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Zanskar & Phugtal Monastery, Ladakh

8 nights / 9 days · Moderate

Zanskar & Phugtal Monastery

Ladakh’s most remote inhabited valley. Cross Pensi La past the Drang Drung glacier to Padum, then hike to Phugtal, a monastery built into a cliff-side cave.

Route
Leh – Lamayuru – Kargil – Rangdum – Padum – Phugtal – Leh
Best months
Jun–Sep
Highest overnight
3,660 m
From
₹48,900 / person
Photo: Timothy A. Gonsalves. Feel free to u… · CC BY-SA 4.0

Highlights

  • Drang Drung glacier from Pensi La
  • Hike to the cave monastery of Phugtal
  • Rangdum’s isolated monastery
  • Return via the Zanskar valley

Altitude profile

Where you sleep matters most at altitude. This trip raises your sleeping height gradually. Hover or tap a day for details.

Overnight altitude by day metres above sea level
01k2k3k4k5k D1 Day 1: Leh, 3,500 m D2 Day 2: Leh, 3,500 m D3 Day 3: Kargil, 2,676 m D4 Day 4: Rangdum, 3,650 m D5 Day 5: Padum, 3,660 m D6 Day 6: Padum, 3,660 m D7 Day 7: Padum, 3,660 m D8 Day 8: Leh, 3,500 m D9 Day 9: Leh, 3,500 m Padum 3,660 m

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Arrive in Leh, rest

    Complete rest.

    Overnight: Leh (3,500 m)

  2. Day 2

    Leh sightseeing

    Gentle day for acclimatisation.

    Overnight: Leh (3,500 m)

  3. Day 3

    Leh to Kargil

    Via Lamayuru and Mulbekh.

    Overnight: Kargil (2,676 m)

  4. Day 4

    Kargil to Rangdum

    Up the Suru valley with Nun–Kun views.

    Overnight: Rangdum (3,650 m)

  5. Day 5

    Rangdum to Padum

    Over Pensi La past the Drang Drung glacier.

    Overnight: Padum (3,660 m)

  6. Day 6

    Phugtal hike

    Drive and hike to Phugtal Monastery and back.

    Overnight: Padum (3,660 m)

  7. Day 7

    Zanskar villages

    Karsha and Stongde monasteries.

    Overnight: Padum (3,660 m)

  8. Day 8

    Padum to Leh

    Long drive back via the Zanskar valley road (route depends on road status).

    Overnight: Leh (3,500 m)

  9. Day 9

    Departure

    Drop at Leh airport.

    Overnight: Leh (3,500 m)

Included

  • Airport / bus-stand pickup and drop in Leh
  • Accommodation as per itinerary on twin sharing
  • Breakfast and dinner daily
  • Dedicated vehicle with local Ladakhi driver
  • Permit processing for protected areas
  • Oxygen cylinder and first-aid kit in vehicle
  • 24×7 on-ground support from our Leh team

Not included

  • Flights or trains to and from Leh
  • Lunches, drinks and personal expenses
  • Monument and monastery entry fees
  • Government environment and permit fees (charged at actuals)
  • Anything not listed in inclusions

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Leh is waiting

Tell us your dates. We’ll handle the rest.

One message to our Leh team covers flights, arrival, permits, stays, vehicles and every day in between.

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