Youth Travel IndiaYouthTravel India
Zanskar River Expedition (150 km)
Photo by Abhinav Goswami on Pexels

River Rafting · Ladakh

Zanskar River Expedition (150 km)

moderate8 days / 7 nights

Duration

8 days / 7 nights

Price

75,000

Group size

1–12

Best time

Nearest city: Leh

India most dramatic multi-day river adventure through the Grand Canyon of Asia - the Zanskar Gorge - a 150 km self-contained wilderness expedition with 30+ rapids through canyons 300-900m deep.

Highlights

  • Descend 150 km through the remote Zanskar Gorge - one of the world top 10 river journeys
  • Run 30-40 named rapids including Gate Rapid, Constrictor, and Chilling rapids
  • Camp on pristine river beaches with zero light pollution for 100+ km

Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Fly to Leh; hotel stay and expedition briefing

    Day 1: Fly to Leh; hotel stay and expedition briefing

  2. Day 2: Drive Leh to Padum (Zanskar Valley, 8 hrs)

    Day 2: Drive Leh to Padum (Zanskar Valley, 8 hrs)

  3. Day 3: Start rafting - Padum to Zangla (25 km, Grade II-III)

    Day 3: Start rafting - Padum to Zangla (25 km, Grade II-III)

  4. Day 4: Raft Zangla to Remala (35 km, Grade III-IV, enter Zanskar Go

    Day 4: Raft Zangla to Remala (35 km, Grade III-IV, enter Zanskar Gorge)

  5. Day 5: Raft through the gorge - Remala to Hanumil (40 km, Grade III

    Day 5: Raft through the gorge - Remala to Hanumil (40 km, Grade III-IV+)

  6. Day 6: Raft Hanumil to Nimoo Sangam (confluence with Indus) - 50 km

    Day 6: Raft Hanumil to Nimoo Sangam (confluence with Indus) - 50 km; drive to Leh

  7. Day 7: Rest day in Leh with sightseeing

    Day 7: Rest day in Leh with sightseeing

  8. Day 8: Fly out from Leh

    Day 8: Fly out from Leh

Inclusions

  • Hotel stay in Leh (3 nights) - 4-star equivalent
  • Camping on river beaches (4 nights) with all equipment
  • All meals during expedition
  • Professional river guides (IRF certified) - 1:4 ratio
  • All rafting equipment (rafts, paddles, helmets, life jackets, wetsuits, dry bags)
  • All permits and environmental fees

Exclusions

  • Flights to/from Leh
  • Travel insurance (mandatory - must cover river expeditions)
  • Personal expenses, tips, beverages
  • Sleeping bag (can be rented in Leh)

Safety guidelines

  1. Intermediate fitness level required
  2. Grade III-IV+ rapids require previous rafting experience
  3. No mobile signal for 3+ days in the gorge - satellite phone carried by guide
  4. Minimum age: 18 years
  5. Medical evacuation plan in place (helicopter extraction points identified)
  6. Self-bailing rafts used for safety