Southern Zanskar and Phuktal Monastery
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Delhi. Transfers are provided. KE Land Only package services begin with a guided sightseeing tour of Delhi and the rest of the day is free for relaxing or further independent sightseeing. Overnight at the group hotel.
Day 2: After breakfast at the hotel we transfer to the railway station to board the train to Chandigarh. Here we meet our vehicles for the drive up into the foothills of the Indian Himalaya, today travelling as far as Mandi. We stay overnight in a hotel.
Day 3: We continue our drive deeper into the foothills, following the Beas River to Kulu and eventually to Manali. We check into our hotel and have time to explore the town before dinner.
Day 4: We drive across the Rohtang Pass (3978m.) one of the highest road passes in the world. We have excellent views of the Himalaya from the top before descending on the Leh road to our overnight stop at Keylong (3100m.) where we stay in a hotel.
Day 5: A short transfer to the start of our trek at Palamo (3500m.) above the village of Darcha. We ascend the Barai Valley through villages to our first night's camp at Jaskar Sumdo (3637m.)
Day 6: A day for acclimatisation prior to going up above 4000 metres. There are various options for day walks or we may choose to simply rest and soak in the scenery.
Day 7: We leave the Barai valley and make a gradual ascent towards the Shingo La as far as the high [pastures at Chumik (4640m.). Camp.
Day 8: We make an early start today for the climb to the Shingo La (5090m.). From the summit of the pass we have spectacular views of the serrated snow-covered peaks of the Himalaya. We descend, steeply at first to more high pastures at Lakong (4470m.). Camp.
Day 9: We are now in the Kargyak Valley and after crossing the river we descend this valley to the village of Kargyak which is the highest permanent settlement in Zanzkar. After lunch here we continue to our camp at Tablay (4184m.)
Day 10: We continue through the Kargyak Valley passing several villages and below the holy mountain of Gumburanjan before reaching our next overnight stop at the village of Purne (3950m.). Camp.
Day 11: We have a day hike to the amazing Phuktal Gompa (3850m). perched on a mountain ledge. After visiting the gompa we return to camp at Purne.
Day 12: We retrace our steps making the gradual climb through Yal and Tsetha to Karu and descending as far as Tanze. Camp.
Day 13: We head up out of the Kargyak Valley, climbing to a small grazing area at around 4800m. at the foot of the Phirtse La. Camp
Day 14: This morning we have a short but steep ascent to reach the crest of the Phirtse La (5526m.) for spectacular views over the Zanskar ranges. A steep descent then takes us into the Lingti Valley and we camp beside the river at around 4700m.
Day 15: We follow the Lingti river to a confluence with the Tsarap where we make camp. Our route today crosses several ridges marked with prayer flags or mani walls, and through pastures used by nomadic Gaddi shepherds.
Day 16: We now head up the Tsarap Valley which becomes quite wide and we camp in the fields of Kilang Serai village. In the distance can be seen the Leh to Manali Road.
Day 17: This morning we reach the Leh to Manali road which we then follow to the Barlacha Pass (4950m.). We descend the Chandra Valley the pastures of Topko Yongma (4650m). where we set up camp.
Day 18: We follow the Chandra River through a high altitude desert overlooked by 6000 metre snow peaks to reach our next campsite at Topko Gongma.
Day 19: A long day with several ascents and descents to reach we reach Chandra Tal, or Moon Lake, a blue-green lake in a stunning setting. We make camp here among alpine flowers at 4300m.
Day 20: Our vehicles will be waiting for us not far below Chandra Tal. Our journey back to the Rohtang Pass takes us along the rough road to Spiti through spectacular rocky landscapes. Late afternoon brings us to Manali where we check into a hotel.
Day 21: A full day of spectacular and scenic driving to reach Chandigarh. We stay overnight in a hotel.
Day 22: We take the early morning train to Delhi. There will be plenty of time for bargain hunting in the bazaars or for further independent sight seeing before our 'farewell' dinner. Overnight in the group hotel.
Day 23: KE Land Only package services end after breakfast with a transfer to the airport.
