Zanskar Traverse in Ladakh

Hi there, Who’s going to be in Ladakh this summer solo and up for a north-south trek in Zanskar? I’m planning an off-trail route… the kind of path where, like last year, I ran into a bear. Pretty rare, let me tell ya!!! Option: a guide and one or two mules to travel light and support the locals, or go self-sufficient—we’ll see. I’ve got a contact, so I can sort this out! No agency, just a direct arrangement with a local from Kanji, a remote hamlet. Open to discussion.

Jérôme

Hi, Your project interests me. I’m planning to head back to India soon to finish up my visa. I think I’ll be in that area late July-early August. We can chat privately about it if you’d like. See you soon maybe,

Hey Jérôme,

I’m planning to go trekking in Ladakh this summer, roughly from July 9-10 to early August.

I’m keeping my itinerary flexible for now, depending on guide availability, meeting other trekkers, and all the usual unpredictable stuff you get in India... but I’d love to do a solid trek like Darsha–Padum via the Phirtse La. Have you done that route?

If you’re around during that time, I’d be up for meeting! And I’d love to chat about treks there since you seem to know a thing or two. I’ve never been to Ladakh before.

What’s your idea for a north-south crossing?

I was thinking of going with a guide and mules but planned to organize everything directly from Leh. If you’ve got any tips or contacts, I’m all ears.

Or maybe we could even trek a few sections together—would be awesome!

See you soon!

Nico

Hey Nico

Yeah, I know Ladakh a bit. The idea is to do the Zanskar diagonal to avoid the track that winds through the historical paths. Kanji village in the north, not far from Lamayuru to reach Zangla near Padum, then from there, join the Tsarap River and Sarchu on the Leh-Manali road. It's completely off the beaten track. Quite a few passes at around +/- 5,000m. I don't know my dates yet, but probably early August. Your Padum-Darsha project isn't, in my opinion, the best thing to do in the area, and you'll struggle to organize it on the spot. The logistics for hiring a horse man and mules are complicated because locals no longer have mules for their daily needs since the track is now everywhere. It'll cost you an arm and a leg to organize with an agency, and you need to plan ahead. There will be people in Leh, and you could join a group. Here's a site with the lowdown and details on treks in Ladakh: https://www.ju-lehadventure.com/fr/trekking-ladakh/ You can also rent a motorcycle locally and take a trip to the Nubra Valley and toward Tso Moriri or even the Zanskar over several days—great for acclimatizing before starting a trek

Hi, I thought I’d replied to you in a PM but I can’t find the message. I’ll try again tomorrow

Awesome!

Thanks for the details.

I’m checking out the Swiss guide by Olizane, *"Ladakh-Zanskar,"* but the info seems a little outdated...

I’ll take a look at your site.

As for my dates, I’m not totally set: I’ll be in India starting July 7th, and I’d planned to hang out in Ladakh first, do some great treks, then visit some old spots I know here and there in India before heading back to Réunion on August 14th.

But if you’re doing your trek in early August, we might still make it work!

Cool to chat in DMs.

Totally down for the bike! I'm a free biker...

;-)

Feels intense to organize the trek on the spot... Darn! Guess I’ll have to plan ahead, and I’m not a huge fan of that...

See ya!

Nico