Region: Lahaul – Zanskar – Ladakh
Season: June to October
Grade: High Altitude
Duration: 21 Days
Darcha in Himachal Pradesh is one of the most popular treks traversing the heart of Zanskar. The highest mountain pass is the mighty Shingo La (Shinkun La), crossing which you emerge into the beautiful Zanskar valley with its tiny oasis like villages bordered with swaying Poplar and Willow trees. On the way you get to visit some ancient monasteries dramatically built on jagged hillsides and also stop and meet the friendly Zanskari inhabitants. Quaint villages, high grassy meadows, a few crystal clear springs, shimmering snow clad mountains and the beauty of the desolate landscape makes this a fascinating trek.
Day 01:
We reach our destination at Darcha which is the starting point for treks. Overnight.
Day 02: Darcha – Palemo 3600m / 11,808 ft. 5-6 hours.
We being our trek and head uphill into a valley stopping over at the Chika and Rarik monasteries. Camp overnight.
Day 03: Palemo – Zankar Sumdo – 3860m / 12,660ft. 5 – 6 hours.
Today the trail reaches a river which we cross by a trolley. the trail leads over rocky terrain to our campsite for the night.
Day 04: Zanskar Sumdo – Chumik Nakpo – 4640m / 15,219 ft. 5 hours.
The trail goes uphill steeply to the base of the Shingo La pass. Camp overnight.
Day 05: Chumik Nakpo – Shingo La – 5090m / 16,695 ft. to Lakhang – 4470m / 14,662 ft. 6 hours.
The steep climb is rewarding as once upon the saddle of the Shingo La with its colourful prayer flags fluttering in the stiff breeze, the views of the expansive snow covered Zanskar and Ladakh mountains are stunning. Walking down an easy glacier we reach the green grazing meadows of Lakhang. Camp.
Day 06: Lakhang – Kargyak – 4050m / 13,284 ft. 6 – 7 hours.
After a gradual descent we walk along the Kargyak river passing a few Mani walls. We camp outside the village of Kargyak in green pastures.
Day 07: Kargyak – Teta 3950m / 12,956 ft. 7 hours.
This enchanting trail goes through flower strewn meadows and fertile fields of barley. There are a number of Chortens all along the route. We reach our campsite by evening.
Day 08: Teta – Purne – 3700m / 12,136 ft. 2 hours.
A side trek leads us to the spectacular Phuktal monastery perched at 3850m / 12,628ft on a craggy hill with a yawning cave. This takes about four hours after which we return to our campsite at Purne.
Day 09: Purne – Ichar – 3650m 11,972 ft 4 Hours.
This easy trail along the valley floor takes us to the small village of Ichar with its white washed houses standing out amidst a brown arid landscape. Camp.
Day 10: Ichar – Mune – 3900m / 12,792 ft. to Shilla 3600m / 11,808 ft. 5 hours.
The trail follows the Tsarap river winding up and down till we reach our campsite. On the way we divert a bit to visit the enchanting Mune and Bardan monasteries. Camp at Mune.
Day 11: Shilla – Karsha – 3600m / 11,808 ft. 6 hours.
A lovely walk through green fields and an almost level trail. We by pass the main town of Padum and a little ahead stop over to explore the Pipiting monastery. We reach the small village of Karsha by evening. The Karsha Gompa is the largest and the most important monastery in Zanskar and dates back to the 15th century. Camp near the village.
Day 12: Karsha – Pishu – 3470m / 11,382 ft. 5 hours.
The trail goes along the Zanskar river to the small hamlet of Pishu.
Day 13: Pishu – Hanumil – 3380m / 11,086ft in 5 hours.
A leisurely walk along the right bank of the Zanskar river takes us to Rinam village offering excellent views of the mountains. The trail continues over a large plateau to the small hamlet of Hanumil. Camp.
Day 14: Hanumil – Parfi La – 3950m / 12,956ft ft. to Snertse – 3850m / 12,628ft. 6 hours.
The undulating trail gives you impressive views of the Zanskar gorge as it climbs steadily towards the Parfi La pass the first of eight passes on the route. We walk across a steep ridge and descend to our campsite at Snertse with its small makeshift shepherd huts.
Day 15: Snertse – Hanuma La – 4950m / 16,236ft to Lingshed – 4000m / 13,120ft. 6 hours.
A steep climb later we reach the pass with its excellent views of Lingshed and the stark ribbed terrain of the Zanskar and Ladakh mountains ahead. Later as we approach Lingshed we cross yellow coloured valley with strangely shaped hills. As we near the end of our days trek we stop over to visit the village monastery. Camp.
Day 16: Lingshed – Base of Sengge La – 4550m / 14,924ft. 6 -7 hours.
The trail ascends towards the pass and we visit the Skimpata and Gongma villages on the way. Camp at the base.
Day 17: Base Camp of Singge La -over the pass – 5050m / 16,564 ft. to Photoksar -4200m / 13,776ft. 6 hours.
The trail goes through spectacular views of the surrounding mountains as we descend to the Photang river and then crossing green barley fields and reach the picturesque Photoksar village above a clear stream. Camp.
Day 18: Photoksar – Sirsir La – 4850m / 15,908ft to Hanupatta – 3760m / 12,332ft. 6 hours.
The trail now gradually climbs towards the Sirsir La where three Chortens mark the pass with a gigantic cedar tree decked with prayer flags.
Day 19: Hanupatta – Wanla – 3250m / 10,660ft. 5- 6 hours.
The narrow trail crosses a magnificent gorge displaying incredible colours on the rock faces and then goes on towards Phenjila village with pretty apricots trees growing on the slopes around. A little ahead is the campsite at the pretty village of Wanla with its 11th century Gompa on a hillside.
Day 20: Wanla – Lamayuru – 3420m / 11,217ft. 4 hours.
The trail now goes through a dry gorge and ascends to the Prinkiti-La at 3726m / 12,221ftand then gradually descends to the dramatically located 16th century Lamayuru monastery.
Day 21:
We drive to Leh- 3500m / 11,480ft. and check into a hotel.
