Padum - Lamayuru

Day 1: Leh - Kargil 6 hrs

Drive from Leh to Kargil where we stop for the night.

Day 2: Kargil - Rangdum 6 hrs

We enter the Suru valley today. Known to be the most beautiful valleys of Ladakh. Site the Nun and Kun mountain peaks in the background. Night stay in a local guest house.

Day 3: Rangdum - Padum (3610mts/105kms/06hrs)

Over 4400m high Penzi La. Two rivers meet here to form Zanskar River. Wide valley. Stay in a guest-house.

Day 4: Padum - Karsha (3-4 Hours)

Trek starts today. Head towards Pipiting, a dusty plain towards the Doda river, and then climb towards Karsha. Hotel at the entrance of the village. Beautiful Gelupa monastery dates from the XV century.

Day 5: Karsha - Pishu (5 Hours)

Easy stretch on the often hot and dusty bank of the Zanskar river. Above Rinam, small stream and shelter formed by the rocks. Before Pishu, make a little detour to see the longest hanging bridge over the Zanskar (55m). It leads to Zangla. Attractive campsite below the village of Pishu.

Day 6: Pishu - Hanumil (5 Hours)

Easy going sometimes along the river and sometimes across the morainic plateau. A bridge before Pidmo, then another 2 hrs until Hanumil. Very good campsite 100 metres past the 2 houses.

Day 7: Hanumil - Parfi La - Snertse (8 Hours)

On a good easy path for about ¾th of an hour beyond Hanumil after which you encounter a stream and the path leads away from the edge of the Zanskar, up to the plateau, then to the foot of the pass. Steep and di cult climb to Par La at 3900m (4 hrs). Rather steep descent until reaching the Oma-Chu river, then up a 500m sandy slope. Wonderful lookout. Then along the slope as far as the sheepfolds of Snertse.

Day 8: Snertse - Hanuma La - Lingshed (7 Hours)

Long gradual ascent towards the Hanuma La. Through gorges rst, then easier. After 2 hrs, pass a sheepfold and 2 ½ hrs later, reach Hanuma La at 4700m. A 1000m steep descent and a 300m climb along the mountainside follows. From this small pass, it is an easy descent towards Lingshed (3800m). Campsite near the monastery.

Day 9: Lingshed - foot of the Sengge La (6 Hours)

Easy climb of an hour up to Murgum La (4100m). Continue climbing, pass an escarpment then go along the slope. Wonderful landscape, view of the valley of Nierag, on the other bank of the Zanskar. Gentle descent towards the villages of Gongma (3840m) and Skiumpata. Then very steep climb as far as the Kiupa La (3850m). Then climb gradually along the mountainside up to the foot of the Sengge La.

Day 10: Foot of the Sengge La - Sengge La - Photoksar (7 Hours)

Rather steep climb to the Sengge La taking from 1½ to 2 hrs (5000m), then a short slope leads into a broad valley. Easy going then gentle climb towards the Bumiktse La (4200m), beautiful view. Descent towards Photoksar (3750m), splendid village at the base of huge mountain walls. Abandoned gompa 20 mins away above the village.

Day 11: Photoksar - Sirsir La - Hanupatta (6 Hours)

From the village, gentle climb upto a large chorten (1 hr), then long ascent of the Sirsir La. The last third is steep. Pass is situated at 4800m. Easy descent to the river. Cross onto the left bank, then a long descent into a stony valley. Good campsite a short distance before the village of Hanupatta.

Day 12: Hanupatta - Wanla 5 Hours

From Hanupatta, continue across the slope until entering the gorges. At the junction of the rivers, chorten and religious banners on a at, pass a ridge, then go down until reaching a good bridge across the Yapola. Then some easy, some di cult stretches (fallen rocks) until Phenjilla (3 hrs). A little beyond the village, cross again onto the left bank, then on a at to Wanla which has a beautiful gompa.

Day 13: Wanla - Lamayuru - Leh (3 Hours)

Go up the Shillakong along the right bank, cross it, then arrive in Shilla. Pass the village, go to a broad chorten then follow a narrow and dry gorge as far as the Prinkiti La (3726m). Easy descent, then pass an escarpment. Cross the river and go towards the village of Lamayuru. Short climb towards the monastery which is the most photographed in Ladakh. Drive back Lamayuru to Leh. Overnight at Leh.