Zanskar is one of Ladakh’s remotest yet culturally most vibrant villages of India. It covers an area of around 7,000 sq.km and lies at an altitude of about 3,500 to 7,000 meters (11,500–23,000 feet) above sea level. The Zanskar valley is a paradise for photographers & travel enthusiasts with enthralling high passes and beautiful glacier lakes. Join us on this magical exploration to capture the raw beauty of mighty Zanskar Region and enjoy the adrenaline rush in the hidden kingdom.
Be ready with your camera gears and empty memory cards as you cannot get enough of the beauty of this remotest village. The landscape, the culture, the humble people and everything around seems photogenic. Indulge in the interesting stories of the locals & their way of living. and witness the vibrant cham dance & eccentric rituals during the monastery festival. Since this is a very isolated high altitude place, it will be a perfect paradise for stargazers and shooters.
What is included in the tour
- Stay in the guest house and luxury tents
- Dinner and Breakfast
- Environmental fees and Inner Line Permits
What is NOT included in the tour
- GST- 5% extra
- Transportation till Starting point and back from End Point
- Camera Gear and equipment
- Lunch and Snacks/Beverages
- Items of personal nature like laundry, telephone calls, tips, camera fees etc
- River Rafting expenses
- Entry ticket of Monasteries & Monuments
- Anything other than above-mentioned inclusions
- Photography insights and reviews of the images taken during the tour by experienced photographers
- Photography sessions at various locations. Landscape, Street, Astro, Timelapse & Hyperlapse and Experimental photography.
- Explore the hidden kingdom of Zanskar region and its untouched places - Drang Drung Glacier, Stat Tso and Lang Tso.
- Conquer Pensi La, Namika- la, Fotu La, Zoji-La, Khardung-La during your journey
- Comfortable homestays & Camping in the wilderness.
- Rafting in the mighty Zanskar River
Day 1 - Arrive at Srinagar
Day 2 - Srinagar to Kargil via Zojila Pass (7-8 hrs)
Day 3 - Kargil to Rangdum (6-7 hrs)
Day 4 - Rangdum to Zanskar (5 hrs)
Day 5 - Explore around Padum, Zanskar
Day 6 - Padum to Panikhar via Pensi-la (8-9 hrs)
Day 7 - Panikhar to Lamayuru (7-8 hrs)
Day 8 - Lamayuru to Leh + River Rafting (8-9 hrs)
Day 9 - Leh to Khardung La Top to Leh (6 hrs)
Day 10 - Transfer to Airport
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 - Arrive at Srinagar
Arrive at Srinagar by afternoon and check into your hotel near to Dal Lake. You will begin your tour with light sight-seeing and Shikara boat ride during the beautiful sunset at Dal Lake. There will be a round of introduction and briefing of the entire expedition.
Day 2 - Srinagar to Kargil (7-8 hrs)
Post breakfast, our first day journey will be to Kargil (8780 ft) which is at the distance of 200 km via the famous Zojila pass. By lunch time we will reach Drass and we explore Kargil war Memorial which was built in the memory of the soldiers and officers of the Indian Army.
Day 3 – Kargil to Rangdum (6-7 hrs)
From Kargil onwards the road condition starts to deteriorate, from asphalt road to dirt trial and from here onwards it continues all the way upto Padum. After morning breakfast we leave Kargil towards Rangdum. Enroute enjoy the beautiful village of Rangdum with its ancient ‘Rangdum monastery’. The farthest and most isolated part of the Suru valley, Rangdum (3657 m) is surrounded by colourful hills on the one side and glacier-encrusted Rocky Mountains on the other. Stay at Rangdum campsite for the night.
Day 4 – Rangdum to Padum, Zanskar (5 hrs)
Without any delays in the morning, we roll down towards Padum for about 180 km on dirt trials from where we will be greeted by a tarmac road. Padum is a small town with all amenities like a hotel, restaurant, internet café etc.
Day 5 – Padum, Zanskar
Zanskar offers stunning landscapes, Gompas, forts and tall multi-hued mountains. Padum is not a very big town and the best way of getting around the town is by foot. It takes not more than 10 minutes to walk from new Padum to old with the town mosque acting more or less as the dividing line. Then we visit the largest Geluk-pa (Yellow Hat) monastery that is located on the slopes of Zanskar Mountains, right high above the Padum plain which offers, a bird’s eye view of the entire town of Padum and the neighbouring villages. Overnight camp at Padum with a bonfire and music.
Day 6 – Padum to Panikhar (8-9 hrs)
In the morning after breakfast, we leave Padum towards Panikhar via Pensi La. The roads start ascending towards Pensi La (14000 ft) - the highest point between Kargil to Leh. Enroute, along with the towering glaciers, you can see the deep blue coloured twin lakes – Stat Tso and Lang Tso. You will find yourself surrounded by beautiful glaciers, small lakes & cute marmots. As soon as you start descending from Penzi La pass, you reach the place where you can see the Drang Drung Glacier in full glory. There is no other sight in India where you can watch such a huge glacier in touching distance, so close that you can even go down a bit and lay your hands at it. The road travels along the side of Suru River with Nun Kun glaciers at its backdrop. The twin peaks of Nun and Kun, around 23,000 feet high (Around 6000 feet short of Mt. Everest) are the highest in the Zanskar range in Ladakh. Overnight at Panikhar.
Day 7 - Panikhar to Lamayaru (7-8 hrs)
Post breakfast, we get back on the road towards Lamayaru via Kargil. Before getting to Lamayuru conquer two spectacular passes – the Namika La at 12,200ft and Fotu La (Phuto la) at 13,479ft. Ladakh is the land of passes and they are no doubt beautiful but their ascents and descents are unbelievably gorgeous too - endless mountain peaks all around and deep valleys with a shimmering water at the bottom feels like a paradise! After riding for 7-8 hours with moderate riding conditions, we reach Lamayaru – The Moonland - Since the terrain of the place resembles the Moon.
Day 8 - Lamayaru to Leh (6-7 hrs) + 2 hrs Rafting)
Kick Start the bikes for the final lap of the tour on the way back to Leh with easy riding conditions on well-metaled roads. Our journey today to Leh is 120 km far from Lamayuru (11364 ft). Before we reach Leh, we wash off all the dust from our crazy Zanskar journey by plunging into the waters of Zanskar River! We will go on a crazy rafting expedition which you will surely cherish. Enroute Leh you can visit Magnetic hill, and Sangam (confluence of Indus and Zanskar River). Finally reach to Leh by evening.
Day 9 - Leh to Khardung La to Leh (5 6 hrs)
On the last day of the expedition, we conquer the mighty Khardung La Pass. It gives you a sense of accomplishment to reach the World’s highest motorable road to end the tour with. We return to Leh and let you free for some souvenir shopping for your friends and family.
Day 10 - Transfer from Leh
Post breakfast head to the airport.Thus your Ladakh odyssey comes to an end with lots of memories to take back.
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