Zanskar Trek

After breakfast visit Red Fort* – the 17th-century imposing fortress, the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), India's largest mosque where more than 20,000 people can kneel in prayer and Raj Ghat –Mahatma Gandhi's Memorial. In the afternoon visit New Delhi. You will drive past President's Palace and India Gate (42m high), built to commemorate the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the 1st world war. Later visit Humayun's Tomb, and the Qutub Minar, the highest sands stone minaret in the world (73 meters).

* Red Fort is closed on Mondays

On-time, transfer to the airport to connect the flight to Srinagar. Srinagar is situated in the center of Kashmir Valley, is surrounded by five districts. In the north, it is flanked by Kargil and Ganderbal in the South by Pulwama, in the north-west by Budgam. The capital city of Srinagar is located 1585 meters above sea level.

On arrival in Srinagar, transfer to the houseboat.

In the evening, enjoy the Shikara Ride on Dal Lake.

Overnight on houseboat.

After breakfast, enjoy the sightseeing tour of Srinagar which includes the following:

Mughal Gardens: The oldest of the Mughal Gardens in Kashmir is Nasim Bagh which was constructed by Emperor Akbar in 1586 and one may have a very pleasant view of the Dal Lake from Nasim Bagh. The most beautiful of the Mughal Gardens is Shalimar Bagh which was constructed by Emperor Jehangir in 1616 for his wife Nur Jahan. Shalimar Bagh boasts of a huge tank connected to about 150 fountains.

There are four terraces out of which the topmost one is called "Abode of Love." The largest of the Mughal Gardens is Nishat Bagh or 'the garden of spring' which was designed by Asaf Khan, Nur Jahan's brother, in 1633 which is on the edge of the Dal Lake and has many terraces, fountains, beautiful flowers, and beautiful lawns.

The smallest of the Mughal Gardens is the Chasma Shahi or the Royal fountains and attributed to Emperor Shah Jahan. Above the Chasma Shahi, the Pari Mahal or House of the Fairies is situated which was built by Dara Shikho, the elder brother of Emperor Aurangzeb

Budshah Tomb: Budshah (Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin) was a very popular ruler of Kashmir. Even though the tomb is called Budshah's tomb, it is actually his mother who is buried inside.

Hari Parbath Fort: It is situated 5 km from the Tourist Reception Center. The hill of Sharika, in the north-eastern part of Srinagar, is considered sacred for Hindus. It is surmounted by an 18th-century fort constructed by Atta Mohammad Khan, an Afghan governor. The wall around the hill was built by Akbar in 1592-98 A.D

Also visit Shah Hamadan Mosque & Jamia Masjid, Walk through old city bazaars.

Overnight on houseboat.

After breakfast, drive to Kargil. Kargil is the second largest city of Ladakh. It was once the route for caravans with silk, brocades, carpets, tea, and ivory with destination China, Tibet, Yarkand, and Kashmir. In the afternoon we discover Kargil and stroll along the banks of the river, the hills, the picturesque part of town there and enjoy the view of the mountains.

On arrival, check in at the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel

After breakfast drive to Padum (Zanskar), On the way, you can have a magnificent view of Nun Kun Peak and Dran Drung Glacier. Visit Rangdum Monastery. Reach Padum by Evening.

Overnight at camp

Once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Zanskar, Padum (3505 m) is the present-day administrative headquarters of the region. With a population of nearly 2000, Padum can be described as the most populous settlement of Zanskar, otherwise a very scarcely inhabited valley. Incidentally, it is only in Padum that there is a community of Muslims constituting nearly half the township's population, its origin in the area dating from the mid 17th century. Lately, Padum has become famous as a major trekking base and a popular tourist destination

Before reaching Shila, which is marked by a high waterfall, you pass Mune Gompa and come to Bardan Gompa, an impressive monastery sitting on top of a rocky outcrop in the middle of the gorge. The building was erected in the early 1600s on the orders of Nawang Namgyal, the first ruler of Bhutan, who was given various lands in Ladakh to further his Drukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, by the ruler of Ladakh at that time. The valley, which you have walked down for the past few days now, opens out into the much wider Lunak Valley and you reach Padum, the capital of Zanskar.

Today, as you approach Padum you will be walking on a jeep track.

Camp in Karsha.

From Karsha the trail descends across the plains to the village of Rinam, and then follows the banks of the Zanskar River to Pishu. This allows time in the afternoon to cross the famous twig bridge of Zangla.

Camp in Pishu close to the river

The village of Pidmu is about halfway, and there is a campsite down by the river below the village of Hanuma. Hanuma, Pishu, and Pidmu on the west side of the river, together with Chazar and Honia on the other side, constitute the tiny Kingdom of Zangla.

A difficult stage for horses, which may have to be unloaded as the trail winds steadily up towards the Parfi La. From the pass, there is a steep 500m descent down the Juniper covered hillside to the Jingchan Tokpo.

The bridge over the Jingan Tokpo marks the boundary between Zanskar and Ladakh. It also marks the start of a steady climb to the small shepherd settlement of Nyatse.

Overnight at Camp.

The trail from Nyetse gradually ascends the valley, which follows a tributary of the Jingchan Tokpo. The climb to the pass (4800m) should take 4 hours. From the pass, there are clear views to the Singge La and the main Zanskar range, while the sight of the Lingshet Monastery can be appreciated in the valley below. The decent to Lingshet is steep and it will take 3 hours to reach the village.

Overnight at Camp

Time to relax and explore nearby Visit Lingshet Monastery.

Overnight camp

The trail from Lingshet winds over two minor passes, the Netsuke La and Khyupa-la, with plenty of ups and downs.

The campsite at the base of the Singge La Pass is on a rocky ledge.

The climb up the steep screed slope takes at least 2 hours. Frozen waterfalls from the limestone cliffs form an impressive sight above the trail. The Singge La is 5100m high. From the pass, Photasker can be reached in 4 hours and the village supports two small monasteries that are serviced by monks from Lamayuru Monastery.

Overnight camp

From Photasker it is tiring haul to the Sirsa-La (4800m) but the views are good. The trail down to Honupatta follows across a barren ridge down to the valley floor. The time from the pass to the village is 3 hours.

Overnight Camp

From Honupatta the trail descends gradually to the confluence of the Photang River. Here the trail enters a gorge and there are no river fords, except by bridge, before reaching the village of Pangge. Beyond here the trail gradually descends the valley, to the village and monastery at Wanla.

Overnight Camp.

From Wanla, we follow the Shilakung valley upstream for 2kms to the turnoff leading up the gorge to the Prinkiti La. The entrance is marked by prayer flags and small chortens. The decent to Lamayuru from the pass takes about 1 hour.

Arrive Lamayuru and after lunch drive to Leh (approximately 150kms - 3 hours drive time).

Arrive Leh

Overnight at the Hotel

Morning transfer to the airport to board the flight to Delhi.

On arrival in Delhi, check in at the hotel.

Overnight at the Hotel

Breakfast at the hotel.

Room will be available till 1200 Noon.

In time transfer to the airport to board your flight back home/onward destination.