Ladakh - Trans-Zanskar Winter Trek

LADAKH - TRANS-ZANSKAR WINTER TREK

Tour - 25 days/ 20 days trekking

LADAKH - TRANS-ZANSKAR WINTER TREK

Tour - 25 days/ 20 days trekking

About LADAKH & ZANSKAR

Ladakh is a part of the Indian Himalayas, located between the Kunlun mountain range in the north and the main Himalayas to the south. As it is the only Indian region that lies north of the Great Himalayan Range, it is very different from the rest of the Indian Himalayas. In many ways it resembles Tibet. Although part of India now, and earlier of the princely state of Kashmir, Ladakh has been an independent kingdom for almost 900 years.

Ladakh is best known for its Buddhist (‘Tibetan’) culture and its starkly beautiful mountain scenery. It is inhabited by a mix of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan people. Especially the latter, with their colorful Buddhist culture, have given the region the nickname of ‘Little Tibet.’

As a result of its location, in the rain shadow of the Great Himalayan Range, the climate is extremely dry. And due to the high altitude – most valleys are situated at 3300m or higher – winters can be extremely cold. Summers, however, are generally pleasant if not warm and sunny.

Region

Ladakh
(India)

Best Time

February

No. of Days

25 days/ 20-day trek

Trip Character

Winter trek

Trip Character

Trekking tour
Level: 3/4

Sleeping Altitude

3300 - 4500 m.

Price

INR XXX/ $ XXX

ABOUT THIS TOUR

Trekking through wintry Himalayas is an experience that is hard to beat. Those who have done it, hoard a well-kept secret: it is a fantastic, mesmerising experience. On this trek we throw in an extra element: frozen rivers.

This trek is totally different form the regular Chaddar trek. On this trek we cross Zanskar on foot in the winter from south to north, along a little known route. About half of the time we walk on the ice of the Zanskar River and other large streams. The rest of the time we walk over snow-covered mountain trails between some very isolated tiny hamlets, while crossing a number of high passes on snow shoes.

About half of the time we’ll overnight in tents and half of the time we stay at people’s homes. At temperatures of minus 20 to minus 40 both will not be a very comfortabel experience. Warmth has to be provided by your own body and retained by a very good sleeping bag.

This tour is obviously for very experienced trekkers only. Experience with winter trekking and winter camping is strongly preferred.

YOUR custom-made TRIP

The tour described here, as well as the other ones on our website, are mainly meant as suggestions. We would be happy to offer you a travel proposal that fully meets your personal demands and expectations. That means that you choose where you want to go, what level of accommodation and type of transport you want and what activities you prefer.

Please let yourself be inspired by this and other trips on our website and then drop us a line (or call us up) to explain your travel wishes. We will be happy to help you put together the perfect trip. You can reach us over e-mail, Messenger, Whatsapp or mobile phone.

EXTENSIONS & VARIATIONS

After reaching Leh do a 6-day exploration jeep tour to Nubra Valley, Shyok and Pangong Tso. This is, permitting that the passes that lead to Nubra (the Khardong La and the Chang La) are open. This may not be always the case during winter.
Do a trek in in the Indus Valley near Leh. For instance the easy but rewarding 4-day Sham Trek See here. You sleep in homestays where you get to meet the Ladakhis up-close. This is basically the only feasible trek in the winter apart form the cheddar, as you barely cross 4000m, analttude at which snowfall si generally limited in Ladakh.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Flight Delhi - Leh
The flight from Delhi to Leh takes only 1 hour but on a clear day, is breathtaking. Stepping down from the aircraft you may feel the altitude, but even if you don’t, it is very wise to take the rest of the day off. Stay at the hotel or at best walk around Leh bazar. Altitude: 3500m.
Day 2 & 3: In Leh
If you wake up today without a headache you may consider yourself fit to go on not too strenuous walks/excursions in and around Leh. Else it is better to stay at the hotel another day. Altitude: 3500m.
Day 4 & 5: Jeep drive to Trekking point
It will two days of driving to reach the trekking point. This follows a route that is normally not driven in winter, so expect the unexpected. Altitude: 3500m - 4250m.
Day 6 - 23: Trekking
During the trek you walk every day 5 to 9 hours, depending on the condition of the snow, ice and 'water blockages.' The last 5 days will be walking on the ice of the Zanskar River. Altitude 3300 - 4500m.

Please ask us for the itinerary if you are seriously interested.
Day 24: Trek endpoint - Leh (3 h)
Depending on the progress on the last days of the trek, you will go straight to Leh on day 13 or spend the last night at a homestay. In the latter case you will reach Leh on day 14. The afternoon can be spent on exploring the restaurants that are open, buying souvenirs and packing for the journey home. Altitude 3200 → 3500m.
Day 25: Flight Leh - Delhi
Early morning transfer to the airport. On a clear day, again, the flight willoffer breathtaking views of the snow-covered mountains of Zanskar and the trekking route that you have folllowed.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR

Flight to Leh

Although the flight takes only one hour, on a clear day this no doubt is one of the most spectacular flights in Asia. After leaving the North-Indian plains and the heavily forested hills you’ll cross a number of ranges before flying over the actual glacier-clad Himalayas, the highest mountain range in the world. You’ll be amazed at the different landscapes you’ll see beneath you on the other side: bare, lightly coloured mountains, tiny rivers, small hamlets of Ladakhi farms surrounded by deep-green fields of barley, made possible by ingenious forms of irrigation.

LEH

Leh is a bustling little town with a laid-back atmosphere. While in Leh, there are numerous things to do. Apart from short walks in and around town, you can browse the little streets and allow yourself to be lured into some of the many little shops, mostly run by Kashmiris and Tibetans, that sell beautiful Kashmiri carpets, Tibetan artefacts, and jewellery. Leh abounds in restaurants that cater to all tastes, quite a number of them located on a rooftop or in a pleasant garden. Also, it is highly recommended to take a taxi and visit some of the delightful gompas – Buddhist monasteries – in the Indus Valley near Leh. Apart from the traditional trio of Shey, Thikse & Hemis, you may also consider visiting Matho and Stakna, maybe in combination with Stok Palace.

CARAVAN ROADS OF LADAKH

Leh’s small size and laid-back atmosphere belie a very prominent and historically important position. Leh used to lie at the intersection of seven caravan routes. Yaks, donkeys and camels were used as pack animals. One route connected Leh with the Silk Road in China. Others routes went to Lhasa in Tibet, Srinagar in Kashmir and to Baltistan, Nubra and Manali (the opium route). When the borders with China and Pakistan were closed in 1962, the caravans stopped. But by now Leh had acquired a place on the world maps, and the Ladakhis were used to ‘strangers’ in the bazaar. When the first tourists came to Leh, in 1974, it was not a big step for the Ladakhis to accommodate and guide them.