ZANSKAR INDUS TRAVERSE

Time:
Distance:
Elevation Leh : 3500m
Upon arrival in Leh, check in at your hotel and take the day to rest and acclimatize to the high altitude. In the evening, head out to visit Shanti Stupa, Tsemo Monastery and Leh Market. Overnight stay at Deluxe Hotel.

Time: 3hrs
Distance: 40km
Elevation Leh : 3500m
Today, visit the monasteries that offer a profound window into Ladakh’s Buddhist heritage. Hemis Monastery, the largest and wealthiest in the region, is famed for its annual Hemis Festival and its majestic setting amid rugged hills. Thiksey Monastery, often compared to Tibet’s Potala Palace, rises dramatically on a hilltop and houses a magnificent 15-meter statue of Maitreya Buddha, offering panoramic views of the Indus Valley. Overnight stay at Deluxe Hotel.

Time: 3hrs Drive
Distance: 140km
Elevation Leh : 3550m
On this day, we’ll enjoy a scenic drive through Ladakh, visiting the 1,000-year-old Alchi Monastery, renowned for its ancient art and serene atmosphere. Continuing onward, we head to Lamayuru, famous for its dramatic, moon-like landscapes—often called Moonland. Along the way, we’ll pause at stunning viewpoints, including the iconic confluence of the Indus and Zanskar Rivers, where the two mighty waterways meet. The day concludes with an overnight stay at a hotel in Lamayuru.

Time: 6-7hrs Drive
Distance: 160 km
Elevation: Lingshed Village 4100m
We begin the day with an acclimatization hike from Lamayuru to Wanla, crossing the scenic Prinkiti La Pass at 3,732 meters. The trek takes around 3–4 hours and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. From Wanla, we continue driving toward Lingshed village, crossing two high passes over 5,000 meters and stopping at several breathtaking viewpoints along the way. Arrive in Lingshed by evening and settle in for an overnight stay at a local Homestay.

Time: 2 hrs Drive
Distance: 70 km
Elevation: Zangla 3370m
Explore the Karsha and Stongdey Monasteries, which belong to different schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Zangla is known for its Lion-Shaped Palace and the presence of the royal family, which visitors may have the opportunity to meet. After noon rest day and prepare for the trek. O/n stay Zangla Village(Campsite)

Time: 5-6 hrs trek
Distance: 10 km
Elevation: gain/ loss: +430m/-m
Set off on a journey into a remote wilderness with no villages or settlements until you near the Indus Valley. The trail navigates through deep gorges and high mountain passes. After passing the ruins of a fort and stupas in Zangla, the trail enters a side gorge before descending. Approximately 1km to the right, you’ll encounter the first of several river crossings. The trail then winds through willow thickets for about 6km until the gorge opens into a wide valley known as Sumdo or Char Char la Base . Spend the night at a flat but non-grassy campsite at an elevation of 3800m. O/n stay at Camp

Time:8-9hrs
Distance: 12km
Elevation: gain/ loss: + 1150m/- 500m
The trail goes east into a dry, quiet valley and gradually climbs a series of rocky steps before leaving the valley for a final steep 200 to 300-meter climb to the Char-Char La pass, which stands at 4,950 meters. This climb is the first big challenge of the trek, but it offers great views of the Zanskar and Himalayan Ranges. After enjoying the view from the pass, the trail descends and follows the Tilat Sumdo stream. At some points, the gorge is too narrow, and you'll need to walk through the stream. The campsite, at 4450 meters, is at the meeting point of two gorges and has been used by many migrating to Zanskar.

Time: 8-9hrs
Distance: 17km
Elevation: gain/ loss: + m/ -700m
Trekkers rarely take this route, making it a special experience with remote gorges, wet boots, and numb toes that thrill true adventurers. Reaching
Tilat Sumdo usually takes 8- 9 hours & water levels rise after 10 am. From the camp, the trail leads for about 3 hours to a tributary confluence. Here, the gorge widens, but the frequent twists and turns of the river make it hard to know exactly where you are. After another 2 km, you'll reach the confluence with the Kharnak River, marked by prayer flags. Crossing the still waters, you'll arrive at the Tilat Sumdo campsite3750m.

Time:7-8hrs
Distance: 15km
Elevation: gain/ loss: + 750m /-m
On this day, you continue navigating through the narrowing and widening gorges, just as remote and challenging as the previous days. The vastness of this wilderness becomes more apparent, and its beauty remains breathtaking. The day begins with a cold start as you wade through the Kharnak River, with water reaching your waist. Initially, you follow the gorge's course, frequently crossing from one riverbank to the other as the terrain requires. After about 20 crossings and 2-3 hours approx, you reach the confluence of the Kharnak River and the river flowing from Rabrang La. From here, a gradual ascent of about 3.5 to 4 hours brings you to a grassy, flat, and comfortable campsite at 4500
meters. At this site, you may spot Himalayan Blue sheep, or Bharal, grazing the sparse vegetation above the camp.

Time: 9-10hrs
Distance: 20km
Elevation: gain/ loss: + 350m/-950m
Today, gradual ascent from camp leads to the Rabrang La Pass (4,850 m). Much of the trail has been washed away by water, but the climb remains manageable, and the panoramic views of the Zanskar and Stok ranges from the top are truly impressive. From the pass, the route descends gradually—then steeply at points—toward the junction with the Markha River. After reaching the junction, it’s another 40-minute walk to the campsite. Before reaching camp you can visit the Techa Monastery, an ancient site nearly 500 years old. Overnight stay at the Umlung village campsite3900m.

Time:7-8hrs
Distance: 16.4km
Elevation: gain/ loss: + 950m/-m
Today you will join the popular Markha Valley trail, where you’ll likely meet several other trekking groups along the way. The day starts with a 2-hour walk from Umlung Village to Hankar. From Hankar, the trail gradually ascends toward the wide Nimaling pasturelands. As you approach Nimaling, you’ll be treated to magnificent views of the Kang Yatse massif, with its peaks towering above 6,000 meters. At the campsite, you’ll find local shepherds grazing their livestock at an impressive altitude of 5,000 meters. Overnight stay at Nimaling Camp (4,850 m).

Time:7-8hrs
Distance: 12km
Elevation: gain/ loss: + 419m/-1869m
From Nimaling, begin a two-hour gradual ascent to the Kongmaru La Pass (5,269 m). From the top, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the Indus Valley and its distant villages, lying more than 1,500 meters below. The descent from the pass is steep for the first hour, then continues through a dramatic gorge where you’ll cross the stream multiple times before emerging at Chokdo Village (4,000 m), marking the final walking day of the trek. From Chokdo, continue with a 40 km drive back to Leh 3500m.

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