Lamayuru- Darcha

 

Lamayuru-Darcha (19 Nights/20days)

General introduction

This is the most popular trail into Zanskar. It starts from the famous & oldest monastery of Lamayuru & finishes at Darcha in Himachal Pradesh. The first half of the track is tough , but you pass through wonderful Landscape, remote Villages of Ligshet & photoksar . The Second half is easier passing through Monasteries of Barden 7   & Phutkal & Several Villages of Zanskar.

 

Best Period : June Mid-October .
No.of Days : Max. -21days & min. -19 Days
Grade : Tough
Highest Point: 5090 M
Pony : Ponies are available at Lamayuru but it is  usually difficult to  find ponies in the peak season

 

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrival at Delhi Arrive at the international airport in Delhi, our                 representative will meet you and transfer to the hotel. After fresh up at hotel followed by full day city tour covering Old & New Delhi. Visit the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar and Humauyn Tomb .Also enjoy the Cycle Rickshaw ride in the busy lanes of the Chandni Chowk, which in known as Silver street of Old Delhi and a lively shopping point

 

Day 02 : Leh Lamayuru(3600m-7hrs )
Lamayuru is well connected by road as is situated on the Leh Srinagar highway  , if you are traveling by taxi, you can visit the monastries like , liker Alchi,& Rezong, There are Guest houses in The Villages & the monastries have newly constactedc Hotel , Please Check Places to see Sections for Details about Monastery & Accomodation .

 

Day 03 : Lamayuru Wanla (350m)2-3hrs :
This  Day is Easy as you have to cross small  pass with an easy ascend , start walking eastern side  along the stream for 20 minutes then start ascending prikiting la (3700m)after crossing the the stream near the chorten , The Gentle descend from the pass takes you in a shilakung valley, there is an alternative route to reach Zanskar via Sniguste la , Keep Walking on the trail to wanla Passing Through Several  Chorten  & Mani Wall , ThjeCompsite is located across the river , you can get tea, Cold Coffee, Maggie's from the parachute cafes

 

Day 04: Wanla Hanupata (3970m)6-7hrs :  
The Track  Starts Beautifully as you trek through  a canyon. if you have ponies , please be porepared to help your pony man, unload & reload yor supplies from the Horses for one short  section , the road is under costuxction & trail is too Step & Narrow for LoadedHorses to Descend the canyon offers Spectecular, views , However an early start is recommended due to the intense heat of the  Afternoon Sun  & no available shade water is  accessible  from majority of the day . the camp ground is sometimes nice to avoid the  crowds . this day is relatively easily due to minimal  elevation gains

 

Day 05 : hanu pata Photoksar (4050m )
This day will involve a pass, sirsir la (4805m) that is a long gentle climb it is highly recommended to start the climb with a full bottle of water which can be filled with a brildge crossing and last camp sight before the climb begins . this camp site is cold at night and is used  by locals  bringing supplies into the remote villages. Once at the top at the sir sir la do not follow the path straight down instead at the top go to the left about 20Mtrs. And you will find a trail down . be careful , the trail is quite steep and loose sand . continue following the trail and eventually you will be in photoksar .

 

 Day 06 : Photoksar Sengge La base (4300m)5-6hrs .
From p[hotoksar , you will f ascend a small pass 7 willremain on a rolling Plateau for Majority of the days. This is an easy day with a river crossing which will be probably  get you feet wet . The Campo Ground  is located near the base of Singge la Pass  Where a Building has been Constructed for Ladakhis  trekking in the Wintertime. Ther is also a temporary tent / Hoptel set up , shelters are available  here

 

Day 07 : Sengge la styangs  :
Easy Day With a gentle Climb of the pass With a fairlyLong Descends . you  will  pass the base camp , which is used when hiking  in the opposite direction, Regardless of the Direction of travel , Continue Trekking & you will reach styangs, which is a Little Better , Villagers will come by in the evening to collect camping fees .

 

Day 08 : Styangs Lingshed (3950m)5-6hrs :
Early Start is Highly recommended  to beat the extreme heat in the AFTERNOON  WHEN Entering   Lingshed , Depending on the water levels . your feet may get Wet While Crossing  the river, While across it is ascending back up the other  side of the valley , you, Steadly Climb up Towards  Chorten , which is great for Break , The Compsite is Located right as you come into the villages . it is Equipped With a Small  shore

 

Day 09 :  Lingshed Nyestse (3800) 8 Hrs :
An Early  Start is Reccomended as the pass  Hanamul La (4700m) takes   about 3 Hrs to Climb. It is relatively Straight up with no Place to hideout the sun  At the Base  of the pass , there is a temporary Tent/ Hotel Setup. , This Region is Quite Quite Lush  With Plenty  of small  trees  There Is Hotels Tea Stalls Avalable  here

 

 Day 10 : Nyertse Pishu (3500m)6-7hrs :
LeavingNyertse , there is a Gentle Shortup With an Immediate Descent to a river . once crossed the bridge you begin to climb a pass parfilax(3900m)
This pass takes approximately 1 hr to climb .  TheTrekiking Becomes relatively  flat as you follow along side the river into HanamurAt Hanamur the campsite Looks Gorgeous, It is Located on the river bank & it is Has  Plenty of grass to set uptents & for Horses.  Also at pidmo, there is a campsite &a store to puchase Cold Drinks  &  a tent Set up as a Hotel , Eventually , the path  downs  into a down track trail & this Continuesfrom Rinam Karsha , This is also the area that has a strong persistent headwind.

 

Day 11 : Karsha Padum (3610m)2hrs .
Padum is about a 2hrs walk from Karsha , An EarlyStart Would Avoidthe strong Winds in the afternoon . Padum Does not offer.  very Friendly Atmosphere, If Possible I  would recommend staying in Karsha .padam has become  the major centre for the Zanskar area  . In the Villages there are a few  Guest Houses, restaurants & Shops  all on the main road

 

Day  12 : Padam raru (3800m) 5-6hrs :
Here you Enter Lungnak valley as you leave Padam  for the secondpart of your trek . Which is easier then the first part . This day you will Walk along the Lungnag River Passing through Lungnang Monastery  & Mune Village  There is a good Compsite in Raru Village . The Rough Mortable Road finishes here which is expected to extend to darcha

 

Day 13 : Raru Pepula (3750m)5Hrs :
This day is easy as you have to Walk along the the river to Pepula .  Some Impressive Villages of Ichar & Doorzong Come on the Way . The Compsite is not very Impressive as it is Dusty Without any Greenery .

 

Day 14 : Pepula Purne (3775m0 4-5hrs :
Start  Your Trek out from the Lungnung gorge through  a long Ascend to the villages of Tsetang , Surle above the trail& Kalbok, you will cross an amazing  Gorge With Narrow trail just beforereaching Tsetang . The Compsite is across the river at purne  Village. Purne Consists of a few  houses With nice Camping Site.you can also by foot stuff and almost every thing from the shop

 

Day   15: Purne to Phuktal (3900m)to purne 5hrs
Follow the trail  up towards Phuktal  Gonpa from the left bank of the river for around 2hours.Walk Carefully through this gorge as there are chances of landslide  especially after rainfall .cross the bridge to the other side of the river & you can view the Monestry after going up to the Higher side . The monastry Spectacularly nestles on the rock Cliff With a large Cave which  existed before the monastery was  founded chengsems Serab Zangpo.There is a  trial going  beyond the monsestery  upto the mountain,which leads you to Stongdey after crossing a pass. After visiting  the  monesery walk bck to the camp at pune.

 

Day 16 : Purne to Kargyak or Hing (4000m) 6-7hrs.
Cross the river through same bridge and climb up to Yal  village . Keep walking southward and the trail will lead you to Kargyak via beautiful village of Testa and Kuru villages with chortens and gtreen fields . cross the rivers to the left bank just before the Tantse village . kargyak is the next village with a nice camping site just before the village . Some people prefer camping at Hing across th4e river.

 

Day17 : Kargyak to Lhakhang(4450m)6hrs.
Today you will start climbing skinkun La  through a slow ascend . While walking you will pass through pasture land of kargyak villagers, where they graze their cattle at the highland and camp there throughout the summer . The view from these areas is  spectacular. The Kargyak River becomes merely a stream as you trek up passing through Gonbo Rangjon on your left . The Campsite is located just after crossing the stream.

 

Day18: Lhakhang to Ramjak (4300m)via Shinkunla 6-7hrs.
The trail from here takes you to the shingo La / Shinkun La Pass through steep ascend passing through the camping site which comes after walking for arounf two hours . From here it takes three hours to reach at the top crossing glaciers. Keep walking through left side of the glacier . You can have spectacular view of the peaks and mountains from the top . the steep descend takes you to Ramjak  through Chumik Nakpo and a few roofless shelters.The campsite is located near  the  main wall.

 

Day 19 : Ramjak to Palhamo (3700m)5-6hrs.
It is an easy walking day . The trail leads  you to the Barai River through an easy descend for and hour .Cross the  river through bridge ,keep walking on the same trail and  after some small ups and downs you will have to cross tributary river which can be difficult when the river is high .The walk from here to Pal Lhamo is not very tough but there are many small ups and downs throughout . there are quite a few good campsites around  Pal Lhamo.

 

Day 20: Pal Lhamo to Darcha sumo (3300m)3-4hrs.
Cross the river and the trail leads through gentle  ascend to the chika village , the first village on the Himachal side.Here you reach at the road head which takes you to Darcha sumdo via Rarik village.There are a lot of small restaurant where you can get almost everything . the road can be very busy in summer with taxis & Buses running between Manali & Leh.

 

Day 21 : Depart Delhi
its time to say goodbye. In time transfer to international airport to connect flight for onward journey.