Iron Horses

North of the Great Himalayan range, amongst a tangled knot of jagged mountains, lies a rugged and fascinating land, the once independent kingdom of Zanskar. Sandwiched between the Indus Valley and the main crest of the Indian Himalaya, this remote and inaccessible setting, well guarded by snowy mountain passes, has kept alive an archaic form of Tibetan Buddhism which flourishes in chain of far-flung monasteries.

Day 01-02: Delhi - Leh

Arrive Delhi. Overnight at Delhi. Take the morning flight for Leh. Check into the hotel and relax the whole day. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03: Leh - Kargil (235 kms drive)

After breakfast leave by surface to Kargil. On the way visit Alchi monastery. Today we have to cross the highest pass (Fotula 13749 ft) on Srinagar Leh route. Finally we stop at Mulbek monastery which is worth to visit. Another 40 Kms drive will take us to Kargil. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 04: Kargil - Randgom (135 kms drive)

After Kargil drive towards Zanskar valley on the way see Panikar and Parkachan villages view of Nun & Kun peaks are seen. Arrive Rangdom in the evening. Overnight in tents.

Day 05: Rangdom - Padam (150 kms drive)

After short drive, we stop at Rangdom Gompa and visit the Gompa continue drive to Padam which is the Capital of Zanskar valley on the way cross Penisla pass (4401 Mtrs) and some ancient Buddhist villages are seen. After crossing Tungri bridge visit Sunni Gompa finally we reach Padam in the late afternoon. Overnight in tents.

Day 06: Padam - Karsha (4 hrs trek)

Today in time start trek towards Piptong then after passing through dusty plain cross Doda river climb and arrive at Karsha 15th century Monastery. Overnight in tents.

Day 07: Karsha - Pishu (5-6 hrs trek)

An easy and dusty walk after crossing Rinam there is a rock shelter and a small stream(Zanskar river). The longest hanging bridge (55 Mtrs) joining Zangla Gompa can be visited before arriving at Pishu. From Zangla a trail goes to Padam via Zozar and Thongde. Overnight in Tents.

Day 08: Pishu - Hanumil (5-6 hrs trek)

Days trek continue, to the left bank of Zanskar river and sometime crossing the morainic plateau after crossing a bridge, Pidmu is reached and after 2 hrs we reach at Hanumil. Overnight in Tents.

Day 09: Hanumil - Purfila - Snertse (6 hrs trek)

One hour easy path beyond Hanumil then it leads upto plateau from Zanskar edge then to the foot of the pass. After steep and difficult climb to Purfila 3900 Mtrs now steep descent will reach Oma-chu river. Overnight in Tents.

Day 10: Snertse - Hanumala - Lingshed (9 hrs trek)

Ascent through gorges and then passing a sheep fold. Further 3 hour will take to reach Hanumala (4700 Mtrs). Now after a Km of steep descent climb, along mountain side and then descent towards Lingshed (3800 Mtrs). Overnight in tents.

Day 11: Lingshed - Foot Of Singela (6-7 hrs trek)

Around one hour easy climb up to Margumla (4100 Mtrs) descent along the slope view of Nierang valley. After passing the village of Gongma (3840 Mtrs) and Skiumpata a steep ascent to Kubala (3800 Mtrs). Go on climbing upto the foot of Singela. Overnight in Tents.

Day 12: Foot Of Singela - Singela - Photoksar (7 hrs trek)

It takes about 7 to 8 Hrs to reach Photoksar from the pass then a short descent opens out in a board valley. First easy walk then climb the Boumitsela (4200 Mtrs). Now descent to Photoksar (3750 Mtrs). Overnight in tents.

Day 13: Photoksar - Sirsirla - Hanupatta (6 hrs trek)

From Photoksar after a gentle climb of one hour takes to a large chorten after a long ascent is Sirsirla last ascent is steep. Now descent to river cross bridge and after passing stony valley arrive at the camp site little before Hanupatta (3450 Mtrs). Overnight in Tents.

Day 14: Hanupatta - Wanla - Shilla (6-7 hrs trek)

Continue descent across the slop upto a junction of the rivers chorten and flittering flags on a flat land. Wanla is located on a flat land reached after crossing bridge on the left bank of the river, cross another bridge and arrive at Shilla. Overnight in Tents.

Day 15: Wanla - Shilla - Lamayuru (4-5 hrs trek)

After passing the village of Shilla go to broad chorten then follow a narrow and dry gorge reach Prinkitila (3725 Mtrs). Now one hour easy descent after crossing river, Lamayuru village is reached. Remaining day to visit the monastery. Overnight in Tents.

Day 16: Lamayuru - Leh (120 kms drive)

Today in time drive back to Leh via some interesting villages, on the way visit Alchi and Likir monastery, which is one of the famous monasteries of Ladakh region

Day 17: Leh - Delhi - Onward Destination

Today in time transfer to the airport to fly back to Delhi. Upon arrival at Delhi transfer to international airport to catch a flight for onward destination.