Southern Zanskar and Phuktal Monastery

Southern Zanskar and Phuktal Monastery 23 Days

From $1975 USD

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Southern Zanskar and Phuktal Monastery
Southern Zanskar and Phuktal Monastery
Southern Zanskar and Phuktal Monastery
Southern Zanskar and Phuktal Monastery
Southern Zanskar and Phuktal Monastery
Southern Zanskar and Phuktal Monastery
Southern Zanskar and Phuktal Monastery
Southern Zanskar and Phuktal Monastery
Southern Zanskar and Phuktal Monastery
Southern Zanskar and Phuktal Monastery
Southern Zanskar and Phuktal Monastery
Southern Zanskar and Phuktal Monastery
Southern Zanskar and Phuktal Monastery
Southern Zanskar and Phuktal Monastery

Overview
Itinerary
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Overview

Highlights

Duration: 23 Days
Comfort: 66.6666666666667%
Language: English
Rating: 0%
Trip ID: 131559
Start Location: New Delhi, India
End Location: New Delhi, India

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Primary Activities: Trekking
Other Activities: Hiking, Local Culture & Cuisine, sightseeing, train, Urban Exploration, Monasteries, walking, Camping
Activity Level: Advanced, Advanced

This exciting trek starts out at Darcha in the Lahaul Valley and crosses the Shingo La (5090m) to reach the southern edge of the Himalayan region of Zanskar. Here, we follow a tributary of the Zanskar River and pass beneath the towering rock peak of Gumburanjan, en route to the village of Kargyak which is the highest settlement in the area. After a visit to the impressive cliff-side monastery of Phuktal, we climb to cross the Phirtse La (5250m), where the views extend across range upon range of high mountains. Trekking out to the Baralacha La on the Leh-Manali road, we then make a 3-day descent of the Chandra River, fording the river several times and stopping off at lovely Moon Lake. The lakeside meadow camp amongst countless alpine flowers is an undoubted highlight of the trip. Including the fascinating overland journey to and from Manali, this is a classic circuit trek in a remote and unspoiled area.

Additional Information

The group size for this holiday is: 4-16

Optional Single Tent Hire from: $165

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Delhi: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Delhi. KE Land Only package services begin with an airport transfer on this day. We take our lunch at the group hotel and this afternoon, we will have a guided sightseeing tour of Delhi and we stay overnight at the group hotel. Meals included: lunch and dinner. (L,D)
Day 2: Train to Chandigarh, drive to Mandi: After an early breakfast at the hotel we transfer to the railway station to board the Shatabdi Express. Travelling in India is all part of the adventure and a rail journey is a fascinating way to get a hands-on view of Indian life, both frantic and relaxing almost in the same breath. After surviving the chaos of Delhi’s busy rail terminus (just put your faith in your KE representative and all will be well), we settle down for the 4 hour journey to Chandigarh, watching the changing scenery roll by. Chandigarh is almost the end of the line, located at the point where the Indian plains meet the foothills of the Himalaya. Here we transfer to our vehicles to continue our journey into the mountains. We drive for around six hours, travelling as far as Mandi where we stay overnight in a hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Drive to Manali: Leaving Mandi We continue our drive deeper into the foothills, following the Beas River to enter the Kulu Valley, one of the most picturesque valleys in the Indian Himalaya. The road which winds it way past pine clothed mountain slopes giving glimpses of snow capped peaks, and through small settlements with their fields of rice and maize and little walled orchards Eventually we reach the upper part of the Kulu and arrive at the popular tourist resort of Manali. Manali is 108km from Mandi and the journey will take us around 3½ - 4 hours. We check into our hotel and have the rest of the afternoon to explore the town before dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Drive to Keylong: We travel along the Manali to Leh road, a journey which has almost legendary status among Indian travellers. And which includes a crossing of the Rohtang La (3978m.), one of the highest road passes in the world. From the summit of the pass there are superb views of the Himalaya and we shall certainly stop for some photography before descending the long switch backs down to our overnight stop at Keylong (3100m.). Today’s journey covers approximately 115km. It is not possible to say exactly how long the journey will take as there can be many hold-ups along the way for traffic and road conditions, but is likely to be between 5 and 8 hours. On arrival in Keylong we check into a hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Transfer Palamo, trek to Jaskar Sumdo: We have just a short transfer to the start of our trek at Palamo (3500m) above the village of Darcha where we can finally leave roads and all mechanical contrivances behind. We begin the trek ascending through of the Barai Valley passing scattered fields and following the Darcha River. We have to cross several side streams and negotiate a boulder field before reaching our first night's camp at Jaskar Sumdo (3637m.). 4 – 5 hours trekking. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Acclimatisation at Jaskar Sumdo: We have allowed for an essential 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 recover from our long journey, soaking in the scenery. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Trek to high camp at Chumnik: Crossing the Darcha River on a substantial bridge we make a short steep ascent and then continue climbing more gradually over a landscape of sparse vegetation and scree to the relatively rich pastures of Ramjak (4290m). We continue our gradual ascent towards the Shingo La as far as the high pastures at Chumik (4640m.) where we make camp. 7 – 8 hours
Day 8: Cross the Shingo La to Lakong: We make an early start today for the climb to the Shingo La (5090m.). Heading for the glacier which fills the valley ahead we bear to the left and climb sometimes quite steeply to the top of the pass. The pass is adorned with hundreds of cairns and numerous prayer flags, some ancient and faded and others in recently-fixed, brightly-coloured strings. The view is spectacular with the serrated snow-covered peaks of the Himalaya all around us. We descend scree and snow patches, steeply at first to more high pastures where we may have to wade a stream if the snow bridges are no longer intact. A final steep descent and then a long walk brings us to Lakong (4470m.) where we make camp. 7 – 8½ hours trekking. (B,L,D)
Day 9: Trek to Kargyak: We are now in Zanskar, a remote region of Ladakh lying between the mountains of the Zanskar Range and the main Himalayan chain. After crossing the streams beyond our camp, we descend the Kargyak Valley on a good trail leaving the impressive monolith known as Gumburanjan behind us. We continue our descent across flower strewn Yak pasture coming eventually to the village of Kargyak which is the highest permanent settlement in Zanzkar. We have lunch here and continue to Tablay where we make our camp at 4184m. 6 – 7 hours trekking. (B,L,D)
Day 10: Through the Kargyak Valley to Purne: We continue through the Kargyak Valley passing the whitewashed houses of farms and villages with their stone-walled fields of barley, and several chortens and mani walls. At Tanze (3850m) we cross the river on a recently constructed suspension bridge and begin a climb to the village of Karu (3990m). From here we make a gradual descent to the village of Purne (3950m.) and our next overnight stop. 7 hours. (B,L,D)
Day 11: Visit to Phuktal Gompa: We have a day hike to the amazing Phuktal Gompa (3850m). This is a highlight of the trip and should not be missed although anyone who needs a rest day can of course take a day off here. The trek which takes around 4 – 5 hours for the round trip starts by ascending the Tsarap river through its gorge to a bridge which gives access to the gompa. The cliffhanging gompa is an impressive sight as you approach and a visit to the buildings is also rewarding of our efforts. After visiting the gompa we return to camp at Purne. 4 – 5 hours. (B,L,D)
Day 12: Return to Tanze: We retrace our steps today, making the gradual climb through Yal and Tsetha to Karu and descending as far as Tanze (3850m) where we make camp. Today is a shortish day and the afternoon can be used for rest and recuperation or to do laundry. 5 hours walking. (B,L,D)
Day 13: To a high camp below the Phirtse La: Leaving Tanze we turn off the main trail and head up out of the Kargyak Valley, climbing steeply for almost 500m through a gorge to a small grazing area at around 4800m at the foot of the Phirtse La. There is not a great deal of room at this campsite – just enough for our tents – but it does give us a good head start for the following day. 7 hours. (B,L,D)
Day 14: Cross the Phitse La to Lingti Valley: This morning we have a short but steep ascent to reach the crest of the Phitse La (5526m.) for spectacular views over the Himalaya. A short detour to climb the ridge to the north of the pass brings into view the jagged tops of the Zanskar Range. We are now in a real wilderness area and we are unlikely to see any other trekkers at all. From the top of the pass a steep descent across scree slopes leads to the grazing area known as Chumik Marpo. We access the main Lingti valley by a descent of a steep rocky gorge and continue to our next camp beside the river at around 4700m. 7 – 8 hours (B,L,D)
Day 15: Follow the Lingti to the Tsarap: We follow the Lingti River to a confluence with the Tsarap where we make camp. Our route today crosses several ridges dotted with juniper and marked with prayer flags or mani walls, and through broad grazing grounds used by nomadic Gaddi shepherds. We may have to take our boots off in several places today to negotiate side streams. 7 – 8 hours. (B,L,D)
Day 16: To Kilang Serai: We head up the Tsarap Valley which now becomes quite wide and make a camp in the fields of Kilang Serai village (4600m). Ahead can be seen the Leh to Manali Road. 3½ – 4½ hours trekking. (B,L,D)
Day 17: Cross the Baralacha La: This morning we reach the Leh to Manali road which we then follow using paths to short-cut the long switch backs up to the Baralacha Pass (4950m.). This is an ancient trading route between Kulu and Ladakh and is a watershed between three major river valleys, namely the Tsarap, the Chandra and the Bhaga. We cross a glacial stream at the top, then descend the Chandra Valley in the west to reach the pastures of Topko Yongma (4650m) where we set up camp. 6 – 7½ hours. (B,L,D)
Day 18: Descend to Topko Gongma: We wade across the Tokpo Yongma stream early and follow the Chandra River down through a desert-like landscape of large boulders. We have to cross a number of side streams today before reaching our campsite at Tokpo Gongma. 6 – 7½ hours (B,L,D)
Day 19: Descend to Chandra Tal (Moon Lake): We start the day by wading across the Tokpo Gongma River (unless it has been possible to do this at the end of the previous day). We then begin a descent with lots of ups and downs as we follow a path high above the Chandra River which crosses a number of ridges and scree-filled gullies. The reward for this longish day is the beautiful setting of our camp at Chandra Tal, or Moon Lake, a blue-green lake surrounded by the snow-capped 6000-metre peaks of the Lahaul Range. We make camp here among alpine flowers at 4300m. 6 – 7 hours. (B,L,D)
Day 20: Short walk and transfer to Manali: 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. 8 hours. (B,L,D)
Day 21: Drive to Pinjore: A full day of spectacular and scenic driving to reach Pinjore. We stay overnight in a hotel.
Day 22: Train to Delhi: We take the early morning train to Delhi where we check into our hotel and enjoy the luxury of a hot shower. There will be plenty of time for bargain hunting in the bazaars or for further independent sight seeing before dinner. Overnight at the group hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 23: Depart: KE Land Only package services end after breakfast with a group transfer to the airport. (B)

Nuts & Bolts

Trip Includes

A professional English-speaking local leader
Delhi Airport transfers (on group arrival and departure days only)
All land transport involved in the itinerary
Hotel accommodation in Delhi plus lodges and camping on trek
All meals throughout the trip
Guided sightseeing tour of Delhi
Full trekking service including food and all equipment (excluding personal equipment)

Trip Excludes

Travel insurance
Delhi Airport transfers (other than on group arrival and departure days)
Indian Visa
Tips for trek staff
Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc.

Trip ID#: 131559

CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

Operator

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