CMT Zanskar – Himalayas Ride
Time to get back on your steeds and ride through the most treacherous routes of Zanskar & Ladakh.
Lingshed for Starters, Turtuk for Appetizer & Merak for Dessert
Type: Off Road Endurance Tour
Level: Intermediate/Expert
Vehicle Type: Adventure Bike / 4X4
The only heat you will feel, will be of your engines…. Be Ready for spending nights at freezing temperatures.
A JOURNEY TO THE “ LAND OF WHITE COPPER ” —— ZANSKAR
Another in our expeditions of ‘toughest-of’ journeys culled from our many exploratory off road tours in the Indian Himalaya, featuring multiple crossing of the wild river streams of Lakhang. We consider this wild route one of our best hard core adventure route, an exciting and challenging expedition through the sublime canyon lands, far-flung valleys of remote villages, high Himalayan passes and hidden valleys of mythical Ladakh & Zanskar.
Zanskar, the land of white copper, is a timeless Himalayan region tucked away between the Himalayan and Zanskar ranges, once part of an ancient trade network with Tibet. Once in secluded Shade, the most set-apart in Zanskar, we have an extra day to experience traditional village life before setting off on our next adventure to Leh.
We will make sure to make your Journey full of Adventure when Sun is shining and as luxurious as possible when Night falls.
Riding gears Recommended
- ATGATT ( All the gear , all the time)
- Thermals – A good pair of upper and lower to sleep in and another one for riding. Waterproof socks and gloves will help better in addition
- Rain Gear – You should be well prepared for getting wet as we will have multiple water crossing’s
- Personal Medicines to be carried along.
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Arrival Kullu Airport- Manali – Keylong
CMT Team welcomes you at Kullu Airport and transfer to Hotel in Manali, where your CMT Rental Bikes will be waiting. Briefing and Orientation followed by motorcycle setup. We load our luggage in backup support vehicle and start our journey from Manali to Keylong. As we all will be riding from Manali, a relaxed warm stay is must to our mind and soul. Amidst the smell of Oak and Maple trees, you will find the tingling sensation arising in your heart which is what we call as CONNECTION TO MOUNTAINS…
Fill up your tanks before sunset at closest pump in Keylong / Tandi, after the Atal Tunnel.
Check in at Hotel, Dinner and Overnight at Keylong.
Day 2 : Keylong to Purne – Overlanding
A well relaxed body and a free Mind leads to creation of beautiful memories on this Ride. We embark on our mission to adventure as early as possible. We make our way from Darcha to Kurgiakh Via Shinkula Pass at 16,580 ft, is the first stretch of the toughest journey that we are going to undertake during the tour, for there is literally nothing on the way – no villages, no food, no help whatsoever.
The smooth tarmac at Darcha soon gives way to dirt, loose rocks, shale and GRIT trails further down the line, that will leave plenty of the riders on their rear ends through the course of the day. From Chika to until Shinkula Pass (about 40 km from Darcha) the route inclines from 3300m above sea level in Darcha to over 5000m above sea level at Shinkula Pass. From Shinkula, the descend starts and takes you to 3500m above sea level in less than 10km, so make sure you check your brakes before you start descending. Kurgiakh to Purne is an easy drive.
A well relaxed and warm stay at Purne Overlanding Camp to call it a day.
Note: Don’t forget to bring your towels and wet wipes.
Day 3: Purne – Phuktal Gompa Trek
After a sumptuous breakfast, we shall visit the most beautiful highlight of the journey – Phugtal Monastery. Ride a few kms on off road and then leaves our bikes for a trek to the beautiful monastery of Phuktal.
Built around a cave, Phugtal monastery remains one of the world’s most isolated monasteries that are still be reached only by foot. Purne is the last stop from where the trek to Phugtal starts. The trek may take about 2 hours each side. Lunch at Purne, followed by relaxed evening at our camp. Dinner and Overnight at Purne Camp.
Day 4: Purne – Padum
Purne to Padum can be 5 hours drive with a few steep uphill and downhill stretches. The route gives almost no water crossings and stays on one side of the valley for most of the time.
Padum has the only petrol station of the entire Keylong-Kargil route, so make sure to top up. Just like the rest of the route since you’ve left Darcha on Day 2, expect no tar and just driving on a dirt-track today as well. Check in to Hotel at Omascila, followed by lunch and explore the local market in padum. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel in Padum.
Day 5: Padum to Lingshed
After breakfast, check out from hotel and embark for another overlanding night at a new location of Lingshed. In one of the most remote regions in the world, you’ll find the isolated village of Lingshed and a stunning 1,000 year old monastery! We will reach by afternoon and settle in. Thereafter explore the lingshed gompa and not to miss the magnificient village.
Experience a day of village life with the villagers of Lingshed. After the morning prayers at the monastery, visit the local school and interact with the kids. Students from numerous nearby villages study in this school.
Day 6: Lingshed to Leh
After breakfast, we mark an end to our overlanding trip and depart for civilization of Leh. We shall be crossing photoksar gompa and Sisir La today
Day 7: Leh: Day At Leisure
After breakfast we proceed for Indus Valley Monastery Starting with Hemis Gompa, the largest monastic foundation of Drukpa Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism, Thiksey Monastery an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village, Shey Palace, The ancient capital of Ladakh, 3 Idiots Rancho School &Sindhu Ghat. After visiting the above places we drive back to Leh. Evening at leisure to explore the city on your own or Visit to Leh Palace & Shanti Stupa. Dinner & Overnight at the Hotel.
Highlights:
1) Leh Fort Road – Gesmo German Bakery
2) Leh Palace –
3) Shanti Stupa
Day 8: Leh- Turtuk
After an early breakfast, after fuel up in Leh we drive to NUBRA VALLEY – TURTUK leads through KHARDUNG-LA-PASS (the highest motorable road in the world) at 18,390 ft, around 39kms from Leh. Nubra Valley is popularly known as Ldorma or the valley of flowers. Arrive Hunder by afternoon and play in sand or take a camel ride. Later proceed for Turtuk.
Turtuk is the last village on the Indian side of the border and was taken over by the Indian Army during the Kargil War. You will be mesmerised by the beauty in the Simplicity of Turtuk and its people. Rest of the day at leisure to explore the beautiful village ofTurtuk with a visit to Tyakshi Village – Last point on POK. Overnight stay at Turtuk Camp.
Highlights:
1) Khardungla Top
2) Diksit Gompa Photostop
3) Nubra Sand Dunes Photostop
4) Turtuk Karakoram Range
5) Thang Village – Last Post on India – POK Side
Day 9: Turtuk to Pangong Lake (VIA AGAM SHAYOK ROAD)
After Breakfast we leave for Pangong Lake (14,500 ft.), ride through Agam Shyok Road. Hunder has last fuel pump on this route, which is hand operated, so we refill every inch of our tank and then proceed ahead. Visit Shyok River & Durbuk, Arrive at Pangong Lake it is the highest salt water Lake in the World, shared by two countries India & China. Enjoy the beauty of the lake on the Banks of Pangong Lake with multi-colour reflections and the fascinating high altitude of the Lake. Overnight stay at Pangong Lake.
Day 10: Pangong to Aryan Village DAH
This morning, after breakfast, ride around the Pangong Lake via Changla Pass 17,350 ft. It is the third highest motor-able road in the world.and don’t forget to click photos!! Continue to Leh. En route visit Hemis Monastery hidden in a gorge, the largest and wealthiest Gompa in Ladakh. Visit Stok Palace, famous for beautiful gardens and the view of sunrise as well as sunset is amazing from the palace. At present, the palace is open to visitors and presents a collection of royal attires, crowns and other royal materials. Later we take diversion from Khalsi towards DAH to our respective hotels – Aryan Residency and Aryan Nature Camp.
Highlights:
1) Changla Pass Photo Stop 17,350 Ft
2) Karu – Seerthi Petrol Pump
3) Thiksey Monastery
4) Shey Palace
5) Experience the Illusion of Magnetic Hill
5) Off Road Trail (2 Hrs + if time allows)
6) Off Road Trail (+1.5 Hrs if time allows)
Day 11: Aryan Village To Sonamarg
After breakfast, depart for Sonamarg Zozila Pass. The road is a mix of good, bad and ugly. The ugly part is mostly limited around the Zoji La pass. For the rest of the distance, the road either remains to be good or average.
Highlights:
1) Kargil War Memorial Photostop
2) Zozila Pass
Sonamarg, is located at an elevation of 9,000 ft. Also known as the ‘Meadow of Gold’, this gorgeous hill station is jotted with fascinating mountains, flowery meadows and is the origin point of several Himalayan treks.
Day 12: Sonamarg to Patnitop
After breakfast we shall depart from sonamarg by passing Srinagar City and reaching patnitop by evening. The route is fully tarmac. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in patnitop.
Highlight:
Optional Skyview Patnitop is an adventure activities destination in Patnitop, Jammu. The activities include ropeway, gondola ride, zipline, magic carpet etc If we reach before evening 5 pm, riders can experience the skyview patnitop at our own.
Day 13: Patnitop to Delhi
As the tour is coming to end, we depart from Patnitop to the capital city – New Delhi. Lunch en route. Check in to Hotel. We drop off bikes at hotel itself and in evening a farewell dinner. Overnight in Delhi
Day 14: Delhi – Airport Transfer
Morning breakfast and transfer to International Airport – Delhi for your return journey back home.
Great things are done when men and mountains meet; This is not done by jostling in the street
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