Exploring Zanskar Valley

Between the Great Himalayan Range and the jagged mountains of the Zanskar Range is the 300-km long, remote valley of Zanskar. It is to be noted that this area is not accessible by road for the maximum part of the year. With an average valley bottom altitude of 13000-ft/4000 m it is one of the highest inhabited regions in the world. The two major rivers are Stod and Tsarap, which join to form the mighty Zanskar River. This eventually merges with the Indus River at Nimu having cut an impressive gorge through the Zanskar Mountains. This gorge is famous for the winter expedition (Chaddar).

This area is still insulated from the effects of modernisation and from the pollution of city life. The inhabitants are simple in their lifestyle and religion plays a very important role in their day to day life. In this bleak, inhospitable land the people are warm and friendly. They live an unsophisticated life subsisting on barley and peas the only two items that the unyielding weather allows them to grow. For a living they make woollen goods from the wool yielded by sheep and Yak, and butter. Shepherds move in camps with their sheep, fighting the harsh weather. The wealth of the people lies in their flocks and ponies.

Day - 01 - : Delhi - Leh Arrive Delhi ex International Flight & take connecting flight to Leh early morning. Day at Leisure to acclimatise.

Day - 02 - In Leh - Today is again a rest day because is essential at this altitude to acclimatize. We will explore the delights of Leh, including the 16th Leh century Palace once the seat of power, the splendid Shanti Stupa and the busy marketplace - a fascinating labyrinth of winding streets. We will see the Shankar Gompa, about 2 Kms from the market in the Northwest direction. It houses a number of pure gold icons and richly painted walls. In the afternoon get introduced to the "Bullet", your close companioin for the next few days as you start your motorbike holiday into Zanskar.
Day 03: Leh - Alchi - Lamayuru
Drive to Alchi & Lamayuru Monsteries. Enroute visit - Nimu, the confluence point of Zanskar & Indus rivers. See Basgo - A Ruined fortress which houses a statue of Maitreya enroute.
Alchi Monastery - Famous locally as Alchi Choskors, it is one of the largest and most famous Gompas, with a widely renowned collection of paintings and painted wooden statues. The Gompa is an unusual sight as it is built on the low lands rather than perched on the rooftops like the others in the Ladakh valley. It is noted for its massive statues, lavish woodcarvings and artwork.

Lamayuru Gompa - legend goes in the valley of Lamayuru in the times of Sakyamuni Buddha, a lake existed with crystal clear water and nagas (Serpents) lived in the water. Arahat Madhyantaka prophesied in latter times that a monastery will be built and through his supernatural powers he drained out the lake. The landscapes still bear the impression of watermarks. In the 10th century Naropa (one of the 80 wise men of a Ladakhi legend) visited the valley of Lamayuru and spent many years meditating in a hut. This place to locals is known as Tharpa Ling (a place of freedom). In the 16th century this place was declared as a holy site and it is said that during those days even criminals could take sanctuary here and be spared punishments. The gompa houses an impressive image of 11 headed and 1000 eyes of Chenrezig (a local deity).
O/Nt Camp.
Day 04: Drive to Dha - Hanu (Indo Aryan Village)
Spend the day exploring the villages and interacting with the local people known as the Dards or Brokpas. O/Nt Camp.
Day 05: Drive to Kargil.
In the town around Drass and Kargil live the people of the Dard origin whose homeland was originally in Gilghit, in present day Pakistan. Their language is Shina. There are few settlements of Dards near Lamayuru also and one of their peculiar traits is that they abhor washing themselves, preferring thus the use of a sort of charcoal for ritual cleansing. O/Nt Hotel.
Day 06: Drive into the Zanskar Valley.
Drive to Rangdum. Visit Gompa perched on a steep sugar loaf hilltop. The walls more Ornate than in Ladakh valley. Buddha reliefs carved in stone with Chortens and Mandalas in the background. Over night, Camp
Day 07: Drive to Karsha & Padum
Drive to Padum - the head quarter of the Zanskar region. Located on the southern part of wide fertile plains and at the confluence point of Tsarap & Stod River. The township clings to hillock. At leisure to explore the area.
Visit the Karsha Gompa, the largest and most important Gompa in the Zanskar Valley. It lies across the Doda river and is a treasure trove of Buddhist art, highlighted by the 500 Years old wall frescos in the teaching room. Overnight Camp.
Day 08: Drive to Karu.
Day 09: Drive to Tso Moriri.
Drive to Upshi and along the Indus riverbank to Chumathang. The region is sparsely populated but rich in wildlife. Red fox, Wild ass and the highly endangered snow leopard inhabit the area. Cross Mahe Bridge to Tsomoriri. Overnight Safari camp near the lake.
Day 10: Tso Moriri and Around
Explore the lake. Reflections of the snow-covered peaks further enhances the beauty of the region. Black necked cranes and wild folk geese use the area as breeding grounds in summers, in winters, the lake is completely frozen. The chief characteristic of the lake is that being surrounded by the high mountains, completely shut off within a rising elevation of 5000ft to 20,000 Ft, the water is brackish in nature as there is no outlet. In former days it is anticipated that it was almost 30 miles in length from the foothill of the Nakpo-Gonding Pass to the low ridge. The water is limpid and blue in colour with patches of saline matter. The extra water being supplied in the day by the melting snow from the high peaks around the lake evaporates in the bright sun. From end October to early April the lake is sufficiently frozen, thus allowing the People to cross over.
We will also drive to Tso Kar, a smaller brackissh lake near Tso Moriri and make an excursion to Korzok Gompa in the evening - 360 yr. old, belonging to the Yellow hat Sect of Buddhism.
Day 11: Drive to Leh
Have a welcome break overnight in the hotel in Leh. Nothing like a hot Shower after the last few days of camping!
Day 12: Leh - Kkardung La (5602 M) - Nubra Valley
Today we are heading further north. Our objective is the head of the Nubra Valley, the Khardung La, at 5,602 meters the highest motorable pass in the world!
Initially the going is smooth. One looks forward to crossing the waterlogged track running from the local streams. As Khardung La top gets closer, the track becomes more tough and rough, full of boulders and stones. While navigating them comes a rock with the inscription 'Gate way of India'. Zoom for a kilometer or so and Congrats ! you are on Top of the World - the Khardung La (5602M)!!!
After a short break we will have to move on. Our aim is to reach the Nubra Valley, on the other side of Khardung La. Its a fantastic drive over fairly good, paved roads most of the time. Of course there will be the odd bad patch, especially where mountain streams decide to change course. But this is a stretch where we can drive on much faster. You will be compelled to stop many times to capture the Shyok River and the beautiful scenery on camera. We will drive to Deluxe tentage accommodation for Overnight stay.
Day 13: Nubra Valley - Leh
After an early breakfast we will head out to explore the beautiful Nubra Valley. The Sumur Gompa nearby is worth a visit. On a lucky day we will perhaps even spot the famous double humped Bactrian camel around Diskit. There is also a camel breeding farm at Diskit. After some great riding experience in this remote area we will head back for Leh. We will cross over Khardung La a second time, in the afternoon and drive down to Leh. The view of Leh town is awesome, its like a green bowl in the otherwise barren landscape. Over night at Hotel in Leh.
Day 14: Fly Leh /Delhi & connecting flight Home.