Darcha Lamayuru Trek
Places to Visit : Delhi - Manali - Darcha - Camp - Ramjak - Shinkun
La - Gumburanjon - Purne - Ichar - Mune - Padum - Karsha - Pishu -
Hanumil - Snertse - Lingshed -Sengge La - Photoksar - Sisir La - Hanupatta
- Wanla - Lamayuru - Leh - Delhi
Duration: 27 Nights / 28 Days
Day 1 - Delhi
On arrival meet our representative. Later transfer to the Hotel.
Morning at leisure. proceed for half day City Tour of New Delhi visiting
Qutab Minar, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate, President House, Parliament
House and Connaught Place Shopping centre of New Delhi. Overnight
at the Hotel.
Day 2 - Delhi - Manali
Transfer from hotel to HPTDC office to connect bus for Manali
(540 kms. 12 hrs) as per fixed schedule. Overnight travel.
Day 3 - Manali
Arrive Manali in the early morning. Meeting and assistance upon
arrival thereafter transfer to hotel. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
at hotel. Evening at leisure.Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 4 - Manali - Darcha
Drive from Manali to Darcha, crossing over the Rohtang Pass, a
scenic winding highway over the Pir Panjal range. Descend into the
Lahoul valley and continue onto camp at Darcha.
Day 5 - Darcha - Camp
From Darcha follow the track until the last hamlet, then a good
footpath. Pass a spectacular gorge. Continue along the left bank,
then cross a first ford. Good camp 1 hour beyond the ford, groves.
Day 6 - Camp - Ramjak
Continue on the left bank until reaching a second (major) ford,
and then go up the right hand valley. There are good paths on both
sides of the stream, but both are hard going. Good camp at Ramjak
in small meadow, spring.
Day 7 - Ramjak - Shinkun La - Camp at the Gumburanjon
From the camp, climb moderate slopes to the foot of the pass.
Several easy stream Crossings (4 hours). The ground flattens out and
the path zigzags through a moraine as far as the Shinkun-la (5090m,
5 ½ hours). The desert is steep and dangerous for horses (ice
and some fallen rocks). Cross a final fin to reach the first meadows.
Cross several easy streams, then go down an escarpment towards a small
plateau. Nice view of the Gumburanjon. Good camp between two streams.
Day 8 - Gumburanjon - Table
Climb down a mass of fallen rocks, then cross several streams.
After one hour, you pass beneath the face of the Gumburanjon, then
an easy descent towards Kargyak (4100m) on the right bank. Two hours
after Kargyak, you reach Table. Good camp.
Day 9 - Table - Purne
From Table, continue on the Right Bank along an easy path. ½
hours before Tanze, you cross in front of a narrow gorge where this
route joins up with Darcha - Padum route by the Baralacha-la and Phirtsela.
Tanze is a small village, gompa in ruins a bit higher up. A short
distance beyond Tanze, there is a bridge across to the left bank.
Monotonous going across morainic terrain. Slight rise leading to Kuru,
major village of livestock breeders. Afterwards, an excellent path
leads steadily lower. Arrival in Teta (3 ½ hours), beautiful
village. The path continues downward near the river. Stay on the left
bank, then climb gentle slope up to Jal. Next comes a steep descent
towards a large bridge which you cross to get to Purne. Camp at Purne.
Day 10 - Purne - Ichar
From Purne, go back down, cross the bridge, then go up the left
bank. The trail that overhangs the Tsarap is sometimes tricky and
hard going. Frequent canyons of pudding stores. Pass a bit above a
hanging bridge, which leads to the village of Cha (from Cha it is
possible to go to Phuktal without horses, which is dangerous).
Two hours after you arrive at Keydang, a small village in a poplar
ove. Carry on until Harsani (teashop). Pass below the village of Surle.
The trail is still not good with several difficult stretches. Arrive
at a large bridge, which leads to Ichar. Very good camp. Interesting
fortified village.
Day 11 - Ichar - Mune
Cross back over to the left bank, then a gradual climb before
coming to a tributary (bridge). Gradual descent down towards Reru,
then quite a beautiful plain covered with flowers (July) as far as
Mune. Possible to camp opposite monastery.
Day 12 - Mune - Padum
From the monastery, go down a steep incline - the main trail.
After two hours, you arrive at Baxlan Gompa, a Kagyupa monastery famous
for its prayer wheel (180 cm high). From Bardan, a dusty road suitable
for motor traffic lead to Padum without difficulty.
Several quite beautiful villages on the opposite bank. Padum (3650
m), possibilities for fresh supplies in certain (only rice, tsampa,
sugar, tea and sometimes kerosene), several hotels, a restaurant (1985).
Camping possibilities 1 km down the road to Kargil.
Day 13 - Padum - Karsha
From Padum, head towards Pipiting, then a dusty plain towards
the Doda river. A new bridge built in 1984 across the Doda, then climb
towards Karsha. Beautiful Gelupa monastery dates from the 15th century.
Camp at Karsha.
Day 14 - Karsha - Pishu
Easy stretch on the often hot and dusty bank of the Zanskar river.
Above Rinam, small stream and shelter formed by the rocks. Before
Pishu, make a little detour to see the longest hanging bridge over
the Zansker(55m). it leads to Zangla.( from Zangla, a trail goes to
Padum via Tsazar and Thongde). Attractive campsite below the village
of Pishu. Day 15 - Pishu - Hanumil
Continue on left bank. Easy going sometimes along the river, sometimes
across the morainic plateau. A bridge before Pidmo, then another 2
hours until Hanumil. Very good campsite 100 metres past the 2 houses.
Day16 - Hanumil - Parfila - Snertse
Still on a good and easy path, ¾ hour beyond Hanumil, small
stream on the left. Take on a supply of water.
The path leads away from the edge of the Zanskar, up to the plateau,
then to the foot of the pass. Steep and difficult climb for the animals
as far as the Parfi-la (3900m, 4 hours). Rather steep descent until
reaching the Oma-Chu river. Good bridge , then up a 500 mt sandy slope.
Then along the slope as far as the sheepfolds of Snertse.
Day 17 -Snertse - Hanuma La - Lingshed
Long gradual ascent towards the Hanuma-la. Through gorges first,
then easier. After 2 hours, pass a sheepfold (sometimes milk for sale).
A further 2 ½ hours hours to reach the summit of the Hanuma-la
(4700m). a 1000 meter steep descent, then a 300 mt climb along the
mountain side. From this small pass , easy descent towards lingshed
(about 3800m). Campsite near the monastery (Gelupa).
Day 18 - Lingshed - Foot of the Sengge La
Easy climb of ¾ to 1 hour up to the Murgum-la (4100m).
continue climbing, pass an escarpment then go along the slope. Wonderful
landscape, view of the valley of Nierag, on the other bank of the
Zanskar. Gentle descent towards the villages of Gongma (3840m) and
Skiumpata. Then climb gradually along the mountain side up to the
foot of the Sengge-la (Tent-restaurant run by a monk in Lingshed).
Day 19 - Foot of the Sengge La - Photoksar
Rather steep climb to the Sengge-la taking from 1 ½ to
2 hours (5000m), then a short slope leads into a broad valley. Easy
going (one ford) then gentle climb towards the Burniktse-la (4200m),
beautiful view. Descent towards Photoksar (3750m), splendid village
at the base of huge mountain walls. Abandoned gompa 20 minutes away
above the village.
Day 20 - Photoksar - Sisir La - Hanupatta
From the village, gentle climb up to a large chorten (1-hour),
then long ascent of the Sirsir-la. The last third is steep. Pass is
situated at 4800m. Easy descent to the river. Cross-onto the left
bank (bridge). From there, a path leads up to the Sniugutse-la (5000m)
reaching Shilla and Lamayuru without going through Hanupatta, many
easy fonds (3 days). Then long descent into a stony valley. Good campsite
a short distances before the village of Hanupatta.
Day 21 - Hanupatta - Wanla
From Hanupatta, continue across the slope until entering the gorges.
Since August 1984, a new path cut into the rocks avoids the difficult
fords. At the junction of the rivers, chorten and religious banners
on a flat. Pass a ridge, then go down until reaching a good bridge
across the Yapola. Then, some easy, some difficult stretches (fallen
rocks) until Phenjilla (3 hours). A little beyond the village, crosses
again onto the left bank (bridge). Then on a flat to Wanla. Beautiful
gompa.
Day 22 - Wanla - Lamayuru
Go up the Shillakong along the right bank, cross it (bridge),
then arrive in Shilla. Pass the village, go to a broad chorten then
follow a narrow and dry gorge as far as the Prinkiti-La (3726m). Easy
descent, then pass an escarpment. Cross the river and go towards the
village of Lamayuru. Short climb towards the monastery which is the
most photographed in Ladakh. Camp at Lamayuru
Day 23 - Lamayuru - Uletokpo
Drive to Uletokpo (54kms). Check into Mercury luxury camp, set
amidst blossoming apricot orchards with sparkling streams flowing
gently through the campsite. Evening at leisure. Overnight in camp.
Day 24 - Uletokpo - Likir - Alchi - Leh
Drive to Leh en-route visiting Likir and Alchi monasteries. Overnight
stay at hotel Caravan Centre, Leh or similar.
Likir Monastery: A few kilometers short of Alchi, a scenic road passing
through rocky mountains and the river, takes one to this Gompa which
contains a number of enormous clay statues of the Buddha in different
forms. Founded in the 12 century, Likir was the first royal monastery
to be established in Ladakh under direct Tibetan influence.
Alchi Monastery: 66 Km west of Leh, this monastery consists of six
temples which contain a chorten, seated Buddhas and exquisite paintings.
Over 10 centuries old, profusely painted walls depict the events of
the Buddha's life, lamas and musicians. Its murals, dating from the
11th and 12th centuries, pre-date the Tibetan style of painting that
is present in all the other gompas. Some of them are reminiscent of
the paintings of the far-off Ajanta caves and are presumed to be almost
the sole survivors (along with some in Phuktal Gompa in Zanskar and
Tabo in Spiti) of the Buddhist style current in Kashmir during the
first millennium A.D.
Day 25 - Shey - Thiskshey - Hemis
Full day visit to the famous Thiksey, Shey and Hemis monasteries.
Overnight in hotel.
Thiksey: 19 Kms from Leh, Thiksey is one of the largest and most impressive
Gompas of Ladakh. The Thiksey monastery provides a panoramic view
of the green Indus Valley from its vantagepoint atop a hill. It has
chambers full of statues, Stupas and colorful Tankhas.
Shey: This summer palace of the erstwhile King of Leh set upon a hill.
The monastery itself has a 7.5-meter high, copper statue of a sitting
Buddha, wrought in gold. This is the largest of its kind in the world.
Hemis: Situated just off the Manali-Leh Highway, Ladakh's biggest
and wealthiest monastery is situated on the Leh - Manali road. It's
popularity stems from the annual festival held here in summer. The
festival coincides with Guru Padma Sambhava's (Buddha) birthday. It
contains quite a few statues in gold and Stupas decorated with precious
stones. It has a superb collection of Tankhas, including one, which
is supposed to be the largest in existence and is exhibited only once
every 12 years
Day 26 - Leh
Day at leisure. Optional visit to the bazaar for shopping. Evening
attend local Ladakhi cultural show. Overnight at the hotel
Day 27 - Leh -Delhi
Transport to the airport for flight to Delhi. Meeting and assistance
upon arrival at Delhi and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the
hotel.
Day 28 - Delhi
After breakfast, proceed to thier homes.
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