Great guides!

If you want to go trekking in Zanskar-Ladakh or any area around here, I'd recommend you to try to contact some of the local people to arrange the practicalities for you. I did the trek from Darcha to Padum carrying
everything on my own, but the resulting exhaustion is worth avoiding. So support the locals, and let them give you a great entrance to Zanskari and Ladakhi traditions and cultures.

The two most incredible horsemen in Zanskar,
and me. They are inexhaustible, they will even make sure the Gods are appeased as you go forth in the - at times - diabolic landscapes of stones and rubble.

I have their adresses here

Stanzin Nima
Marling village, Lungnak, Zanskar
c/o Zanskar Kaniska Expedition
Zangly Road Bon. no. 136
Leh, Ladakh
Jammu and Kashmir
India

Sonam Rio,
Jall village, Lungnak, Zanskar
P.O. Padum, Zanskar, 194302
Jammu & Kashmir
India

They are highly recommended for their excellent skill and good humor in the fine art of horsemanship!

 From the left it is the Chef  (with a big 'C', preparing delicious momo's),
his son and the excellent guide Thukjay Sonam from Tsazar village near Padum, Zanskar. I think I would have collapsed without their friendliness and assistance, and I have personally witnessed how professionally they handled their trekking party, showing great compassion towards the (to everyone else) very annoying personalities of a few of the tourists.

Contact Thukjay and his team through:

Thukjay Sonam
c/o Lobzang Sonam
Lamdon Model School
Shey, Ladakh
Postbox no. 39
Jammu & Kashmir state
India
 

The funny guys.
 It's Mongal in front, with his back towards the camera.
They were all very friendly and generous. Dance and sing all night!

This is another recommendable crew. I don't have their adress, but I know people who trekked with them, so drop me a mail, and I'll forward it!

A beedi is always good, no matter how high you get!