This is a hardcore expedition covering approximately 750 to 800 km of high-altitude terrain, traversing deep river valleys, massive glaciers, and treacherous mountain passes.
The journey moves through four distinct cultural and geographic zones: Kashmir Valley → Ladakh (Suru Valley) → Zanskar Valley → Lahaul Valley → Kullu Valley (Manali).
The route is broken into two macro-legs separated by Padum, the heart of Zanskar;
- Leg 1 (Srinagar to Padum): Srinagar → Sonamarg → Zoji La Pass (3,528 m) → Drass → Kargil → Suru Valley (Sankoo/Panikhar/Rangdum) → Pensi La Pass (4,400 m) → Padum.
- Leg 2 (Padum to Manali): Padum → Bardan → Purne → Shinku La Pass (5,091 m) → Darcha → Jispa → Keylong → Atal Tunnel → Manali
- You witness three distinct worlds over a single road trip. You start in the lush, green meadows of Kashmir, transition into the stark, dry mountainscapes of Ladakh's Suru Valley, descend into the isolated Buddhist kingdoms of the Zanskar Valley, and end in the cedar-clad forests of Manali. The visual shift from alpine greens to high-altitude cold deserts is stunningly dramatic.
- On this route, as you cross the Pensi La Pass, the Drang-Drung Glacier—the second-largest glacier in Ladakh after Siachen—unfurls directly beside the dirt road
- Standing completely isolated in the Lingti Valley is Gonbo Rangjon, a massive, sheer, independent rocky pyramid. Known to locals as "God's Mountain," this single rocky monolith is considered deeply sacred by Tibetan Buddhists.
- Phugtal Monastery, a structure built out of mud bricks and timber directly inside the mouth of a massive cave on a sheer cliffside. It is one of the only remaining traditional monasteries in the world .
Day 1Kashmir - Manali via Zanskar 6N/7D
Drass+
Kashmir - Manali via Zanskar 6N/7D
Srinagar-Drass via Zoji la pass(11,575ft)
150kms,6-7hrs
- Highlights: Ascending the thrilling Zoji La Pass and Drass valley and visiting the historic Drass War Memorial.
- Overnight; Drass
Day 2Kashmir - Manali via Zanskar 6N/7D
Rangdum+
Kashmir - Manali via Zanskar 6N/7D
Drass - Rangdum
125km,4-5hrs
Highlights;
- Suru valley
- Nun Kun glaciers
- Rangdum monastery
Overnight; Rangdum
Day 3Kashmir - Manali via Zanskar 6N/7D
Padum+
Kashmir - Manali via Zanskar 6N/7D
Rangdum - Padum via Penzi la pass(14,436ft)
90kms,4-5hrs
Highlights;
- Penzi la pass
- Drang Drung glacier
Overnight; Padum
Day 4Kashmir - Manali via Zanskar 6N/7D
Padum+
Kashmir - Manali via Zanskar 6N/7D
Padum
Highlights;
- Zangla fort & nunnery
- Stongday monastery
- Karsha monastery
- Sani monastery
Overnight; Padum
Day 5Kashmir - Manali via Zanskar 6N/7D
Phuktal+
Kashmir - Manali via Zanskar 6N/7D
Padum- Purne
Highlights;
- Barden monastery
- Phuktal monastery
Overnight; Purne
**The Traditional Hike: Starting straight from the village of Purne, the path is about 6 to 7 km. Walking alongside the beautiful, turquoise Tsarap River takes most travelers 2 to 3 hours to reach the cliffside monastery
**The Shorter "Roadhead" Option: If you are traveling by vehicle, a rough dirt road now extends past Purne. If the road conditions allow your vehicle to reach the end of this stretch, you can park closer to the Phuktal bridge. From that point, the remaining walk is a shorter 4 kilometres and takes only 1.5 to 2 hours
Day 6Kashmir - Manali via Zanskar 6N/7D
Gonborangjon+
Kashmir - Manali via Zanskar 6N/7D
Purne- Gonborangjon
Highlights;
- Gonborangjon
Overnight; Gonborangjon
Day 7Kashmir - Manali via Zanskar 6N/7D
Manali+
Kashmir - Manali via Zanskar 6N/7D
Gonborangjon-Manali via Shinkula pass
180kms,8-9hrs
Highlights;
- Shinkula pass
- Lahual valley
- Atal tunnel
Overnight; Manali
Tour concludes
What is included in the tour
- Airport Pickup & Drop
- Hotel & Camp Accommodation
- Daily Breakfast & Dinner
- Private SUV (Innova/Scorpio/Tempo Traveller)
- Experienced Driver
- Oxygen Cylinder
What is NOT included in the tour
- Airfare
- Lunch
- Entry Tickets
- Camel Ride / ATV Ride
- Personal Expenses
- Travel Insurance
- GST
