Zanskar itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Zanskar

1. 01

   Day 1: Padum and the nearby monasteries

   If you reach Padum with a day to spare, spend the morning at Sani Monastery, which is on flat ground about 6 km from town, and then drive to Karsha for the main monastery visit. Return to Padum for lunch and rest, since the altitude tires most visitors. In the late afternoon, walk gently around Padum and look at the old mosque and Stakrimo Gompa. Keep the day light, because this is likely your first day at altitude.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Padum	Half a day in town; 2 to 4 days using it as a base	Easy	Late June to mid-September, when the roads are open and the valley is green
   Sani Monastery	1 to 1.5 hours	Easy	Mornings in summer; the Naro-Nasjal festival in July or August is the busiest time

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

Plan 02

2 days in Zanskar

1. 01

   Day 1: Acclimatise around Padum

   Arrive in Padum and take an easy first day. Visit Sani Monastery in the morning, rest after lunch and then see the valley views from the edge of town. Keep walking short and drink plenty of water.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Padum	Half a day in town; 2 to 4 days using it as a base	Easy	Late June to mid-September, when the roads are open and the valley is green
   Sani Monastery	1 to 1.5 hours	Easy	Mornings in summer; the Naro-Nasjal festival in July or August is the busiest time

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

2. 02

   Day 2: Karsha and Bardan

   Visit Karsha Monastery in the morning, when the light is good and shrines are likelier to be open. After lunch, drive south to Bardan Monastery for a quieter look at a Drukpa Kagyu gompa. Return to Padum before the evening cold sets in.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Karsha Monastery	2 to 3 hours	Moderate	Morning light, June to September; the Gustor festival falls in winter and is not on the usual visitor calendar
   Bardan Monastery	1 to 1.5 hours	Moderate	Mornings, June to September
   Padum	Half a day in town; 2 to 4 days using it as a base	Easy	Late June to mid-September, when the roads are open and the valley is green

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Karsha Monastery: The approach is by road, but the monastery itself rises up a steep hillside with uneven steps and many levels. Pace yourself at altitude. Seating is minimal, and the view terraces are exposed to wind and sun. Older travellers can see the lower shrines and enjoy the views without climbing everything.

   With parents at Bardan Monastery: The road to Bardan is easy, but the monastery involves a short climb on uneven paths and steps. It is exposed and cool, with limited seating. Older travellers can see the exterior and courtyard without entering every room.

Plan 03

3 days in Zanskar

1. 01

   Day 1: Arrive and settle in Padum

   Spend the first day acclimatising with a short visit to Sani Monastery and a quiet afternoon. Do not plan long drives.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Padum	Half a day in town; 2 to 4 days using it as a base	Easy	Late June to mid-September, when the roads are open and the valley is green
   Sani Monastery	1 to 1.5 hours	Easy	Mornings in summer; the Naro-Nasjal festival in July or August is the busiest time

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

2. 02

   Day 2: Karsha and Bardan

   Visit Karsha in the morning and Bardan after lunch, returning to Padum by late afternoon.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Padum	Half a day in town; 2 to 4 days using it as a base	Easy	Late June to mid-September, when the roads are open and the valley is green

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

3. 03

   Day 3: Stongdey and Zangla

   Drive northeast on the Nimmu road to Stongdey Monastery, then continue to Zangla for the ruined fort and nunnery. Return to Padum in the afternoon. The road is rough and the day is long, so leave early and carry water and snacks.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Zangla	2 to 3 hours on site; most of a day with the drive	Moderate	June to September, in the morning light
   Stongdey Monastery	1.5 to 2 hours	Moderate	Daytime, June to September
   Padum	Half a day in town; 2 to 4 days using it as a base	Easy	Late June to mid-September, when the roads are open and the valley is green

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Zangla: The road is long and can be rough. In the village, walking is gentle, but the path to the old fort is a climb at nearly 3,900 m. Seating and shade are scarce. Older travellers can enjoy the village and views without climbing to the fort.

   With parents at Stongdey Monastery: The village and approach road are easy, but the gompa itself involves a short, steep path and steps. Allow rest stops at altitude. There is little seating, and rooms inside are dim and cool. Older travellers can enjoy the view from near the gate if the climb is too much.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Zanskar trip for parents and children

• Talk to a doctor about altitude before booking. Padum is at about 3,650 m, and the road crosses Pensi La at about 4,400 m, which is hard for many older travellers.
• Plan at least a night of acclimatisation at Leh or Kargil before the drive, and keep your first day in Padum very light.
• Choose Sani Monastery, Padum and the roadside views from Pensi La first. They are the most accessible sights. Karsha and Stongdey involve steep steps.
• Travel with a trusted driver on the long, rough road, and break the journey with a night at Rangdum or a very early start from Kargil.
• Carry regular medicines, a first-aid kit and enough cash. Medical facilities in Padum are basic and help is far away.
• Skip Phugtal and the Chadar trek unless you are very fit; they are demanding, remote and not designed for most seniors.

Zanskar with elderly parents: the full guide →