Zanskar: Phirtse La Trek
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Duration20 Days
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Region
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Category
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Best Time
- June - September
Introduction
Trek Grade: Medium
Possibly one of the most remote high altitude regions of the world is this Buddhist land of Zanskar where thundering rivers flow from glaciers at the foot of towering mighty snow covered mountains and passes. From the over 7,000 meter high Mount Nun and Mount Kun to the lesser peaks along the passes is this high altitude cold desert with small, picturesque villages settled along the perennial snow fed streams. Living with their livestock and garnering their single crop before their land freezes into the winter frost of minus 40 degrees celsius, these simple, warm, smiling and friendly people lead one of the toughest lives on the planet.
With spectacular monasteries like the Karsha Gompa and the breathtaking beauty of the Phuktal Gompa hanging on the lip of a high cave, one can see some of the most beautiful and colourful Buddhist art here. The passes of Stongdey la and Fritzi La are a lovely climb with beautiful views of the surrounding valleys and mountain ranges. The meadows are dotted with shepherds grazing their sheep and goats while, the passes are covered with fluttering colourful prayer flags that pass in the flowing winds the holy prayers of "Om Mani Padme Hum" or, "Hail the Jewel in the Lotus Flower - Lord Buddha".
Tour Highlights
- A 20 days adventure with 10 days of trekking including 13 nights of camping trek across the passes of Tongsdey & Pensi La.
- Fly into Leh and fly out of Kullu near Manali with services of trekking guides included and porterage for baggage of 20 kgs
- Experience the spectacular Zanskar valley with beautiful monastery of Rangdun, Kursha & Phugtal and spectacular views of Mt Nun & Mt Kun
- Experience the Indus river valley in Leh and its beautiful monasteries like Shey, Thiksey & Hemis and Old & New Delhi as gateway city
- Prices on request
Destinations Covered
Delhi
The City of GloryDelhi is said to be one of the oldest existing cities in the world, along with Jerusalem and Varanasi. It is the Capital Territory of India and a modern-day citadel that's dotted with ancient monuments.
History and Culture
Legend estimates it to be over 5,000 years old. Over the millennia, Delhi is said to have been built and destroyed 11 times. The oldest alleged incarnation of the city shows up in the Indian mythological epic Mahabharata as Indraprastha.
Leh Ladakh
A land of scenic beauty and creations
Padum
Padum is named after Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche) the founder of Tibetan Buddhism and serves as the starting point for several treks in the Ladakh region. Located at the center of the tri-armed Zanskar valley, the average elevation of Padum is 3,657 meters and there are several villages to its north east leading to Karsha Monastery.
Sarchu
Situated at an altitude of 14,500 ft, Sarchu is nestled between Baralacha La Pass and Lachulung La pass. It is a favoured destination for adventure seekers and is located on the boundary of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
Manali
Himachal Pradesh covers the north front of the country, offering the tourists with some of the most wonderful hill stations in the world and Manali is undoubtedly one of the most visited one. The main credit goes to its snow-covered peaks, alluring ambience, gorgeous valleys and lush greenery. It is a charming slope station located at the reservoir of the River Beas. The tourists from all parts of the world, look for the best tour packages for Manali, every year, as it is the most appreciated getaway in India.
Detailed Itinerary
- Day 1 Arrive Delhi
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Day 2
Delhi
Delhi
In morning depart for sightseeing start with tour of Old Delhi. On the tour you will head out to explore this exotic locale with its narrow dirt roads, myriads of people and inexpensive and colourful bazaars that keep alive the traditional workmanship for which Delhi has always been famous. Drive past the Red Fort and take a bicycle rickshaw ride. Visit the Jama Masjid, the largest Muslim mosque in India. Post visit Old Delhi with your guide visit the most prominent Sikh Gurdwara, or Sikh Temple, in Delhi. Later, drive to the outskirts of New Delhi to explore Humayun Tomb the 16th-century Tomb of Humayun, the second Mughal emperor whose resting place is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its ground breaking Mughal architecture.
Overnight at hotel (B)
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Day 3
Delhi - Leh (3505 meters/11567 feet)
Leh Ladakh
Early morning check-out from the hotel transfer to Delhi Airport to connect with flight to Leh.
On arrival, check-in to the hotel.
Leh, the capital city of Ladakh and a historical transit point for caravans of the bygone Silk Route, still looks and feels like a trading post of the ancient past. It is an imminently accessible and fascinating locale, featuring two notable monasteries, a palace, a mosque, and countless narrow, crooked alleyways beckoning the curious visitor. District Leh is situated roughly between 32 to 36 degrees North latitude and 75 to 80 degrees East longitude with an altitude ranging from 2300 meters to 5000 meters above sea level.
Full Day at rest for acclimatization and Evening Visit Shanti Stupa for sunset, it was built in1991 by Japanese Buddhist and hold relics of Buddha at its base. Later drive and walk around local market to buy if required something . Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel in Leh.
Overnight at the hotel (B, L, D)
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Day 4
Leh - Shey - Thiksey – Hemis - Leh
Leh Ladakh
Start your day with the visit of Shey, the King’s old Palace. The Palace was built by King Deldan Namgyal in the beginning of the 17th century AD as a summer residence for the Kings of Ladakh. It is the oldest palace in Ladakh and above it is an even older fortress. The Palace and Fort are in ruins but the monastery is in use to this day. Inside is a 39-foot statue made of gilded copper of the Shakyamuni Buddha, which was made by King Deldan Namgail in the memory of his father Singay Namgail. The statue is the only of its kind in the region.
We make our way towards the Thiksey Gompa - an impressive imitation of Lhasa’s Potala Palace dramatically perched on a slope overlooking the Indus Valley. Thiksey is the most beautiful of all monasteries in Ladakh, belonging to the Gelukpa order. The Gompa was first build at Stakmo by Changsem Sherab Zangpo of Stod. Later the nephew of Sherab Zangpo, Spon Paldan Sherab, founded the Thiksey Gompa on a hilltop to the north of the Indus River in 1430 AD. There are sacred shrines and many precious objects to be seen there.
After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Hemis Gompa, the biggest monastery in Ladakh. Located 45 Km to the south of Leh, it is built on a green hillside surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery and hidden in a gorge. The Monastery belongs to Dugpa Kargyutpa order and houses monks of the Brokpa or Red Hat sect. One can see beautiful frescoes (paintings) on the walls and the largest Thangka painting in Ladakh, which is over 12 m in length. Within the monastery there are to be seen a copper-gilt statue of the Lord Buddha, various stupas made of gold and silver, sacred thankas and many objects. The Monastery was founded by the first incarnation of Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso in 1630, who was invited to Ladakh by King Singay Namgial and offered a religious estate throughout the region.
Overnight at the Hotel (B,L,D)
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Day 5
Leh to Kargil (120 Km/ 5-6 Hrs)
Leh Ladakh
Start drive towards Kargil through a picturesque landscape, we reach the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar River. Furthern drive to Alchi ,A 1000 year old and only monastery on flat ground, and Mulbekh Monastery is famous for 9Mtr tall status of Maitreya Buddha then visit Lamayuru , The History of Lamayuru monastery dates back to the 10th Century. Astounding beauty welcomes you to this absolutely mesmerizing spot. Fondly know as Moonland amongst the Local here. The Namika La at 12,200ft and Fotu La at 13,479ft. The Peaks of the passes were no doubt beautiful but the ascent and descents were unbelievably gorgeous too Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel in Leh.
Overnight at the hotel (B)
- Day 6 Kargil – Rangdum (3800m/12467ft)
- Day 7 Rangdum – Padum (3550m/11646ft) - Stongday
- Day 8 Stongday - Stongdey-la (4850mtrs) – Doksa. 6-7hrs
- Day 9 Doksa - Souluntaktak (6-7hrs)
- Day 10 Soulantaktak – Shadey – Thangtak ( 6-7hrs)
- Day 11 Thangtak - Phuktal (3850 M 6-7 hrs)
- Day 12 Rest Day
- Day 13 Phuktal – Testa (3800 M 5-6 hrs)
- Day 14 Testa to Zingchen vai Toden La Pass 5100 M (5 Hrs)
- Day 15 Zingchen – Chumik Marpo via Phirtse La (5490 Mtr) 6-7 hrs
- Day 16 Chumik Marpo to Brangsa Stongchak (6-7 hrs.)
- Day 17 Brangsa Stongchak – Sarchu (4-5 Hrs)
- Day 18 Sarchu – Manali (230 Km 7-8 Hrs)
- Day 19 Manali-Kullu-Delhi (By flight)
- Day 20 Delhi
