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This is a expeditious trek with almost every day one or more
high passe s
to cross at least till Padum from where there is only one
major high pass before crossing in to Lahul valley of Himachal
Pradesh. Rinchen Brangpo had wandered the Zanksar valley
in 11th century for selecting sites for 108 monasteries which
were to be established through out the western Himalaya. In
1826-7 the first European traveled through the area was famous
Hungarian explorer Coso de Koros who has spent a year at the
Pukhtal monastery translating Buddhist text from Ladakhi into
English. An inscription of his name can still be seen in the
monastery.
DAY 01. ARRIVE DELHI
Morning arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel. Afternoon combined
guided tour of Old and
New Delhi
includes Jammia Masjid Mosque, Cycle rickshaw ride through
Chandni chowk, Red Fort, drive through India Gate and
Parliament house, Qutab Minar and Humayuns Tomb.
DAY 02. DELHI - LEH
Morning transfer to airport and
fly to Leh, arrive and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day at
leisure for acclimatization.
Leh is a small picturesque town of about 10,000 people.
Situated at 3505 Mt., the summer days are dry and sunny but
nights can be cold. A double lines of "Manies", stone shelters
for departed spirits, protects the towns approaches. During
these three days we will explore some of the interesting
monasteries of the area.
DAY 03. IN LEH
Full day sightseeing of
Stok Palace – The palace has a small museum,
which houses the queen’s head gear (peyrak) and a remarkable
collection of Thankas. Tibetan children’s village. Shey
Palace – Shey was once the capital of Ladakh in the pre –
Tibetan era until the 15th century. Thiksey
– Tsong Khapa had prophesied that a monastery would be built
here and Thiksey was founded by one of his disciple
Hemis - largest monastery founded in 1602 by
Tagtsangrepa
and Tatok – this monastery of the Nyimapa order
has about 50 monks and these not far from Chimiri,
Padmasambhava, the founder of the order
is said to have meditated here.
DAY 04. LEH - LAMAYURU
Morning visit Phyang
– founded in 16th century by King Tashi Nangyal.
Spituk - The monastery first
belonged to the Kadampa order but in the 15th
century it was restored and Tsong Kapa sent two Lamas to
transfer it to Gelupa order, and drive to Lamayuru,
en-route visit Alchi -
one of the few monasteries of the 11th and 12th
centuries to have survive. Arrive and camp for overnight.

DAY 05 to 24. TREK
Wind up camp, load our pack
ponies, visit Lamayuru
monastery and
commence the trek. First leg of trek from Lamayuru takes us to
Padum
in Zanskar valley over number of high passes and strenuous
ascends and descends as well as some remote spectacular
hamlets and villages. Some of the high passes which we need to
cross between Lamayuru and Padum are Prinkit – la
(3726 Mt.),
Sirsir-la (4800 Mt.),
Senge-La (4990 Mt.),
Hunumla-la (4740
Mt.), Pirfi-la
(3940 Mt).
The second leg between Padum and Darcha has only one high pass
i.e.
Shingola pass (5090
Mt.) and a few beautiful villages and monasteries. During this
trek number of rivers / streams need to be crossed from one
bank to another to find our trail. However, our tour escorts
have trekked, are well experienced and fully informed of the
route. The camping crew consists of cooks and assistants will
look after and assist in pitching tents, preparing hot meals
and serving.
During the trek portable two men tents are provided with foam
mattresses, as well as a separate mess and kitchen tents are
utilized. Arrive
Darcha on 24th
day the trek ends here and our last night of camping.
DAY 25. DARCHA – MANALI
Drive 145 Km 8 – 9 Hrs.
After breakfast wind up our camp and drive via Keylong,
the head quarters of Lahual and Spiti valleys and
Rothang Pass (3978 Mt.) to
Manali
in the lush green Kulu valley. Arrive and check in
at hotel.
DAY 26. IN MANALI
ull
day at leisure to explore the town and relax. This important
fruit growing valley district produces apples, apricots,
cherries, pears, peaches and plums. Craftwork here includes
shawls, Kulu caps, jewelry and home spun tweed garments.
Manali itself is in a lovely position, surrounded by dense
forests and mountains.
DAY 27. MANALI – CHANDIGARH Drive 370 Km 11 Hrs.
After breakfast day long drive to Chandigarh. We leave behind
the mountainous high altitude area and descend into Chandigarh,
a well laid city designed by a team of famous French architect
Le Corbusier assisted by his cousin, Jeanneret and an English
couple, Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew. Arrive and check in at
hotel.
DAY 28. CHANDIGARH - DELHI Drive
245 Km 5 Hrs.
Morning depart and drive to Delhi, via plains of Punjab and
Harayana. Arrive Delhi and check-in at hotel for overnight
stay. Remainder of the day at leisure.
DAY 29. DEPARTURE

Morning transfer to airport for homeward flight
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