Trekking in Zanskar

 

Lamayuru - Darcha Trek via Yulchung Nyerak (27 Days / 17 Days Trek)

 

This trek is most enchanting and adventurous as you have to cross 7 passes in 17 days trekking. The trek starts from Lamayuru and ends at Rarik in Lahoul valley from where you will drive to Manali.

 

Day 01: Arrive Delhi

Arrive in Delhi, Transfer to hotel.

 

Day 02: Flight Delhi - Leh

Transfer to domestic airport for flight to Leh. Arrive Leh and transfer to Hotel. Day free for acclimatization. Overnight at the Hotel.

 

Day 03: Drive Leh - Matho - Stok - Leh

After breakfast drive to Stok. In Stok, visit the royal palace which was constructed by the King Tsespal Tondup Namgyal in 1825. After visit Stok Palace, drive to Matho village, 10 km from Stok. Matho monastery built by Lama Tumgpa Dorje in 13th century. After visit Matho, drive back to Leh. After Lunch, visit Shanti Stupa (peace pagoda) built by in collaboration with Japannese Govt and Ladakh Buddhist Association. Later visit Samkar Monastery, built in 1847 by Bakula Rinpoche. Overnight at hotel in Leh. (3500 m)

 

Day 04: Drive Leh - Shey - Thiksey - Hemis - Leh

Full day sight seeing Shey, Thiksey and Hemis monastery. Morning: After breakfast full day sightseeing to Shey, Thiksey, Hemis. Shey palace is situated at a distance of 14 km from Leh. This palace is the oldest palace of Ladakh, which is built by the first king of Ladakh in 9th century, now days it is in a ruined condition. Here one can visit the temple of Unique Buddha with Copper and Gold gilded. The son of king Singey Namgyal builds this temple 16th century for the funeral memory of his father. After visiting this temple drive to Thiksey monastery which is 5 km from Shey. This is the oldest monastery of Gelukpa school in Ladakh which is build by the great Lama Paldan Shesrap in 14th century now in these days 80 monks are residing HH Khanpo Ringpoche incumbents this monastery. After visiting this monastery drive to Hemis monastery which is 26 km from Thiksey. The great mahasiddha Sthaksang Raspa along with great ancestor Singey Namgyal builds this monastery in 16th century. This monastery is the biggest and richest monastery of Ladakh. Presently 200 monks are residing this monastery and they practice in Drukpa School. After visiting this monastery drive back to Leh. Overnight at Hotel.

 

Day 05: Drive Leh to Lamayuru then Trek to Tarchit (4 hrs)

Drive early morning to Lamayuru enroute visit Alchi monastery. From here your trek starts Lamayuru to Tarchit. Starting from the Lamayuru monastery, walk down in the valley passing the houses and the fields of Lamayuru. After the fields turn left following the narrow stream downward and after about ½ km, turn again to the right. This route will take you to the Prinkitila Pass at 3900 Mts. From here fallow the gorge until you enter into the Shillakong valley. The route to the left from here goes to Wanla village and to the right goes in to the Shillakong gorge. From this point too you can see the monastery of Wanla (Red Coloured Gompa) on the top of the hill above the village about 2/3 km. Visit Wanla Monastery. Overnight at camp in Tarchit.

 

Days 06: Trek Lamayuru – Wanla – Tarchit (5hrs)

Right, from the camp, down in the ravine passing the houses and the fields of village. This route will take you to the Prinkitila Pass (3900m). From the pass wonderful view of surrounding mountains, follow the gorge until you reach at Shillakong valley. Follow the road towards left. From this point,you see the Wanla monastery.continue along the road up to wanla. Visit Wanla Monastery then continue trek further 2km ahead to Tarchit. Good and beautiful campsite near the river.

 

Days 07: Trek Tarchit – Phanjila – Hanupatta (6hrs)

From Tarchit, you will have nice walk up to Fanjila village by following the left bank of the Yapola river, At Phanjila village we will have two gorges, one goes to Zanskar and another goes to the left which leads towards Urtsi village. Take right hand side follow the motor-road as far as Hanupatta village. Pass Hanupatta village and continue further for 1km to reach at campsite near river. Overnight at camp. (3750m)

 

Days 08: Trek Hanupatta – Sirisir-la (4805m) – Photoksar (7 hrs)

Start trek early from Hanupatta. Cross the river and follow the trek route upstream along the right side. From here the pass of Sirsir-la (4805m) is about 3 to 4 hours. The route rises slowly up towards the pass. Have Lunch with crossing of Tang river. For lunch, it should be planned to cross the Sirsirla, because, it is not advisable to ascend the pass after having lunch. The camp at Photoksar is before the village and can be put either side of the small river. Overnight at camp.

 

Day 09: Trek Photoksar – Boumitse-la (4200m) – Base of Singey-la (7hrs)

post breakfast, continue trek. Today you have to cross one easy pass. Right from the camp, start ascend for few meter and then continue along the clear path beatiful view of village Photoksar, surrounding mountains and stunning gorge. Carry on ascending up to top of Boumitse-la from where you can directly see far flung Singela Pass. still about more than three hours trek from this point. Until the base of Singe-la, you have to cross several small streams so advisable to carry extra pair of stockings in case you get wet. Overnight in camp at base of Singe-La. (4450m)

 

Day 10: Trek Base of Singe-la – Singe-la (4960m) – Yulchung - Nyerak (7hrs)

Right from the camp, start ascending up to top of Singe-la. It is easy to ascend but 1200m before the top, it is steep ascend in zigzag. From the pass, the route descends steeply to a loose boulder strewn area. This is called Champado Gongma. Continue along the right side of the valley, clear path up to village Skyumphatta. Beautiful and awesome view of landscape of the valley. Follow the beaten easy track and on the way you find a junction. One goes straight towards Lingshed and another goes down towards Yulchung village that you see below. Take left handside and then descend down in zig-zag clear path. Pass the beautiful village Yulchun and continue trek with gentle climb to cross the small easy passChuchokhuri-la (3970m). Cross the pass then steep zigzag descent till zanskar River. Cross the River over a wooden bridge and then begin to climb towards Nyerak village. Arrive Nyerak. Overnight at Camp in Nyerak village (A small and charming village). (3750m)

 

Day 11: Trek Nyerak – Labar-la (4800m) - Pangat-la (3900m) – Pharkunsa (6/7hrs)

Morning after breakfast, continue climb to cross the Labar-la pass. It seems difficult to climb but slowly and steadily it becomes easy. So continue slowly and steadily to reach at the top of Labar la. From this point you have spectacular and magnificent view of landscape. After crossing the pass, continue gentle climb towards the Pangat-la (3900m). From the top of Pangat-la You have awesome panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and wonderful landscape. Cross the pass, easy descent down till you reach near a river. Cross the river and then continue trek down along the downstream. Again cross the river towards right and then you arrive at beautiful campsite. Good campsite in the middle of willow trees near the river. Overnight at camp. (3730m)

 

Day 12: Trek Pharkunsa – Zangla Sumdo (6/7hrs)

As usual morning after breakfast, continue trek along the river. Today you have to wade in the river for several meters so it is advisable to carry extra shoes in your bag. After then continue easy trek along the valley up to the campsite. Good campsite near the river. Overnight camp.

 

Day 13: Trek Toktha – Namtse-la (5000m) – Honara – Zangla (5/6hrs)

After the breakfast, continue trek with gentle climb towards a small and easy pass. Cross the pass and then easy trek path towards Namtse-la. Continue up along the valley till you reach at top of the pass.From the top of the pass you have enchanting and magnificient panoramic view of landscape. Cross the Namtse-la Pass and then easy descent till you reach at Honara.On the way your first glance will be zangskar river, Pidmo village and motor road. Descend down till foot of the mountain. From Honara you trek on motor road for a kilometer and then you arrive at Campsite across the meadows near zanskar River. Overnight at camp in Zangla. (3430m)

 

Day 14: Drive Zangla – Karsha – Stongde – Shilla

Today you have full day culture tour around Padum by drive. Morning after breakfast, drive to Stongde village. Visit beautiful picturesque monastery built on hill top by Lama Marpa 950 years ago.Approximately 60 monks are residing in this monastery. After the visit, continue drive to Karsha (Pair of White i.e., Outer white and Inner white). Visit Karsha monastery. This monastery is the largest of all the monastery in Zanskar and this monastery (Gonpa) was first founded by Great Lama Phagspa Shesrap (the translator of Zanskar). From the monastery, you have amazing and spectacular view of the capital of zanskar (Padum) and its surrounding mountains. After visiting the monastery, if time permits then you visit the capital of Zanskar (Padum). Explore Padum and visit the Market after then continue drive to Shilla. Overnight Camp in Shilla village. (3650m)

 

Day 15: Trek Shilla – Raru (5/6 hrs)

After breakfast, continue trek along left bank of river till Muni. En route visits Bardan monastery. Continue the journey along left bank till we reach at Bridge. Cross the river and continue along the right bank of the River up to Raru village. Overnight at Camp. (3770m)

 

Day 16: Trek Raru – Kalbock (6 ½ hrs)

After breakfast, continue trek by crossing river over Bridge at Raru village. Well define ancient trek path with amazing and spectacular view of landscape. You arrive at small charming village. Pass the village and then cross the river towards right over a long wooden bridge. Continue along the bank of river up to Tsetang. After one hour reach Pipula where you find a Tea Shop.Refresh yourself and then continue with gentle climb till you reach Kalbok. Overnight Camp before houses.(3850m)

 

Day 17: Trek Kalbock – Purney (4/5 Hrs)

After breakfast, Leave camp and continue along left side of River below. Continue trek along the left side of the river till you reach near a bridge, cross the bridge and after ten few minutes you arrive at Purney village, a beautiful and charming village with few houses. Have Lunch at Purney and enjoy the beauty of nature. Overnight at camp in Purney. (3850m)

 

Day 18:Trek Purney – Phugtal – Purney ( 5/6 hrs)

Morning after breakfast,Follow the clear trek route and continue up along the left bank of River Tsarap for more than ½ hrs. todayyou come across and pass through beautiful gorge. Continue up in the gorge and you find bridge. Cross the bridge then gentle ascent from from where you see the Pukhtak monastery. The picturesque monastery wonderfully built on the rock cliff with a large Cave (Natural big Cave), by great Lama Changsem Sherap Zangpo. After the visit, trek back to Purney. Overnight Camp in Purney.(3850m)

 

Day 19: Trek Purney – Kargyak (7/8 hrs)

Morning after breakfast, continue back towards the bridge, after crossing the bidge, gentle climb up till you reach Yal village. Continue trek along the right side of the valley. On the way, you pass through beautiful and charming villages with wonderful landscape and its surrounding awesome mountains. Pass Tetsa village, Kuru village and continue along left bank of river till you cross a bridge.Cross the river and then continue along the right bank of river till Kargyak Village. (Last Zanskar village on this trek) Overnight at camp in Kargyak. (4180m)

 

Day 20: Trek Kargyak – Pankeya (5/6 hrs)

Continue along right bank of river for ½ hrs till you reach Gombo Ranjon. Keep on trek till you cross the stream towards Tea shop. Climb for 25 minutes then continue up till you reach at Camp. Overnight at Pankeya (4700m)

 

Day 21: Trek Pankeya – Shingo-la (5090m) – Zanskar Sumdo (7/8 hrs)

Today you have to cross water stream several times so it is advisable to carry extra slipper in your bag so that you may not get wet. From the camp, moderate climb up to the Shingola Pass (5090m.) and it takes about three hours to reach at the top of the pass Shingo-la (5080m).shingo-la is last pass of your trek and from the top of the pass beautiful and awesome panoramic view of landscape and mountain peaks. Cross the pass,then easy descent,several times small River crossing , till you reach Zanskar Sumdu for overnight Camp. (4100m)

 

Day 22: Trek Zanskar Sumdo – Pal-Lhamo (5/6 Hrs)

Today you have easy trek on flat terrain.As usual morning after breakfast, you cross small river and then continue trek along the right bank of the River till you reach Palamo. Beautiful camping site with clean water. Overnight at camp. (3650m)

 

Day 23: Trek Pal-Lhamo – Rarik (3hrs) then drive to Manali (8hrs/ 185 kms)

Continue along the road, cross the river over bridge then carry on trek till we reach Rarik. At Rarik village, Jeeps will be waiting for you take to Manali. Arrive Rarik then drive to Manali. Overnight at Hotel.(2050m)

 

Day 24: Manali.

Day is at complete leisure or in the afternoon explore Manali city. Overnight at Hotel. (2050m)

 

Day 25: Drive Manali – Chandigarh (10hrs / 305 kms)

Morning, after breakfast, drive to Chandigarh for overnight stay at hotel.

 

Day 26: Chandigarh - Delhi by Train (4hrs)

Early morning breakfast. Drive to railway station for shatabadi express train to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to for few hours hotel. Afternoon visit Delhi (Old and New) by late evening transfer to IGI Airport for return flight.

 

Day 27: Departure.

 

 

Cost Includes :

Cost Does not Includes :

Guaranteed Departure

 

Travel Clothes & Equipment