The northern most part of Indian Himalayas is also known as ‘Little Tibet’. This is one of the most remote regions of India, having rich cultural heritage with Buddhist monasteries set in spectacular moonscape scenery.
This valley, running parallel to Indus Valley & Stok range, is a contrast of dry barrenhigher slopes with deep reddish hue, and green of dense under growth of thorny shrubs & willow trees. This trek also offers several climbing opportunities around Nimaling, to not so technically difficult peaks.
Delhi – Leh – Ladakh – Manali – Delhi
Delhi
Arrival in Delhi. Transfer to Hotel there.
Morning flight to Leh.
Tour of Leh city, including the sixteenth-century palace and Gompa.
Tour of Shey and Tikse gompas, and Stok Palace.
Visit to Basgo fort and Alchi gompa, a remarkably well preserved 11th -century gompa and one of the artistic treasures of the Himalaya.
Drive to village of Chiling, from where we begin the trek. A short ways from Chiling we step onto the frozen Zanskar river for the first time. Trek to Tilat Do. Overnight in cave.
Walk upstream on the ice to Bakhula. Overnight in cave.
Walk through tremendous canyons, inaccessible in any other season, to Nyarak. Overnight in cave.
Continue on the frozen river to Sarakdo. Overnight in cave.
Walk to Hanuma, the first village and most likely the first people we have seen since leaving Chiling. Overnight in village house.
Hanuma to Pishu, another small village. Overnight in village house.
Pishu to Karsha, site of the largest monastery in Zanskar. Overnight in village house.
Karsha to Padum, the regional capitol of Zanskar and the goal of our journey. Losar (Tibetan New Year’s) celebration.
Rest day to explore Padum and the surrounding valley.
Visit to local villages and gompas, including the kingdom of Zangla.
Helicopter over the main Himalaya range to Manali. A spectacular one-hour ride flying over the main Himalaya range.
Tour of Manali. Stay overnight at Hotel.
Flight from Kullu to Delhi.
Depart-Delhi, Transfer to airport for flight to onwards journey.