Darcha – Lamayuru Trek
Darcha – Lamayuru Trek
Best time: End of June to October
Duration: 20 Nights / 21 Days
Description: Into remote Kingdom of ZanskarThe towering misty mountains of Ladakh and Zanskar cradle the splendors of Tibetan Buddhism, fascinating travelers for centuries. Here, monasteries built hundreds of years ago. The mystic magic of Tantric Buddhism is practices and performed with devotion. Ladakh, including the Zanskar area has been termed by many Western writers as “greater Tiber”. Open to tourist since 1974, people from all over the world have flocked into experience its warm hospitality and unforgettable landscape. There are about 25 gompa in Leh district alone, with Hemisgompa the biggest and richest.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: Phuktalgompa, which is built under a huge cave and it, provides the one of the fantastic view. Karshagompa 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. Trek terminates at Lamayuru, which has a ancient gompa. It is oldest gompa in Ladakh, with large library of Buddhist literature. Leh is 147 Kms from Lamayuru.
Day 01: Arrive DELHI. On arrival transfer to Lutyens Guest House.
Day 02: Evening board the Volvo Bus to Manali.
Day 03: Arrive MANALI in the morning transfer to Hotel. Full day at leisure in Manali.
Day 04: MANALI (2100M) – DARCHA (3300M) –ZANSKAR SUMDO (3750 m). 200 Kms(08 Hrs)The first day is dedicated to the road transport on the 147km between Manali and Darcha and further 25 Kms to Palhamo. The road climbs up to the Rothang Pass (3992m) where the forested Kullu valley lies on the south and the yellow dry Lahoul valley in the North. The road passes through the wild Chandra valley up to the Bhagga River. Leaving the last Lahoul village of ChikkaRarik, an easy road leads to a narrow valley. The scenery changes dramatically from wide valley to narrow valley offering a landscape colored in deep reds and golden yellow. The Barai valley stretches on to the North West, but you cross the bridge and go up into the little Bari Valley, where the stream joins the main river. Driving north, the tiny meadow of Zanskarsumdo is reached.O/n Tents.
Day 05:AT ZANSKAR SUMDO(3750 m). Day rest for day hikes and acclimatization.O/n Tents.
TREK STARTS:
Day 06:ZANSKAR SUMDO – CHUMIK NAGPO (BASE CAMP). The trail leads up to the narrow valley moraines toward the base of Shingo-La pass (5096m). Camp is held at the bottom of the pass after 5 to 6 hours of walk. Coming from the south, it is important to acclimatize on these initial days. O/n Tents.
Day 07:CHUMIK NAGPO – LAKHANG. The trail is steep going up to the permanent snow field of Shingo-La (5096m). There are views of the great Himalaya range from the pass. A small shrine and the wind ripping the Buddhist prayer flags mark the pass. We then go down from the pass to the pastures on the westward of the Kargyak river. Camp is held near the small isolated hut used by the yaks herders (6 to 7 hours of walk).O/n Tents.
Day 08: LAKHANG – KARGYAK. Walking toward Kargyak village, the scenery changes astonishingly with change of color of the landscape from light red to deep purple. The valley and whole day is shadowed by grace of the majestic Gumburanjon. Kargyak, the first village of Zanskar will be
reached after an easy walk of 4 to 5 hours.O/n Tents.
Day 09: KARGYAK – PURNI. Walking north of Kargyak, along the river, the scenery is mesmerizing. On this gentle walk through Kuru and Testa villages, one gets view of high peaks. Camp is held at the small village of Purni, at the junction between the Tsarap River and Kargyak River, after 5 to 6 hours of walk.O/n Tents.
Day 10: PURNI – PHUKTAL GOMPA – PURNI. A day for the trip to the 11th century monastery is highly recommended. Built in a cave it is really considered as a jewel of the region. The rising and falling of the path along the well cut edges, strange canyons folds and the approach to gompa is only 3 hours of walk to and back. Couple of hours of rest and tea at the gompa is a great pleasure.O/n Tents.
Day 11: PURNI – ICHAR. Soon after leaving Purni, there is the opportunity to cross one of the last remaining plaited willow rope in Zanskar to the curious village of Cha. Ichar is particularly beautiful with its fortress, and a new gompa surrounded by mani walls in the terraced fields.
(4 to 5 hours of walk). O/n Tents.
Day 12: ICHAR –BARDAN – PADUM(03 – 04 HRS DRIVE) Today we will drive passing the Raru village, the pass goes over moorland (that can be interesting if like birds) to the beautiful located Muni Gompa. Muni village can be seen deep inside the valley like typical Zanskar cauldron with gardens. The road will show you views of great peaks. BardanGompa, perched on a rock promontory, was built in the 17th century and can be visited on the way. Padum is the small capital and the district headquarters of Zanskar. A strange road across the huge central Zanskar plain. From your first step, the dramatic Karshagompa can be see clinging to dark jagged cliffs over the Doda river. This Gelukpa monastery is the largest of Zanskar. All the way you will be dominated by the Nun and Kun massif around Padum: ice, snow and rocky peaks…. O/n Guest House.
Day 13: PADUM – SANI – STONGDE – KARSHA – PISHU. Post breakfast drive to Pishu en route visit Sani, Stongde&Karsha Monasteries. The trails goes down toward the tiny village of Rinam and the follows the broads Zanskar river to Pishu. The villages with cellular shaped fields spill across alluvial plain,peaks towers on the other side of the valley lies on this plain. O/n Tents.
Day 14: PISHU – HANUMIL. A quiet walk on the sand beaches beside the Hanumil River will contrast with the geological figures, deep gorges around you. Camp is beside the river after 6 hours of walk.O/n Tents.
Day 15:HANUMIL – SNERTSE. The trail leaves the river and climbs up to the Parfi-La pass (3900m) and goes down to cross the ZingchenTokpo (omachu) the border between Zanskar and Ladakh.
After crossing the bridge, you will have to climb again to see pasture to the North. The camp site is around some herders’ huts. (7 hours of walk)O/n Tents.
Day 16: SNERTSE – LINGSHED. The trail is going up through narrow gorges with clear water. Before to reach the Hanuma-La (4700m), you will cross very dry yellow valley surrounded by strange hills. From the pass, you will discover great scenery of the deep and now far Zanskar valley and the Lingshed village. The beautiful Lingshedgompa is looking majestically down to the village. (7 to 8 hours of walk)O/n Tents.
Day 17: LINGSHED – THE BASE OF SENGGE-LA. The day is beginning by an easy climb to the Murgum La (4100m). A gentle descent toward the village of Gongma (3840m) and the trail will climb again to the rocky camp at the base of Sengge-La. (6 to 7 hours of walk) O/n Tents.
Day 18: BASE OF SENGGE LA – PHOTOKSAR. A steep but short climb will bring you to the Sengge-La (5000m). The trail will follow Photang valley and goes to the bumiktse-La (4200m). Photoksar is laying up a canyon, at the base of huge mountains walks, a abandoned gompa remains up the village. (6 hours of walks)O/n Tents.TREK FINISH
Day 19:PHOTOKSAR – LAMAYURU – ALCHI – LEH. . Post breakfast drive to Leh enroute visit Alchi&Lamayuru Monasteries. (7 – 8 Hrs).O/n Guest House.
Day 20:Day at leisure in LEH. O/n Guest House.
Day 21: LEH – DELHI. Early morning transfer to Leh Airport to board the flight to Delhi. Arrive Delhi transfer to Hotel / Guest House. Half day sightseeing of Delhi, evening transfer to the Airport to board the flight back home.
Traveller-Xpedition 