Spadum to Darcha Trek (Zanskar Valley with Himachal Pradesh

Day 01 Arrive Delhi late night and transfer to domestic airport for early morning flight to Leh. Transfer to your hotel, rest day after a long flight and time to get acclimatize. Late afternoon walking tour of Leh bazaar. O/N in hotel.

Leh : the main town of the region, is dominated by Sengge Namgyal's 9-story Palace, a building in the grand tradition of Tibetan architecture, said to have inspired the famous Potola in Lhasa. Down in the bazaar, the main sites to visit are the Jo-Khang, a modern ecumenical Buddhist temple, and the
imposing Mosque dating from the late 17th century. For locals and visitors alike a stroll along the main bazaar observing the varied crowd and peering into the curio shops is an entrancing experience.

Day 02 After breakfast morning tour with guide of Spituk and Phyang monastries. Late afternoon tour of Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa & Samkar monastry. O/N in hotel.

Phyang : looks like a huge Palace from afar, built by Tashi Namgyal in the later half of the 16th century AD., it belongs to the Red Cap sect of Buddhists. Hundreds of icons of Buddha and other Gods are kept on wooden shelves.

Spituk : Stands prominently on the top of a hillock commanding a panoramic view of the Indus valley for miles. Many icons of Buddha and fine thankas are to be found in this 15th century Gompa. The Gompa also houses a collection of ancient masks, antique arms and an awe inspiring image of mahakal. The face of the Kali image is kept covered and is revealed only at the annual function in January.

Samkar Gompa : the seat of the yellow Hat Sect and one of the few Gompa built in the valley bottom, is a 3 km. Pleasant walk through fields. It houses the chief lama of Spituk and 20 others. The newer monks quarters are on three sides of the courtyard with steps leading up to the Du-Khang ( Assembly Hall ). There are a number of gold statues, numerous wall paintings and sculptures including a large one of the 11 headed, 1000-armed Avalokitesvara.

Shanti Stupa : There are good views from the top where a tea room is a welcoming sight after the climb. There is also a jeep able road.

Day 03 Drive Leh to Kargil 234 km. 7 hours drive, enroute visit Lamayuru Monastry. O/N hotel in Kargil.

Lamayuru : The oldest holy site in Ladakh, it was a Bon shrine prior to the advent of Buddhism. Also known as Yun Drung ( Swastika ) it is sighted on a high promontory overlooking the village and valley. For sheer spectacle value no other Gompa can match.

Day 04 Drive Kargil to Spadum. A rough long road. O/N Camp at Spadum.
Day 05 Rest day to prepare for the trek, visit nearby monastry. O/N camp.
Day 06 Spadum / Mune It is about 5 hours walk to Mune. Enroute visit Barden monastery. Camp after the Mune monastery.
Day 07 Mune / Pepula It is about 5 hours walk to Pepula, after visiting\ the Mune monastery leave for Pepula enroute visit Raru and Ichar villages. Camp near the tea house at Pepula.

Day 08 Pepula / Purne It is about 6 hours walk to Purne, enroute visit the Kelbock village. Camp at Purne.
Day 09 Purne / Pucktal / Purne It is about 4 hours walk and should be taken in the morning as day time it is very hot. Pucktal monastery is the largest monastery in Zanskar. Camp at Purne.
Day 10 Purne / Kargyak It is about 7 hours walk to Kargyak village, enroute visit Kuru, Testa, Tenze and Thablah villages. Camp at Kargyak.
Day 11 Kargyak / Lakang It takes about 6 hours to Lakang, enroute visit the Doksas (where Yaks are kept in summer) camp after crossing the Nallah at Lakang.

Day 12 Lakang / Chumiknakpo It takes about 7 hours to the camp. Cross Singola pass (5100 Mts.) and descend to Chumiknakpo camp.

Day 13 Chumiknakpo / Zankar Sumdo It takes about 5 hours to the camp. Zankarsamdu is the border of J & K and Himachal. Camp near the tea house.

Day 14 Zankar Sumdo / Palmo It is about 5 hours to the camp, in the morning cross the river by a trolley and some small Nallah.

Day 15 Palmo / Darcha It takes about 3 hours to Darcha, enroute visit Chika and Rarik villages.

Day 16 Drive Darcha / Manali over the Rotang-la pass at 3850 mts. O/N hotel.

Day 17 Free day in Manali after the long trek and to explore the area.

Day 18 Drive Manali / Chandigharh. Evening take the train to Delhi. O/N hotel.

Day 19 Fullday sightseeing of Old and New Delhi, late evening transfer to the int'l airport for flight back home. Places to visit are:

Qutab Minar, Hemanyun tomb, Rashpati Bhawan, India Gate, red fort and Jamia Masjid.