Videos

Wild Zanskar Trek

Sue’s stunning images reveal Zanskar’s powerful and dramatic landscape telling the story of this exciting journey of river crossings, high mountain passes and exposed cliff-edge paths.

In 2018 Mountain Kingdoms Trek Leader, Sue Lawty, travelled to Ladakh to lead our epic Wild Zanskar trek, a truly exhilarating challenge for the keen adventurer.

Before the trekking began, the group enjoyed some leisure time in Delhi, Leh and Alchi. Highlights included exploring the hustle and bustle of the spice markets on traditional cycle rickshaws in Delhi, followed by gentle sightseeing of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and local bazaars in Ladakh.

The trek then commenced near Mount Nun and continued on through the mountains to Zanskar, trekking via a series of breathtaking gorges leading finally to a pass underneath the highest peak in the Zanskar range, Kang Yatse, 6,400m/21,500ft. This route avoids the more ‘popular’ itineraries in Zanskar with large parts of it through completely uninhabited wilderness allowing for the most sensational mountain scenery. Along the way the group witnessed fascinating wildlife such as yak herds, blue sheep, lammergeiers circling overhead and even fresh snow leopard prints. Throughout the trip they experienced captivating engagement with the local people, including an authentic encounter with women cutting barley who encouraged them to join in, and a visit to a local school in Karsha Gompa, where they got to meet and talk with some of the novice monk students.

Reflecting on her trip to the wild and remote Zanskar region, Sue described it as 'one of the absolute best treks I've ever done – physically demanding, constantly changing and non-stop brilliant. Our 100% success was in no small part down to our outstanding crew who all did
an excellent job.'

If you would like to experience this stunning part of the world for yourself, find out more about our Wild Zanskar Trek here, or call the office to discuss your travel plans.

Images © 2018 photographer Sue Lawty.