Though not Leh, it’s not lesser – It's Zanskar!

There’s saying, that whatever you may do, plan-replan, if He doesn’t invite, you just can’t pay Him a visit.

So, it happened again with me. As blogged earlier, I couldn’t embark on the highly coveted Ladakh ride with Bisons in last July. I was waiting, accumulating leaves (and money too), planning, preparing for the ride for last one year and just couldn’t go. So, I re-planned it with a college senior and bullet enthusiast. Fingers crossed, not shared with anybody, tickets done, final planning started, route done and it cancelled. Partner got his leaves cancelled and thus the plan again crashed. I thought to ride solo, but recent cloud-bursts and landslides, that are rather common as the monsoon dies, killed much of my insane enthusiasm. I have been to Spiti eons back, and it seemed that a visit to North of it just not to happen soon...

Shot somewhere in Spiti Valley, Keylong in 2007

At that time, I saw a retweet by Deepak Sir (@Magic_Eye). Dheeraj of DeViL on WheeLs fame was planning to visit Zanskar and was looking for 2 or 3 co-travellers. The trip would be having a probable 3-days trek! Woot! 

An RT, landing on his page, I put a comment to confirm my presence in a day or so. A mail to my Ladakh-ride partner to confirm that his leaves wouldn't be confirmed, a wait to his reply started. Few hours later, he asked me about the trip. Knowing that I would actually be travelling with The Dheeraj Sharma of DeViLs on WheeLs, he confirmed instantaneously that there is no chance of his leaves getting approved. Train tickets cancelled at that very moment and flight tickets done! A confirmation message sent to Dheeraj with due thanks and my number to contact as and when he gets some time free to spare ;)

Trip itinerary
(modified on  bcmtouring's map)

Well, the story to reveal, is that am finally going to the godly province of Ladakh, though not Leh, it’s not lesser – Zanskar! The itinerary in details is shared here. In short, I would be flying down to Srinagar on 21^st and meet Dheeraj and his friend on 22^nd. On the very day we’ll start for Kargil (about 530km) via Sonmarg-ZoziLa. Next day we would be doing some 200-250 km and pit-stop at Parakchik or Rangdum. En route we would have numerous photography breaks and would enjoy the scenic Nun-Kun. Another 200-250km for Day 3 and night halt at Padum- the main town of Zanskar. I am excited to visit Drang-Drung glacier :) the ride would be along the Winter’s Chadar Valley! Hell yeah!

A day at Padum, visiting Stongde, Zang La Fort, Karsha, we will embark on the three-day trek. The trek part, depending upon the guide, will comprise visiting a lot many places, overnight camping and a must visit to legendary Phugtal Monestary.

I just can write how excited I am about this trip. Zanskar, that too a trekking trip, would not be lesser than riding in Ladakh if not more!

What I am expecting?

1. Hell lot of fun!
2.  Meditating beauty darshanam!
3.  A pilgrimage to the geologically one of the most complex zones of World! (I have started brushing up whatever I read in grads ;)
4.  A lot, lot, lot of Photographs! (If you have excess SDHC cards, can loan me :)

Wish me luck guys, would be tweeting (when and where possible) and post the logs sooner than I usually do, God-promise ;0