The Grand Canyon of the Himalayas & Culture in Ladakh
The last truly lost horizon of our planet awaits in Zanskar, 'the land of white copper,' where a pristine river canyon snakes through towering mountains. Traveling west from Leh (11,483 feet), feel the Tibetan spirit of the Ladakh region. Roam Buddhist monasteries and gompas, bustling markets, ancient palaces, and remote villages in the embrace of the Himalayas. At the Stod River, begin a multi-day river adventure down the remote Zanskar River Gorge. Paddle Class III and IV rapids through narrow passages, flanked by sky-high mountain walls, all the way to the fork of the Indus River. Experience Ladakh's warm hospitality and rest at riverside camps under starry night skies. This adventure celebrates MT Sobek's first descent of the Zanskar in 1979!
The last truly lost horizon of our planet awaits in Zanskar, 'the land of white copper,' where a pristine river canyon snakes through towering mountains. Traveling west from Leh (11,483 feet), feel the Tibetan spirit of the Ladakh region. Roam Buddhist monasteries and gompas, bustling markets, ancient palaces, and remote villages in the embrace of the Himalayas. At the Stod River, begin a multi-day river adventure down the remote Zanskar River Gorge. Paddle Class III and IV rapids through narrow passages, flanked by sky-high mountain walls, all the way to the fork of the Indus River. Experience Ladakh's warm hospitality and rest at riverside camps under starry night skies. This adventure celebrates MT Sobek's first descent of the Zanskar in 1979!
Explore Ladakh's ancient monasteries, palaces, and villages steeped in traditional Tibetan culture
[Description] => Explore Ladakh's ancient monasteries, palaces, and villages steeped in traditional Tibetan culture
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Have fun rafting big-volume whitewater over six days in one of the world's most spectacular river canyons
[Description] => Have fun rafting big-volume whitewater over six days in one of the world's most spectacular river canyons
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Spend comfortable nights at remote and scenic camps — with all meals included
Welcome to Ladakh, India's northern region, and its largest town Leh. Known as the 'land of high passes,' the region is often called 'the Little Tibet' for its well-preserved Buddhist culture and stunning scenery. Spend your first day enjoying this scenic town nestled in the mountains and acclimatizing to the elevation of 11,483 feet. In the evening, meet your MT Sobek trip leader for an orientation and group welcome dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel Leh
Meals: Dinner
Explore Ancient Palaces, Buddhist Monasteries, & Markets in Leh
Day 2
After breakfast, explore the sights of Leh. Start at the monumental Leh Palace, a former royal palace built in 1600 that offers impressive views of Leh in the Indian Himalayas. Next, roam monasteries and Tibetan religious structures called gompas, including Shey, Thiksey and Hemis. Wrap up the day at the ancient Leh market, the most colorful place in town, where you can get anything from jewelry to spices. Share your impressions of the day over dinner with your fellow travelers.
Accommodation: Hotel Leh
Activity: 6-hour city tour
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit Caves & Forts on a Scenic Drive from Leh to Kargil
Day 3
Set out toward the town of Kargil in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Along the way, marvel at the striking painted caves of Saspol, the mud-brick fortress of Basgo, and the Lamayuru monastery, one of Laddakh's largest and oldest gompas. Past Nimu, the confluence of the Zanskar with the Indus, travel over the 13,500-foot Fotu La pass, and reach Mulbekh village, famous for its rock-carved Buddha. In Kargil, settle into the hotel, enjoy a shower, and then prepare for the great outdoors.
Accommodation: Hotel D’Zojila
Activity: 6-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Journey High into the Himalayas
Day 4
Today, enjoy a spectacular drive past the magnificent Panikkar and Parkachik Glaciers that hang off the slopes of the imposing 23,000-foot Nun-Kun massif. Admire Balti settlements surrounded by lush fields filled with crops and fruits. The road swings past the last Muslim settlement of Parkachik, and travels to the 18th-century Buddhist Gelukpa monastery of Rangdum. An optional hike through the huge surrounding meadow can be added should you wish to stretch your legs.
Transportation: 6-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cross Pensi-la Pass & Descend to the Stod River
Day 5
Journey over the 14,000-foot Pensi-la pass, known as the Gateway to Zanskar. Marvel at the imposing Zanskar peaks that tower over the Drang Drung glacier - a long river of ice and the source of the Stod River (a tributary of the Zanskar). Descend down to the Stod, and travel past remote villages and Padum, the capital of Zanskar, to Remala, a pretty beach of sand and pebbles where your rafting trip starts. Enjoy the first night under open skies at your riverside camp.
Accommodation: MT Sobek – Zanskar River Camp
Transportation: 6-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Paddle from Padum & Hike to Karsha Gompa
Day 6
Rise today to start your rafting adventure! Near the town of Padum, set out to raft among the grandiose 20,000-foot peaks. You will paddle for some four to five hours, and stop midway for a refreshing lunch with hot beverages. This whitewater section features Class II rapids, and is a great warm up and a good introduction for first-timers. In the afternoon, settle into your camp, then consider a long walk around the camp or an optional hike to Karsha Gompa, Zanskar's largest Buddhist monastery.
Accommodation: MT Sobek – Zanskar River Camp
Activity: 4-5 hours/19 miles rafting and optional hiking
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Raft Easy Rapids from Karsha Camp
Day 7
Enjoy another day of easy paddling on Class II and Class III rapids, just perfect for mastering your stroke and tuning into the rhythm of the river. After a late morning start, set out to raft 15.5 miles from Karsha Camp to Honyo/Pidmo, a beautiful grassy and flat campsite. As you relax listening to the river in the evening, recharge your body and spirit for another big day of whitewater rafting ahead.
Accommodation: MT Sobek – Zanskar River Camp
Activity: 4-5 hours/15.5 miles rafting
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Experience the Zanskar's Grand Canyon
Day 8
Today, charge over an exciting Class III whitewater section as you raft towards the remote village of Nyerak (10,780 feet). As you progress, the gorge gets narrower, until it eventually forms a series of rapids just after the last village of Honimul, at the entrance to the canyon. As these cascades churn the turquoise waters of the Zanskar, and mountain walls rise thousands of feet up in the air, you'll see why they call this the Grand Canyon of the Himalayas. Enjoy a relaxed evening by the campfire in the gorge just below Nyerak.
Accommodation: MT Sobek – Zanskar River Camp
Activity: 4-5 hours/15.5 miles rafting
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Relax, Recharge & Visit the Remote Nyerak Village
Day 9
Today is a well-deserved layover day. Take time to relax and soak up the gorgeous mountain scenery from underneath willow trees. You can also choose to hike to the remote Nyerak Village, which can be reached only by rafting expeditions in summer or trekking over a frozen river in winters.
Accommodation: MT Sobek – Zanskar River Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Raft Classic Whitewater in the Zanskar River Gorge
Day 10
Get ready for the most exciting rapids so far. Warm up over Class III whitewater as you charge through the very heart of the majestic Zanskar River Gorge. Eventually, the gorge narrows down to a mere 18 feet and the rapids turn to an adrenaline-boasting Class IV. Savor a lunch by a sky-high waterfall, then paddle a bit more to the camp at the confluence of the Zanskar and Markha rivers. Along the way to Lamaguru at 10,465 feet, soak up the extraordinary colors and take in monumental rock formations.
Accommodation: MT Sobek – Zanskar River Camp
Activity: 22 miles/4-5 hours rafting
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Meet the Fork of the Indus River & Return to Leh
Day 11
Your last day on the Zanskar is the grand finale of your journey! Over the 25 miles between Lamaguru and Nimu villages, enjoy the rush of Class III and Class IV rapids. Just past the village of Chilling, the rapids plunge out of the canyon to meet the Indus River. Where the Zanskar and Indus come together, take a moment to reflect on the past days and plot to take on the Indus next. After a shuttle ride to the hotel in Leh, enjoy a hot shower and one last group meal.
Accommodation: Hotel Leh
Activity: 25 miles/4-5 hours rafting
Transportation: 1-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart from Leh
Day 12
Say your farewells early in the morning, then take a shuttle to the airport.
MT Sobek works with professional local guiding teams who have a deep knowledge of Ladakh and the Zanskar River. The end result is a phenomenal whitewater adventure.
This trip has been carefully curated by MT Sobek's travel experts to celebrate both the spectacular mountain wilderness and the rich culture of Ladakh.
Exploring remote destinations, such as the Zanskar River, has been the cornerstone of our heritage since 1969. MT Sobek was the first outfitter to descend the Zanskar in 1979!
Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.
When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.
*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.
Kevin M.
Kevin —a.k.a. "Thirsty"—has been guiding since he was 17 years old and has been an integral part of MT Sobek's Arctic rivers program for decades. His laid-back manner puts everyone at ease, and he has a wealth of knowledge about Arctic rivers. Although he normally spends his winter months in Colorado's Telluride ski area, he has climbed Denali three times, reaching the summit in 2000. Thirsty is a legend in the MT Sobek circle and endears himself to travelers with his expertise, calm demeanor, and sense of humor.
Welcome to Ladakh, India\'s northern region, and its largest town Leh. Known as the \'land of high passes,\' the region is often called \'the Little Tibet\' for its well-preserved Buddhist culture and stunning scenery. Spend your first day enjoying this scenic town nestled in the mountains and acclimatizing to the elevation of 11,483 feet. In the evening, meet your MT Sobek trip leader for an orientation and group welcome dinner.
After breakfast, explore the sights of Leh. Start at the monumental Leh Palace, a former royal palace built in 1600 that offers impressive views of Leh in the Indian Himalayas. Next, roam monasteries and Tibetan religious structures called gompas, including Shey, Thiksey and Hemis. Wrap up the day at the ancient Leh market, the most colorful place in town, where you can get anything from jewelry to spices. Share your impressions of the day over dinner with your fellow travelers.
Set out toward the town of Kargil in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Along the way, marvel at the striking painted caves of Saspol, the mud-brick fortress of Basgo, and the Lamayuru monastery, one of Laddakh\'s largest and oldest gompas. Past Nimu, the confluence of the Zanskar with the Indus, travel over the 13,500-foot Fotu La pass, and reach Mulbekh village, famous for its rock-carved Buddha. In Kargil, settle into the hotel, enjoy a shower, and then prepare for the great outdoors.
Today, enjoy a spectacular drive past the magnificent Panikkar and Parkachik Glaciers that hang off the slopes of the imposing 23,000-foot Nun-Kun massif. Admire Balti settlements surrounded by lush fields filled with crops and fruits. The road swings past the last Muslim settlement of Parkachik, and travels to the 18th-century Buddhist Gelukpa monastery of Rangdum. An optional hike through the huge surrounding meadow can be added should you wish to stretch your legs.
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Journey over the 14,000-foot Pensi-la pass, known as the Gateway to Zanskar. Marvel at the imposing Zanskar peaks that tower over the Drang Drung glacier - a long river of ice and the source of the Stod River (a tributary of the Zanskar). Descend down to the Stod, and travel past remote villages and Padum, the capital of Zanskar, to Remala, a pretty beach of sand and pebbles where your rafting trip starts. Enjoy the first night under open skies at your riverside camp.
Rise today to start your rafting adventure! Near the town of Padum, set out to raft among the grandiose 20,000-foot peaks. You will paddle for some four to five hours, and stop midway for a refreshing lunch with hot beverages. This whitewater section features Class II rapids, and is a great warm up and a good introduction for first-timers. In the afternoon, settle into your camp, then consider a long walk around the camp or an optional hike to Karsha Gompa, Zanskar\'s largest Buddhist monastery.
Enjoy another day of easy paddling on Class II and Class III rapids, just perfect for mastering your stroke and tuning into the rhythm of the river. After a late morning start, set out to raft 15.5 miles from Karsha Camp to Honyo/Pidmo, a beautiful grassy and flat campsite. As you relax listening to the river in the evening, recharge your body and spirit for another big day of whitewater rafting ahead.
Today, charge over an exciting Class III whitewater section as you raft towards the remote village of Nyerak (10,780 feet). As you progress, the gorge gets narrower, until it eventually forms a series of rapids just after the last village of Honimul, at the entrance to the canyon. As these cascades churn the turquoise waters of the Zanskar, and mountain walls rise thousands of feet up in the air, you\'ll see why they call this the Grand Canyon of the Himalayas. Enjoy a relaxed evening by the campfire in the gorge just below Nyerak.
Today is a well-deserved layover day. Take time to relax and soak up the gorgeous mountain scenery from underneath willow trees. You can also choose to hike to the remote Nyerak Village, which can be reached only by rafting expeditions in summer or trekking over a frozen river in winters.
Get ready for the most exciting rapids so far. Warm up over Class III whitewater as you charge through the very heart of the majestic Zanskar River Gorge. Eventually, the gorge narrows down to a mere 18 feet and the rapids turn to an adrenaline-boasting Class IV. Savor a lunch by a sky-high waterfall, then paddle a bit more to the camp at the confluence of the Zanskar and Markha rivers. Along the way to Lamaguru at 10,465 feet, soak up the extraordinary colors and take in monumental rock formations.
Your last day on the Zanskar is the grand finale of your journey! Over the 25 miles between Lamaguru and Nimu villages, enjoy the rush of Class III and Class IV rapids. Just past the village of Chilling, the rapids plunge out of the canyon to meet the Indus River. Where the Zanskar and Indus come together, take a moment to reflect on the past days and plot to take on the Indus next. After a shuttle ride to the hotel in Leh, enjoy a hot shower and one last group meal.
Say your farewells early in the morning, then take a shuttle to the airport.
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Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 4. Big-volume, moderate whitewater rafting, with Class III to Class IV rapids, between 15 and 25 miles a day. Riverside hikes are easy to moderate, with some steep and potentially slippery sections. Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 2
6-hour city tour
Day 3
6-hour private van transfer
Day 6
4-5 hours/19 miles rafting and optional hiking
Day 7
4-5 hours/15.5 miles rafting
Day 8
4-5 hours/15.5 miles rafting
Day 10
22 miles/4-5 hours rafting
Day 11
25 miles/4-5 hours rafting
Accommodations
Comfortable hotels for five nights and riverside camping, with tents and sleeping bags provided, for six nights.
Close to Leh's main market and in an area where shops and restaurants abound, Hotel Leh makes it easy to explore the town. Its classic northern-style exterior with wooden detailing has rooms designed in a traditional local style, with wooden paneling and flooring, comfortable beds and Tibetan décor. There are several open-air terraces, and multiple indoor lounges.
With a motto 'home away from home,' Hotel D'Zojila is a cozy, welcoming hotel in a quieter part of Kargil, located one mile from the main market. Organized in two blocks, its 55 doubles and six single rooms come with en-suite bathrooms with hot and cold water, and most with LCD TVs. Wi-Fi service is available on the property.
Expect moderately cool days in September, with temperatures ranging from the 65ºF to 75ºF.
Aug
Kargil
High
Low
Kargil
62
42
Leh
High
Low
Leh
74
47
FAQs
When will an MT Sobek representative meet me?
An MT Sobek representative will meet you the evening of arrival for a pre-trip orientation at your hotel in Leh, India on Day 1. At this time, we will meet, share details of our trip, details regarding Day 2 and answer any questions you may have. Our group welcome dinner will follow.
How many rafts will be on the trip?
This will vary depending on the number of people on each departure. Most trips will have four oar boats (to carry supplies, camp gear, and guests) and one paddle boat for more action.
What kind of camping gear is provided?
We provide comfortable dome tents, sleeping bags and sleeping pads. All on-river meals as well as snack throughout the day are also provided.
Is this a good trip for families?
Yes, this is an excellent trip for families with young adults aged 15 and over.
What is the toilet situation at the campsites?
We will provide a portable seated toilet set up in a private setting at each campsite, with toilet paper and hand soap.
"Great experience every time with some of the most knowledgeable guides in their fields. We always come home with wonderful memories of the people we meet and things we see."
Bob J. MT Sobek Guest
"I have taken 12 trips with MT Sobek. Each has left a positive imprint on me-widening my view of the world and its peoples."
