Miyar Valley and Kangla Jot Trek Ladakh

Arrive in Delhi and settle into your hotel. This day acts as a buffer before the journey into the mountains, giving you time to rest after travel, recheck gear, and adjust to the climate shift before heading north. Your trek leader will brief you on the route, risks, and safety protocols, ensuring you step into the Himalayas with clarity and confidence.

Board a morning train to Chandigarh and enjoy a smooth transition into the foothills. From here, a scenic drive winds through pine forests, river valleys, and mountain bends toward Manali. This gradual ascent is ideal for early acclimatization, helping your body adjust before entering high-altitude zones. As you approach Manali, the air grows cooler and crisper, and the landscape shifts to snow-clad peaks and apple orchards. The evening is free to relax, stretch, and prepare for the upcoming expedition.

A well-planned rest day in Manali allows your body more time to adapt while giving you space to explore local trails, monasteries, or cafés. Use this day to make final gear adjustments, test your layers, walk short uphill stretches, and observe how your body responds to moderate elevation. Surrounded by cedar forests and high ridgelines. Your guide will conduct a final briefing and gear check before departure.

Drive from Manali to the remote village of Urgus, the gateway to the Miyar Valley. The route follows the Chandra and Miyar Rivers, revealing vast open valleys, deep gorges, and isolated hamlets perched along the slopes. Upon reaching Urgus, we set up camp amidst open fields and towering peaks, your first true taste of Himalayan wilderness. The evening is quiet and scenic, with time to rest, sip warm tea, and soak in the tranquillity of the mountains before trekking begins.

Your first trekking day leads into Miyar Valley's signature beauty: broad grasslands, sparkling streams, and vibrant alpine meadows. The ascent is gradual, allowing your body to acclimatize naturally while your lungs adjust to cleaner, thinner air. Expect sweeping valley views lined with granite walls and meandering trails crossing small water channels. Khanjar North offers a picturesque campsite with abundant grazing meadows and clear skies, ideal for a relaxed evening, stretching, and reviewing the next day's plan.

Today's walk takes you deeper into the valley's rugged beauty as the terrain shifts from soft meadows to boulder-strewn paths and glacier - fed streams. The route is a mix of gentle ascents, river crossings, and wide open spaces studded with wildflowers during summer. Expect cooler winds and changing light as the valley narrows. Gumba Nala North provides a scenic riverside campsite surrounded by towering mountain walls, perfect for acclimatization and photography.

Ascend steadily towards Phalpu, where the valley becomes more dramatic and enclosed by rising peaks. The trail crosses grazing zones, rocky shelves, and patches of moraine, giving trekkers a taste of mixed Himalayan terrain. Views expand into sweeping high - altitude meadows framed by snow - fed streams and distant glaciers. Camp at Phalpu sits in a serene alpine bowl with stunning sunset hues across granite ridges before heading into more remote territory.

The route climbs toward more rugged and isolated terrain as you approach Camp I. You'll pass glacial outwash, weather-polished boulders, and sections where the valley opens into wide glacial plains. Camp I is positioned at a higher elevation, offering crisp air, excellent visibility, and a dramatic amphitheater of mountains before pushing toward the Kangla Jot region.

Today's ascent brings you to the foot of Kangla Jot, with the scenery growing raw and alpine. Expect moraine heaps, icy streams, and the first direct glimpses of the glacier leading to the pass. This is a day requiring endurance and altitude awareness; short breaks, slow steps, and consistent hydration are key. Base Camp II sits beneath the towering ridgelines that lead to Kangla Jot.

This flexible buffer day allows for critical acclimatization, gear checks, and weather-related adjustments. Depending on conditions, the team may rest, practice glacier - walking techniques, or explore nearby ridges. Should the weather shift unexpectedly, this day ensures safety and proper timing for the Kangla Jot traverse.

A major highlight of the expedition. Begin early to cross the 5450 m Kangla Jot Pass, navigating steep inclines, snow patches, and sections of glaciated terrain. The air thins dramatically, requiring slow, controlled breathing and disciplined pacing. From the summit, panoramic Himalayan views unfold across Zanskar's stark, otherworldly landscape. The descent leads into the dramatic terrain of the Zanskar Valley, with rocky ridges, braided rivers, and vast open flats that feel like stepping into another world.

Today's trail offers a steady loss of altitude and a welcome return to easier breathing. The landscape transitions to wide valleys dotted with small settlements, grazing yaks, and prayer - flagged stupas. The approach to Bardan Village introduces the first glimpse of Zanskar's spiritual heart, with ancient Buddhist culture permeating the surroundings. Expect a mix of rocky paths and smoother trails that bring a sense of relief after the high pass.

Travel toward Padum, the administrative and cultural center of Zanskar. En route, stop at the Karsha Monastery, perched dramatically on a hillside, and the historic Zangla Palace, offering insight into ancient Ladakhi royalty. This day combines light travel with deep cultural immersion, allowing trekkers to connect with the spiritual fabric of Zanskar.

Drive deeper into remote mountain country toward Rangdum, a tiny village surrounded by stark, windswept plains and snow peaks. The scenery shifts dramatically, vast desert-like landscapes punctuated by stone houses and grazing livestock. Rangdum's isolation gives trekkers an authentic look at Himalayan life, where nature dictates the rhythm of existence.

The journey continues toward Shergol, passing by ancient rock formations, small Buddhist settlements, and cliff-side meditation caves. Shergol is peaceful and scenic, ideal for reflection and gentle exploration. It offers a glimpse into traditional Ladakhi lifestyles shaped by agriculture, Buddhist faith, and high-altitude adaptation.

A stunning drive leads back to Leh, with stops at two of Ladakh's most iconic monasteries: Lamayuru, set amid lunar-like terrain, and Alchi, famous for its 11th-century Indo-Tibetan frescoes. This route blends history, geology, and spirituality, offering a memorable transition from Zanskar's isolation to Leh's vibrant mountain culture.

A well-deserved leisure day to unwind, explore Leh's cafés, shop for handicrafts, or visit additional stupas and viewpoints. After days of trekking and travel, this is a chance to rest, reconnect with urban comfort, and take in the culture at your own pace.

Fly from Leh to Delhi, watching the high mountains fall away beneath the aircraft. On arrival, you'll transfer for your onward journey, ending a spectacular trans - Himalayan expedition filled with adventure, cultural depth, and unforgettable high - altitude moments.