Hemis to Tso Moriri
Zanskar trek from Padum to Lamayuru
Duration: 10 days
Difficulty: level 4
Distance: 149 km
Max elevation: 5009m
Elevation gain / loss: +5463m / -5658m
This 10-day trek takes you through the heartland of Zanskar. You will pass through dramatic landscapes and visit charming villages and ancient monasteries.
There is an interesting option to modify the last part of the itinerary. From Photoksar, instead of going to Lamayuru, you could go to Kanji via the Nyigutse La and the Yokma La. Contact us for more details.
Itinerary
Day 1: Padum - Karsha
Time: 3-4 hrs
Distance: 11.2 km
Elevation gain / loss: +174m / -77m
| - | it’s an easy walk from Padum to Karsha |
| - | possibility to drive from Padum to Karsha |
| - | visit Karsha monastery, the largest and the most important gompa in Zanskar with a community of 120 monks |
| - | homestay possibility in Karsha |
Day 2: Karsha - Pishu
Time: 4-5 hrs
Distance: 16.9 km
Elevation gain / loss: +0m / -251m
| - | walk to the village of Pishu |
| - | homestay possibility in Pishu |
Day 3: Pishu - Hanamur
Time: 4-5 hrs
Distance: 15.4 km
Elevation gain / loss: +150m / -141m
| - | walk along the Zanskar river, pass through the small village of Pidmo and you reach Hanamur |
| - | this area is home to the Himalayan brown bears and blue sheep |
Day 4: Hanamur - Purfi La - Snertse
Time: 5-6 hrs
Distance: 12.4 km
Elevation gain / loss: +938m / -610m
| - | follow the steep path leading to the Purfi La pass |
| - | cross the Omachu river and walk up to Snertse |
Day 5: Snertse - Hanuma La - Lingshed
Time: 8-9 hrs
Distance: 17.8 km
Elevation gain / loss: +1253m / -1119m
| - | follow the stream towards the Hanuma La |
| - | from the pass, enjoy the panoramic view of the rugged Zanskar mountains |
| - | descend the zigzag trail leading to Lingshed |
| - | homestay possibility in Lingshed |
Day 6: Lingshed - Singge La Base Camp
Time: 6-7 hrs
Distance: 11.9 km
Elevation gain / loss: +976m / -356m
| - | visit the beautiful monastery of Lingshed. Belonging to the Gelugpa order, it is home to more than 60 monks |
| - | cross the Kyukpa La and the Margum La and walk to the Singge La base camp |
Day 7: Singge La Base Camp - Singge La - Photoksar
Time: 7-8 hrs
Distance: 20.1 km
Elevation gain / loss: +689m / -1049m
| - | ascend the Singge La and enjoy the spectacular |
| - | it’s a steep descent into the wide valley of Photang |
| - | cross the small Bumiktse La before reaching Photoksar village |
| - | homestay possibility in Photoksar |
Day 8: Photoksar - Sir Sir La - Hanupatta
Time: 6-7 hrs
Distance: 16.6 km
Elevation gain / loss: +690m / -1117m
| - | cross the Sir Sir La and walk down to Hanupatta |
| - | homestay possibility in Hanupatta |
Day 9: Hanupatta - Wanla
Time: 5 hrs
Distance: 17.5 km
Elevation gain / loss: +0m / -569m
| - | walk along the river and go through some nice villages and lush green barley fields |
| - | homestay is available in Wanla |
Day 10: Wanla - Prinkti La - Lamayuru
Time: 4-5 hrs
Distance: 9.1 km
Elevation gain / loss: +592m / -369m
| - | walk through the gorge and slowly move up to the Prinkti La |
| - | go down from the pass and cross the river to finally arrive in Lamayuru |
| - | you can visit the monastery of Lamayuru, one of the oldest gompas in Ladakh |
Getting to / from the trek
| - | Padum is 450 km from Leh and it is usually covered in two days with an overnight stay in Kargil or Suru valley |
| - | it takes 3 hours to drive from Lamayuru to Leh (115 km) |
It is worth taking some extra time to stop and visit the highlights in the area, check the Zanskar and Indus valley tour for more details.
All the itineraries can be customized to suit your own special interests, preferences and abilities. Please contact us for more information.
