The traverse from Lamayuru (near Leh, on the Srinagar highway) to Padum is one of the classic long treks of Ladakh, taking 10 to 14 days and crossing four high passes, the most demanding of which is the Singge La at 5,090 metres. The route passes through the extraordinary "Moonland" landscapes near Lamayuru, through the remote Lingshet and Snertse valleys, and ends with the descent to the Zanskar Valley.
This is a serious high-altitude trek requiring a guide, pack animals or a porter, and good acclimatisation. There is no rescue infrastructure on the route, and weather can change rapidly. The reward is the complete absence of crowds: most trekking groups in Ladakh concentrate on the Markha Valley, leaving this far longer and more demanding route to those willing to commit the time. The villages along the way are small — whitewashed houses, barley fields, chortens on every pass — and the hospitality of the local people is remarkable given how little they receive from the outside world.