Hidden Zanskar

Hidden valley of Zanskar
 

Trip at a Glance
Trip duration         : 11 days tour
Grade                    : Moderate
Activities              : Sightseeing 
Accommodations: In Hotel 9 Nights/ Home-stay 1 Night

Journey Highlights
  • Sensational flight over the Himalaya
  • Explore Hidden valley of Zanskar
  • 11th century Stongdey Monastery
  • In Mulbek, a 9 meter high rock face Buddha
  • Glimpse of Nun 7135m and Kun 7083m mountains

Tour Inclusions
  • Sharing basis accommodation
  • Mention monuments entrances
  • Private transport during the tour  
  • Local guide during the tour  
 
Tour Exclusions
  • Travel insurance
  • Single Supplement (available on request)
  • Tipping
  
Meals: B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner


Detailed Itinerary 

Day 1     Fly Delhi to Leh 3500 meters
We take a morning flight to Leh, if the weather is clear, you will be rewarded with grand views across the Greater Himalaya and Zanskar ranges, before landing at Leh, the capital of Ladakh. Spend the day rest for acclimatise, evening a short walk to Leh town.  
Standard Hotel (B)
 
Day 2     In Leh 3500 meters
Today we begin with Thiksey monastery the most imposing structure providing a panoramic view of the green Indus valley from its vantage point atop a hill. Later we visit 17th century Hemis Monastery, one of the biggest in Ladakh. Way back to Leh, visit Stok Palace museum, which is royal family residence. In 1834 Ladakh became a part of Jammu and Kashmir. In the evening we have an opportunity to climb up to the 15th century victory fort Tsemo and from there we have great view of Leh town.
Standard Hotel (B)
 
Day 3     Drive to Kargil, 2500 meters 
We drive to Kargil, the second largest town of Ladakh, and home to a largely Muslim community. The Lamayuru monastery is well known for their strategic location. In Mulbek 8th century Buddha Statue, a striking 9 meter high enormous figure, carved into the rock face on the right hand side of the main road. We continue 40 km drive to Kargil where we spend the over night.    
Standard Hotel (B, D)
 
Day 4     Drive to Rangdum 3900 meters 
Today we drive south-east along the isolated region of the Suru valley. From Panikhar Village, the terrain becomes steadily rougher. As we near to Parkachik village we have a glimpse of two tallest mountains in Zanskar, Nun 7135 meter and Kun 7083 meter. The Rangdum is the first Buddhist village, after Kargil and where we visit 11th century monastery. 
Local House (B, L, D)
 
Day 5     Drive to Padum 3550 meters
We continue east towards Padum the capital of Zanskar, crossing over the Panzila pass 4300 meter, with sights of the spectacular Darang Durung glacier. Drang-Drung is the largest glacier in Ladakh. When we are close to Padum the capital of Zanskar, the valley is more open.
Standard Hotel (B, L, D)
 
Day 6     In Padum 3550 meters
An early morning we start to joining the morning puja at the 15th century Karsha Monastery, the largest and most important in the region. Later we continue our sightseeing to visit 11th century Stongdey monastery, with spectacular views of the valley below. We continue to follow the Zanskar River north to visit Zangla Palace and Nunnery. 

Alexander Csoma de Koros, a Hungarian scholar in research of origin of the Hungarians, reached (Zangla) Zanskar on 26th June 1823; it is said that till then it was a country totally unknown to Europeans. This is how Csoma came to devote his attentions to the language and canonical texts of the Himalayan Buddhist, and become the first European to study Tibetan systematically, which he did in the monasteries of Zanskar.    
Standard Hotel (B, L, D)
 
Day 7     In Padum 
We drive to visit the solitary situated Bardan Monastery, established in the 17th century.  Afternoon explore Padum local market.
Standard Hotel (B, L, D)
 
Day 8     Drive to Kargil
In the morning we drive back to Kargil.
Standard Hotel (B, L, D)
 
Day 9     Drive to Leh       
Today we are heading towards Leh.
Standard Hotel (B)
 
Day 10     In Leh 
Optional to leisure day or explore Leh bazaar or white water rafting in Zanskar river.
Standard Hotel (B)
 
Day 11     Fly to Delhi
In the morning short drive to Leh airport to catch the flight to Delhi (trip concludes)