Zanskar from Chandigarh
A 7-day private international Zanskar luxury edition with premium stays, upgraded SUV support and refined hospitality across Sissu, Padum, Phuktal and Manali.
The Luxury Edition of our flagship Zanskar Trails—a rare and curated 7-day journey through some of the most remote and spiritually rich landscapes of the Indian Himalayas—from the alpine village of Sissu in Lahaul to the ancient kingdom of Zanskar. Starting from Chandigarh, the journey winds through dramatic high-altitude terrain, crossing legendary mountain passes and entering valleys that remain largely untouched by modern tourism, with elevated comfort, premium stays, and refined on-ground hospitality at every step. Cross the dramatic Shinku La Pass, witness the sacred Gombo Rangjon, explore Karsha and Stongdey, the Zangla Palace and Kumik Village, visit Drang Drung Glacier via Pensi La and the cliffside Dzongkhul Gompa, and trek to the legendary Phuktal Monastery.
- Duration
- 7 Days | 6 Nights
- Location
- Chandigarh, Sissu, Zanskar (Padum) & Manali, India
- Difficulty
- Moderate to Challenging
- Season
- April to October
- Group
- International private groups, couples and families
Journey highlights
- Premium private SUV with an experienced Himalayan driver from Chandigarh.
- Comfortable acclimatisation stay at Sissu Dhara PLM with an optional waterfall hike.
- Cross the formidable Shinku La Pass (5,090 m) into Zanskar.
- Sacred monolith of Gombo Rangjon and remote Kargyak Village.
- Curated visits to Kumik Village, Zangla Palace, Karsha, and Stongdey monasteries.
- Drang Drung Glacier via the dramatic Pensi La Pass.
- Hidden cave monastery—Dzongkhul Gompa, linked to Naropa’s meditation.
- Trek to the legendary cliffside Phuktal Monastery with a curated Purne lunch.
- Iconic return via Manali and the Hadimba Devi Temple to Chandigarh.
Full itinerary
Chandigarh to Sissu — Into the Lahaul Valley
Pickup from Chandigarh Airport/Railway Station and drive through the iconic Atal Tunnel via Manali into the alpine village of Sissu in Lahaul Valley. Approximately 8 hours of dramatic Himalayan landscapes in a comfortable, private SUV. Explore Sissu lake and waterfall on arrival. Peaceful evening at the Sissu stay. Jio and Airtel postpaid signal available. Most stays have WiFi.
Stay: Sissu Dhara, PLM Hotel (Premium)
Meals: Dinner included
Sissu — Acclimatisation Day
A slow day, intentionally kept light. Optional gentle 30–45 min hike to the Sissu Waterfall, leisure walks through the village, and warm, peaceful meals at the stay. This day is built to let your body adjust before the high altitude ahead. Jio and Airtel postpaid signal available. Most stays have WiFi.
Stay: Sissu Dhara, PLM Hotel (Premium)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
Sissu to Padum — Crossing Shinku La into Zanskar
Depart in the morning. Drive via Darcha to the formidable Shinku La Pass (5,090m) — the gateway into Zanskar. Continue past Gombo Rangjon and Kargyak village into the raw, untouched landscapes of Zanskar Valley. Visit Shila Village if time and permits allow. Approximately 6–7 hours of dramatic high-altitude driving. Arrive Padum and settle into a premium homestay or hotel. Network drops at the high pass — expect silence above 4,500m for a few hours. Jio and Airtel postpaid signal returns once you descend to the valley. WiFi available at your stay.
Stay: Premium Homestay/Hotel, Padum
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
Padum — Ancient Monasteries & Village Life
Depart after breakfast. Scenic loop through Padum → Kumik Village → Zangla Palace → Stongdey Monastery → Karsha Monastery → Padum. Discover the historic Zangla Palace and visit Karsha — Zanskar's largest monastery. Cultural immersion at the Padum stay with sweeping valley views. Jio and Airtel postpaid signal available. Most stays have WiFi.
Stay: Same Premium Stay in Padum
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
Padum — Glaciers, High Passes & Hidden Monasteries
Depart in the morning. Drive Padum → Dzongkhul Gompa → Atting Village → Drang-Drung Glacier → Pensi La Pass → Padum. Visit the cave Gompa Dzongkhul, linked to Naropa's meditation, and witness the Drang-Drung Glacier — one of the largest in Ladakh. Cross Pensi La Pass — the natural gateway to Suru Valley. Network unavailable at the pass and on the remote approach road. Jio and Airtel postpaid signal returns when you reach the valley. WiFi at your stay where available — very remote camps may not have it.
Stay: Same Premium Stay in Padum
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
Padum to Manali via Phuktal Monastery
Early morning departure from Padum towards the road-head for Phuktal — one of the most unique cliffside cave monasteries in the Himalayas. Optional ~45 min trek to the cave monastery — a truly special place preserving the spiritual atmosphere of a monastery built into a natural cliff cave. Curated lunch in Purne. Begin the long but scenic return drive via Shinku La back to Manali. Arrive late in the evening and check into Hotel Manali. Network unavailable at the pass and on the remote approach road. Jio and Airtel postpaid signal returns when you reach the valley. WiFi at your stay where available — very remote camps may not have it.
Stay: Hotel in Manali
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Purne) & Dinner included
Manali to Chandigarh — via Hadimba Devi Temple
Depart Manali in the morning. Visit the iconic Hadimba Devi Temple. Scenic drive along the Beas River valleys via Kullu and Mandi to Chandigarh Airport. Estimated arrival by evening. Comfortable buffer time for evening flights. Drop-off at Chandigarh Airport. Jio and Airtel postpaid signal available. Most stays have WiFi.
Stay: Departure day
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
Pricing and planning
USD 1,650
- Premium departure.: ₹70,000. Per person, twin sharing
- International price.: $1,570. Per person, twin sharing
Inclusions
- Accommodation—six nights upgraded across Sissu Dhara PLM, premium Padum stay/hotel, and a comfortable hotel in Manali.
- Meals—daily breakfast & dinner across all seven days (Day 7 breakfast only) plus a curated lunch at Purne on Day 6.
- Private SUV — Premium mountain vehicle with experienced local driver familiar with Lahaul and Zanskar routes.
- Support — 24/7 on-ground assistance, vehicle and emergency support, oxygen cylinder, bottled water, and energy snacks throughout the journey.
- Permits — All required Inner Line and Protected Area Permits.
- Curated Experiences — Phuktal trek, Drang-Drung Glacier, Dzongkhul Gompa, Karsha & Stongdey, Hadimba Devi Temple.
Exclusions
- Flights to and from Chandigarh.
- Lunches (except Purne on Day 6).
- Personal expenses (shopping, beverages, laundry, café bills, tips).
- Travel insurance (highly recommended for remote travel).
- Entry tickets (if applicable).
- Costs arising due to weather, landslides, delays, cancellations, flight closures, or force majeure.
- Tips for homestay/hotel staff and driver. GST @ 5% on the base package amount applicable additionally.
Questions before you book
Will I have mobile network and WiFi during the trip?
Most stays on this route have WiFi. Very remote camps at high-altitude passes or riverside locations may not — your guide will let you know in advance. For mobile network in Ladakh, a postpaid Jio or Airtel SIM is essential — prepaid SIMs do not work in Ladakh due to Inner Line regulations. Network coverage has improved significantly across the region: Leh, Kargil, Pangong Tso, Hanle, Demchok, Padum, and Zanskar town now have reliable signal on both Jio and Airtel. Expect brief network drops on high mountain passes and remote valley drives between stops — this is normal and part of the remote experience. Download offline maps (Google Maps or Maps.me) before entering remote zones.
How is this different from the standard Zanskar Trails edition?
The Luxury Edition keeps the same iconic route but elevates the on-ground experience — premium stays, upgraded SUV, refined hospitality, and curated touches throughout.
How long is the journey?
7 Days | 6 Nights, Chandigarh to Chandigarh — small-group curated expedition with built-in acclimatisation.
What kind of stay can I expect?
Premium accommodation at Sissu Dhara PLM, an upgraded Padum homestay/hotel, and a comfortable hotel in Manali.
Are meals included?
Daily breakfast and dinner across all 7 days, plus a curated lunch in Purne on the Phuktal day.
When are departures available?
April to October seasonal departures. GST @ 5% is applicable additionally on the base package amount.