10 Days Zanskar River Rafting & Leh Adventure Tour
4.7
(136 community reviews)
Embark on an extraordinary journey through the heart of the Himalayas as you raft down the wild and untamed Zanskar River. This expedition combines high-altitude adventure with surreal beauty - from navigating roaring rapids and deep gorges to camping under star-filled skies in remote Zanskar villages. Perfect for thrill-seekers and nature lovers alike, this once-in-a-lifetime adventure promises raw excitement, breathtaking landscapes, and pure Himalayan magic.
Key Highlights
Monastery Visits
Visit iconic monasteries like Shey, Thikse, Hemis, and Lamayuru.
Explore Leh & Kargil
Discover Ladakh’s vibrant culture and scenic mountain landscapes.
Riverside Camping Experience
Stay in scenic camps surrounded by towering peaks and starry skies.
Zanskar River Rafting Adventure
Raft through thrilling Class I - IV rapids in the stunning Zanskar Gorge.
Inclusions
Non-AC transfers as per itinerary (Leh Airport to Leh Airport)Accommodation on twin-sharing basisAll meals and safe drinking waterCamping and trekking arrangementsIndividual and common adventure equipmentExperienced guides, camp staff, and cooksPorterage up to 15 kg per personGuided monastery visits Shey, Thiksey & HemisAll applicable fees, royalties, and permitsExclusions
Sleeping bagTransfers or meals not mentioned in the itineraryBottled water and personal beveragesExpenses of personal natureTips & gratuitiesTravel and cancellation insuranceThings to know
- This tour operates in small groups of 8 to 16 participants for a safe and personalized rafting experience.
- Recommended for participants aged 16 to 50 years in good physical condition; not suitable for pregnant women or those with heart or respiratory issues.
- Total tour duration: 10 days and 9 nights, including rafting, travel, and acclimatization days.
- All rafting and camping equipment is provided - participants need personal clothing and essentials.
- Expect limited or no mobile network connectivity beyond Kargil; carry offline maps or printed travel info.
- Meals during the expedition are freshly prepared at campsites.
- There are no ATMs or shops en route after Kargil - carry sufficient cash for personal expenses.
- Alcohol consumption during the rafting or camping period is strictly prohibited for safety reasons.
- Warm layered clothing, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen are essential due to intense sun exposure at high altitude.
- Electricity is limited at the camps; carry a power bank and flashlight/headlamp.
- The 10-day expedition takes you across Ladakh and Zanskar, covering Leh, Kargil, Rangdum, Padum, Nyerak, and Nimu before returning to Leh.
- The Zanskar River rafting route includes Grade I to IV rapids, suitable for both beginners and seasoned rafters.
- Accommodation is on a twin-sharing basis, featuring a combination of hotels, rest houses, and riverside tented camps along the route.
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Day 1 & 2
Arrival in Leh & Acclimatization in the Himalayas
Arrive at Leh Airport (3500 m) and transfer to your hotel. Spend the day relaxing and acclimatizing to the high altitude before exploring Leh Market in the evening. The next day is kept free for further acclimatization, allowing your body to adjust to the Himalayan conditions. You may opt for a local sightseeing tour covering Leh Palace and the Shey, Thiksey, and Hemis Gompas, followed by some last-minute shopping at the Leh market before your Zanskar adventure begins.
Day 3 & 4
Scenic Drive from Leh to Kargil via Lamayuru & Rangdum
After an early breakfast, travel west from Leh towards Kargil. En route, stop at Nimu, the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus Rivers, and pass landmarks such as the derelict Basgo Fort, the painted caves of Saspol, Khalsi village, and the monastery at Lamayuru. Cross Fotu La (4108 m) and Namika La (3700 m) to reach Mulbekh, and continue to Kargil (3200 m), where you’ll spend the night at Hotel D’Zojila. The next morning, enjoy a scenic drive past Panikar and Parkachik with stunning views of the Nun-Kun massif, hanging glaciers, and vast meadows. Pass the last Muslim settlement of Parkachik before arriving at the Buddhist Gelukpa Monastery of Rangdum (4000 m), beautifully perched on a hill amid wide open plains. Enjoy an optional hike around the meadow before settling in for the night.
Day 5 & 6
Rangdum - Karsha - Honyo/Pidmo (4000 M - 3361 M)
Today, drive across Pensi La for breathtaking views of the Zanskar peaks and the Drung Durung glacier, which feeds the mighty Zanskar River. Begin your rafting adventure from Remala to Karsha on the Stod River, a tributary of the Zanskar, and camp overnight in a tented site at Karsha. The following day, continue rafting 30 km from Karsha to Honyo/Pidmo, passing through gentle Class II rapids surrounded by snow-capped 6000-metre peaks. The stretch takes around 4 - 5 hours and includes a relaxing stop for lunch and hot beverages. Arrive at camp by afternoon and enjoy a short hike around the area before settling in for the night.
Day 7 & 8
Honyo/Pidmo - Nyerak - Lamaguru (3361 M - 3190 M)
After breakfast, raft 25 km from Honyo/Pidmo to Nyerak through a striking gorge where the river narrows dramatically, creating exciting Class III rapids. The scenery here resembles a grand canyon, and you’ll camp overnight below Nyerak village in a scenic gorge. The next day, continue through the heart of the Zanskar on a 35 km stretch filled with continuous Class III and a few Class IV rapids. Stop for lunch beside a massive waterfall before heading to Lamaguru, where the river meets the Markha. The day’s journey is filled with dramatic rock formations, spires, and colourful landscapes, and an unforgettable white-water experience.
Day 9 & 10
Lamaguru - Nimu - Leh - Departure
Enjoy your final rafting day, covering 40 km of exhilarating Class III-IV white water from Lamaguru to Nimu. Pass Chilling village and witness the thrilling confluence of the Zanskar and Indus Rivers, where your rafting adventure concludes. From here, drive an hour back to Leh for some last-minute shopping and a much-deserved hot shower. On the final morning, transfer to Leh Airport for your onward flight, marking the end of this unforgettable Zanskar River Rafting and Leh Adventure.
From Passprt Community
- Bring sturdy river sandals and waterproof gear - you’ll be in and out of the raft often, and keeping your feet dry is important.
- Nights get extremely cold at higher camps like Rangdum, so pack thermal layers even if it’s summer.
- Don’t skip the short hikes around Rangdum and Karsha - they offer incredible views and local monastery experiences.
- Carry extra batteries or a power bank; once you leave Kargil, charging options are limited.
- Avoid overpacking - space in the rafts and tents is limited, so stick to essentials.
- Stay hydrated and eat well; the high altitude and cold can drain your energy faster than expected.
- The rafting gets more intense after Nyerak - listen carefully to your guide’s instructions for the Class III and IV rapids.
- Try to sit at the front of the raft at least once - it’s the most thrilling spot and gives you the best views through the canyons.
Terms and conditions
- The itinerary, route, accommodation and timing are indicative and may be altered or cancelled at short notice for safety, weather, road or operational reasons.
- Participation is at the guest’s own risk; guests must be in suitable health and fitness for high-altitude travel and white-water rafting.
- Guests must honestly disclose any medical conditions, medications, recent surgeries or pregnancy; the operator may refuse participation for safety reasons.
- Valid travel, medical and adventure-sports insurance (covering medical evacuation and rafting) is required and remains the traveller’s responsibility.
- All safety briefings, instructions from guides and decisions of the expedition leader must be followed; failure to comply may result in removal from activities without refund.
- The booking partner is not liable for personal injury, illness, loss, damage, or any other loss of participation.
- Delays or cancellations caused by third parties (airlines, government, local authorities) or force majeure (weather, strikes, natural disasters) are beyond the operator’s control.
- Accommodation during the expedition is basic; standards vary between hotels, rest houses and tents - the operator does not guarantee luxury facilities in remote areas.
- Equipment provided (rafts, lifejackets, helmets, tents) must be used as instructed; guests accept responsibility for deliberate damage to equipment.
- The operator reserves the right to refuse or terminate participation for intoxication, unsafe behaviour, or conduct that endangers others; no refund will be issued in such cases.
- There are limited facilities and no ATMs beyond certain points; guests should carry sufficient cash and necessary medications.
- Any dispute will first be attempted to be resolved amicably; the applicable jurisdiction and governing law will be that specified in the operator’s full booking terms.