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Ladakh - Zanskar Jeep Safari Tour

Zanskar Valley

Duration : 14 Nights / 15 Days
Places Covered : Delhi - Leh - Diskit - Kargil - Ringdom - Padam - Srinagar - Leh - Delhi
Period : June to November
The Land of peace, Zanskar is virtually untouched by the modern world, this valley has been isolated for centuries by a ring of high peaks. The lowest pass is the Pensi La (4418m). Although immoblized in the winter, except for a short period -see The Chadar Trek (link to Winter trek) This charming valley offers stunning treks,rafting and mountain climbing during summer and is now a favorite with tourists . Padum, the region's"capital" has a few facilities ; accomadation is in comfortable, locally run guesthouses.

The Zanskari people are independant & proud and by their geographical situation quite seperate from the rest of Ladakh, with their own royal family- the local King of Padum & Zangla. An good alternative to trekking is a jeep or motorbike tour ,but only during the summertime ! Visit different villages and stay with the local Zanskari people, experiencing their culture from the inside. Travelling past the beautiful glaciers of Nun Kun, the famous peak of 7142m., we will stay at the pituresque camp of Rangdum,over looked by the monestery with it's splendid views of the Nun Kun peak.

Detailed Itinerary
Day 01 : Delhi/Leh
Transfer to Domestic Airport to catch flight for Leh, Arrive Leh and transfer to hotel. Day free for acclimatisation and individual activities. Dinner overnight Hotel.

Day 02 : In Leh
Full day excursion to Shey, Thiksey and Hemis Gompas. Shey Gompa lies on the way to Hemis. It is situated on the top of a hill and houses the largest victory stupa with a golden top. The statues made of copper and glided with gold are worth seeing. Thiksey Gompa lies on the left side of this road to Hemis. One can have a beautiful view of Indus Valley from the Gompa. Wall paintings of this Gompa are very interesting. From here drive to Hemis which is the oldest, wealthiest and largest Gompa in Leh with beautiful paintings stupas. Dinner overnight Hotel.



Day 03 : In Leh
Morning Excursion of Stok, Matho and Stakna. Stok Palace Museum which is about 12 kms from Leh across Indus river. It houses some old statues and other equipment. Matho is about 6 kms from Stok and houses some incredible statues and paintings. Later visit Stakna gompa which is famous for its numerous statues and paintings. Afternoon visit Shanti Stupa built by Japanese, Shankar Gompa is associated with Spituk Gompa and serves as the residence of the Head Lama. The monastery has Dukar Lakhang with a Dukar figure, a most impressive representative of Avalokiteshvara complete with 1000 arms (All holding weapons), and 1000 heads. The painting of the walls is worth seeing Leh Palace is to be visited by foot as it is situated on a hillock. It was built by Sengge Namgyal it is a 9-storey Palace, A building in the grand tradition of Tibetan architecture, said to have inspired the famous Potala in Lhasa.

Day 04 : Leh / Diskit via Khardung La
Early morning drive from Leh to Diskit [Nubra 7hrs. drive]. The Nubra Valley lies in the north of Leh and is accessible over the Khardung la [18,380 ft] one of the highest motorable roads in the world. The valley is on the trade route from Leh to Kharga via Saser and Karakoram passes. Apart from unparallel trekking opportunities the valley houses several Buddhist monasteries such as Sumar [Khagar] and 350 years old Diskit Gompa famous for its mural. From Khardmag drive to the village of Kharchung and then through starkly beautiful countryside to the TCP at Khalsar where permits have to be registered / checked. From here one has to turn to the left of Shyok River and drive for about 24 kms. Over a narrow steep road to Diskit. Dinner overnight in tents at Tegger.

Day 05 : In Diskit
After breakfast walk upto Diskit monastery to witness the Morning Prayer ceremony. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the monastery through a long scattered chortens. The Gompa is one of the highest point near the village belonging to the yellow sect (Gelugpa). Parts of the Gompa, which houses 120 resident monks, are about 700 years old. The Dukhang has many statues, one of which holds the head and left arm of Turkish invader believed to be about 5000 years old. Return to camp for lunch.

P.M. - Drive 7 kms to visit Hunder Gompa. This is a small Gompa belonging to the yellow sect. It is set amidst innumerable chortens and has a huge impressive statue of Chamba in the main prayer hall. The Gompa was built at the time when King Namgyal came here with his wife Gyal Khatun. Meals overnight in the camp.

Day 06 : Diskit / Leh
Drive back to Leh. Retrace the route to Leh via Khalsar and Khardung la. Overnight stay in the hotel at Leh.

Day 07 : Leh / Kargil
After very early breakfast leave for Kargil. Enroute visit Liker and Basgo Monasteries. Liker Gompa lies on the right side of Leh-Srinagar road about 4 kms from the main road and is famous for numerous Thankas. Basgo monastery contains many Tibetan inscriptions engraved on stones. Time permitting visit Rizong gompa. To visit this Gompa one has to walk for about 2 kms. From the road head. Further drive over Fatu-la [13,489 ft] which is the highest pass on Srinagar – Leh road. A distance of 230 kms will be covered in about 10 hrs. Dinner overnight hotel in hotel at Kargil.

Day 08 : Kargil / Ringdom
Drive to Ringdom via Panikhar. A total distance of 98 kms will be covered in about 8 hrs. Ringdom is a small village harbouring the Ringdom Gompa. The drive along Suru River provides magnificent view of mountains and glaciers.

One has to drive very carefully and slowly as the road is quite rough. Dinner overnight in tents.


Day 09 : Ringdom / Padam
Leave for Padam over Pansi-la [4406 Mts] the total distance of about 108 kms will be covered in about 10 hrs. Dinner overnight in tents.

Day 10 : In Padam
Leave after breakfast for excursion to Karcha Gompa by foot and you will have to cross the Zanskar River, there is little climb upto Karcha Gompa. Karcha is the largest and most important monastery in Zanskar, has more than 160 yellow cap monks and is under the control of younger brother of Dala-I-Lama. On the top of Gompa, there is superb panoramic view over the valley. The entire walk of 5 kms. Will be covered in about 3 hrs. Dinner overnight in tents.

Day 11 : Padam / Ringdom
Drive back to Ringdom via Sani Gompa. Dinner overnight tents.

Day 12 : Ringdom / Kargil
Drive to Kargil via Panikhar. A serrated ridge separates Panikhar and Parkhachik where one can have the view of Nun-Kun peaks. The ridge goes along the Suru River. Dinner overnight hotel.

Day 13 : Kargil / Leh OR Kargil/Srinagar
After very early breakfast, leave for Leh. Drive over Fotula-la [13,489 ft.] which is the highest pass on Srinagar – Leh road, enroute visit Lamayuru monastery which is the oldest monastery in Ladakh and Mulbekh. The Chamba statue carved out of a single rock about 144 ft. high. Also visit Alchi Monastery. Alchi is about 65 kms from Leh situated in the vicinity of Saspol on the left side of Leh-Srinagar road across Indus River. Alchi is very famous for its wall paintings. One must take a torch to see the paintings in dark rooms, as there is no light. A distance of 230 kms will be covered in about 10 hrs.

Kargil-Sxr is about 204 Kms. drive via Drass (Second Coldest inhabited place in World), Zoji’la (3033 Mts.), Sonamarg etc.Distance will be covered in about 7 hrs. Dinner overnight hotel in hotel at Leh or Houseboat Srinagar.

Day 14 : In Leh/Srinagar
In Leh day free for personal activities. In Srinagar visit famous Mughal Gardens like Nishat & Shalimar. Also have Shikara ride on Dal Lake. Overnight Hotel/Houseboat.

Day 15 : Leh/Delhi OR Srinagar/Delhi
Transfer to Airport to catch flight for Delhi.