Zanskar Valley Offroad | Manali To Leh
- Leh Ladakh
Original price was: ₹110,000.00.₹105,000.00Current price is: ₹105,000.00.
- 10D/9N
- Leisure Tour
Tour Information
Transfers Included
Stay Included
Sightseeing Inluded
Breakfast & Dinner Inluded
Overview
This 10-day itinerary blends the high-altitude splendor of Ladakh with the raw, untouched beauty of Zanskar, offering an immersive Himalayan experience. Beginning in Leh, the capital of Ladakh, travelers acclimatize and explore ancient monasteries, bustling markets, and serene landscapes. The journey then heads toward Nubra Valley, passing through Khardung La, one of the world’s highest motorable roads.
In Nubra, you’ll explore sand dunes, monasteries, and the unique Balti culture of Turtuk, the last Indian village before the Pakistan border.
The route then ventures to the jewel-toned waters of Pangong Lake, offering surreal views and peaceful isolation. After returning to Leh, the journey takes a dramatic turn into the less-traveled Zanskar region via the adventurous Singe La and Lingshed, reaching Padum, Zanskar’s remote cultural hub.
The final leg leads to Phuktal Monastery, an architectural wonder built into a cliffside, accessed via the small village of Purne. The journey concludes with a scenic drive to Manali, passing Gombo Ranjan, a sacred mountain in the Zanskar landscape.
This itinerary is ideal for travelers looking to combine culture, adventure, and spiritual exploration in a high-altitude setting. Expect long drives, basic accommodations in remote areas, and dramatic mountain scenery throughout. The reward: a deep connection to Ladakhi and Zanskari traditions, monasteries, and nature untouched by time.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Leh
Distance: Airport to town approx. 5 km
Travel Time: 15–20 minutes
Arrive at Leh, located at an altitude of 3,500 meters, and transfer to your accommodation in the city. The rest of the day is best spent acclimatizing to the high altitude. Leh is a compact town surrounded by arid mountains, traditional houses, and fluttering prayer flags. You may take a gentle walk around the Leh Market or visit a nearby café for some light Tibetan or Ladakhi cuisine. As oxygen levels are lower here, relaxation and hydration are essential on your first day.
If you’re feeling comfortable, a short visit to Shanti Stupa, offering panoramic views of the Leh valley, can be rewarding. The cool air, peaceful pace, and traditional ambiance of the town set the tone for the adventures to come. Overnight in Leh.
Day 2: Leh Sightseeing
Distance (local travel): Approx. 50–60 km
Travel Time: 2–3 hours (total driving)
Today is dedicated to discovering Leh’s rich cultural heritage. Begin your day with a visit to Thiksey Monastery, an impressive 12-story complex known for its large Maitreya Buddha statue and sweeping valley views. Continue to Shey Palace, the former summer residence of the Ladakhi kings. Then explore Hemis Monastery, one of the largest and wealthiest in Ladakh, nestled in a quiet gorge. En route back, stop at the Druk White Lotus School, made famous by the movie “3 Idiots.”
In the afternoon, explore the Leh Palace, a 17th-century structure overlooking the town, and walk down into the bustling Leh Market, where you’ll find everything from prayer wheels to pashmina shawls. The blend of Buddhist culture, Indo-Tibetan architecture, and peaceful mountain surroundings creates a memorable experience. Return to your hotel for the night.
Day 3: Nubra Sightseeing
Distance: Approx. 130 km
Travel Time: 5–6 hours
Depart from Leh and cross Khardung La, one of the world’s highest motorable passes, to enter the dramatic landscapes of Nubra Valley. Descend into the valley and make your way to Diskit Monastery, known for its towering Maitreya Buddha statue overlooking the valley floor. Later, head to the Hunder Sand Dunes, where you can enjoy a short camel ride on double-humped Bactrian camels, a unique experience in this cold desert.
The contrasting scenery—sandy dunes surrounded by snow-capped mountains—creates a surreal atmosphere. Nearby villages like Hunder and Diskit offer insight into traditional Ladakhi life. Overnight in Nubra at a guesthouse or eco-camp.
Day 4: Turtuk Exploration
Distance: Approx. 85 km (one way)
Travel Time: 2.5–3 hours (one way)
Set out for Turtuk, one of India’s last villages before the Pakistan border and a cultural gem tucked deep in the Nubra region. Located in the Shyok Valley, Turtuk offers a unique look into Balti culture, with stone houses, apricot orchards, and winding lanes. Explore the Royal House Museum, run by descendants of the region’s pre-partition rulers. The village is distinct from the rest of Ladakh in language, architecture, and tradition. You can enjoy a traditional Balti meal and interact with locals to learn about their rich oral histories. Return to Nubra for the night, taking in river valley views along the way.
Day 5: Explore Pangong Lake
Distance: Approx. 160 km
Travel Time: 6–7 hours
Leave Nubra and drive toward Pangong Lake, via the picturesque Shyok River route. The journey takes you through dramatic gorges and high-altitude desert scenery. As you approach the lake, the blue waters of Pangong Tso unfold before you, stretching over 130 kilometers into Tibet. The surreal color of the water changes with sunlight, ranging from sapphire to turquoise. Spend your time walking along the shore, photographing the landscape, and taking in the silence.
This remote, high-altitude lake is one of the most iconic sights in Ladakh. Stay overnight in a lakeside camp or basic guesthouse, where the star-filled sky offers a magical end to the day.
Day 6: Arrival at Leh
Distance: Approx. 160 km
Travel Time: 6–7 hours
Begin your return journey to Leh, this time via Chang La Pass, one of the highest mountain roads in the world. Along the way, stop at Tangtse village or Sakti, known for its small monasteries and scenic terrain. The route offers sweeping views of barren mountain ranges and scattered army camps that remind you of the region’s strategic importance.
You may also visit Tso Ltak, a lesser-known lake en route. On reaching Leh, check into your hotel and relax after several days of exploration. You can use the evening for shopping, catching up on rest, or enjoying a warm Ladakhi meal in a local restaurant.
Day 7: Drive to Padum via Singe La and Lingshed
Distance: Approx. 300 km
Travel Time: 10 hours
Depart from Leh on an extraordinary drive toward Padum, the remote administrative center of Zanskar Valley. This offbeat route takes you across the newly connected Singe La Pass, one of the highest in the region, and through Lingshed, a scenic and culturally rich village surrounded by cliffs. The road is rugged and winding, passing through stark, dramatic landscapes of towering rock faces and deep valleys.
Along the way, you may spot yak herders and isolated monasteries clinging to the hillsides. Crossing these lesser-known passes offers a true Himalayan overland adventure with unmatched solitude. The descent into Padum, at about 3,600 meters, reveals a wide, open valley framed by craggy peaks. Upon arrival, check into a local guesthouse. The journey is long but richly rewarding, offering a deep sense of entering untouched territory.
Day 8: Explore Padum Valley
Distance (local travel): Approx. 60–70 km
Travel Time: 2–3 hours
Today is dedicated to discovering the spiritual and cultural heart of Zanskar. Start your exploration at Karsha Monastery, the largest in Zanskar, perched on a ridge with commanding views of the valley. Continue to Stongdey Monastery, known for its ornate interiors and peaceful surroundings. You may also visit Zangla Palace, a semi-ruined former royal residence, offering insight into the region’s history. Drive through small villages like Sani or Pibiting, where prayer flags flutter from rooftops and daily life follows ancient rhythms. Interaction with locals reveals the deeply preserved Tibetan-Buddhist traditions of this remote region.
The landscapes are stark yet beautiful—mud-brick homes, barley fields, and distant snow-clad peaks make every corner a photograph. Overnight in Padum.
Day 9: Drive to Purne – Explore Phuktal Monastery
Distance: Approx. 60 km drive + 5 km trek
Travel Time: 3–4 hours drive + 1.5–2 hours trek (one-way)
Begin the day driving toward Purne, a tiny settlement on the banks of the Tsarap River. From here, set out on a scenic trek to Phuktal Monastery, one of the most stunning and remote monasteries in the Indian Himalayas. Built into a natural cave in a cliffside, the monastery looks as though it’s hanging from the mountain. The walk along the narrow trails offers dramatic views of the canyon and turquoise river below.
At the monastery, explore prayer rooms, meditation caves, and interact with the resident monks. The atmosphere is deeply spiritual, surrounded by complete silence and raw nature. Return to Purne for the night. Accommodation is basic, but the experience of being close to such a revered site makes it unforgettable.
Day 10: Drive to Manali – Explore on the way Gombo Ranjan
Distance: Approx. 280 km
Travel Time: 10–12 hours
Begin your long drive to Manali, traversing the lesser-known but awe-inspiring Shinku La Pass that connects Zanskar to Lahaul. Along the way, make a brief stop near Gombo Ranjan, a revered stand-alone mountain shaped like a Buddhist chorten rising starkly from the plains. Locals believe it to be sacred and do not climb it. The landscape transitions from high-altitude desert to more verdant valleys as you descend into Himachal Pradesh.
Pass through Darcha, Keylong, and follow the Chandra River toward Manali. As the terrain changes, so does the culture—from Tibetan-influenced Zanskar to Himachali villages with pine forests and apple orchards. Arrive in Manali, where your journey concludes with a comfortable night in this lively Himalayan town.
Include/Exclude
- Standard Hotel/Houseboat Accommodation on twin sharing.
- Breakfast and Dinner
- All Transfer in Sedan – swift /Etios.
- All transportation taxes, permits, fuel etc.
- Insurance
- Personal Expenses.
- Union Transportation.
- Lunch
Call Our Tour Expert
- +91 70064 13075
- Arif Langoo (Tour & Travel Expert)
For customisation, group discounts, change in itinerary or stay options etc
Tour Information
Transfers Included
Stay Included
Sightseeing Inluded
Breakfast & Dinner Inluded
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