Combined Zanskar with Rupshu – Trek No 21

Trip Duration 20
Max Altitude 5400M
Group Size 2 to 20
Best Time for Visit January to December

Trip Overview

Overview

The Zanskar and Rupshu regions in the northern part of India also offer unparalleled experiences for adventure enthusiasts and those seeking a glimpse of untouched natural beauty. This combined Zanskar with Rupshu trip also explores the rugged landscapes, rich culture, and unique lifestyle of the people residing in these remote and picturesque terrains.

Zanskar:

Zanskar, nestled in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, a breathtakingly beautiful region characterized by towering peaks, deep gorges, and pristine rivers. The trip to Zanskar also begins with a drive from Leh, the main city in Ladakh, which takes you through spectacular landscapes with panoramic views of the Himalayas. You'll traverse narrow mountain roads and witness ancient monasteries, charming villages, and vast expanses of barren but awe-inspiring terrain. Popular spots include the iconic Zangla Monastery, the surreal Padum Valley, and the frozen Chadar Trek during winter.

Rupshu:

Adjacent to Zanskar, the Rupshu region is a high-altitude desert nestled amidst the Trans-Himalayan ranges. It's renowned for its unique geographical features and nomadic culture. The trip to Rupshu is a journey through vast open plains, colorful rock formations, and shimmering salt lakes. You'll visit the stunning Tsomoriri Lake, a high-altitude lake with crystal-clear waters reflecting the surrounding mountains. The nomadic culture here is fascinating, with encounters with Changpa nomads and their traditional way of life, often herding yaks and Pashmina goats. The combined Zanskar and Rupshu trip is a thrilling adventure that showcases the diverse landscapes and cultures of the Ladakh region. It typically starts from Leh, where you acclimatize to the high altitude and soak in the unique Ladakhi culture. From there, you venture into Zanskar, exploring its ancient monasteries and picturesque valleys, immersing yourself in the serene surroundings. Trekking or driving through this region offers unmatched experiences and a chance to witness the traditional lifestyle of the Zanskari people. Following the Zanskar leg, you head to Rupshu to witness the stark beauty of the high-altitude desert. The journey takes you through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Trans-Himalayas, and encounters with nomadic communities provide insights into their age-old customs and beliefs. Tsomoriri Lake is a highlight, with its stunning vistas and the opportunity to witness diverse birdlife. Overall, this combined Zanskar and Rupshu trip promises a fascinating blend of adventure, culture, and natural beauty, leaving travelers with memories of a lifetime in the heart of the Himalayas.
 

 Trip Highlight

  • Trek on of the most isolated regions in India
  • Trek through one of the most beautiful treks in Ladakh
  • Walk the Changthang plateau, one of the highest in the world.
  • Traverse through Colourful mountains, two huge alpine lakes and plenty of wildlife all add to the surreal beauty of this trek.
  •  Experience basic luxuries in the wilderness.
  • Trek through the stunning high-altitude landscapes of Changthang, the land of the nomads
  • Views of Pasture Land Overgrazed by herds of sheep, goats and yaks on the plains of Changthang and other Valley.
  • Mesmerizing View of Moon Landscape at Lamayuru.
  • Explore Lamayuru Monastery: One of the Oldest Monasteries in Ladakh
  • Admire the surreal beauty of Tso Kar and Tso Moriri, the largest High Altitude lake in the Indian Himalayas
  • Challenge yourself by crossing 6 passes over 5000m like Morang la (5300m), Pangche la (5350m), Gotung La (5250m), Gyamaila (5150m), Kyamayur La (5300m), Korzok la (5400m).
  • Discover the everyday life of the villagers while staying in homestay in the picturesque village of Rumbak
  • Visit and Explore Famous Buddhist Monasteries like Hemis Monastery in Ladakh and Indus Valley.
  • Extremely Astonishing views with a carpet of greenery splayed across campsites of Tisaling, Kyamar and Rachungkharu
  • Locate the The nomadic migratory shepards of Tibetan Origin inhabited by Changpas on elevated Rupshu Valley
  • The salt lake of Tso Kar (white lake) has widely been used by the local nomads, Changpas, as a source of salt which they transport to Tibet for trade
  • Learn the culture and Lifestyle of nomadic people living in valleys followed by this trek
  • Feel the culture and lifestyle as similar as tibetan lifestyle from Tibet
  • Home to numerous species of wildlife including the wild Ass Kiang, Himalayan Marmot, Snow Leopards, Tibetan Antelope, and Himalayan Ibex and Birds like Horned Lark, Seed-eating Finch, Brown Headed Gull, Brahminy duck and The Bar Headed Goose.
  • High Chances of Altitude Sickness during the Trek
  • Requires High Level of fitness and experience for higher altitude

Itinerary

Upon arrival Leh airport, pick-up and transfer to hotel. After tea/coffee rest in hotel to get acclimatization. Evening walking walking tour in Leh bazaar. Overnight at hotel.

After Breakfast drive to Kargil enroute visit Alchi, Basgo Palace, Liker Monastery  and Gurudwara Pathar Shab .Arrive at Kargil by evening. Overnight Hotel.

Morning drive to Raru village on the banks of the Lungnak river is a site of ancient rock carvings which date back to the 8th century. During the day we shall visit the monastery of Bardan gompa. This monastery is located on the trek route. Our trek begins in Raru village. The day is a relatively easy walk to Lechar, going up down and across a wood bridge following the Tserap river up and down though Ichaer village, set in a rocky landscape. The campsite is at Dorzong village.

Easy walk and trail continues to follow the Tserap river. We trek past the villages of Tsethang, and Surley, overnight campsite KALBOK.

The confluence of Tserap and Karyak rivers. While passing through the little village of Purni we will continue our trek a little further to reach Phukthal Gompa. We shall visit the famous Phukthal monastery during the day. Phukthal is by far the most spectacularly located monastic establishment in Ladakh. The Phukthal complex spills out of the mouth of a cave high up on the vertical mountainside of a gorge through which a major tributary of the Lung-nak river flows. The foundation of Phukthal dates back to the early 12th century. Overnight campsite at gompa.

From the Phukthal monastery ascend along the Tserap river. Many downs and ups follow the main valley of gorge and rocky landscape, crossing some streams along the way. And good chance to see wild life, such as Himalayan mountain sheep and snow leopard. This day is very long and steep. The track rises and keeps on ascending till Shade village. We can see the junction of Tserap and the Stongday river on the other side of the river. It is possible to use this trail towards Yarshun, Mashu, Tangthak. After leaving the junction and walking for about 2 hrs, there is river crossing just before the very nice campsite near the river bank.

Trek day trip to Shade 3/4 hrs. Explore the village, meeting the locals and back to camp.

Trek Tangthak to Hormoche via Naylokungtse la 4900 mtr and Gotungla 5250 mtr 7/8 hrs. In morning easy climb gradually up through the beautiful valley, past a volcanic mountain gradually to the pass. From the top you have a very nice view. After easy walk but long way to get to the next pass, in between that the nice view of lake is spectacular. From the second pass it is steep, giving lovely views of the lake and the majestic volcanic mountains. You might be surprised with a rare glimpse of a snow leopard, or the more common Ibex and yak. Over night campsite.

Trek Sathak to Tsokmesik {6/7 hrs} From the camp continue on the left side until reaching the first small pass. From the pass very nice view of gorge landscape of rock and river bank, chance to see Ibex. This day many up and downs as trail passes through beautiful way along the river bank. Set up camp.

Trek Tsokmesik to Morang la base. 4/5 hrs {4200 mtrs} Today is easy walk following the narrow valley passing through stream river and bushes and gradually up to camp. Set up about 4450 mtr.

Trek to Lungo via Morang la 5300 mtr, 17300 ft, 6/7 hrs. From the camp very steep climb till Marang la pass {5300m} and rest at top. The trek down on other side is initially steep, leading to a broad plateau. From her the trek is a gentle descent through many valleys till Lun {4100mt} set up camp.

Trek Lungo to Sangtha 6/7 hrs. Morning from the camp start trek along the river following it downstream . En route cross a small village of Nomad from Karnek region and cross Stupa “”chorten”‘. you may be meet the peoples from Tibet nomads. Over night camp near river bank.

Trek Sangtha to Pangche do {Nomad village}Toady is easy walk along the stream river passing small village & Monasteries chance to see “”Kang”” wild horses. After noon meeting with nomads visit House. Evening, interesting to see animals like yak, ship, goat, Coming from mountain. Over night camp.

Trek Pangchen do to Walthang {Nomad camp} via Pangche la 5350 mtr 6/7 hrs. After breakfast, gradual climb till the pass, on the way passing many yak and blooming flowers. From pass see descent on other side following trail along river. Passing through Rupshu, nomads are living this area. And see big plateau and open valley with snowy peaks from the pass. Over night camp Nomad area.

Trek Walthang to Nuruchan 4/5 hrs. from the camp easy walk very flat till to camp. Over night camp near river bank.

Trek Nuruchan to Rachung karu via Horlamkonga 4/5 hrs. From the camp easy ascent to the pass, around one hour 30 minutes. The trail run towards north east just after crossing the pass through the valley. The camp site is across the river at the base of the Kyamayurla pass. Over night camp.

Trek Rachungkaru to Gyamalhoma via Kyamayurla pass 5300m, 6/7 hrs. Start climbing Kyamayur la pass 5300 m as soon as you leave your camp. This takes around 2hrs at average speed. After the pass the trail leads towards north east and at the end of the valley trail start ascending another small pass called Gyamaila {5150m} from where you can have view of a group of peaks. Walk down towards north east and cross a small river and the Gyamala homes are reached after another river crossing which is also a base for Korzok la.

Trek Gyamalhoma to Korzok via Korzok la {5400m} 6/7 hrs Start an easy ascent to the Korzok pass along the stream . It takes around 2hrs to reach the top, which gives an exquisite view ofÊ the lovely Tsomo Riri lake. Then steep down to Korzok village. Over night camp.

Korzok to Leh Drive 220 km 6/7 hrs. After breakfast drive along the Indus river. And on the way pass many villages, famous Hot spring water. Over night at Leh.

Early morning transfer to Leh airport to catch flight to Delhi. Tour end.

Departures & Availability

The set departure dates listed are specially quoted and specified for group joining option. Let us know if the set departure dates are not suitable for you- another dates which are suitable for you can certainly be added by us.

Check Available Dates
Start Date Price Availability

All trip prices are per person based on double occupancy, are subject to change without notice and do not include airfare. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars.

Price include

  • Accommodation in Hotel in Padum & Kargil with all meals.
  •  All transportation by Innova/ Xylo or Scorpio.
  • Two men tent, Kitchen and dinning tents.
  • Kitchen equipment and Toilet Tent.
  • Stool, Table and mattresses.
  • Food veg and non-veg.
  • Cook, helper and guide.
  • Ponies for Luggage for Trekking with Camping.
  • Ponies/Potters for Luggage for Trekking with Homestay.
  • Monument entrances, wild life fees and camping charges

Price Excludes

  • Any Flight Ticket
  • No accommodation in Leh is included in Trekking Packages.
  • Sleeping Bags, trekking shoes and clothing.
  • Any Kind of Personal Expenses or Optional Tours / Extra Meals Ordered
  • Any thing not specifically mentioned under the head “Prices Included”.
  • Tips, Insurance, Laundry, Phone Calls.
  • Any Kind of Drinks (Alcoholic, Mineral, Aerated)
  • Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/ stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control.

Gears And Equipment

Trip Information

The duration of trek from Zanskar Combined with Rupshu is about 20 days. The best time to do this trek is from mid June to End of September. The journey begins at Leh where we drive along Indus river. Enroute visit Alchi, Basgo Palace, Liker Monastery and Gurudwara Pathar Sahib. Next day we cross the Kargil and reach Raru village, the start of this trek.

This Moderate Trek focuses mainly on life of villege People, Monasteries, Wildlife and some high Passes. The Trek starts from Raru, a village in Zanskar valley and ends at Korzok , High altitude village in Changthang. In this trek you may interact with numerous species of wildlife including the wild Ass Kiang, Himalayan Marmot, Tibetan Antelope, and Himalayan Ibex. The route traverses across a number of high passes and while the scenery is spectacular with it changing landscape. The entire route is through number of small villages and monasteries where you get an opportunity to learn the history and culture of the land. The part of elevated Rupshu valley is mostly inhabited by Changpas, the nomadic migratory shepherd of Tibetan origin who can be seen with the herds of sheep, goats and yak on the plains of changthang. Changpas use this valley for trade and cultivation.  On arrive at Korzok one can enjoy beautiful lake Tsomoriri which is also the breeding ground to birds like the Bar-necked geese and the Brahminy duck. There on drive back to leh along indus river and on the way you’ll pass many villages and famous Hot spring water.

Combined Zanskar with Rupshu Map

Combined Zanskar with Rupshu

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Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.

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