Zanskar Valley Motorcycle 4X4 SUV Touring Manali to Leh

Manali to Atal Tunnel Rohtang-Keylong(3100m)-Jispa (3200m) Manali to Jispa road distance 93 km.

Starting the trip from Manali, which is located at the head of the lush green Kullu valley. Leaving Manali first to Solang and then to the Atal Tunnel Rohtang, which is now the new gateway to Lahoul, Spiti, Pangi, and Zanskar valley. The landscape changes dramatically, the greenery being replaced by barren hillsides, surrounded by high peaks, hanging glaciers, and the village with their bountiful fields of barley, peas, and potatoes, stand out in stark contrast. On entering Lahoul the Buddhist influence is visible in the many monasteries crossed on the way. The people here have distinct Tibetan features. From Tandi along the Bhaga River to Keylong and to the hotel in Jispa.

Jispa - Darcha - Shinkun La (5090 m)  - Gomborangjum (4330 m) - Kurgiakh (4150 m) - Tangze (4000 m) - Purney (3800 m). Jispa to ShinkuLa distance: 43 km |Shinkula to Purne: 48 km

Leaving Jispa, We drive to Darcha and continue to Chikka & Rarik, the last two villages before Shinkun La. Crossing bridge at Palamo then along the river to Zanskar Sumdo. Leaving Zanskar Sumdo the road passes through the second bridge then up the right-hand valley following the stream, which comes from Shinkun La (Shingo la). The highest point of our trip at 5,090 meters. Top of Shinkun la there is prayer flags and mani stones that are telling the story of those people who cross over years back. With an impressive view to Zanskar side the valley we take summits rising above 6000 m of the Great Himalayan range. The road descends to Pankeya and further to Lakhong we reach the valley floor. Lakhong is high pasture land for yaks, dzo, and sheep, where domestic animals are kept during summertime and produce cheese, butter for winter stock. Along the right bank of Kurgiakh chu and below the mass fallen rocks of Gumborungjum peak. We finally arrive at Kurgiakh, the first village of Zanskar. We pass the Karu, Tangze village to a series of stupas before reaching Purney. Purney is situated at the confluence between Tsarap and Kurgiak chu and forms the Lungnak River valley.

Purney (3800 m) - Phugtal (3900 m) - Purney - Raru (3800 m) - Padum (3600 m). Purney to Phuktal distance: There will be a halfway road and a half walk. So keep 5-6 hrs for this day.

Leaving early today from Purney to Phuktal to reach gompa during morning prayer time. It's a two hours hike to Phuktal also called Phukthar. We depart early from Purney on a well-defined trail along the left bank of Tsarap River. Shortly before Phuktal, we cross the Tsarap river by hanging bridge. This monastery is built under a huge cave and it belongs to the Gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The road between Purney to Phuktal is still under construction, thus we walk from Purney to Phuktal. There is a stone tablet that serves as a reminder of the stay of Alexander Csoma de Koros at Phuktal, while he worked on the first English-Tibetan dictionary between 1826 and 1827 when he explored Ladakh. Afternoon retraces back to Purney.Leaving Purney, the road passes through the beautiful village of Raru village. En route passing and visiting Bardan gompa continue to drive to Padum.

Padum - Tungri - Phe - Hamiling - Abran - Aksho - Pensi La (4470 m) - Padum (3660m).Padum to Pensi La : 79 km | Pensi la to Padum : 79 km

 Leaving Padum first to Tungri and passing many small villages along the route to Pensi La. Pensi La is known as "The gateway to Zanskar" which connects the Suru valley to the Zanskar region. The Nun and Kun peaks both above 7000m can be seen. The Drang Drung glacier to the Eastern flank of Pensi La is the source of Stod or Doda River, which flows into central Zanskar and joins with Tsarap Chu to form the Zanskar River. Which is famous for the frozen river of Zanskar known as the Chadar route. After visiting the Pensi la drive back to Padum for an overnight stay.

Padum - Dzonkhul - Sani - Karsha (3750 m) - Padum. Padum to Dzonkhul: 30 km, 1:30 hrs |Dzonkhul to Sani Monastery : 20 km.

Sani monastery to Padum: 10 km |Padum to Karsha distance: 10 km 

Leaving Padum a short drive to Ating village and continuing to Tungri. Taking a diversion to the left to Bardur River beside Stod valley. Dzonkhul belongs to the Drukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism & traditionally been home to famous yoginis. Dzonkhul is also a starting point of the trek that leads to Umasi la which joins Zanskar and Pangi Kishtwar. Built directly on a rock wall with two caves behind. The Huchot festival is famous at Dzonkhul. After visiting Dzonkhul we drive back to Ating and continue to visit Sani gompa before reaching the Padum and finally visit Karsha monastery.

Karsha is one of the biggest monastic complexes in the Zanskar region.

Padum  - Stongde (3800 m) - Zangla palace (3650 m) - Lingshed (3900 m).  Homestay in Lingshed

Padum to Thongde gompa distance: 13 km
Thongde/Stongde to Zangla distance:  20 km
Zangla palace to Lingshed distance: will take 2-3 hrs
Leaving Padum today first we visit Thongde, which is built on a hilltop by Lama Marpa and is more than 950 years old finally, drive to visit Zangla fort. Visiting Zangla, and finally, drive along the right banks of Zanskar river for a few hours before crossing the bridge to Lingshed.  Now you are in the Ladakh region and you have crossed the Zanskar boundry. Zanskar Boundry finishes after Hanuma la, which is situated across the Lingshed area.

Lingshed (3900 m) - Sengge La (4940 m) - Photoksar (4150 m) - Sirsir La (4800 m) - Hanumil - Phenjila - Wanla - Lamayuru (3600 m)

Wanla to Lamayuru road distance: 14 km
Wanla to Photoksar distance: 52 km, 3 hrs.
Photokar to Lingshed will take: 2 hrs.
An early start recommends this day, Leaving Lingshed the road winds up to Sengge la. Sengge in Tibetan means "Lion". So its "Lion pass", the view and formations of pass appears like a lion, from pass a panoramic view of Zanskar range. A short below Sengge la you will be in Photang valley, its a high pasture land, where villager of Photoksar keep their Yaks, Dzo, and horses for summer grazing. Now road descends to Photoksar. Photoksar is a remote, isolated, and charming village. After Photoksar the road winds up to Sirsir la and descends to Hanumil and later through the magnificent gorge to Phenji la. Along the river is a nice road to Wanla. Which is quite a beautiful village. You continue to join Leh - Srinagar highway and take this road to Lamayuru for an overnight stay.

Lamayuru - Alchi (3100 m) - Likir - Leh (3600 m).

Lamayuru to Leh distance: 115 km, 4 Hrs.
Lamayuru to Alchi distance: 56 km.
Alchi to Likir distance: 19 km
Likir to Leh distance: 54 km
Today after breakfast, we drive to the Alchi monastery, situated at a distance of 68 km from Leh. Its monastery is built on lowlands rather than on a hilltop as others are, in order to protect from enemies. The Chortens around Alchi gompa contains numerous wall murals of Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo, who has built this monastery. Alchi monastery has vast collections of wall paintings and wood sculptures. After the visit continue your journey to Likir and Leh.

Tour Ends here with loads of memories.