Zanskar Valley Tour Packages

• By Air: The nearest airports are Leh (Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport) and Srinagar Airport. From either airport, you must hire a taxi or private vehicle to Kargil, then travel around 250 km onwards to Padum, the largest town in Zanskar Valley. The Leh–Padum journey is about 460–500 km and takes 11–15 hours by road, depending on conditions. Flights connect Leh and Srinagar to major Indian cities, making air travel the fastest link.
• By Road: The primary road route is Srinagar → Kargil → Padum (about 532 km). Another popular route is Leh → Kargil → Padum, approximately 460 km. Roads are mostly open June through September due to heavy winter snow and landslides. The roads are mountainous and scenic but can be challenging, so high-clearance vehicles or taxis are recommended.
• By Train: There is no direct railway to Zanskar or Leh. The nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi, from where you must travel by road to Srinagar or Leh, then continue by road to Kargil and Padum.

Yes, especially in peak travel months (June to September). Accommodation and transport options are limited and can fill up quickly due to the valley’s remoteness and seasonal tourism. Booking in advance ensures permits, vehicles, comfortable stays, and guided tours that ease logistics in this challenging terrain.

From Leh to Padum, travel by road via Kargil. The total is approximately 460–500 km, usually taking 11–15 hours. The route goes through mountainous terrain including Lamayuru, Mulbekh, Kargil, Sankoo, and Panikhar. Roads can be rough but highly scenic. Some tours or self-driving options provide stops in Kargil for rest and acclimatization.

Ideally, 5 to 7 days allow you to cover the main highlights like Padum town, the famous monasteries (Karsha, Stongdey, Phuktal, Sani), Drang Drung glacier, Pensi La Pass, and local villages. More extensive trekking or deeper cultural immersion can take 10 to 12 days or longer. The travel itself requires 1–2 days for approach and return from Leh or Srinagar.

Zanskar Valley is located in the Kargil district of Ladakh, northern India. It lies south of Kargil town and separated by the Great Himalayan and Zanskar mountain ranges. The valley spans an area of nearly 7000 sq km at altitudes from around 3,600 meters to over 7,000 meters above sea level.

The Nun Kun massif, with Nun peak reaching an elevation of 7,135 meters (23,409 ft), is the highest and most prominent peak associated with the Zanskar region.

Zanskar Valley is famous for its remote Himalayan beauty, dramatic landscapes, and cultural richness. Key attractions include:

• The Chadar Trek (winter trek over the frozen Zanskar River).
• Ancient Buddhist monasteries like Phuktal, Karsha, and Stongdey.
• Drang Drung Glacier—one of the largest glaciers in Ladakh.
• Adventure activities: trekking, river rafting, and winter ice climbing.
• The unique Tibetan-influenced culture and festivals.
• Pristine rivers and alpine lakes surrounded by towering peaks.

The best time is June to September, when:

• Roads from Srinagar, Leh, and Manali are open.
• Weather is pleasant (daytime temperatures 10–25°C).
• Monasteries, villages, trekking routes, and rafting opportunities are all accessible.

Winter (December to February) is extremely cold and harsh, only suitable for expert adventurers planning the Chadar Trek.

The most famous trek is the Chadar Trek, a challenging winter trek walking over the frozen Zanskar River (January–February). For summer treks, the Padum-Darcha Trek, Lugnak Trail, and Zanskar-Sham Valley Trek are popular, offering high-altitude hiking, remote landscape views, and cultural encounters.

Yes, it is highly recommended for travelers seeking pristine natural beauty far from crowds, Tibetan Buddhist culture and monasteries, Adventurous trekking, river rafting, and cultural festivals and peaceful, untouched Himalayan terrain and authentic local experiences.

For summer treks: June to September. For Chadar Trek (Frozen river trek): mid-January to mid-February, when the river is sufficiently frozen to walk safely.

3-4 days are enough to explore the entire Zanskar Valley. You will explore the breathtaking glaciers of the Zanskar Valley. Sightseeing on the other side of the Zanskar Valley is the best thing you can see. Besides, there are many top attractions that you can cover in 2 days such as Bardan Gompa, Stongdey Gompa, Karsha Gompa, Phugtal Gompa, and Padum Khar.

Yes, Zanskar experiences heavy snowfall from November to April, causing roads to close. Even in summer, higher elevations can have lingering snow patches.

Plan your trip from June through September for safe travel, open roads, and comfortable weather.

Indian nationals do NOT require special permits to enter Zanskar. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit for entering Ladakh in general, but specific permits for Zanskar Valley are usually not required. Always confirm current regulations before travel.

From Srinagar (Kashmir) to Padum (Zanskar Valley), the distance by road is approximately 530–532 km, taking about 14–16 hours with stops, passing through Kargil.

Zanskar Valley tour packages from Delhi typically cover 7–12 days, include overnight Volvo or taxi transfers from Delhi to Manali, acclimatization stops, guided visits to major attractions in Zanskar (Phuktal Monastery, Padum, Zangla, Drang Drung Glacier), accommodation, meals, permits, and return transfers; some even allow customization or extension to Leh.

Standard itineraries usually begin with Delhi–Manali–Jispa for acclimatization, proceed via Shinkula/Atal Tunnel to Padum with en-route sightseeing, cover key sites (Drang Drung Glacier, Karsha, Stongdey, Zangla), sometimes include optional treks, and return to the starting point over 7–11 days.

Yes, several operators run fixed-departure group tours from Delhi or Manali, catering to solo travellers, couples, or friends, providing logistical ease, shared costs, and opportunities to meet fellow travellers.

Many tours begin at Manali, passing through Atal Tunnel, Lahaul, and Shinkula Pass, which allows a shorter and more adventurous access to Zanskar compared to routes from Leh or Srinagar.

The road distance from Leh to Padum (the main town in Zanskar Valley) is approximately 462 km, generally taking 11–12 hours by car, depending on road conditions.

The route from Padum to Manali typically goes via Shinku La and Jispa, covering stunning landscapes and requiring an overnight stop—this modern route has become more accessible and direct after recent road improvements.

Begin your journey by overnight bus or taxi from Delhi to Manali, then take an acclimatization break. From Manali, a guided road trip proceeds through Jispa, Shinku La, and onwards to Zanskar Valley, with all-inclusive tour operators offering packages that cover this precise loop.

The ideal season is June to September, when all roads (from Manali, Leh, and Srinagar) are open and the weather is pleasant for travel and sightseeing.

Packages save you the stress of arranging permits, transport, and rare accommodations in this remote region. Group tours lower costs and provide safety, local expertise, and a planned itinerary focused on highlights.

Itineraries cater to adventure (treks, biking, rafting), spiritual (monastery circuits), and leisure (scenic, cultural, or wildlife-focused tours), all available both for small groups and customized private trips.