Trekking in Ladakh >> Lamayuru Padum 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. Itinerary for Lamayuru Padum Trekking Day 01: Arrive Delhi, where you will be met and transfered to your hotel. (Hotel B&B) Day 02: Delhi - Leh (3500m) by plane.

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.

Day 05: Kargil - Padum (3600m) by bus.

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. Day 17: Leh – Delhi by plane. (Hotel B&B)

Day 18: At leisure in Delhi. Safety day for your international flight. (Hotel B&B)

Day 19: Transfer to airport and fly back home.