From Manali to Little Tibet Via Padum (Zanskar Valley)
Trip Highlights
- Temples of Kullu & Manali Valley
- Legendary traditions of the Zanskari people
- Interaction with the local people of beautiful villages of Ladakh
- Picturesque beauty of the Himalays
- Warm hospitality and welcome by the people of Ladakh
The Route
| Title | From Manali to Little Tibet Via Padum (Zanskar Valley) |
| Details | Delhi – Manali – Palhamo – Zanskar Sumdo – Chumik Nagpo – Lakhang – Kargiak – Purne – Phuktal – Ichar – Raru – Padum – Kargil – Leh – Delhi |
| Duration | 16 Nights / 17 Days |
| Grade | Strenuous to Challenging |
| Altitude | Min 2050mts / Max 5094mts |
| Best Season | July to September |
Darcha Padum trek takes you along the fascinating journey from Darcha in Himanchal Pradesh to Padum in Zanskar. Prior to trekking, you get an unbeatable experience with an insider's perspective while sightseeing Manali. Temples impart a unique timelessness to the charming town of Manali giving plenty of time to soak up its atmosphere and get complete acclimatization for trekking. Thereafter, the trek connects you to the incredible trekking adventures; the trail transverses through Chalang Tokpa, Ramjak, Chumikanakpo, Lakong, Kurgiak, Purne and finally to Padum. Enroute, you will encounter great diversity of landscapes, lovely unspoilt pastoral mountain scenery, pristine villages and indigenous people. Further ahead, you have to journey through Rangdom Gompa and Kargil to arrive in Leh. With insightful sightseeing tour around Leh you conclude your trip. Throughout the tour, we maintain high level of comfort and safety.
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
Some of them which could cherish your mind with the beauty of places are Red fort, India Gate, Jama Masjid. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi – a truly memorable experience. A visit to Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India
Some of them which could cherish your mind with the beauty of places are Red fort, India Gate, Jama Masjid. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi – a truly memorable experience. A visit to Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India
Day 02 : To Manali (2050mts) bysurface /approx. 580 kms/ 16 hrs
Early Morning after breakfast drive to Manali. The first hours till Nalagarh, we will drive through the plains of Punjab & Haryana from two different states. After lunch, the road winds through the hills of Kullu & Manali, with its beautiful rivers and villages along the route. In the late evening arrival in Manali.
Early Morning after breakfast drive to Manali. The first hours till Nalagarh, we will drive through the plains of Punjab & Haryana from two different states. After lunch, the road winds through the hills of Kullu & Manali, with its beautiful rivers and villages along the route. In the late evening arrival in Manali.
Day 03 : In Manali
Morning after breakfast, proceed for full day sightseeing of Manali. We Will visit Temple of Hadimba, Vashisht, Hot Sulphur Spring, Beas Kund and the local market
Morning after breakfast, proceed for full day sightseeing of Manali. We Will visit Temple of Hadimba, Vashisht, Hot Sulphur Spring, Beas Kund and the local market
Day 04 : Over Rotang Pass – (3992m) to Palhamo (3300 mts) – by surface /approx. 153 kms/09 – 10 hrs
Morning after breakfast, drive to Darcha. We will drive through Marhi which is 35 Kms, from Manali all up, and will further continue towards to high pass Rothang La (3992m) more 19 kms, and will take 2 hrs. We will meet out trekking staff at Palhamo. It is said in Palhamo a holy Lama was meditating for long time, his name was Palhdan lama. So after his death, the name of this place was called Palhamo.
Morning after breakfast, drive to Darcha. We will drive through Marhi which is 35 Kms, from Manali all up, and will further continue towards to high pass Rothang La (3992m) more 19 kms, and will take 2 hrs. We will meet out trekking staff at Palhamo. It is said in Palhamo a holy Lama was meditating for long time, his name was Palhdan lama. So after his death, the name of this place was called Palhamo.
Day 05 : To Zanskar Sumdo (3750mts) – trek /approx. 13 kms /5- 6 hrs
After breakfast in morning, we will start our first day of trek to Zanskar Samdo. Zanskar is the name of the Zanskar valley and Sumdo means the place where two routes are meeting. This is a good day the altitude adjustment.
After breakfast in morning, we will start our first day of trek to Zanskar Samdo. Zanskar is the name of the Zanskar valley and Sumdo means the place where two routes are meeting. This is a good day the altitude adjustment.
Day 06 : To Chumi Nagpo (base camp 4050mts) – trek /approx. 09 kms / 06 hrs
After breakfast in morning, we will proceed towards Chumi nagpo. The trail leads up to the narrow valley moraines toward the base of Shingo-La pass (5096m). Camp is held at the bottom of the pass.
After breakfast in morning, we will proceed towards Chumi nagpo. The trail leads up to the narrow valley moraines toward the base of Shingo-La pass (5096m). Camp is held at the bottom of the pass.
Day 07 : To Lakhang - (4060mts) – trek /approx. 12 kms / 07 hrs
After breakfast in morning, we will start out trek from Chumi Nagpo to Lakhang . Today the trail is steep going up to the permanent snow field of Shingo-La (5100m). There are views of the great Himalayan range from the pass. Camp is held near the small isolated hut used by the yak herders.
After breakfast in morning, we will start out trek from Chumi Nagpo to Lakhang . Today the trail is steep going up to the permanent snow field of Shingo-La (5100m). There are views of the great Himalayan range from the pass. Camp is held near the small isolated hut used by the yak herders.
Day 08 : To Kargyak – (4060mts) – trek / approx. 10 kms / 06 hrs
After breakfast in morning, we will start walking toward Kargyak village, the scenery changes astonishingly with change of color of the landscape from light red to deep purple.
After breakfast in morning, we will start walking toward Kargyak village, the scenery changes astonishingly with change of color of the landscape from light red to deep purple.
Day 09 : In Purne – (3700mts) – trek / approx. 12 kms /7 hrs
After breakfast in morning, we will start walking north of Kargyak, along the river, the scenery is mesmerizing. On this gentle walk through Kuru and Testa villages, one gets view of high peaks & grain and vegetable fields.
After breakfast in morning, we will start walking north of Kargyak, along the river, the scenery is mesmerizing. On this gentle walk through Kuru and Testa villages, one gets view of high peaks & grain and vegetable fields.
Day 10 : Excusrion to Phuktal Gompa – (3700mts) day trek and return approx. 8 kms /07 hrs
Rest day or an optional day for the trip to the 11th century monastery is highly recommended
Rest day or an optional day for the trip to the 11th century monastery is highly recommended
Day 11 : To Ichar/Raru (3680mts) – trek /approx. 14 kms / 07 ½ hrs - Padum - by surface / approx. 22 kms / 1 hr drive
There are many picturesque villages on the bank opposite to Char—first Abnop then Dorzong, green oases in the monotonous gray –brown, and finally the Icher castle, reached by a hanging bridge across the valley. In Reru our jeeps will be waiting for us to drive to Padum. We will visit the Bardan Gompa, which is on the way to padum from Reru.
There are many picturesque villages on the bank opposite to Char—first Abnop then Dorzong, green oases in the monotonous gray –brown, and finally the Icher castle, reached by a hanging bridge across the valley. In Reru our jeeps will be waiting for us to drive to Padum. We will visit the Bardan Gompa, which is on the way to padum from Reru.
Day 12 : To Rangdum (3667 mts) – by surface/ approx. 118 kms / 6 hrs drive
Drive from Padum to Rangdum. It is around 118 kms. After crossing the 4401m high Penzila pass We visit the Gompa in Rangdum.
Drive from Padum to Rangdum. It is around 118 kms. After crossing the 4401m high Penzila pass We visit the Gompa in Rangdum.
Day 13 : To Kargil - (2650mts) – by surface 140 kms / 06 ½ hrs
After breakfast, proceed for Kargil. (110km). Today, if the weather is clear we can see the 7000m snow peaks of Himalayas, the two famous peaks of them are Nun & Kun . We will drive through the fields and will see the local people working in farms.
After breakfast, proceed for Kargil. (110km). Today, if the weather is clear we can see the 7000m snow peaks of Himalayas, the two famous peaks of them are Nun & Kun . We will drive through the fields and will see the local people working in farms.
Day 14 : To Leh - (3522mts) by surface /approx. 235 kms / approx. 09 hrs
In the morning, we drive towards Leh (237km) and will take 7-8 hrs. This is the crossing of the 4094 m high Fotu-La pass. Of course, we visit the monastery of Alchi in the way.
In the morning, we drive towards Leh (237km) and will take 7-8 hrs. This is the crossing of the 4094 m high Fotu-La pass. Of course, we visit the monastery of Alchi in the way.
Day 15 : In Leh - full day sightseeing
Early morning after breakfast proceed by car for a full day sightseeing around the Indus valley. Enroute you will visit the Shey Place – That was the summer palace for Ladakh’s royal king in the 15 – 16th century. A few kilometres from here is Thikse Monastery and resembles the Potala palace in Tibet. Here you will also witness the two storey statue of the Maiterya Buddha. This monastery is home to about 100 monks including around 40 young monks from the monastery school. Hemis monastery Lies about 22 kms from here and is hidden in a valley above the Indus on the other side.
Early morning after breakfast proceed by car for a full day sightseeing around the Indus valley. Enroute you will visit the Shey Place – That was the summer palace for Ladakh’s royal king in the 15 – 16th century. A few kilometres from here is Thikse Monastery and resembles the Potala palace in Tibet. Here you will also witness the two storey statue of the Maiterya Buddha. This monastery is home to about 100 monks including around 40 young monks from the monastery school. Hemis monastery Lies about 22 kms from here and is hidden in a valley above the Indus on the other side.
Day 16 : To Delhi - by flight
In time transfer to the Leh airport to board your flight back to Delhi. You are met upon arrival at Delhi airport and transferred to your hotel. The afternoon & evening is at leisure to enable you to do some shopping so as to take some souvenirs back home.
In time transfer to the Leh airport to board your flight back to Delhi. You are met upon arrival at Delhi airport and transferred to your hotel. The afternoon & evening is at leisure to enable you to do some shopping so as to take some souvenirs back home.
Day 17 : Departure Delhi - by flight
Depending on your flight, afternoon City tour Of Old Delhi. Later in time transfer to the International Airport to connect your flight for home / onward journey
Depending on your flight, afternoon City tour Of Old Delhi. Later in time transfer to the International Airport to connect your flight for home / onward journey