Zanskar Trek and Kashmir

Arrival and transfer to  the hotel, breakfast and rest until noon, to acclimatize the best during this first day. Meal, then a short jeep ride takes us to Namgyal Tsemo, a small monastery overlooking the city. Downhill walk, the path passes next to the former Royal Palace. Visit the old town and its typical bazaar before returning to the hotel.

• Transfer: 0h30
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 1h

Continuation of the visit of the high valley of the Indus and its monasteries. It takes an hour driving up the course of the Indus, to arrive at the monastery of Hemis , beautiful architectural ensemble, order Drukpa-Kagyu. Nestled in the valley floor, this monastery was built around 1602 by a Bhutanese monk invited by the king of the time. Back and stop for lunch in the beautiful village of Thikse , dominated by an imposing gelugpa monastery . This Thikse monastery majestically overlooks the valley, a magnificent ensemble of about 80 monks; discovery of the beautiful inner courtyard that distributes access to different temples. The most amazing is certainly the temple of Maitreya with itsgigantic interior statue that covers all floors of the building. To join the next site, we will take the path of schoolchildren. Departure on foot from the monastery of Thikse following small roads that cross the fields. It is possible to find the vehicles after 45 minutes of walking … or to go to Shey , in this case to count 1:30 of easy walk. Shey, capital of Ladakh until the 15th century , is an interesting complex whose importance is still measured by the quality of the paintings and the astonishing quantity of chortens or other votive monuments that surround it. Return to the hotel at the end of the afternoon.

• Transfer: 2.5 hours
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 1 to 2 hours

This morning we leave Leh definitely to go west. Stop at the fortress of Basgo , ancient capital of Ladakh between the fifteenth and seventeenth, strategic site for the control of caravans between high and low Ladakh. Discovery of ruins and small temples still in state. We continue then to the monastery of Rizong , where we discover a magnificent architectural ensemble of the Order Gelugpa, hanging on the side of the mountain . With its narrow streets and walkways, this monastery looks like a big village. Downstream from the monastery, we can also visit the nunnery. We leave by vehicle to cross the valley and reach the village of Alchi.Installation at the small guest-house and discovery of one of the most interesting sites of Ladakh (eleventh and twelfth) for his paintings typical of Indo-Kashmiri art (provide a headlamp to enjoy the frescoes in the dark), its monumental statues, chortens, prayer wheels and loungta. Quiet evening in the village of Alchi, lined with fields of barley, apricot orchards and mulberry trees, while the tourists left the place !!! Night in the heart of the village in a typical and comfortable guest-house.

• Transfer: 4h
• Accommodation: Guest House
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 1h
• Altitude difference: +100 m
• Altitude difference: -100 m

In an hour drive we reach Wanla , from where we leave on foot through a valley rising regularly to Prinkti La at 3730 m . At the pass, an arid geography with amazing shapes unfolds. We soon discover the monastic complex of Lamayuru,just in front of us … Amazing promontory whose beauty contrasts with the aridity of the valley. Descent to Lamayuru where the vehicle is waiting for us. Discovery of the village and the monastery. Then drive to Mulbek, and Shergol.

• Transfer: 2h
• Accommodation: Camp
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 3h30
• Altitude difference: +640 m
• Altitude difference: -410 m

Departure towards Kargil, then we take full south along the river Suru . The road is in good condition until Sanku . Then a sometimes chaotic track, goes in the direction of Nun and Kun that one discovers towards Panikar. The show is grandiose , with peaks of more than 7000 meters that block the horizon. Arrival at the end of the day at Rangdum Gompa , where we visit the monastery founded in the 17th century. Installation of the camp in the great plain at the foot of the monastery.

• Transfer: 8h
• Accommodation: Camp
• Meal: BLD
• In the Zanskar Valley (between Kargil and the Padum Valley) it is compulsory to use local taxis! Hence the frequent change of vehicles (for each valley or district areas …)! This particular local legislation generates high transport costs that are already included in the price of the trip.

Head south to Pensi La , culminating at 4400 m, then east down to the Doda Valley , to the capital of Zanskar: Padum (3570 m), a large town that grew like a mushroom in recent years. Installation for two nights at Yulang Camp, located at the foot of Karsha Monastery . Discovery of this sumptuous site of the Gelugpa school, founded in the 10th century. With about thirty buildings and about 150 monks, it is certainly the most important of Ladakh. The view of the valley at sunset is superb.

• Transfer: 7h
• Accommodation: Camp
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 1h30
• Altitude difference: +150 m
• Altitude difference: -150 m

Road to the high Tsarap , the Jeep drops us (with the picnic) to Ichar bridge. Then, on foot we leave to visit the village, a beautiful oasis nestled on a rocky outcrop. Rich of about thirty houses this village was formerly fortified to protect itself from the invasions of the South. About 200 people live here year-round and fight against nature to preserve their crops of barley, peas, cabbage and potatoes. Despite a certain exodus since the arrival of the road, this authentic village still remains today a miracle of humanity in the heart of this desert altitude. On our way back we stop to visit the old monasteries unknownfrom Mune and Bardan. Return to the camp through the Pipiting Gompa and its famous Chortens that surround it and dating back to the Kanishka era (2nd century).

• Accommodation: Camp
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 2h
• Altitude difference: +200 m
• Altitude difference: -200 m

Wake up early to attend the morning service at Karsha Monastery … We are back at camp around 9am for breakfast. We take the road to Tongde. Visit this charming monastery . Continue to Zangla where we wander to the castle and the nuns . lunch at the Nanury and drive back up to pishu bridge and walk around 30 mnt up to the camp .Walk down to our camp not far from the banks of the Zanskar River .

• Transfer: 4h
• Accommodation: Camp
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 3h
• Altitude difference: +200 m
• Altitude difference: -300 m

Departure for the crossing to the North. It’s a short day before going on longer. From the camp, a flat path leads in 1h30 to the bridge that spans the Zanskar river in front of the village of Pidmo . Left bank, a good trail leads, in 2 hours of easy walk, to Hanumil . A green camp is located at the exit of the hamlet.

• Accommodation: Camp
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 3h30 / 4h
• Altitude difference: +110 m
• Altitude difference: -120 m

After these quiet days in the Padum Valley , here we go for great milestones … Climbs, descents and pass passes will succeed. The trail moves away from the river and climbs first to Parfi La in a beautiful atmosphere of mineral colors , with views of the Zanskar flowing north. From the pass, a steep descent leads to the bridge over the Oma (3400 m) that we cross before going back to the Snertze camp. Shortly before reaching our evening stage, the trail is pretty dizzying about 200 meters; we must remain cautious! But the camp is nearby for a well deserved rest.

• Accommodation: Camp
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 6 / 7h
• Altitude difference: +970 m
• Altitude difference: -660 m

Crossing a gorge at the beginning, the path rises little by little to reach arid alpine pastures. It continues to rise to the Hanuma Pass , marked by its clear ocher rock blades and flags fluttering in the wind. The sight is striking on the Lingshed Circus . The monastery appears in the heart of a beautiful landscape … But there is still 3:30 walk to reach our camp near the monastery. From Hanuma La, the trail takes a steep descent that brings us to a low point at 3980 m before passing the Chapskang La (4200 m). A final rollercoaster ride leads to the camp just before the Lingshed gompa a little greenery surrounds us , and it’s nice.

• Accommodation: Camp
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 8 / 9h
• Altitude difference: +1160 m
• Altitude difference: -1040 m

We start our day with a visit to the monastery of Lingshed , important bastion of the Gelugpa school … From the monastery, our itinerary is now somewhat disturbed for the next two days! Unfortunately, we have to adapt more or less to the new motorized track (very few vehicles circulate). The landscapes are absolutely fantastic and allow us to really forget the track. We easily reach the Murgum La , which offers us a beautiful view of the Lingshed Monastery. Huge tortured rock formations in the background amplify the magical atmosphere of this desert and titanic universe. From the pass, a downhill crossing takes us to the foot of Kuba La. The slope then straightened on a good path, and joined the pass located at 4390 meters. Another hour’s walk and we arrive at Senge La’s first base camp . It is better to stop there because the next camp is small and uncomfortable!

• Accommodation: Camp
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 4h30
• Altitude difference: +910 m
• Altitude difference: -370 m

The day is long but takes place in a unique and beautiful scenery ; the earth’s crust seems to have been raised and tortured by invisible giants … We cross two passes, the Senge La which rises to 4850 meters and Boumitse La (4370 m) sometimes on trail, sometimes along the trail where, by chance, vehicles are still very rare. At the end of the afternoon, we arrive at Photoksar, one of the most beautiful villages of this Great crossing of Zanskar. The small houses with terraced roofs are decorated with huge multicolored cliffs and tormented. The shadows of the rocks are spread over the villages and the fields of barley and vegetables that surround it. A visit of the village and a walk in the surroundings allow us to fully appreciate this unique environment …

• Accommodation: Camp
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 8h
• Altitude difference: +600 m
• Altitude difference: -810 m

Our crossing continues with the passage of two new passes. A few snowy peaks surround the Sirsir Lawhich we have in focus. The trail cuts the track regularly and only really reaches it a few minutes under the pass. Arrived at Sirsir La (4850 m), a vast panorama stretches before our eyes. A descent into a valley then allows us to cross the Yapola River . Here we definitively leave the track to go back to a wild world, of a striking beauty ! The climb to the crest of an old moraine is carried out in a unique atmosphere, watched by red and yellow needles rushing towards the sky. From this ridge, the descent is steep in black clay. We set up our camp at 4800 meters, at the crossing of the rivers, under the Sniougoutse La.

• Accommodation: Camp
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 4 / 5h
• Altitude difference: +750 m
• Altitude difference: -400 m

Departure to the bottom of the valley, then the slope is raised under the collar becoming more rocky. Another few meters and we reach the Sniougoutse La which is 5000 meters away. An immense panoramaopens on colored needles, tormented cliffs and snow-capped peaks offering an amazing atmosphere and color palette. After admiring these gigantic panoramas of the high Zanskar , we start the beautiful descent to the Shillakong River camp . The landscape changes again to become even more spectacular with many sharp and colorful mountains …

• Accommodation: Camp
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 5h
• Altitude difference: +600 m
• Altitude difference: -950 m

A morning sunrise allows us to enjoy our last day of trek … After crossing the Shillakong River, a steep trail leads to Yogma La . From the pass, the view towards the East and the West is astonishing with variety, here the alpine pastures take all their senses because the short grass likes in these valleys and the greenery accentuates the contrasts. Descent to an altitude hamlet and crossing the river to reach the village of Kanji . This is the end of our Great Zanskar Crossing … Visit of the village and evening at the camp.

• Accommodation: Camp
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 5 / 6h
• Altitude difference: +520 m
• Altitude difference: -790 m

Morning after breakfast transfar to kargil , lunch will be in hotel after lunch around 3:pm visit the Town of kargil and a nice musium visit and back to hotel by walk .

• Accommodation: Hotel
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 2hr

Last long day of road, very varied, with very different landscapes from the past days! The road runs along the river Suru then sinks into gorges. Stop at Drass (possibility to visit the Tiger Hill memorial) and continue in the heart of sumptuous landscapes to Zoji La at 3530 meters. Meal in Sonamarg in a setting reminiscent of Switzerland! Continue towards Armanath where the vegetation changes to become subtropical. Arriving on the shores of Lake Dal, we reach Lake Nagin, neighbor and more quiet. Quiet navigation by taxis to join our sumptuous houseboat. Installation on pretty comfortable boats, decorated in colonial style, with double rooms and mosquito nets, private bathrooms, dining room, lounge, terrace … real havens of peace!

• Transfer: 6 / 7h
• Accommodation: House boat
• Meal: BLD

Departure from houseboat at around 9am. Short transfer to the old city. Visit of the Great Mosque of Friday (Jama Masjid) built in 1394, and that of Shâh Hamdan, located at five minutes (built between 1373 and 1398)., Splendid, it is surmounted by a pyramidal roof, mixture of Buddhist and Hindu influences; its exterior walls are decorated with geometric patterns in painted papier mâché. A small walkof 15 mnt between Jama Masjid and Shahi Hamdan to discover old city of Kashmir, Lunch in town .after the lunch back to house Boat and evening, Shikara tour on lake. these traditional boats which are the ideal means of transport to admire life in the canals.

• Accommodation: House boat
• Meal: BLD
• Note : The program in Srinagar will be adapted according to the days of the week. The visit of the mosque is for example not possible on Friday.

Cultural day! Breakfast and short transfer to visit the gardens of Pari Mahal (the 7 terraces) and those of Chasme Shahi . Lunch, and transfer to the airport. Flight between Srinagar and Delhi . At the arrival of this flight (usually late afternoon), we reach a hotel near the airport where we booked 1 room for 4 people so that everyone can shower. Last dinner in common then transfer to the airport at the end of the evening,and back to the destination with sweet memories. Thanks

• Accommodation :Day Hotel
• Meal: BLD