangkas, murals, scriptures and statues of different forms of Buddha and other deities. Later we head towards the campsite where we camp for the night. (3510m)

Overnight Camp

DAY 05 - Wanla

Trek to Wanla en-route cross Prinkiti La (3750m | Trek begins)

This morning we have breakfast and begin our trek towards the campsite of Wanla; the trail leads us downwards from where we follow a stream and then we start ascending to the top of Prinkiti La (3750m | ‘La’ means Pass in Tibetan) after crossing the pass we descend towards a gorge from where we walk up to the Shillakung valley. Then we cross the river and walk further on the trail that will take us to the village of Wanla, where we camp for the night. (3250m | 4-5hrs trek)

Overnight Camp

DAY 06 - Hanupatta

Trek from Wanla to Hanupatta

Today at the beginning we will be crossing a river and then keep on walking along the road until we reach at the spot where the trail splits into two: one goes to Zanskar valley and the other one goes to Ripchar valley. We follow the main trail along the river, later cross the river by bridge and we head towards a gorge which is very dangerous for ponies. A little further we walk and reach to the village of Hanupatta. (3760m | 6-7hrs trek)

Overnight Camp

DAY 07 - Photoksar

Hanupatta to Photoksar trek en-route cross Sirsir La (4850m)

After breakfast we start a gentle walk through the village towards Mani wall and Chortens then the trail is a steep ascend towards the pass of Sirsir La (4850m). We reach the pass from where we can see the next pass Singge La (5050m) and the magnificent view of Zanskar mountains range. Then the trail descends towards a small village of Photoksar our next campsite for the night. (4200m | 6-7hrs trek)

Overnight Camp

DAY 08 - Singi La Base

Photoksar to Singge La base en-route cross Singge La (5050m)

We start our morning with heavy breakfast and continue our walk; the trail goes up to the pass of Bumiktse La (4200m); cross the pass then we descend to a beautiful valley. We keep on walking as the trail is gentle for now and we enjoy the scenic view of the valley and its village as well as the green fields. Then we start climbing a steep section that will take us to the pass of Singge La (5050m | Singge La means Lion’s pass and this is the highest pass on this trek); from the pass we will be blessed again with a stunning view of Zanskar mountains range; then we descent all the way down towards our next campsite that is the base of Singge La where we camp for the night. (4300m | 7-8hrs trek)

Overnight Camp

DAY 09 - Lingshed

Trek to Lingshed en-route cross Kyukpa La (3850m) and Morgon La (4100m)

This morning after breakfast we continue our walk towards a village of Lingshed (3800m); we head towards a small pass of Kyukpa La (3850m); we cross the pass and descent towards the villages of Gongma and Skyumpata. Again we cross another pass Morgon La (4100m) from here the trail is a gentle walk towards the beautiful village of Lingshed our next campsite, it has a very old Lingshed monastery which belongs to Gelugpa order. (3950m | 6-7hrs trek)

Overnight Camp

DAY 10 - Snertse

Trek from Lingshed to Snertse via Hanuma La (4700m)

Today after finishing breakfast we follow the trail beside the stream and then a gradual ascent to the pass of Hanuma La (4700m) from here we can watch the Lingshed monastery and then we descent through narrow valleys to the meadows of Snertse village the campsite for the night. (3800m | 7-8hrs trek)

Overnight Camp

DAY 11 - Hanumil

Trek to Hanumil en-route cross Parfi La (3950m)

Morning we finish breakfast then start trekking to the trail that goes upwards for sometimes then we reach Zingchan where we cross the river Oma Chu through the bridge. Now we start a steep ascent towards the pass of Parfi La (3950m) then we cross the pass by descending to the Zanskar River from here the trail is easy walk to reach the village of Hanumil where we camp for the night. (3450m | 7hrs trek)

Overnight Camp

DAY 12 - Pishu

Hanumil to Pishu trek

This day after breakfast we trek towards Pishu village our next campsite; we walk along the right side of Zanskar River and reach village of Pidmo, here we cross a bridge and carry on walking on the trail that would lead us towards our campsite, Pishu village. (3400m | 4-5hrs trek)

Overnight Camp

DAY 13 - Karsha

Pishu to Karsha trek

Today morning after breakfast we may possibly do a detour to watch the longest hanging bridge on the Zanskar River which leads to Zangla. Then we move on towards Karsha village through the hot and dusty trail beside the Zanskar River en-route we cross Rinam village. Reach Karsha village our campsite for the night; here one can visit the famous monastery of Zanskar region, Karsha monastery. Karsha monastery is located on the hilltop with a magnificent view of the valley and belongs to the Gelugpa order. (3650m | 4-5hrs trek)

Overnight Camp

DAY 14 - Padum

Trek from Karsha to Padum (Trek ends)

Morning we finish breakfast and leave Karsha village; on the way we cross Doda River through a bridge and head towards Pipiting, visit the monastery and finally we reach Padum known for its scenic beauty and serves as the capital for Zanskar region. (Trek ends | 3669m | 3-4hrs trek)

Overnight Camp

DAY 15 - Rangdum

Drive from Padum to Rangdum en-route cross Pensi La (4400m)

Today early morning we have breakfast and drive towards our next stopover, Rangdum (3657m) (Distance: 140km | 7-8hrs drive). The drive is challenging as the condition of road is not so good and after driving for some time the road goes upwards to the pass of Pensi La (4400m). Reach pass and enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature as we can watch Drang Drung glacier, Stat Tso and Lam Tso (Tso means Lake). Then we continue our drive towards Rangdum, reach there and visit Rangdum monastery located on the hilltop and belongs to Gelugpa sect; later relax in the tents. (3657m)

Overnight Camp

DAY 16 - Kargil

Drive from Rangdum to Kargil

Morning after breakfast we drive towards Kargil (Distance: 100km | 5-6hrs drive) on the way we cross Parkachan and Panikhar villages which lies in the beautiful Suru valley. Kargil is the largest town in Ladakh after Leh; we reach Kargil and check-in to the hotel. (2676m)

Overnight Hotel

DAY 17 - Srinagar

Drive to Srinagar (or Leh) en-route cross Zoji La (3528m)

This day after breakfast we leave Kargil and drive to Srinagar (Distance: 206km | 8-9hrs drive); on the way we reach Drass which is a town and also known as ‘The Gateway to Ladakh’. We can stop here and visit the Drass War Memorial; which is built in the memory of Soldiers and officers of the Indian Army killed during the Kargil War in 1999 (Conflict between India and Pakistan).Later we drive towards a high mountain pass of Zoji La (3528m) which connects Ladakh and Kashmir valley; cross the pass then head to Sonamarg then we continue the drive towards Srinagar. Reach there and transfer to hotel for check-in. (1585m)

Overnight Hotel

DAY 18 - Srinagar

Sightseeing of Srinagar

In the morning after breakfast we proceed for the sightseeing tour of Srinagar; we start with an amazing Shikara (boat) ride on the very famous Dal Lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Then we visit Mughal gardens built by Mughals in Persian style, later visit Shalimar bagh. Afterwards we visit the Shankaracharya Temple located on the hilltop in the middle of the city. In the evening we try Wazwan a multi-course meal in Kashmiri cuisine.

Overnight Hotel

DAY 19 - Delhi

Flight from Srinagar to Delhi; arrive Delhi and transfer to the International airport

Morning you will be transferred to the Srinagar airport to board the flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi to catch the flight for back home.