Into Zanskar the Old Way
For decades this was the great walk into Zanskar: over Shingo La from Lahaul, down the Kargyak river past fortress-like villages, to the astonishing cave monastery of Phuktal and on to Padum. It remains one of the Himalaya's grandest cultural traverses.
The Route and the Road
Darcha → Zanskar Sumdo → Shingo La (16,700 ft) → Kargyak → Purne, with the essential side trip to Phuktal Gompa → Padum. Note: the new Zanskar roads have replaced sections of the old trail, so modern itineraries mix walking stages with short drives — a good operator designs around this honestly rather than pretending the road isn't there.
Best Time and Difficulty
July–September. Difficult by length and altitude rather than technicality: many days above 12,000 ft and a serious pass. Phuktal alone justifies the journey.