ZANSKAR MONASTIC TOUR 2024

We will depart for Kargil in the early hours of the morning. Kargil is located at the junction of the famous silk route and is the second largest town in Ladakh after Leh. It is situated on the beautiful Suru River flowing through the valley, keeping it the greenest valley of the Greater Himalayas at an altitude of 2700 meters.

The drive through Kargil to Padum Enroute breathtaking views of the mountain peaks and secluded villages. Crossing the gateway to Zanskar, the Pensi La pass with the marvelous view of the Glacier Lake and the Drang Drung Glacier, we arrive at Padum, a small township in Zanskar named after the Great Padmasambhava and is central to our visits to most of the monasteries.

Spend the day at the prestigious Karsha monastery, sitting majestically on a steep mountain overlooking the Padum Valley and is the largest monastery of Zanskar. What makes this monastery incredibly special are the little monks who study here and carry a divine innocence within imbuing every heart with a sense of awe. Immerse yourself in their innocent wisdom and exchange learning.

Later in the day we will visit the Stongdey monastery built by the great Tibetan Yogi, Marpa and make an offering to Goddess Palden Lhamo, the supreme authority of the protectors of Dharma. Behold the beauty of the exquisite paintings of the deities and several ancient artworks inside the monastery surrounded by impeccable landscapes of the Himalayas.

Today we visit Sani monastery associated with a famous Buddist Yogi, Naropa who mediated under the Kanika Stupa, a Chorten built in the 1st century by the Kalinga empire around which the monastery is situated. Stroll through the alleys of a beautiful village with plantations of poplar trees and fields of barley, potatoes, and peas towards Guru Padmasambhava’s leisure ground by a beautiful spring lake.

After lunch, we will visit Dzongkhul monastery located at a foot of a wide side valley and is said to have founded by the great saint Naropa. By the elegant Bardur River, the monastery is built directly on a rock wall and houses ancient thangkas and images of lamas with care and reverence.

After breakfast in Padum, we will leave for Cha, the oldest village in Zanskar Valley that still holds its pristine character. We start our day’s walk towards the Phukthal monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Zanskar, tucked in a cave and a holy shelter to many masters from time immemorial. The walk along a breathtaking winding trail by River Lungnak gives scope for contemplation and inquiry as the scale of the untouched landscape around you brings perspective. At the Phukthal monastery, we will camp under the open sky or stay at the monastery guesthouse depending on availability.

As the light of the early sun spreads on the land below, we begin the day in the main hall of the monastery for Tsoks, a practice of offering and purification performed by the monks. After breakfast, savor the beautiful view of the valley and its river before leaving for the trail back to the village of Cha where we will stop for a home-cooked lunch at a local village home. Soon after lunch, we will begin our journey back to Padum, making a stop at the spectacular Bardan monastery on the way. 

Through beautiful villages tucked in picturesque landscapes, the receding high altitude glaciers, and the rugged mountain peaks, we stop at the enchanting yet secluded Rangdum village for lunch. On the way to Kargil town, we will cross the mesmerising Suru Valley blessed with grand rocky mountains on one side and lustrous and dense green fields on the other.

The route from Kargil to Leh is one of the most scenic one. En route, we will stop by at Lamayuru famous for it’s moonlike landscapes. Retire at a cosy home-stay in Leh with the fond memories of your travels. Next day, after a complimentary breakfast, let us know if you wish to explore the culture and land of Ladakh through our authentic local experiences, monastic tours or adventure tours in Leh.