Darcha Lamayuru Trek

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North of the Great Himalayan Treks, amongst a tangled knot of jagged mountains, lies a rugged and fascinating land, the once independent kingdom of Zanskar. Sandwiched between the Indus Valley and the main crest of the Indian Himalaya, this remote and inaccessible setting.

well guarded by snowy mountain passes, has kept alive an archaic form of Tibetan Buddhism which flourishes in chain of far-flung monasteries, most of which occupy spectacular fortified locations, high on rocky ridges in isolated valleys.

On the way you get to visit some ancient monasteries dramatically built on jagged hillsides and also stop and meet the friendly Zanskari inhabitants. Quaint villages, high grassy meadows, a few crystal clear springs, shimmering snow clad mountains and the beauty of the desolate landscape makes this a fascinating trek.

Lovely high meadow camp sites and dry desert land, high passes and snow-capped peaks stunning scenery, Buddhist monasteries and picturesque villages with their irrigated fields of barley and potatoes, and fascinating encounters with the Zanskari people turn a trek in this area into an unforgettable experience.

Day 01: Manali-Darcha (6 HRS)

We leave today morning after breakfast and drive 140 km to reach Darcha (3400M) via Rohtang pass. You can stop at Rohtang Pass for the photography of the high mountain ranges. Spend some more time at the pass to enjoy the beauty around. Continue to reach Darcha by late afternoon. Stay overnight in tents.

Day 02: Darcha - Chalang Tokpo (3,580 MTR) 5-6 HRS

Leave in the morning after breakfast and start trekking to reach Chalang Tokpo (3580M) in about 5-6 hours. This day's trek is easy and gradual all the way. Stay overnight in tents.

Day 03: Chalang Tokpo-Zanskar Sumdo -Ramjak (3,750 MTR) 7-8 HRS

Leave in the morning after breakfast and start with an easy trek to Zanskar Sumdo (3750M). Proceed to Ramjak., total trekking time is approx. 7-8 hours. Stay overnight in tents.

Day 04: Ramjak-Chumikanakpo (4,060 MTR) 5-6 HRS

Start early morning after breakfast. Trek for 5-6 hours to reach Chumikanakpo (4060kms). There is a steep climb immediately after the Campsite and then climb gradually to Chumikanakpo. Arrive and stay overnight in tents.

Day 05: Chumikanakpo-Shingola- Lakonng (5,100 MTR) 7-8 HRS

Leave in the morning after an early breakfast start trekking 16 km to reach Lakong (4100M) by crossing Shingo La 5100m. The climb to the pass is not difficult but climbing down is quite steep through the glacier. The day is quite long and tiring, 7-8 hours approx. Arrive and stay overnight in tents.

Day 06: Lakong-Kurgiak (4,060 MTR) 6-7 HRS

Leave in the morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Kurgiak (4060 M) by covering approx. 14 kms, 6-7 hours approximately. Now you will find the difference in the features of the mountains as you are in Zanskar, Arrive and stay overnight in tents.

Day 07: Kurgiak - Purne (3,745 MTR) 5-6 HRS

Leave in the morning after breakfast and start trekking to reach Purne (3745M). Trek for about 5-6 hours. Arrive and stay overnight in tents.

Day 08: Purne-Phuktal Gompa –Purne (3990 M)

Leave in the morning after breakfast and start trekking for an excursion to Phutkal Gompa which in one the most impressive Gompas in Ladakh by covering approximately 14 kms. Phuktal Gompa is located inside the cave. Return back to Purne and stay overnight in tents.

Day 09: Purne – Ichar (5-6 HRS)

Start in the morning after breakfast, cross small canyons of pudding stones, which leads to Char village and pass Hanumi and Surle villages. Arrive at Ichar, 5-6 hours approximately. Stay overnight in the tents.

Day 10: Ichar – Mone(3,650 MTR) 5 HRS

In the morning after breakfast start trekking with the guide and reach Mone (3650 M) after 5-6 hours approximately in the evening. Arrive and stay overnight in tents.

Day 11: Mone - Padum (5-6 HRS)

In the morning after breakfast, start trekking to reach Padum (3560 M), 5 - 6 hrs approximately. Padum is the old capital of Zanskar. Arrive and stay overnight in tents.

Day 12: Padum

The day is kept aside for relaxing, you are free to explore or visit Pipi Tong and Stagnimo gompas. Stay overnight in tents.

Day 13: Padum - Karsha – Pishu(3,650 MTR) 4 HRS

In the morning after breakfast start your onward trek to Karsha (3610 M) by covering approximately 7 km in 3 hrs approximately, crossing the Doda river. A 15th century Gelupa Monastery (popularly known as Karsha Gompa) dominates the scene. Proceed to Pishu (3650 M) by covering approximately 13 km in 4 hrs approx along the river Zanskar. It is an easy days trek. Pishu has a nice camping site. Arrive and stay overnight in tents.

Day 14: Pishu - Hanumil (3,960 MTR) 4-5 HRS

In the morning after breakfast start trekking to reach Hanumil (3960 M) by covering approximately 14 km in 4-5 hrs through Pidmu after continuing to the left bank of river Zanskar. Arrive and stay overnight in tents.

Day 15: Hanumil - Purfi La – Snertse (3,900 MTR)

In the morning, after breakfast start trekking to reach Snertse (3745 M / 15 km) after crossing a steep and difficult climb to the pass, Purfila (3900 M). From the pass it is a steep descent upon Omachu River and from there it is about 1 km climb up to a wonderful Campsite at Snertse. Arrive and stay overnight in the tents.

Day 16: Snertse - Hanumala – Lingshet (4,750 MTR)

After early breakfast proceed to climb Hanuma La, this is a long gradual ascent with gorges first, then easier. After about 4 hrs reach the summit at Hanuma La. (4750 M). Then a descent for about 1000 meter and about 300 meter ascent along the mountainside, further easy descent to reach Lingshet (3800 M). Arrive and stay overnight in tents.

Day 17: Lingshet - Foot of Shingla (4,100 MTR) 7 HRS

Early morning after breakfast start trekking, ascend for about 1 hr to reach Murgum La (4100 M), continue climbing to view the valley of Nierag on the other bank of Zanskar. Hereafter we take a gentle descent towards the village of Gomgma (3840 M) and Skiumpata. Then start a gradual climb to reach the base of Shinge La, total time 7 hrs approx. Have a delicious dinner and stay overnight in tents.

Day 18: Foot of Shingela - Shingela – Photoksar (5,230 MTR)

Early morning after breakfast start climbing up the Shingo La (5230 M) which takes about 2 hours. Shingo la means the lion's pass which is also the highest pass on this trek. First the climb is through the terminal Moraine and then through the long Glacier. The climb is not steep but the descent through the steep glaciers a little difficult. Then take a steep descent and further a gentle climb to reach Bumiktse La (4200 M). Proceed to Photoskar, a nice camping site. Photoksar village is a town of clusters of homes, green fields and a gompa above in a dark brown cut crop. Arrive for dinner and stay overnight in tents.

Day 19: Photoksar - Sirsir La – Hanupatta (4,800 MTR)

Leave in the morning and start trekking (6-7 hours approx.) to reach Hanupatta (3770 M) after crossing Sirsir La (4800 M). The climb to the pass is steep but the descent is gentle. Arrive and stay overnight in tents.

Day 20: Hanupatta - Wanla (3,645 MTR)

Start trekking in the morning after breakfast (6 hours approx.) to reach Wanla (3645 M). Wanla is a small town with its Maroon and white Monastery Perched above the town on a knife edged ridge. Arrive and stay overnight in tents.

Day 21: Wanla - Lamayuru - Leh (Trek/Jeep) 7-8 HRS

Trek in the morning (4-5 hours approximately.) to reach Lamayuru (3510 M). Lamayuru Gompa is one of the most impressive and well maintained monasteries in Ladakh. Arrive and visit the monastery. Proceed to Leh by jeep (4 hrs approx), en route visit Alchi monastery. Stay overnight in hotel.