Day - 01

Delhi

You are met upon arrival and transferred to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day - 02

Delhi - Leh

Pick up from the hotel for the spectacular flight to Leh. You are met at the airport and transferred to the hotel.

Rest of the day at leisure to acclimatize to the high altitude and rarefied air.

In the afternoon rest or visit Leh, a fascinating labyrinth of winding streets and quaint bazaars. The main street is open and airy, with rows of shops on either side. The spectacular eight-storey Leh Palace looming above, overlooking the town, was built in the 16th century, about the same time as the Potala in Lhasa which it resembles.

The stroll through the town is followed by a visit to Sankar gompa, about 2 km from the market.

Day - 03

Shey, Thicksey, Hemis

Following breakfast, we shall explore some of Ladakh's ancient gompas. We visit the Shey Palace that was the first residence of the kings of Ladakh. Below the Shey palace and its gompa are hundreds of chortens of all shapes and sizes symbolizing the enlightened spirit of Buddha.

From Shey, we continue to one of Ladakh’s most imposing sites, Thiksey Gompa. This handsome structure is picturesquely perched high on a hill above the Indus and is also in the architectural style of the Potala in Lhasa.

From Thiksey, we take a short drive to Hemis Gompa that was built in 1620. The gompa is one of the largest and wealthiest in Ladakh and is filled with golden statues, stupas set with precious stones and thankhas brought from distant lands. We return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day - 04

Leh To Lamayuru (11,033 Ft/3,364 M) - 5 Hours Drive Lamayuru To Wanla (10,135 Ft/3,090 M) 4 To 5 Hours Trek

Drive five hours on the Leh/Srinagar Highway as far as Lamayuru, a splash of green against the stark desert with its charming village and a centuries old gompa. The trek starts passing through crumbling gorges. The path gradually ascends southwards to the Prinkiti la (12,221 ft/3,726 m), reached in about an hour. Descend along a dry narrow gorge to the valley of Shillakong, through apricot orchards and beautiful willow groves, via the village of Shilla and on to the village of Wanla, dominated by its red-hued gompa.

Day - 05

Wanla To Hanupatta (11,316 Ft/3,450 M) - 5 To 6 Hours Trek

Follow the river on the true right bank. The trail goes through many villages for about two hours to the village of Penjilla, where a small stream is crossed. Following the right bank again, continue through a narrow gorge to a major ford, crossing over a natural rock bridge to the true left bank. From here follow the stream flowing from the west up to the village of Hanupatta. The camp is set past the village on the banks of the stream.

Day - 07

Photoksar To Yulchung (13,090 Ft/3,990 M) - 7 Hours Trek

The day starts with an hour-long steep climb to the Bumiktse la (13,776 ft/4,200 m) and a beautiful view back towards Photoksar. After a short descent and an easy ford, the path climbs gradually up to the base of Singi La, another four hours' walk. After a short, steep ascent to the top (16,400 ft/5000 m) and an equally steep descent, camp is set near the stream flowing down from Shingi La. The broad valley before crossing the Singi La is full of wild flowers and russet coloured marmots can also be seen in plenty.

Day - 08

Yulchung To Lingshet (12,464 Ft/3,800 M) - 6 Hours Trek

The trail starts with a level walk through rocky countryside up to the Kiupa la (12,628 ft/3,850 m) and then a very steep descent towards the village of Gongma located on a plateau surrounded by barley fields. After crossing the stream at the base of the pass, a long steep ascent leads to the Murgum la (13,448 ft/4,100 m) past the village of Skiumpata from where another half hour of gradual descent leads to Lingshet. Overnight camping.

Lingshet gompa is amongst the largest in the region and holds sway over a vast area. It is extremely picturesque, rising layer upon layer on the mountainside, looking down on the basin-like valley of Lingshet which is totally covered with green fields and dotted with beautiful Ladakhi houses all around.

During late summer and autumn the rooftops are piled up with bushes and brushwood to be used as kindling in the coming winter. These turn a deep shade of brown drying out in the sun, adding dramatically to the colour of the countryside. The day is spent exploring the gompa and the village.

Day - 09

Lingshet To Snertse (12,300 Ft/3,750 M) - 7 To 8 Hours Trek

After going through the village, the path climbs to a low saddle, traverses the mountainside, climbs up another small pass and within two hours the base of Hanuma-La is reached. A steep climb of about two to three hours to the top (15,416 ft/4,700 m) offers breathtaking views of the Lingshet village and gompa. A gradual descent along the mountainside leads to a fork in the valley. The path now goes along the stream flowing down the valley from the north-east. Campsite is within two to three hours of the pass, among the sheepfolds of Snertse on the true left bank of the stream.

Day - 10

Snertse To Hanomil (10,995 Ft/3,352 M) - 6 Hours Trek

A traverse of the mountainside after crossing the stream and a steep descent of around 1,600 feet (500 m) leads to the Oma-chu river.

After crossing a wooden bridge, climb steeply for about two hours to reach the top of the Parfi la (12,792 ft/3,900 m). From here, the Zanskar river flowing north is visible and a steep descent leads to its shores. Follow the river south on the true left bank to the campsite at Hanumil about 3 hours from the top of the pass. Camp is set under the willow trees a little before the two-house village.

Day - 11

Hanomil To Pishu (10,500 Ft/3,200 M) - 5 To 6 Hours Trek

The trail continues on the left bank, sometimes across the morainic plateau, to the village of Pidmu, reached in about two hours. A bridge is crossed after the village and a long but easy walk leads to Pishu. Across the gradually widening valley can be seen the village of Zangla. Camp is set below the village on an attractive meadow.

Day - 12

Pishu To Karsha (10,890 Ft/3,320 M) - 5 To 6 Hours Trek

The trail follows the Zanskar river, across an often hot and dusty plain to the village of Rinam. Leave the village below and continue south to a point where the valley opens out on to the wide plain of Padum. The Tsarap river flowing down north from the Zanskar valley and the Doda river flowing south from the Pensi-la meet here to form the Zanskar, which flows north-northeast to join the Indus at Nimo on the Srinagar-Leh Highway.

The path goes along the mountainside on the left bank of the Doda river up to the village and gompa at Karsha. Camp is set below the village on a lovely meadow by the river.

Day - 13

Karsha

Rest day or spend the day visiting some of the nearby gompas. Karsha, the largest and most important monastery in Zanskar, lies on the other side of the Dodu river, a two- to three-hour walk away. Karsha is a treasure trove of Buddhist art, highlighted by the 500-year old wall frescoes in the teaching room. Overnight Camping.

Day - 14

Karsha To Mune (11975ft/3650mts) – 7 Hours Trek

A dusty but motorable road, after three hours arrive at Bardan a Kagyu- pa ( red Hat) gompa famous for its 180 cm high parayer wheel. Go down steep incline to the camp. Overnight at Camp set near a pond avbove Mune Village. There is a small monestery at Mune, worth visiting.

Day - 15

Mune To Ichar ( 12,140ft/ 3700m) – 5 Hours Trek

A gradual ascend leads towards Reru, a beautiful plain covered with flowers in the month of July.

Descend gradually over a major tributary and then cross over to the right bank. An interesting fortified village, where camp is set for the night.

Day - 16

Ichar To Purney ( 12,290 Ft/ 3,745 Ft) – 5 To 6 Hours Trek

From the large bridge pass below the village of Surle. Three hours later arrive at Kaydong, a small village in a poplar grove. From the Village of Cha pass above the hanging bridge. The trail that overhangs the Tsarap Chu is some time tricky and hard going with frequent small canyons. From the left bank go down and cross the bridge and follow the trail to the village of Purney where camp is set.

Day - 17

Purney To Phuktal (12,980 Ft/3,898 M) & Back To Purne - 4 Hours Trek

Go up the left bank of the Trasap Chu into a gorge. Cross a bridge and arrive at the confluence of the Tsarap Chu and a small tributary with clear blue water. Go up a rocky ledge and turn left. From here you get one of the most spectacular sights in Zanskar, the Phuktal monastery. Cross a series of chortens, climbing steadily to Phuktal. The gompa belongs to the Gelupa or "yellow hat" sect of Tibetan Buddhism and is built inside a massive cave, blackened over the ages by soot. The spring that gurgles deep in the cave is still out of bounds to women.

Day - 18

Purney To Kargiakh (13,450ft/ 4,100m)- 8 To 9 Hours Trek

A Steep ascent leads from the camp and descent gently up to a Jal. From the riverbank continue ascent to the village of Testha. An excellent path leads steadily ascent to the village of Karu, a village of livestock breeders. After the village of Tandze, the going is monotonous across morainic terrain. Continue on the left bank of the Kargiakh river, a major triutary of the Sarap Chu till you reach the village of Kargiakh. Camp is set near the Village.

Day - 19

Kargiakh To Lakong Sumdo ( 14435ft/ 4,400m) – 6 To 7 Hours Trek

A beautiful day's walk, crossing high meadows strewn with wild flower, gradual ascent beneath the face of Gumburanjon Peak and cross several streams before start climbing till you reach the medaow above the Lakong Sumdo, a summer pasture for sheep and Yaks, where Camp is set.

Day - 20

Lakong Sumdo To Ramjak( 13,290ft/ 4,050m) - 8 Hours Trek

This is a long day steep ascent to Shingo La ( 16,700ft/ 5091m). From the top Steep descent to the bank of the Jhankar Nala. Overnight at Camp.

Day 21: Ramjak To Takpchan ( 11,650ft/ 3,550m) – 6 To 7 Hours TrekCross the Nala over the Nala by the flying fox. Then gradually descent all the way to the days camp.

Day - 21

Ramjak To Takpchan ( 11,650ft/ 3,550m) – 6 To 7 Hours Trek

Cross the Nala over the Nala by the flying fox. Then gradually descent all the way to the days camp.

Day - 22

Takpachan To Darcha ( 10890ft/ 3300m) - 5 To 6 Hours

Trek And Drive To Jispa – 1 Hour Gentle descent through the last Lahouli village of Rarik and Chika and finally to the Village of Darcha. Upon arrival transport to hotel.

Day - 23

Jispa To Manali (6,340ft/ 1921m) – 7 To 8 Hours Drive

Days drive passes through the Keylong, the district headquarters of Lahoul and over the Rohathang Pass ( 13050ft/ 3,300m) and finally to the town of Manali. Upon arrival proceed to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day - 24

Manali

Manali is circled by beautiful glades of deodars and flowering horse chestnuts, tiny leveled fields and fruit orchards with the Beas River meandering through the town. Visit Dhoongri Temple, also known as the Hadimba Temple.

The Vashisht Springs are located in the small village of Vashisht on the left bank of the Beas. The hot water sulphur springs have been made into Turkish-style baths with shower rooms and temperature controlled water piped in. The nearby temple dedicated to Vashista Muni is well worth a visit. Overnight at hotel.

Day - 25

Manali To Chandigarh Drive

Depart on the 8-hour drive to the only planned city in India, with architecture which is world-famous. It is also the cleanest, greenest and most prosperous city in India. Overnight at hotel.

Day - 26

Chandigarh To Delhi By Train

Depart to the railway station to board Kalka Shatabdi train to New Delhi. Upon arrival proceed to the hotel for overnight stay.

In the early afternoon, enjoy an optional Sightseeing Tour of Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque and then enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride down Chadni Chowk (Silver Street), Guru Dwara Sikh Temple, It is a special place, offering a fascinating insight into the Sikh faith.

You may wander around the Red Fort and visit Humayan's Tomb, built by his grieving widow, Hamida Begum, of red sandstone and white marble.

Day - 27

Delhi

According to you International flight schedule you will be transferred to the airport for homewards journey.