Most beautiful and adventurous trek that nothing but a sheer joy for adventure lovers. The trek passes through many high mountain offering panoramic view of the Zanskar Range.
LAMAYURU TO PADUM
Period: End of June – Mid September
Day1-Leh Lamayuru
Transport by jeep to Lamayuru (124km from Leh) for the start of your trek. Camp at Lamayuru, with the opportunity to visit LamayuruGompa (Monastery). Please, be aware to take an extra day if necessary to aid acclimatization.
Day2-Lamayuru Wanla (via Prinkiti La)
This is a hot but short day: do it early or late. From Lamayuru (3450m) the path goes down to the stream, then turns up a side valley (go downstream) at the chortens (shrines) and prayer flags, and winds up through a barren gorge to Prinkiti La (Pass) (3700m). You descend steeply to the river; turn downstream and you are in Wanla (3200m) in 30 min. Overnight camp.
Day3-Wanla to Hanupata
Follow a jeep track upstream (hot and dusty) for 2 hrs to Phanijila (3300m). Following the main river you walk through a beautiful gorge with spectacular views. Parts of the trail are very narrow, which makes it hard for loaded horses. After a relatively easy walk du to minimal elevation gains you reach Hanupata (3830m). Overnight camp.
Day4-Hanupata toPhotoksar (via Sirsir La)
The climb to Sirsir La (4805m) is a long and gentle one, leading along the valley of SpangNala for about 2 – 2 1/2 hrs. After crossing the bridge it is another 1 – 1 1/2 hrs to the top. From there take the left trail, leading down quite steeply with loose sand. Continue following the trail and you will reach Photoksar (4130m), perched on the bank of an amazing river. Approx. 6 – 7 hrs.Overnight camp.
Day5-Photoksar toStyangs (via Bumiktse La and Singe La)
Leaving Photoksar you will ascend Bumitse La (4400m) and walk along a rolling plateau up to Singe La Base Camp. Climbing Singe La (Lion Pass) (4900m) is a gentle one along a broad valley with a short steep slope reaching the summit. From there you have spectacular views. After fairly long descends you reach Styangs.
Day6-Styangs to Lingshed (via Kiupa La and Margo La)
An early start is highly recommended to beat the afternoon heat. From Styangs it is a gentle ascend to Kiupa La (4430m), the descent zigzagging steeply down to river. On the other side of the valley you climb steadily up towards chortens (shrines) and further on to Margo La (4370m). After a gentle descent you reach the beautifully located village of Lingshed (3900m), with its green spread out fields and a Gelukpagompa. Approx. 5 – 6 hrs.Camp overnight.
Day7-Lingshed to Nyetse (via Hanuma La)
An early start is recommended, as you have to climb Hanuma La (4700m). From Hanuma La Base Camp a steep trail leads up to the top, which provides a wonderful view back to Lingshed. From there it is a beautiful descent along a dried up creek and into a canyon – a quite lush region with plenty of trees till you reach the campsite of Nyertse (3770m). Approx. 8 hrs.Camp overnight.
Day8-Nyetse to Hanamur (via Parfi La)
Leaving Nyertse there is a gentle short up with an immediate descent to the river. After crossing the bridge you climb Parfi La (3900m). The descent is gentle and spectacular overlooking the Zanskar River. Hanamur (3480m) provides a gorgeous campsite on the riverbank. Approx. 4 – 5 hrs.Camp overnight.
Day9-Hanamur to Pishu
Following the trail along Zanskar River you will reach the small settlement of Pishu (3450m) after a 5 – 6 hrs walk. Camp overnight. On the other side of the Zanskar River you can see ZanglaGompa.
Day10-Pishu to Karsha
The trek further on to Karsha (3700m) is quite flat with minor ups and downs and tours through a few villages. This area has strong persistent headwind! Karsha is a beautiful village with a fairly large monstery and nunnery, both worth visiting. Camp overnight.
Day11-Karsha to Padum
It is only a 2 hrs walk to the major centre of Zanskar: Padum (3550m). Situated in the beautiful central Zanskar plain the settlement itself has little charme, but provides anything if you trek on to Darcha or if you are on your way back to Leh via Pensi La and Kargil
Day 12- Padum to Kargil
After breakfast we will drive towards Kargil. on the way to kargil we will visit rangdum Monastery overnight in hotel
Day 13- Kargil to Leh
After breakfast we will drive toward leh on the way to Leh we will visit a famous for the 9-metre high rock statue of Maitreya Buddha built around the 8th century. Beautiful drive through Fotu La pass which is the highest point of Leh Srinagar- highway (13,479 ft), we reach the village of Lamayuru to Padum The Astrophysical like landscapes near Lamayuru village is also called as Moon Land, we also visit the popular Alchi monastery; well-known for its 1000 AD Indian style Buddha paintings. One of the oldest monasteries in the region, on the way we also visit Magnetic hill” that is located about 30 km from Leh, at a height of 14,000 feet above sea level. Here you can see the rare wonder of your vehicle going upwards on its own at a speed with the engines off. And you can also visit Hall of fame (A kargile war museum) Overnight stay at Hotel/Guesthouse in Leh.
