Padum Lamayuru Trek
North of the Great Himalayan range, amongst a tangled
knot of jagged mountains, lies a rugged and fascinating land, the
once independent kingdom of Zanskar. 
Sandwiched between the Indus Valley and the main
crest of the Indian Himalaya, this remote and inaccessible setting,
well guarded by snowy mountain passes, has kept alive an archaic
form of Tibetan Buddhism which flourishes in chain of far-flung
monasteries, most of which occupy spectacular fortified locations,
high on rocky ridges in isolated valleys.
Lovely high meadow camp sites and dry desert land,
high passes and snow-capped peaks stunning scenery, Buddhist monasteries
and picturesque villages with their irrigated fields of barley and
potatoes, and fascinating encounters with the Zanskari people turn
a trek in this area into an unforgettable experience
Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi, where you will be met and transfered to your hotel.
(Hotel B&B)
Day 02: Delhi - Leh (3500m)
by plane.
Early morning transfer to Domestic Airport to connect the
flight for Leh. Upon arrival at Leh Airport our representative would
assist you at the Airport and transfer to Hotel. Check in to the
hotel. Rest of the day for rest for acclimatization. Later in the
afternoon a walk around Leh town (3500m) includes a visit to Leh
Market, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa & Leh Gompa – This walk
shall help us in a getting acclimatized at this height. Overnight
stay at the hotel.
Day 03: Visit Leh
A whole day at leisure in Leh. You can visit some of the most famous
and oldest monasteries of Ladakh (15th and 17th century), Thikse,
Shey and Hemis and take a walk to the colorful bazaar. Overnight
at Hotel.
Day 04: Leh - Kargil (3700m) by bus.
Morning after breakfast drive to Kargil enroute visit the
Lamayuru Monastery and Mulbek. Upon arrival in Kargil, check into
the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 05: Kargil - Padum (3600m) by bus.
Morning after breakfast drive to Padum.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 06: Padum - Karsha
(3600m) in 3h.
A pleasant walk through fields. On the way we will visit Pepiting
monastery and the Karsha Gompa--one of the most important in Zanskar
and dating back to the 15th century. We have beautiful panoramic
vistas of the full Himalayan range.
Day 07: Karsha - Pishu
(3470m) in 5h.
We progress along the Zanskar river.
Day 08: Pishu - Hanumil
(3380m) in 5h.
An easy-going walk along the right bank of the river takes us to
Rinam village. We continue to the tiny hamlet of Hanumil.
Day 09: Hanumil - Purfi
La (3950m) - Snertse (3850m) in 6h.
Up and down over a steep path.
Day 10: Snerstse - Hanuma La (4950m) -
Lingshet (4000m) in 6h.
After a steep climb we reach the Purfi La pass, from where the panorama
towards the Ladakhi and Zanskari ranges is quite impressive. Visit
of Lingshet monastery.
Day 11: Lingshet - Camp
before Singue La (4550m), in 6h.
We start a long and gradual ascent to the Netuke La pass (4280m),
where we have a wonderful view towards the Nierag valley. The trail
then descends shortly to reach Skimpata and Gongma villages, then
climbs steeply to reach the second pass, Khyupa La (4300m).
Day 12: Camp before Singue
La - Singue La (5050m) - Photoksar (4200m) in 6h.
An amazing spectacle of hanging icefalls. We descend towards the
Photang river and progress through barley fields.
Day 13: Photoksar - Sirsir La (4850m) -
Hanupatta (3760m) in 6h.
Photang valley turns into a gorge labyrinth, which forces us to
make a detour via Sirsir La pass. Three shortens mark Hanupatta
and its giant hundred-year-old cedar, flanked by colorful prayer
flags.
Day 14: Hanupatta - Wanla (3250m) in 5h.
We head down towards the Photang valley and climb up to the Panjila
pass(3410m). We finally descend to Wanla and visit its tiny monastery.
Day 15: Wanla - Lamayuru (3420m) in 4h.
Visit of the monastery at Lamayuru, which is the biggest in western
Ladakh and was built in the 16th century on the site of a much older
temple. The gompa is very well kept and famous for its many colorful
wall paintings.
Day 16: Lamayuru - Leh (3500m) by bus.
Drive to Leh enroute visiting Alchi Monastery. Upon arrival
in Leh, check into the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 17: Leh – Delhi by plane - Drive
to Agra
Morning transfer to the Airport to catch the flight for Delhi. Upon
arrival in Delhi, Drive straight to Agra. Arrive Agra and check
into the hotel. We visit the incredible architectural excellence
of Taj Mahal, built by emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved
wife Mumtaz Mahal. Next we visit Agra Fort. Built principally as
a military establishment by Akbar in 1565, the red sandstone Agra
fort was partially converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time.
Though the principal structure was built by Akbar, many more additions
were made by his grandsons. This massive fort is 2.5 kms long and
is considered as the predecessor of the Delhi Red fort.
Day 18: Agra - Delhi
Morning free in Agra. In the afternoon drive to Delhi. Upon arrival
in Delhi, transfer to the International airport to catch the flight
to onward destination
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