Though the mountains in Ladakh are dry and arid and have very little snow on them, for many this high altitude region is a completely magical place with its myriad hued mountains, high passes, ancient monasteries and friendly people.

Best Time

July, August, September.

Day 1 Delhi - Leh

Fly from Delhi to Leh. On arrival at Leh ( 3,521 m) , transfer to hotel. Because of the altitude, activities are kept to a minimum for the first couple of days. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 2 In Leh

After breakfast at leisure, sight seeing trip of Spituk monastery, which is about 8 km from Leh. This monastery standing on a hill with three chapels was founded in the 11th century and is the seat of the head lama of the Yellow Hat sect. Return to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon visit to the Leh Palace. O/n At Leh Hotel

Day 3 Around Leh

Drive to Hemis monastery visiting enroute Shey Palace and Thiksey Monastery. On return optional rafting trip from Karu to Choglamsar on the Indus River. O/n at Leh Hotel.

Day 4 Leh - Kargil

Drive from Leh to Kargil (2740m), located on the bank of River Suru. Kargil was an important trading post on the Srinagar - Leh route. The drive is spectacular dotted with monasteries, bare plateaus and different hued bare hills. O/n in camp set up en route.

Day 5 Kargil to Padum drive

Drive from Kargil to Padum, the capital of the Zanskar valley. This valley was opened up for tourism even later than the rest of Ladakh but in a short while became very popular with trekkers. O/n in camp set up en route.

Day 6 Padum to Reru trek

Trek from Padum to Reru. About 4 easy hours along the Tsarap Lingti river. Visit Bardaan and Mune monasteries enroute. O/n in tents.

Day 7 Reru-Bipul trek

Trek from Reru to Bipul. About 6/7 hours. Fairly long, but easy trek. O/n in tents.

Day 8 Bipul - Purni trek

About 5/6 hours of easy walk. Purni is a quaint little village with about two families. O/n in tents.

Day 9 Purni - Phuktal - Purni

From Purni go on a five-hour excursion to Phuktal monastery located in a spectacular site. It has been carved out of the mountainside round a limestone cave and has about 30 monks in residence.

Day 10 Purni - Kargyak

The 7 to 8 hour-trek leads through villages to Kargyak, the last of the villages of Zanskar before the Shingo La Pass (5,200m). The mountain scenery.

Day 11 Kargyak - Lhakhang

This is 7 to 8 hour long but easy flat walk. River crossing before Lhakhang.

Day 12 Lhakhang - Sumdo

The six-hour trek involves the ascent to Shingkum la (5100 m) which is steep but the descent on the other side is gradual and easy.

Day 13 Sumdo - Palmo

The entire trek takes about 7 hours. Gradual descent upto Zanskar sumdo. From Zanskar sumdo to Palmo is a 3 hour easy trek.

Day 14 Palmo - Darcha

An easy 3 hour walk from Palmo to Darcha. Camp at Darcha or continue the trek to Jispa - another two hours. From Darcha one could either drive to Manali the same day or continue the trek to Jispa and then drive to Manali the next day.

Day 15 Manali

Day 16 Fly Manali - Delhi