Manali to Lamayuru Trek (Zanskar Traverse) – Overview

The long Zanskar traverse from Darcha to Lamayuru – Phuktal, Padum, Zangla, Lingshed and Photoksar – with passes up to 5,091 m.

🗓️ Duration23 days
⛰️ Max altitude5,091 m (Shingo La)
💪 GradeStrenuous
🌤️ Best timeMid-June – September
📍 Start – endManali – Lamayuru – Leh
🥾 Trek distance≈380 km
🪪 PermitsNone for Indians
💰 PriceOn request – depends on group size and dates. Ask on WhatsApp →

Manali to Lamayuru Trek (Zanskar Traverse) Itinerary – Day by Day

  1. Day 1Manali – Darcha, 100 kmDrive via Atal Tunnel, Sissu, Keylong and Jispa.
  2. Day 2Darcha – Palamo, 8 km
  3. Day 3Palamo – Zanskar Sumdo, 14 km
  4. Day 4Zanskar Sumdo – Chhumik Nakpo, 15 km
  5. Day 5Chhumik Nakpo – Lakhong (Shingo La (5,091 m)), 18 km
  6. Day 6Lakhong – Kargyak, 20 km
  7. Day 7Kargyak – Testa, 21 kmVia Kuru.
  8. Day 8Testa – Purne, 23 kmVisit Phuktal gompa.
  9. Day 9Purne – Raru, 20 km
  10. Day 10Raru – Bardan gompa, 19 km
  11. Day 11Bardan – Sani, 20 km
  12. Day 12Sani – Karsha, 17 km
  13. Day 13Karsha – Pishu, 22 kmOptional visit to Zangla.
  14. Day 14Rest day / Zangla
  15. Day 15Pishu – Hanumil, 16 km
  16. Day 16Hanumil – Parfi La (4,800 m) – Snertse
  17. Day 17Snertse – Hanumil La (4,877 m) – Lingshed, 13 km
  18. Day 18Lingshed – foot of Sengge La (5,050 m), 22 km
  19. Day 19Sengge La (5,050 m) – Photoksar, 16 km
  20. Day 20Rest day at Photoksar
  21. Day 21Photoksar – Sirsir La (4,805 m) – Sumdo, 19 km
  22. Day 22Sumdo – Shilla, 19 kmAbout 30 river crossings.
  23. Day 23Shilla – Prinkiti La – Lamayuru – LehDrive 124 km to Leh.

Altitudes and distances are approximate. Stages can change with weather, snow and the group’s pace – your guide decides on the day.

Manali to Lamayuru Trek (Zanskar Traverse) Route Map – Altitude & Distance

📏 About 524 km · ⛰️ Highest point 5,091 m

🚗 By vehicle (road) 🚶 On foot (trek)

🚗 about 224 km by road · 🚶 about 300 km on foot

🚗🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶🚗100 km8 km14 km15 km18 km20 km21 km23 km20 km19 km20 km17 km22 km16 km13 km16 km19 km19 km124 km2,050 mStartManali3,360 mDay 1Darcha3,825 mDay 2Palamo4,100 mDay 3Zanskar Sumdo4,670 mDay 4Chhumik Nakpo4,590 mDay 5Lakhong4,230 mDay 6Kargyak3,865 mDay 7Testa3,965 mDay 8Purne3,960 mDay 9RaruDay 10Bardan gompaDay 11Sani3,320 mDay 12Karsha3,660 mDay 13Pishu3,660 mDay 14Rest day / Zangla3,650 mDay 15Hanumil4,800 mParfi La3,940 mDay 16Snertse4,877 mHanumil La4,100 mDay 17 +Lingshed4,400 mDay 19Photoksar4,400 mDay 20Rest day at Photoksar4,805 mSirsir LaDay 21SumdoDay 22Shilla3,500 mDay 23Leh

← Swipe on mobile to see the whole route → Distances and altitudes are approximate. 🚗 = by vehicle · 🚶 = on foot.

Manali to Lamayuru Trek (Zanskar Traverse) on the Map

The full Ladakh road map from our Leh taxi rates page. Bold black line = by vehicle on the road · brown dotted trail = on foot. Trek camps are not on the road map, so they are placed approximately along the trail.

Manali to Lamayuru Trek (Zanskar Traverse) – mapRoad map of Ladakh from Leh drawn from real coordinates (true compass directions; distances compressed away from Leh): Leh local sightseeing; Nubra Valley to Turtuk, Thang and Panamik; Pangong Lake, and Nubra to Pangong via the Shyok river or via Wari La; Hanle via Chushul and Tsaga La or via Chumathang; the Umling La loop from Hanle (via Photi La, or via Ukdungle and Nurbu La) and the Kuyul – Demchok side; Tso Moriri via Tso Kar and Puga, via Chumathang, or from Hanle via Punguk, Kyun Tso, Chilling Tso, Silsila Pass and Chumur; Manali via Sarchu or via Zanskar; Sham valley to Lamayuru, Kargil and Srinagar. Boundaries not shown. SURU VALLEYZANSKAR 1km 1km 3km 8km 7km 1km 4km 15km 8km 39km 55km 25km 10km 80km 10km 20km 20km 60km ~23km48km18km~8km~15km~16km28km40km 45km 40km 70km 90km 40km 15km 35km22km38km35km18km~51km50km25km~90km90km 25km 30km 20km 15km 45km 30km 20km 15km 10km 25km 35km 25km 45km 78km 32km 47km 6km 21km 46km 25km 40km 30km 80km 185km 30km 4km 4km 17km 5km 6km 7km 6km 6km 22km 68km 20km 105km 60km 35km 25km 80km 11km 26km 42km 25km 85km 25km 95km ~60km ~25km ~100km Manali to Lamayuru Trek (Zanskar Traverse)Sankoo Panikhar Rangdum Pensi La Photoksar Singge La LEH⛰ 3,500m Leh Market Leh Palace Shanti Stupa📏 5km Sindhu Ghat Shey 3 Idiots School Thiksey Karu Hemis📏 43km Khardung La📏 39km Khalsar Diskit📏 120km · 4–5 hrs Hunder📏 130km Turtuk📏 210km · 7–8 hrs Thang Sumur Panamik📏 135km Siachen Base Camp AghamShyokDurbukTangyarWari La⛰ 5,300mSaktiChang La Tangtse Pangong Lake📏 160km · 5–6 hrs Chushul📏 230km Loma Hanle📏 255km · 7–8 hrs Kuyul Demchok Umling La⛰ 5,800m · Loop ChumurPhoti LaPhotileUkdungleNurbu LaTsaga LaPungukKyun TsoChilling TsoSilsila PassKiazar TsoTirido Upshi Chumathang Mahe Nyoma Sumdo Tso Moriri (Korzok)📏 225km · 6–7 hrs Rumtse Tanglang La Debring Tso Kar📏 165km Polokongka La Puga Valley Pang Sarchu📏 258km Baralacha La Darcha Jispa Keylong Atal Tunnel MANALI📏 435km · 1–2 days Shinku La Gonbo Rangjon Padum (Zanskar)📏 250km (via Nimmu) Chilling Hall of Fame Spituk Kali Mandir Pathar Sahib Magnetic Hill Sangam (Nimmu) Basgo Likir Alchi📏 67km Uleytokpo Rizong (Rezdong) Khaltsi Dah (Aryan valley) Lamayuru📏 115km Kargil📏 220km · 6–7 hrs Drass War Memorial Zoji La Sonamarg SRINAGAR📏 420km · 10–12 hrs Petrol pump · LEHPetrol pump · KaruPetrol pump · DiskitPetrol pump · Tangtse (Pangong road)Petrol pump · Nyoma (Hanle / Tso Moriri road)Petrol pump · KhaltsiPetrol pump · KargilPetrol pump · Drass War MemorialPetrol pump · SonamargPetrol pump · SRINAGARPetrol pump · Tandi / KeylongPetrol pump · MANALIPetrol pump · Padum / Stara (Zanskar) 🧭 True compass directions · places near Leh spread out, far places pulled in · 📏 under each place: road distance from Leh · white tags: distance between stops · approx.⛰ 2,050 m⛰ 3,360 mPalamo · 3,825 mPalamo⛰ 3,825 mZanskar Sumdo · 4,100 mZanskar Sumdo⛰ 4,100 mChhumik Nakpo · 4,670 mChhumik Nakpo⛰ 4,670 mLakhong · 4,590 mLakhong⛰ 4,590 mKargyak · 4,230 mKargyak⛰ 4,230 mTesta · 3,865 mTesta⛰ 3,865 mPurne · 3,965 mPurne⛰ 3,965 mRaru · 3,960 mRaru⛰ 3,960 mBardan gompaBardan gompaSaniSaniKarsha · 3,320 mKarsha⛰ 3,320 mPishu · 3,660 mPishu⛰ 3,660 mHanumil · 3,650 mHanumil⛰ 3,650 mParfi La · 4,800 mParfi La⛰ 4,800 mSnertse · 3,940 mSnertse⛰ 3,940 mHanumil La · 4,877 mHanumil La⛰ 4,877 mLingshed · 4,100 mLingshed⛰ 4,100 m⛰ 4,400 mSirsir La · 4,805 mSirsir La⛰ 5,091 mSumdoSumdoShillaShilla

🚗 By vehicle🚶 On footStartEnd○ camp · △ pass · ⛰ altitude

🖱️ Click the map, then scroll to zoom · drag to move · on mobile pinch with two fingers · 🔍 = zoom to the trek · ⟲ = whole map

What is Included

✅ Included

  • Experienced trek guide (and cook on camping treks)
  • Tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, dining & toilet tents
  • All meals on the trek (veg)
  • Porters / mules for common luggage
  • Transport to the trek start and from the end point as per itinerary
  • First-aid kit

❌ Not included

  • Personal porter / extra mule
  • Insurance, rescue and evacuation costs
  • Hotel stay before / after the trek unless mentioned
  • Personal expenses, tips and anything not mentioned in inclusions

Book the Manali to Lamayuru Trek (Zanskar Traverse)

Send your dates and group size – we confirm the itinerary and the all-inclusive price, then you pay the advance online or on WhatsApp.

Manali to Lamayuru Trek (Zanskar Traverse)

1

Personal Details

WhatsApp📞 Call

Pay Now opens our secure payment page (UPI, cards, net banking) – pay the advance we confirm on WhatsApp / phone.

What to Carry

  • Trekking shoes with good grip
  • Rucksack (40 – 50 L) and day pack
  • Down / fleece jacket, thermals and rain jacket
  • Cap, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm
  • Water bottle, torch and personal medicines
  • Original photo ID

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time for the Manali to Lamayuru Trek (Zanskar Traverse)?

Mid-June – September. The highest point is 5,091 m (Shingo La).

How many days does the Manali to Lamayuru Trek (Zanskar Traverse) take?

23 days from Manali to Lamayuru – Leh.

Do you provide trekking equipment?

Yes – tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, dining and toilet tents, cooking gear and first aid are provided on all camping treks. Bring your own rucksack, shoes and warm clothes.

How do I book a trek?

Send your dates and group size on WhatsApp (+91-98162-56954). We confirm the itinerary and the all-inclusive price in writing; an advance confirms the booking.

Is the itinerary fixed?

No – every trek can be shortened, extended or combined with a Manali stay or tour package. Weather and snow can change the daily stages.

More from Travel Himalayas

Travel Himalayas — HP Govt. Approved Tour Operator, Manali · Since 2002

Head Office — Travel Himalayas 📍 Opp. Hotel Beas View, Left Bank, Naggar Road, Aleo, Manali – 175131 HP, India Branch Office : 📍 Spituk Onpo, Leh – Ladakh – 194101 🏛️ HP Tourism Approval No. : 2-28/2007-MNL-TD-4012 📞 +91-98162-56954 / 98177-56954 ✉️ [email protected] 🌐 www.travelhimalayas.in