DARCHA - LAMAYURU TREK

Season: June to September
Duration: 04 days drive / 20 days trek
Grade: Strenious

One of the classic trekking tours of the region, the first day 7 hrs. Drive to Darcha (3,360 m) over Rohtang pass (3,978 m) the gateway to Lahoul, Spiti, Pangi and Zanskar valleys. We camp at Darcha to acclimatize, which is starting point of some major trekking tour. We cross Shingo - La pass (5,090 m) to get into Zanskar. Many ancient gompa on the way: Phuktal gompa - which is built under a huge cave and it provides the one of the fantastic view. Karsha gompa -which is biggest in Zanskar region. Enroute we pass shepherds with their flocks of sheep and climb beautiful snow covered passes with panoramic views of the Great Himalayan range.

Day 01: Arrival in Delhi
Meeting upon International airport, and transfer to hotel.

Day 02: Delhi - Chandigarh 5 hrs
By train to Chandigarh and transfer to hotel. Visit Rock garden, Sukhna Lake. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 03: Chandigarh - Manali (2,040 m) 9 hrs
After breakfast drive to Manali via Bilaspur, Sundernager, Mandi and Kullu. Overnight in hotel at Manali.

Day 04: Manali to Darcha (3360mt.) 7 hrs.
7hours drive over Rohtang pass (3978mt.), which is the gateway Lahoul and Spiti Pangee and Zanskar valley.

Day 05: Darcha to Palamo (3825mt.) 4/5 hrs.
Starting point of our trek from Darcha to palmo.3 hours trek through two villages of Rareek and Chikka. On the way, way pass A spectacular gorge. Continue along the left bank, and then cross a first ford overnight stay in camp.

Day 06: Palamo -Zanskar Sumdo (4,100mt.) 5 hrs.
Gradual climb and good view of mountain continue on the left bank until reaching a second ford. 400mt.gradual climb from Palamo to Zanskar Sumdo. Good camp aside a ford.

Day 07: Zanskar Sumdo-Chhumik Nakpo (4670mt) 6 hrs.
Cross the second ford then go up the right hand valley following the stream, which comes from Shingo la. Streams in Himalayas should be cross carefully even if they look small. Camp in the small meadow.

Day 08: Chhumik Nakpo -Shingo-la (5090mt.)-Lakong (4590mt) 7/8 hrs.
An eventful day for those who have never climbed to this height. From the camp, climb moderate slopes to foot of the pass. Finally at the top of the pass of Shingo-la (5090mt.) see the view of various peaks. Walk over the glacier and fallen rocks. Finally reach Lakong camp beside small stream.

Day 09: Lakong -Kargyak (4230mt.) 5/6 hrs.
Cross the stream and come to the right side of stream. Walk on a mass of fallen rocks, then cross a small stream. After one hour, you pass beneath the face of the Gombarangjum, then an easy descent to the first village of Zanskar region Kargyak.

Day 10: Kargyak-Purne (3965mt.) 6 hrs.
Walking through the Buddhist regions means always go from the left side of Chorten (Stupa) and recite as OM MANE PADME HUM, Continue on the right bank along an easy walk. Reach Tanze
Which is a small village, gompa in ruins a bit higher up. A short distance beyond Tanze, there is a small bridge across to the left bank. Slight rise leading to Kuru, a major village of livestock breeders. Then arrival in Testa, beautiful village. The path continues downward as near the river. Stay on the left bank, and then climb to Yal. Reaching Yal steep descent towards a large bridge, which you cross to go Purne

Day 11: Purne-Phuktal (4055m)-Purne 6 hrs.
Go up the right bank of the Tsarap River in to the Splendid
Gorges. Cross a bridge in good condition, walk up for few minutes. A ledge leads to a small plateau sprinkled with Chorten and religious banners. From here see the most spectacular sights in the Zanskar regions. Phuktal Monastery, which is built under a huge cave. Phuktal belongs to the tradition of Gelukpas (Yellow section) visiting Phuktal return back by the same route to Purne.

Day 12: Purne- Vipula (3865mt) 5/6 hrs.
From Purne come back to the bridge, cross the bridge and then go up the left bank. Frequent small canyons of pudding stones. Pass a bit above a hanging bridge, which leads to the village of Cha. 2hours later reach Kheydang, a small village in a poplar grove. Carry one until Gyalbo teashop. Pass below the village of Surle. The trail is still not good Finally reach the campsite of Vipula near teashop

Day 13: Vipula-Raru (3960m) 6 hrs.
Long way to Large bridge which leads to Ichar village. Gradual climb before coming to a major tributary (bridge), then to the campsite of Raru. Camp near the lake.

Day 14: Raru -Padum (11,580 ft/3,530 m) 5/6 hrs.
From the camp cross a beautiful plain covered with flowers. Watch the monastery of Mune. Go down a steep incline to the main trail. After two hours, arrive at Burdan Gompa, a Kargyudpa Monastery famous for its prayer wheel. Several beautiful villages on the right bank of Tsarap River. A dusty trail will take you
To the sub-headquarter of Zanskar regions, Padum.

Day 15: Padum-Karsha (10,890 ft/3,320 m) 4/5 hrs.
Trek towards Pipiting, a dusty plain towards the Doda river .A new bridge over the Doda river, cross it and walk up to wards Karsha Monastery. Visit the Monastery, which is of Gelukpas section, and have a good view of the valley. Karsha is the biggest Monastery in Zanskar region, having 150 monks of the yellow section. Camp at Karsha.

Day 16: Karsha-Pishu (3660m) 5 hrs.
Walk along the left bank of Zanskar River. Above Rinam, small stream an shelter formed by the rocks. See the Thongde monastery on the right side of Zanskar River. Trail further will take you to the Pishu village. A very attractive campsite below the village of Pishu.

Day 17: Pishu -Hanumil (3650m) 5/6 hrs.
Continue left bank, some times along the river. A bridge Before Pidmo, then another 2hours to the campsite of Hanumil.

Day 18: Hanumil-Perfila (4650mt.)-Snertse (3940mt.) 6 hrs.
Still continue on the left bank of the Zanskar River. Cross Small stream on the left, the trail leads away from the edge of the Zanskar and the up to the foot of pass. Steep and difficult climb to perfi-la (4560mt.), after pass steep descent to Uma -Chhu River, cross bridge and up to 500mt.On sandy slope, then one and half hour to the campsite of Snertse.

Day 19: Snerste-Hanumala (4800m.)-Ling shed (4100m.) 7/8 hrs.
Very long gradual ascent to the pass of Hanuma-la (4800m.) through gorges 2and half hour to reach the pass from the camp. A 1000mt. Long descent towards, then another 250m. Climb to small pass, from pass easy walking to the campsite of
Lingshed

Day 20: Rest Day at Lingshed - visit Lingshed gompa.

Day 21: Lingshed -Gazo or foot of Sengge-la (13,090 ft/3,990 m) 6 hrs.
1 hour easy climb to Netoski -la (4475m.). Look out the view Nerag, on the other bank of Zanskar River. Gradual descent to the villages of Gongma and Skiumpata. Cross small stream and hour steep climb to pass of Kuba-la94520mt.) Slowly climb to the campsite of Gazo or foot of Sengge -la.

Day 22: Foot of Sengge-la-Sengge -la (5060mt.)-Photoksar (4400m.) 6/7 hrs.
From camp 2 hours steep climb to sengge-la pass, (5060m.) easy going down to the valley and cross another ford. Short climb to Bhumiktse-la (4520mt.) descent towards Photoksar, a beautiful villages at the base of huge mountain wall, cross the bridge and camp near the stream.

Day 23: Photoksar -sir sir-la (4965m.)-Hanupatta (4070mt.) 5/6 hrs.
Long ascent of the sir sir-la (4965mt.) then easy descent to the river, cross the river by bridge and walk along the left bank. Camping before Hanupatta village.

Day 24: Hanupatta -Wanla (3470mt.) 5/6 hrs.
Continue along the left bank until entering the gorges. Cross the small bridge then a natural bridge again to the left side, come over a bridge and until reaching a good bridge across the Yapola. Three hours to Phenjila (a small village). Walk along the right bank until reaching village of Wanla. Cross the Bridge and to the camping place.

Day 25: Wanla -Prinkiti-la (3930mt.)-Lamayuru (3750mt.) 4/5 hrs.
Walk up to Shillakong along the right bank and cross the bridge come to left bank until reaching a Chorten (Stupa) then follow a dry and narrow gorge going up to Prinkiti-la 93930mt.) Walk down and cross Small River and towards the village of Lamayuru. Lamayuru has a famous ancient monastery. Monastery is Oldest in Ladakh regions and has big library of Buddhist literature. The trek terminates here and from here Leh is 120km. By luxury bus/or by taxi to Darcha Pickup from Lamayuru to Leh Included.

Day 26: Lamayuru - Leh
Drive 120 kms, overnight stay in hotel.

Day 27: AT LEH
Explore around Indus valley, Visit Thiksey gompa, Shey, Hemis,

Day 28: Spituk, Stok palace and Sankar gompa. Evening visit bazaar.

Day 29: Flight to Delhi and transfer to hotel.

Day 30: One day optional, in case of flight cancellation

Day 31: Excursion around Delhi- visit Kutub minar, Jama Masjid, Red Fort.
Optional visit to Taj Mahal ( Required full day to and fro)

Day 32: Fly back to hometown.