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TREKKING

kanji phirsela

Zanskar, inaccessible for centuries, is unlike anywhere else on earth: A high arid land with fortress-like Buddhist monasteries steeped in myth and rich in imagery. It is also a world where the only way to travel is on foot or by pony. This trek takes us from the Lahaul valley of Himachal Pradesh into the ancient kingdom of Zanskar, where we visit the remarkable cave gompa of Phugtal. The people, the scenery and the challenge make this a truly unique adventure.

Most of the visitors travel to the remote parts of Zanskar region for trekking. Numerous trails wind their way north from Padum to Central Ladakh, west of Kishtwar and south to Neighbouring Lahaul - all along hard hikes that involve strenuous ups and downs. This trek give you access to Ladakh and Zanskar valley together.

Day 1, from leh to kanji by car.
Day2 kanji to kanji basse
Day3,kanji base to shillakong, via yokma la
Day 4 shillakong to nygongtse via nygongtse la
Day 5 nygongtse to photoksar via serser la
Day 6 photoksar to single la base via singgela base
Day 7 singlla base to skumpata
Day 8 skumpata to lanang visit lingshed gonpa,
Day 9 lanang to zingshen via hanumanla
Day10 zingchen to hanamur vai berfila
Day 11 hanamur to zangla
Day 12 zangla to stongday,visit stongday gonpa,
Day 13 stongday to stongdayla base
Day 14 stongday la base to molasumdo
Day15 molasumdo to shaday
Day 16 shaday to yata
Day 17 yata to purney,visit phuktal gonpa
Day18 purney to tsngze
Day 19 tangze to zingchen
Day 20 zingchen to chumik marpho via phirsela
Day 21 chumik marpo to serchu

Lamayuru to Karsha

Duration 15days : 1 day hometown-Delhi-Leh, 1 days acclimatization in Leh, duration 11 days of trek, 1 day rest at Karsha, 2 days by bus or jeep - Srinagar,/leh , 1 day in Delhi, depart following morning for return to home town.

Itinerary : The trek takes in 7 cols, the highest being the Senge La at 5000m. It is atrek on good paths through magnificent scenery, passing through Photoksar, Lingshed Monastery and Nierak village.

My advice : The route via Nierak, which is less frequented and wilder than alternatives offers excellent chances of seeing the Himalayan ibex. The trek is best done between June and November, but preferably avoiding the busiest period 15 July – 15 August.

DAY 1: Leh-Lamayuru, visit Alchi
DAY 2 : Start trek : Lamayuru-Phanjila, passing the Prinkti La, 3726m , 5h
DAY 3 : Phanjila-Base camp for Sisir La, 5h
DAY 4 : Sisir La 4805m-Photoksar, 5h
DAY 5 : Photoksar-Brumikse La, 4200m -Base camp for Senge La, 6-7h
DAY 6 : B.C-Senge La 5000m-Skian, 6h
DAY 7 : Lingshed by the Mugum La and the Chiupata La or rest, 6h
DAY 8 : Skian- Nierak, 4h
DAY 9: Nierak-Libar La 4900m-Pargnatien, 6h
DAY 10: Pargnatien-Sumdo Til-Til, 4h
DAY 11: Sumdo Til Til-Zangla, 5h
DAY 12: Zangla-Karsha , end of trek, 6h
DAY 13: Karsha
DAY 14: Karsha (Padum by local bus)
DAY 15 : padum to kargil
DAY 16 : karil to leh/srinagar/toward destination.

Kanji to Baarandinala

Duration 21 days : 1 day hometown-Delhi, 1 day Delhi-Leh and acclimatisation, 2 days by bus or jeep Leh-Kargil-Karsha,1 day rest at Karsha, 1 day in bus or jeep Karsha-Stongde, 8 days of trekking, 1 day rest at Karsha, 2 days in bus or jeep Karsha-Kargil-Srinagar, 2 days on houseboat at Srinagar, 1 day at Delhi, 1 day Delhi-home.

Itinerary : Stongde La at 5140m offers a steep, exposed path leading to the very remote village of Chade where we stay for a day, providing you with the opportunity to meet the inhabitants.

Afterwards we trek to Phuktal, with its magnificent monastery. This is an unforgettable trek through out of the way country, and Phuktal is especially impressive.

my advice : Very few tourists do this trek, the paths are only used by locals. It is best done late in the season, when you may be lucky enough to combine it with participating in one of Zanskar's famous marriage ceremonies.

Day 1, from Leh to kanji by car.
Day2 Kanji to kanji basse
Day 3 Kanji la base to sumdo via kanji la
Day 4 Sumdo to borong tokpo
Day 5 Borong tokpo to pidong la
Day 6 Pidong la to dipling
Day 7 Dipling to lingshed sumdo
Day 8 lingshed sumdo to lingshed via bermila
Day 9 lingshed to youlchong via margum la
Day 10 Youlchung to nerak , cross the zanskar river
Day 11 Nerak to pangnatse via takti la
Day 12 Pangnatse to shingne la to via namtse la
Day 13 Shingne la to hona
Day 14 Hona to Day 12 zangla
Day 15 Zangla to stongday visit stongday gonpa
Day 16 Stongday to stongdayla base
Day 17 Stongday la base to molasumdo
Day18 Molasumdo to shaday
Day 19 Shaday to tangtak
Day 20 Tangtak to nylokongtse la
Day 21 Nylokongtse to marshun via nykongtsela
Day 22 Marshun to satak
Day 23 Satak to tsomitse/ barandinala.

Markha Valley Trek

Itinerary : Trek easily accessible from Leh to delight all those who appreciate the villages andtheir inhabitants wish to meet in the heart of a national park that protects animals: chamois,mountain sheep, foxes, wolves, vultures.

A special contact with the inhabitants by the exclusive use of localguides.

my advice : For those who want to try walking at altitude (2 passes at 4870m and5130m)

DAY1 : Leh-Zhingchan by car
DAY2 : Zhingchan-Base camp Kanda La (6 hours walk)
DAY3 : Base camp Kanda La-Shingo By pass of Kanda La 4870m (6h)
DAY4 : Shingo-Penise with visit of Skyu Gompa (5h)
DAY5 : Penise-Markha (5h)
DAY6 : Markha-Hangkar (6h)
DAY7 : Hangkar-Nyimaling (7h)
DAY8 : Nyimaling-Lartsa by pass of Gongmaru La 5130m (7h)
DAY9 : Lartsa-Shang Sumdo (3h)
DAY10 : Shang Sumdo-Leh by car with visit monateries of Hémis and Thikse
It is also possible to climb Stok Kangri 6123m, in this case, predict 3 days more.

Nubra Valley Trek

Duration 19 days : 1 day hometown – Delhi - Leh, 2 days acclimatisation at Leh, 11 days of trekking, 2 days at Leh with visits to monasteries in the Indus valley, 2 days at Delhi, 1 day Delhi-home.

Itinerary : The trek crosses two 5400m cols, the Digar La and the Lasimov La, and takes in the high isolated valleys of the Shyok and Nubra rivers.

A desert landscape where you can even find sand dunes !

my Advice: You need excellent acclimatisation for this trek, as we have to spend one night at 4800m and anotherr at 5000m. A reward is to visit the characteristic Buddhist monasteries of this region.

DAY 1 : Early morning flight Delhi - Leh, afternoon visit town of Leh
DAY 2: Leh, acclimatisation, visit Ladakhi monasterys
DAY 3 : From Leh , by bus or jeep (1h) to start of trek, walk to Base camp at 4800m (6h)
DAY 4: Camp - Digar La, 5420m - North camp
DAY 5 : North camp - Digar (4h)
DAY 6 : Digar - Khalsar (4h)
DAY 7 : Khalsar - Panamik by jeep (? return)
DAY 8 : Khalsar-Diskit (6h) (jeep? or foot?)
DAY 9 : Diskit-Hunkar (6h) (jeep? or foot?) (Hundar on map?)
DAY 10 : Hunkar - Yogma (6h)
DAY 11 : Yogma - Lasirmov La North camp, 5000m (5h)
DAY 12 : Lasirmov La North camp - Lasirmov La, 5420m - Dokla (7h)
DAY 13 : Dokla – Leh (6h)
DAY 14 : Leh
DAY 17 : Leh – Delhi or destination.

Ralakung Trek

Duration : 9 days from Karsha.

Itinerary : A trek very little known, very few visitors and discovering exceptional villages in a grandiose setting.

In September and October only, it is possible to descend to Zhingchan and to return at Lamayuru-Karsha.

my advice : A short walk to go where everyone else is wrong didn't go !

DAY1 : Karsha-Phe by car, visit the cave Zon Bao (2 hours walk)
DAY2 : Phe-base camp Ralakung La (6h)
DAY3 : Base camp Ralakung La - Ralakung Pima by the pass of Ralakung La 4900m (6h)
DAY4 : Ralakung Pima : one day site visit (castle ruins, flowers, a village of 6 houses, meetings with residents)
DAY5 : Ralakung Pima-Ralakung-Nangma by Nangma La 4600m (4h)
DAY6 : Ralakung Nangma : one day site visit
DAY7 : Ralakung Nangma-base camp Ralakung La by the pass of Ralakung La 4900m (6h)
DAY8 : Base camp Ralakung La-camp Dogsas
DAY9 : Camp Dogsas-Phe (5h), Phe-Karsha by car by Dzonkul, Sani and Padum (visit monasterys of Dzonkul and Sani)
Day 10 padum to kargil
Day 11 kargil to destination leh or srinagar.

Rumtse to Tsomiriri

Rumtse is situated 70 Kms east of Leh, the starting point of this trek. Rupshu Valley lies sandwiched between Ladakh in the north, Tibet in the east and Zanskar in the west. It is a part of the Changthang plateau and is characterized by high arid plains, nomads, high pasturelands, snow-capped peaks and beautiful high altitude azure-blue lakes, the largest being Tsokar and Tso Moriri at 4,500m.

Duration 10-12days : 1 day hometown-Delhi-Leh, 1 days acclimatization in Leh, duration 11 days of trek,

DAY 1. Leh to rumtse by car
DAY 2. Rumtse to kyamar
DAY 3. kyamar to tesaling via kyaurula
DAY 4. Tesaling to pangongo via shepok la
DAY 5. Pangonogo to neurotse
DAY 6. Neurotse to rachungkaru via horlamkongka
DAY 7. Rachung karu to gyamabarma via kaymayuru la5400mtrs
DAY 8. Gyamabarma to gyama kartse la
DAY 9. Gyama to korzok / tsomoriri via yanglung nylungla 5440mtrs.
DAY 10. karozok to leh by car.

Karsha to Darcha

Duration 17 days : 1 day hometown-Delhi-leh, 2 days to padum by bus or jeep, - 1 day rest at Karsha, 1 day Karsha - Padum - Mune, 9 days of trek, 1 day by bus or jeep Darsha - Manali, 1 day in Manali, night bus to Delhi, 2 days in Delhi, 1 day Delhi-hometown.

Itinerary : The trek passes some very remote villages and the Lunak valley. The Shinkun La rises to 5090m.

Phuktal Monastery which seems to flow out of a cave in the mountainside is an unforgettable sight.

my tip : A variant is to go by the high Phirtse La (5440m), which has steep and sometimes icy slopes, but provides a superb view of the Zanskar valley. This route may b e preferred in the most popular trekking month of mid-July to mid-August, when it will be much quieter than the Shinkun La, but it is more committing !

The route ends at palamo, where we can take a bus or jeep to Darsha.

DAY 1: leh- Kargil by bus or jeep enroots visit lamayuru /mulbek
DAY 2 : Kargil-Karsha by bus or jeep
DAY 3 : Karsha
DAY 4 : Karsha-Raru by bus or jeep with stop to see Padum
DAY 5 : Start of trek : Raru-Dorzong (6h)
DAY 6 : Dorzong-Surlay (5h)
DAY 7 : Surlay-Cha-Phuktal (4h) by the right bank of the river Tsarap
DAY 8 : Phuktal-Marling (4h)
DAY 9 : Maling-Tab-le (4h)
DAY 10 : Tab-le to Gonborangjon Camp (7h)
DAY 11 : Gonborangjon Camp - Shingku La, 5090m, descent to Ramjak (8-9h)
DAY 12 : Ramjak-Camp (6-7h)
DAY 13 : Camp-Darcha (5h)
DAY 14 : Darsha-Manali by bus or jeep
DAY 15 : Day in Manali,leh leave for Destination.

Sham trek

Duration 13 days : 1 day hometown-Delhi-Leh, 1 day acclimatization in Leh, 8 days of trek, 2 days rest at Leh, 1 day in Delhi, depart following morning for return to hometown.

Itinerary : A rare trek to Ladakh ! The altitude does not exceed 3800m.

A home stay in Guest House and experience the tibetan cultural food..

my advice : This route can serve as preparation for a trek more difficult or discovery the Buddhist world.

DAY1 : Hometown-Delhi
DAY2 : Delhi-Leh, rest in the morning, free visit of the city in the afternoon
DAY3 : Leh-Likir by car, visit monastery Likir (2 hours walk)
DAY4 : Likir-Yangtang by pass of Charatse La 3800m (4h30)
DAY5 : Yangtang - Rizong -Yangtang with visit monastery Rizong
DAY6 : Yangtang - Himis Shukpachen (4h)
DAY7 : Himis Shukpachen -Tingsmogang by pass Mektep La 3800m and village Ang (5h)
DAY8 : Tingsmogang - Skindan (5h)
DAY9 : Skindan - Khaltse (2h walk) Khaltse - Leh by car with visit to Alchi Monastery

Jumlam from Hemis to Karsha --Trek

Duration 21 days : 1 day hometown-Delhi, 1 day Delhi-Leh and acclimatisation, 1 day acclimatisation at Leh, 11 days of trekking, 1 day rest at Karsha, 2 days in bus or jeep Karsha-Kargil-leh-, 1 day at Delhi, 1 day Delhi-hometown.

Itinerary : A trek through remote, wild country with few villages, passing over four cols of which the highest is Karpo La (5200m). The path often follows river beds, so expect to get wet feet

Follow traditional paths the Zanskarpa way, in plastic sandals !

my advice : The trek is not practicable before September as the rivers are too full. It's possible to start from Stok (5 extra days of trekking) or from Shilling (2 extra trekking days) - which lets you visit the interesting villages of the Marka valley.

DAY 1 : hometown to Delhi
DAY 2 : Early morning flight Delhi - Leh, afternoon visit town of Leh
DAY 3: Leh, acclimatisation to the altitude, visit Ladakhi monasteries
DAY 4: Hemis, visit monastery and start trek; reach Shang (2-2h30)
DAY 5: Shang- Chukirmo (3h)
DAY 6: Chukirmo-Kongmaru La 5250m- Nimaling (6h)
DAY 7: Nimaling-Langtang Chu (4-5h)
DAY 8 : Langtang Chu-Zalung Karpo La 5200m- South Camp (6h)
DAY 9 : South Camp-Tilut-Sundo (6h)
DAY 10: Tilut Sundo- North Camp of Charchar La (8h)
DAY 11: North Camp - Charchar La 4950m-Zangla Sundo (4-5h)
DAY 12: Zangla Sundo - Zangla village (4h)
DAY 13: Zangla (visit castle and nunnery) - Stongde (visit monastery)(4h)
DAY 14: Stongde - Karsha on foot (6h) or by bus, with stop in Padum
DAY 15: Karsha
DAY 16: Karsha - Kargil by bus or jeep
DAY 17: Kargil - Srinagar /leh / toward destination.

Trek to Paldar Valley via Omasila pass

Duration 22 days : 1 day home - Delhi, 1 day Delhi - Leh, 2 days by bus or jeep Leh - Kargil - Karsha, 1 day at Karsha, 11 days of trekking, 2 days Atholi - Srinagar, 2 days at Srinagar, 1 day Delhi, 1 day Delhi – home.

Itinerary : This trek follows an ancient link between Zanskar and Kashmir, over the high Umasi La (5400m), with a bivouac on a wide flat glacier surrounded by magnificent snowy peaks.

myadvice : Some of my extended family live in this valley, so we will be received like kings! The trek is not advisable if there is trouble brewing between India and Pakistan. You may be regarded with curiosity by the local inhabitants as the valley has only recently been re-opened to tourists following political troubles in Kishtwar.

DAY 1 : hometown- Delhi
DAY 2 : Delhi-Leh,
DAY 3 : Leh-Kargil by bus or jeep, visite du monastère de Lamayuru
DAY 4 : Kargil-Karsha by bus or jeep
DAY 5 : Karsha
DAY 6 : Start trek, Karsha-Tungry by Zon Bao (6)
DAY 7 : Tungry-Dzonkull (6h)
DAY 8 : Dzonkull – intermediate camp after river crossing (5h)
DAY 9 : Intermediate Camp – North base camp on glacier (5-h)
DAY 10 : North base camp -Umasi La 5342m – South camp (7h)
DAY 11 : South camp – Shepherds' huts (6h)
DAY 12 : Shephers' huts - Sunchan (6h)
DAY 13 : Sunchan - Dongol (2h)
DAY 14 : Rest day at Dongol
DAY 15 : Dongol – Machel, forest lodge (6h)
DAY 16 : Forest lodge - Atholi (6h), end of trek
DAY 17: Atholi – Kishtwar by bus or jeep
DAY 18 : Kishtwar - Srinagar,
Day 19; Srinagar to destination.


NOTE : This schedule may be modified in accordance with weather conditions or political conditions in Srinagar

Tsomoriri/korzok to kibber via parangla --Trek

Korzok, also known as Karzok or Kurzok, is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery belonging to the Drukpa Lineage and ancient village on the western bank of Tsomoriri Lake in Leh District, Ladakh, India. Korzok, situated at 4,595 metres (15,075 ft), houses a Shakyamuni Buddha and other statues. It is home to about 35 monks.

In the past, the monastery was the headquarters of the Rupshu Valley. As a Drugpa order monastery, it was under the jurisdiction of the Hemis monastery. Two or four monks were assigned to run the monastery.

The highly revered monastery is 300 years old. The Tsomoriri Lake in front of it is also held in reverence, and considered equally sacred by the local people. With the efforts of the WWF-India the Tsomoriri has been pledged as a 'Sacred Gift for a Living Planet' by the local community (mostly Chang-pa herdsmen). As a result, the area has been opened up for tourists.

Day1; leh -tsomorir/korzok
Day 2; tsomoriri/korzok- to kaingdam
Day 3; kaingdam to chumik shilde
Day 4 chumik shilde to racholamo
Day 5; racholamo to dating yokma
Da6; dating yokma to dak korzang
Day 7; dak korzang to bonjrojen
Day 8; bonjrojen to thanktak
Day 9; thanktak to dumla
Day 10; dumla to kibber
Day 11; kibber visit tabo village.
Day 12 drive to kaza
Day 13; kaza to munal toward destination,

Frozen River "The Chadar Trek"

One of the toughest and most adventurous trek, the total distance of this tour (one way) is approximately 105 Km and will be covered with average distance of 15 to 17 km a day. The temperature remains minus 15 to 20 during the day time and 25 to 35 during the night.
After keeping all the facts in one's mind bring your warmest Jackets and sleeping bags and good shoe. Most of the trek is done on the ice (Chaddar) but at some places we must climb icy rocks or trails and in Zanskar itself we can walk through the normal trail used by the people daily.

DAY 1 : hometown -Delhi
DAY 2 : Early flight Delhi-Leh rest remainder of the morning, free visit of Leh in afternoon
DAY 3 : Leh-Chilling, by bus or jeep
DAY 4/5 : Start of trek on the Frozen River, 6 to 8 hours of trekking per day, nights in caves
DAY 6 : Reach pastures at Nierak
DAY 7 : Leave the river and climb to Chiupata, spend night with a local Zanskarpa
DAY 8 : Chipata - Murgum La 4100m –Lingshed
DAY 9 : Rest at Lingshed, visit village and nunnery
DAY 10 : Lingshed-Pidmo (7h)
DAY 11 : Pidmo-Zangla (4h)
DAY 12 : Zangla-Stongde-Padum-Karsha by bus or jeep if possible (right bank) ; otherwise on foot (left bank (6h)
DAY 13 : Karsha
DAY 14 : Karsha-Pishu (6h)
DAY 15 : Pishu-Hanumil (6h)
DAY 16/19 : Hanumil- Chilling
DAY 20: Chiling-Leh, rest day in Leh
DAY 21 : Extra rest day in Leh (allowance for delays in Delhi flights due to weather)
DAY 22 : Early morning flight to Delhi
DAY 23 : Delhi (another 'failsafe' day needed to allow for problems in the Leh-Delhi flight)


NOTE : This schedule may be modified in accordance with weather conditions