This outstanding trek, starting from Manali, via Darcha, crosses over the great Shingo La Pass (16,722 ft.), into the hidden valley of Zanskar. It is a superb way of seeing this "hidden kingdom", offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Himalaya and Zanskar ranges, amazing ancient Gompas, pure Lamaistic traditions, flora and fauna.
The
Kingdom of Zanskar was founded in AD 930, and is the highest and still the
most inaccessible valley of our planet.. Two hundred miles long, the valley
floor is at a staggering mean altitude of 13,150 ft., and was cut by the
meeting of the two rivers which flow into it, digging a canyon over 150
miles long with sheer walls giving no direct access to the valley. The only
way to reach Zanskar is to travel over the high passes when the snows melt
in high summer. The landscapes are open, big and sunny, often dominated by
mountains of brown and grey rock. You will be charmed by the Buddhist
villages, with their glistening white chortens gleaming in the high altitude
sunlight, ages-old gompas and the irrigated fields, emerald oases in the
barren desert and bright with geraniums, aquilegias and looseworts.Our route is decorated with chortens, prayer wheels and fluttering coloured prayer flags carrying their messages on the wind to the four corners of the world. Via Purne we reach Phugtal monastery, one of the most spectacular sights in Zanskar, clinging to the mountainside and overlooking the village on other side of the Zanskar river. The pioneer of Tibetan studies, Kosmo de Koros also lived here during 1825-6. There is always the possibility of seeing blue sheep, stone marmots and brown bear on the trek. We will also see some Himalayan flowers like the fabled blue poppy, gentians and edelweiss.
On reaching Padum, the capital of Zanskar, we will visit Karsha - a true monastic city - and Barden. We may also meet the King of Zanskar for a brief chat and share a cup of rancid butter tea with His Highness - a truly memorable moment!!
Our waiting coach in Padum will take us on the exciting drive along the high and winding road, passing through Kargil on the border of Ladakh and Kashmir. On the way will visit Mulbekh and Lamayuru Gompa before arriving at the city of Leh, the capital of Ladakh.
NEI believes that his trek in this remote and unspoilt region offers everything a keen explorer or nature lover could look for.
ITINERARY
Day 1 London - DelhiDay 2 Delhi
Day 3 Delhi - Manali
Day 4 Manali - Darcha
Padam-Leh
Day 5 to 16 Zanskar Trek
Day 17 Drive Padum Parkachik
Day 18 Drive Parkachik-Kargil
Day 19 Kargil - Leh
Day 20 Leh
Day 21 Leh - Delhi
Day 22 Delhi - London