Darsha Lamayuru Trek
Difficulty : HIGH
Maximum altitude : 5090 m
Duration : 18 days or 26 days
Destinations Covered :
Difficulty : HIGH
Maximum altitude : 5090 m
Duration : 18 days or 26 days
Destinations Covered :
North of the Great Himalayan range, 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. 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
Arrive Delhi, where you will be met and transfered to your hotel. (Hotel B&B)
DAY 02
Delhi - Manali by bus.
DAY 03
Manali - Darsha by bus.
DAY 04
Darsha - Palemo (3600m) in 5h. We start our journey with an easy walk into the valley. En route, we will visit the Chika and Rarik monasteries.
DAY 05
Palemo - Zanskar Sumdo (3860m) in 5h. We cross the river by a hanging pulley.
DAY 06
Zanskar Sumdo - Chumi Napo (4640m) in 5h. The route leaves the valley and starts climbing up quite steeply towards the Shingo La pass.
DAY 07
Chumi Napo - Shingo La (5090m) - Lakham (4470m) in 6h. Prayer flags flapping in the wind mark the Shingo La pass, surrounded with fascinating views of the glaciers. An easy traverse of a glacier takes us to the valley and to the Lakham yak pastures.
DAY 08
Lakham - Kurgiak (4050m) in 6h. A gradual descent along the Kurgiak river, lined with mani walls. On the way, we will come across a few Doksas, where yaks are kept in summer time.
DAY 09
Kurgiak - Tetha (3950m), in 7h. The trail is now boarded by meadows of flowers and barley fields. Shortens are spread all the way and highlight the religious fervour of the Zanskaris.
DAY 10
Tetha - Purni (3700m), in 2h. We visit Phuktal monastery (3850m), perched on the side of an impressive cliff. (4h return journey).
DAY 11
Purni - Ichar (3650m) in 4h.
DAY 12
Ichar - Mune (3900m), in 5h. The trail goes up and down along the Tsarap river. On arriving at Mune, we will visit its monastery.
DAY 13
Mune - Padum (3600m) in 6h. En route we visit Bardan monastery, one of the most important in the area.
(you can also opt for an extension if not tired of the above trek from Padum to Lamayaru to discover )
DAY 14
Padum - Kargil (3700m) by bus.
DAY 15
Kargil - Leh (3500m) by bus.
DAY 16
Leh – Delhi by plane. (Hotel B&B)
DAY 17
At leisure in Delhi. Safety day for your international flight. (Hotel B&B)
DAY 18
Transfer to airport and fly back home.
Padum to Lamayuru EXTENSION
Difficulty :
HIGH
Maximum altitude :
5050 m
Duration :
13 days
Destinations Covered :
DAY 14
Padum - Karsha (3600m) in 3h. A pleasant walk through fields. On the way we will visit Pepiting monastery and the Karsha Gompa--one of the most important in Zanskar and dating back to the 15th century. We have beautiful panoramic vistas of the full Himalayan range.
DAY 15
Karsha - Pishu (3470m) in 5h. We progress along the Zanskar river.
DAY 16
Pishu - Hanumil (3380m) in 5h. An easy-going walk along the right bank of the river takes us to Rinam village. We continue to the tiny hamlet of Hanumil.
DAY 17
Hanumil - Purfi La (3950m) - Snertse (3850m) in 6h. Up and down over a steep path.
DAY 18
Snerstse - Hanuma La (4950m) - Lingshet (4000m) en 6h. After a steep climb we reach the Purfi La pass, from where the panorama towards the Ladakhi and Zanskari ranges is quite impressive. Visit of Lingshet monastery.
DAY 19
Lingshet - Camp before Singue La (4550m), in 6h. We start a long and gradual ascent to the Netuke La pass (4280m), where we have a wonderful view towards the Nierag valley. The trail then descends shortly to reach Skimpata and Gongma villages, then climbs steeply to reach the second pass, Khyupa La (4300m).
DAY 20
Camp before Singue La - Singue La (5050m) - Photoksar (4200m) in 6h.
An amazing spectacle of hanging icefalls. We descend towards the Photang river and progress through barley fields.
DAY 21
Photoksar - Sirsir La (4850m) - Hanupatta (3760m) in 6h. Photang valley turns into a gorge labyrinth, which forces us to make a detour via Sirsir La pass. Three shortens mark Hanupatta and its giant hundred-year-old cedar, flanked by colorful prayer flags.
DAY 22
Hanupatta - Wanla (3250m) in 5h. We head down towards the Photang valley and climb up to the Panjila pass(3410m). We finally descend to Wanla and visit its tiny monastery.
DAY 23
Wanla - Lamayuru (3420m) in 4h. Visit of the monastery at Lamayuru, which is the biggest in western Ladakh and was built in the 16th century on the site of a much older temple. The gompa is very well kept and famous for its many colorful wall paintings.
DAY 24
Lamayuru - Leh (3500m) by bus.
DAY 25
Leh – Delhi by plane. (Hotel B&B)
DAY 26
At leisure in Delhi. Safety day for your international flight. (Hotel B&B)
DAY 27
Transfer to airport and fly back home.