Zanskar is on the far side of Shinku La, at 16,580 ft the pass that takes the road from Manali into the Zanskar Valley. Both of our Zanskar trips start in Delhi, go through Manali and the Atal Tunnel, cross Shinku La and end at Phuktal Monastery, which is built into a cliff face.
Manali to Zanskar is the four-day expedition. You board a tempo traveller at Majnu Ka Tila at 9:00 PM and spend the first day in Manali: Old Manali, the Vashisht Temple hot springs, the short trek to Jogini Waterfall and an evening on Mall Road. Day two crosses Shinku La to the Gumbok Rangan campsite for a night of stargazing. Day three is the trek to Phuktal, then back over the pass to a riverside evening at Jispa, and the last day stops at Deepak Tal and Sissu on the way to Manali.
The Zanskar Padum Circuit takes six days and goes further in. It starts with a pickup at Civil Lines Metro Station and a day in Naggar, with the castle, old temples and an evening art retreat. It then crosses Solang Valley, the Atal Tunnel and Shinku La to a riverside camp at Gumbok Ranjan, and drives on to Padum for its monasteries and market.
From Padum the circuit visits Sani Village and Monastery and goes through Pensi La Pass for views of the Drang Drung Glacier. The last full day goes to the Lungnak Valley and Yougar Village, then to Phuktal Monastery, before the return through Jispa and Sissu to Manali.
Zanskar trips at a glance
A Himalayan Expedition: Manali to Zanskar
4 days / 3 nights, Delhi → Manali → Gumbok Rangan → Zanskar → Phuktal → Jispa → Sissu → Delhi. Over Shinkula Pass at 16,580 ft into Zanskar, and a trek to Phuktal Monastery — an entire monastery built into a cliff face. Booking takes a 35% advance, with the balance due on departure.
Zanskar Padum Circuit
6 days / 5 nights, Delhi → Manali → Zanskar (Padum) → Manali → Delhi. Six days in Zanskar: riverside camps at Gumbok Ranjan, the Drang Drung Glacier from Pensi La, and cliffside Phuktal at the end. Booking takes a 35% advance, with the balance due on the day of departure.
