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09 August: Arrive Delhi in the night and spend few hours at the airport where you can use the toilets as well as the restaurant. We will transfer you from this (International) airport to domestic airport which is about 45 minutes of distance to connect flight from Delhi to Leh. Morning before 0900 hours you reach Leh and move to your hotel with our office representative. The day will have almost no activity so you can relax completely. Evening an acclimatizing walk to the Leh market will be refreshing and familiarizing with the surroundings.
10 August: Full day in Leh to visit important monasteries like Shey, Thiksey, Taktok, Chamre and Hemis.
11 August: Full day in Leh to experience the local houses, village system, life styles and traditional healing systems. This we call an “intercultural living experience”.
12 August: Drive to Uletopko- a popular mountain resort at 70 Kms from Leh on the way to Kargil. We visit LIKIR and ALCHI monasteries while on the way to Uletopko and experience the 1000 years old monastery, its marvelous architecture and matchless murals resembling "TABO CHOS KHOR in SPITI" Valley.
13 August: Uletopko to Kargil- the spectacular drive covering 160 Kms takes one to Kargil from Uletopko. The drive moves through Lamayaro where we stop to visit the magnificent monastery of LamayaroKARGIL (2704 m), is the second largest urban centre of Ladakh and headquarters of the district of same name. A quite town now, Kargil once served as important trade and transit centre in the Pan-Asian trade network. Numerous caravans carrying exotic merchandise comprising silk, brocade, carpets, felts, tea, poppy, ivory etc. transited in the town on their way to and from China, Tibet, Yarkand and Kashmir. The old bazaar displayed a variety of Central Asian and Tibetan commodities even after the cessation of the Central Asian trade in 1949 till these were exhausted about two decades back. Similarly the ancient trade route passing through the township was lined with several caravanserais. On arrival, we check into the guest house and latterly we can visit the market place. Since the place doesn’t have good hotels yet, so it could be an possibility that we camp here if don’t get the best available hotel/ guest house for this date.
14 August: Kargil to Rangdum- The farthest and most isolated part of the Suru valley, Rangdum (3657 m) is surrounded by colorful hills on the one side and glacier-encrusted Rocky Mountains on the other. Situated 130 Kms south-east of Kargil, it falls midway between Kargil and Padum. In the late afternoon the setting sun lends the valley an ethereal ambience, as the ochre hills turn aflame, while the snow covered peaks sparkle with a reddish hue in the distant horizon.The main attraction of Rangdum is the 18th century Buddhist monastery of the Geluk-pa order with about 40 resident monks. Perched picturesquely atop a central hillock, which is surrounded by a wild mountain stream, the monastery has the aura of an ancient fortification guarding a mystical mountain valley. Its central prayer hall houses an array of figures and art objects. Two small hamlets surrounded by rows of chortens. Yuldo and Tashi-Tongze, situated on either side of the monastery, are the only other habitations in the area. The inhabitants of these villages are descendants of the monastery's agricultural serf-tenants, who do not own any land in the region. The monastery enjoys perpetual and unalienable ownership of the entire valley, including the fields tilled by the villagers, the pastures, hills and even the streams. On the way, we cross few small villages and reach Rangdum and check into safari camps.
15 August: Rangdum to Karsha- This is the Indian independence day so you witness colourful programs in the schools and district headquarter: The distance of the day is about 125 Kms over majestic Penzi La (4401 Mt), where we see the most beautiful Suru Valley. Probably this is the unique experience we can’t find on any other Himalayan roads. About 20 Kms. South of Rangdum stands the Penzi La watershed across which lies Zanskar, the most isolated of all the Trans Himalayan Valleys. The Penzi La Top is the picturesque tableland adorned with two small alpine lakes and surrounded by snow covered peaks. As the Zanskar road winds down the steep slopes of the watershed to the head of the Stod Valley, one of Zanskar's main tributary valleys, the majestic "Drang-Drung" glacier looms into full view. A long and winding river of ice and snow, the Drang-Drung" is perhaps the largest glacier in Ladakh, outside the Siachen formation. It is from the cliff-like snout of this extensive glacier that the Stod or Doda River, the main tributary of river Zanskar, rises. We reach Karsha (09 Kms) from Padum and check into our safari camp. Karsha Gompa is the largest monastery of Zanskar, close to Padum, the headquarter of Zanskar; is an imposing complex of neatly white washed building blocks comprising several chapels, besides residential cells for its nearly 150 lamas, who belong to the Geluks-pa sect. Built picturesquely along the steeply rising mountainside above Karsha village, the monastery can be seen from far. The central building is a large assembly hall housing an array of figures and the ornate throne of the Head Lama-incarnate. Three adjoining chapels contain numerous statues and other art objects, among which a set of exquisite silver and copper chortens are worth noting for their beauty. Of particular interest in the complex is the Lhabrang, a large temple accessible through a vent in the roof, whose partially damaged walls are still adorned with the original frescos believed to be more than 300 years old. The event to witness at Karsha is the 3-day Gustor festival (11-13 July 2007) held in early July when thousands of devotees throng the monastery to witness the mask dances performed by the lamas.Other places of interest in the Karsha area include an old nunnery called Dorje Dzong, occupying a hilltop to the west of the main monastery. The ruins around this nunnery are believed to be the original monastic foundation of Karsha: the present monastery was founded during the 14th century. An old stupa surviving among the ruins is still adorned with the original murals, which reflect Indian artistic influence.
16 August: Karsha- (Excursion and sight seeing of Zangla (3450 Mt) & Stongde) keeping Karsha as base for the day. We will visit Stongde and Zangla and try to make a visit to Queen’s house at Zangla too this day. We start the day from visiting Stongde; perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the oasis-like village below, the picturesque monastery of Stongdey lays 18 Kms to the north of Padum, on the Padum-Zangla road. An old foundation associated with the Tibetan Yogi Marpa is also a part of this monastery. Stongde is now the second largest monastic establishment of Zanskar, which is inhabited by a resident community of about 60 Geluks-pa lamas. The sprawling white washed complex has a number of temples, among which the Gon-Khang containing several fierce-faced veiled deities is of particular interest. The climb up to the monastery from the roadside is rather strenuous, but it is worth the trouble for the breathtaking scenery of the valley available from here. After this we visit Tsa- Zar, another old monastery and then proceed to Zangla.Zangla is 17 Kms further ahead of Stongde in the northern branch valley of Zanskar; Zangla was ruled by a titular king till his death about two decades back. The old castle, now in ruins except for a small chapel, occupies a hill overlooking the deserted valley below. Nearby is an old Buddhist nunnery worth a visit to observe the austere lifestyle of the small community of nuns. An old monastery situated in the nearby village of Tsa-zar, midway between Stongde and Zangla, has exquisite frescoes that should not be missed. Zangla is the take-off point for the Padum-Lamayuru and the Padum-Markha treks, as well as for the 'Chadar' trek over the frozen Zanskar River to Nimu, which becomes feasible only during the middle of the winter.
17 August: Trek to BARDAN Gompa and drive to Sani. NARO NASJAL FESTIVAL The day can be made exciting by adding a full day trek to Bardan Gompa, which is though connected by a rough road these days but the walk to Bardan Gompa is always a great option to enjoy the extra ordinary landscape of Zanskar. If required, we can send jeeps half the way to pick you up on way back and transfer to Sani Camp which is only 06 Kms from Padum but having a beautiful camp area. Located 12 Kms south of Padum, Bardan is an isolated monastery with about 40 Dugpa- Kargyud lamas in residence. Founded during the 17th century as the first ever centre of the Dugpa-Kargyud monastic order in Zanskar, Bardan controls several smaller establishments in the region, including the famous Sani monastery. The large assembly hall, around which all other structures are organized, contains beautiful statues of Buddhist divinities and small stupas in clay, bronze, wood and copper. Perched atop a rocky crag rising vertically from the Lungnak riverbed. Nearby is the smaller monastery of Muney, also worth a visit for appreciating its art treasures. After having the Bardan area explored, we can have our picnic lunch and drive back towards main road and then to Sani for night’s camp.
Sani is the most picturesque village is 6 Kms west of Padum, on the road to Kargil. The main attraction here is the castle-like monastery, which unlike other monasteries of Ladakh, is built on level ground. By legend its origin is associated with Kanishka (Kushan ruler of 2nd century AD) on account of the Kanika Stupa, which stands in the backyard of the walled complex. The main building comprises a huge multi-columned central prayer hall housing an array of statues of popular Buddhist divinities and Kargud-pa high lamas, while the walls are covered with frescoes and adorned with Thangkas. The most interesting frescoes, however, can be seen in a small, neglected chapel, at the back of the main building whose walls are adorned with stucco murals depicting landscapes and floral designs based on the life of Padmasambhava. Immediately outside the monastic complex is an old cemetery surrounded by a ring of ancient rock-carvings, which reflect Indian artistic influence.Sani is also associated with the famous Indian Yogi Naropa, who is said to have sat in meditation for some time under the Kanika Stupa. This site is now occupied by a small room housing a veiled bronze figure of the Yogi, which is unveiled once a year in late July on the eve of the Naro-Nasjal festival, which is on 01-02 August 2012. People from all over Zanskar valley participate in this festival during which lamas from Bardan Monastery perform masked dances as ritual offering.
18 August: Morning we visit the Sani monastery and then drive to Panikhar which is about 70 Kms drive leading to a picturesque valley. The area around Panikhar and further up is a veritable valley of flowers with a large variety of wild plants blossoming to spread a riot of colors during the months of June and July. The natural beauty of this area is heightened by the magnificent perspective provided by the towering peaks of Nun (7135 m) and Kun (7087 m), which loom over the skyline in their crystalline majesty.Archery Competition: Trespone and Sankoo villages, which are in the same valley, are known also the places where the tradition of making a prototype of the ancient Scythian bow is still carried out by some families. This traditional bow is made from slivers of ibex horns glued to a central frame of mulberry wood, which being highly tensile and strong, is ideal suited for the purpose. There is high demand for these bows as they are used all over the region for the annual archery competitions held in almost every village of Kargil region during the period of the early spring. We will try to arrange the archery competition close to our camp this day for you on little additional euros which will go for the welfare of the local artists.
19 August: Panikhar to Parkhachik with walk to the base camp of NUN Glacier. This day we stay close to Panikhar and try to make it one of the most memorable day for the life time by walking to the base camp of globally renowned NUN peak. Tangol is about 07 Kms from our campsite, that we cover by jeeps and from here the base camp of NUN Glacier is approached. We understand that you are not the climbers but we also understand that if you could see a base camp, especially a base camp of peak like NUN and KUN (7135 Meters), you would be mesmerized and proud to see such an extra ordinary place. Near Parkhachik is the majestic Parkhachik Glacier, spilling down the Nun-Kun slopes, to collapse into the Suru River forming a huge icefall. One can walk up to the glacier across a good suspension footbridge over the Suru. Trekking to base camp or Glaciers would be totally optional and if someone doesn’t find it comfortable, he can have the best views of peaks from Tangol itself and drive back to Camp at Parkhachik and can visit the village.
20 August: Parkhachik to Mulbek- 50 Kms drive takes us to Mulbek where a 08 meter high image of Maitriya Buddha (the future Buddha) is worth to visit. Situated 45 Kms east of Kargil on the road to Leh, Mulbek (3230 m) is an area dominated by the Buddhists. It is situated along either banks of the Wakha River. Many monuments of the early Buddhists era dot the landscape and are accessible from the road. We can explore Shergol , Mulbek Chamba and Gompa this day before we come back to our safari camp at Mulbek.Shergol is another picturesque village of the Wakha River valley, Shergol is situated across the river, about 5 km short of Mulbek. The main attraction is a cave monastery which is visible from a far as a white speck against the vertically rising ochre hill from which it appears to hang out. Below this small monastery is a larger Buddhist nunnery with about a dozen incumbents. Shergol is the approach base for visiting Urgyan-Dzong, a meditation retreat lying deep inside the mountains surrounding the Wakha River valley. After this we proceed to Mulbek Chamba- the chief attraction of Mulbek is a 9 m high rock sculpture in deep relief of Maitreya, the Future Buddha. Its excursion combines esoteric Shaivite symbolism with early Buddhist art. Situated right on the highway, it dates back to the period when Buddhists missionaries came travelling east of the Himalayas. Mulbek Gompa is perched atop a rocky cliff, Mulbek Gompa (monastery) dominates the valley. It is easy to see why in bygone times this site served as an outpost to guard the caravan route. Like all Buddhists monasteries it is adorned by frescoes and statues.
21 August: Mulbek to Leh- 180 Kms drive on high Himalayan roads takes us back to Leh by evening.
22 August: Full day for independent activities in Leh.
23 August: Morning fly to Delhi and on arrival you meet our office representative who will escort you to your hotel. You can keep remaining of the day as on your option. We will organize a half day city tour of Delhi for the interested ones and remaining group members can spend the day according to their choice. Our office assistance numbers will remain with everyone so we can reach to you in hour’s time in need. Evening we will start for international airport at about 1900 hours wishing you a nice flight back home.
24 August: Fly Home.
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