This trek starts from Brandy Nalla (on the road from Leh to Manali) to Photoksar by a remote confidential route passing through the Gotunda La with spectacular lunar landscapes. After visiting the remote village of Shade the trail engages in narrow gorges with many river crossing before reaching Zangla. The route from Zangla to Photoksar will follow the traditional Zansker traverse route.
This is a 19 days trek of more than 200km distance. While the average camp altitude and the average walking hours are moderate (4000m and 5h), there is a strenuous day around the Gotunda La with more than 10 hours walking and a maximum altitude of 5100m as there is no available camp site around the Gotunda La.
Total positive elevation gain : 11000m, Total trekking time : 100 hours, Total distance : 210km
Itinerary :
Day 1 : From Brandy Nalla to Tso Mesik alongside the Tsarap river. This 1st leg is quite short (less than 3h) as it takes around 6 hours by car to reach Brandy Nalla from Leh)
Day 2 : Follow the Tsarap river (through big ups and down) up to the abandonned village of Satok
Day 3 : From Satok follow the Tsarap river and pass the abandonned villages of Mune and Tichip to reach the Zara river where the camp will be set
Day 4 : From the Zara river camp reach the abandoned village of Normoche and camp at the entrance of the gorge heading towards the Gotunda La
Day 5 : Strenuous day with 10 hours walking and 1500m position elevation gain. Starting going up in the gorge to arrive at a plateau with lunar landscapes. After reaching the Gotunda La a long curve around the Tsore Konta will lead to the Nyalo Kontze La. A long descent before arriving to the camp with the first water spring of the day.
Day 6 : Continuing the descent to reach the Niri river and the village of Trantrag where the camp is set
Day 7 : From Trantrag reach the remote village of Shade and its pastures.
Day 8 : From Shade pass the Rotang La and the Lar La to camp in a narrow valley after the Lar La alongside the Niri valley
Day 9 : Go up the Niri river (with many river crossing up to the knees) to the Yarinchun campsite.
Day 10 : Pass the Pandang La and after a steep descent reach the camp at the crossing of three valleys.
Day 11 : From the camp follow the river (around 30 river crossing expected with water up to the knees), reach the Zangla Sumdo pastures. The trail continues descending through many river crossing to reach Zangla
Day 12 : From Zangla the trail rejoin the standard Zanskar traverse trail which leads to Hanumil
Day 13 : From Hanumil pass the Parpi La to camp in Nyetse
Day 14 : From Nyestse pass the Hanuma La to camp at Sumdo
Day 15 : From Sumdo pass the Chapskang La to reach Lingshed
Day 16 : From Lingshed pass the Murgum La and the Kiupa La to camp at the base of the Sengge La
Day 17 : Pass the Sengge La, then the Bumiktse La bedore reaching Photoksar
Day 18 : Return to Leh
