A wonderful trek crossing several passes and three different regions- if you want to satisfy yourself completely and want to have the pleasure & experience of doing several treks in Himalaya just in one, come and explore superb western Himalayan trek- Darcha- Lamayuru. It has everything.
As per our information and experience, we firmly say that Darcha- Lamayuru (sometimes trekkers break this trek at Padum to save time and reach Leh or Srinagar via Kargil) used to be the king of trekking routes in 1980s and 1990s. Everyone wanted to go on this route. Reasons were simple and obvious- Darcha is in Lahoul which is still a forbidden land, then one crosses Shingo La or Phirtse La and enter into Zanskar region, visiting monastery like Phuktal could be a charm but the entire landscape enroute is amazingly striving. Zanskar is a place of absolute virginity, well distinguished Buddhist practices and striking landscape. The trek takes one into Leh through Wanla and Lamayuru, Uletopko and Alchi, and in Leh, the opportunity to visit several monasteries is always a quest.
Route Detail and General Observations It is extremely systematic so it can’t be called very difficult although it has might mountain passes and several days of trekking included. The initial days are fine and since the acclimatizing is scientifically happening, the toughness of walk doesn’t make much pressure on mind and muscles. There is no doubt that this route is the king of trekking in Himalayas and needs to be re explored and promoted. The beneficiaries from the tourism on this route are remote Himalayan tribes so each dollar spent on this route will be helping the life on this trek and the age old tradition which teaches the people of this route to live happily even in very different conditions from rest of the civilized world.
- International airport to hotel in Delhi transfer by small coach/ medium or large cars as per the group size
- Sightseeing/ monument visits as per the itinerary
- Delhi to trek beginning point and back to Delhi transfers
- Transfer to international airport in Delhi after the trip
- Transportation of porters, cook, kitchen staff to trek beginning point and back to their places after the trekking
Accommodation – city hotels with breakfast & remaining on full board
- Hotels as per the program
- Trekking duration camps with all meals
- Gala dinner at Delhi with expedition mementoes/ souvenirs
Staff
- Porters for the trekking part
- Cook and kitchen helper (01)
- Trekking guide (01) from trek beginning point to trek end point
- Local sightseeing/ city/ monument guide
Equipment
- Trekking tents for the members
- Trekking tent for cook+ helper and trekking guide
- Ground mattresses
- Kitchen tent, chairs, tables, stools, utensils, crockery and cutlery
- Toilet tents and toiletries
- Medical kit
- Maps and directions
Administrative assistance to the expedition team
- Cargo Management for big groups
- Insurance of the staff and porters for trekking trips like Kangla Pass
- Inner Line permits/ restricted area permits
The cost doesn’t include
- Air tickets of the expedition members
- Any kind of insurance of the clients
- Personal expenditures of the clients
- Helicopter rescue
- Personal sleeping bags and sacs
- Cargo handling charges
Skiing supplement
- If you want to ski down from some point, you can write separately.
Day 01: Delhi / on arrival you will meet our airport representative at airport who will assist you to your hotel in our vehicle where you will be welcomed by our Delhi office manager. He will discuss with you the schedule of next day and handover you the necessary documents and travel vouchers.
Day 02: Delhi - Manali (2,050 m)/ Morning we board the fastest train Shatawdi from Delhi station to Chandigarh which takes only 3 hours and 10 minutes to cover this distance. You will meet your trekking guide at Chandigarh with the coach to transfer you to Manali in next 08-09 hours. Reach Manali after on the way dinner and check into your hotel in this beautiful mountain resort.
Day 03: Manali/ We take you for small acclimatization hiking this day off course including the most important sightseeing places also. The group can buy and pack necessary things along with our guide if required. Evening visit to a local house to experience the custom and life style and later we drive to hotel. Night at hotel.
Day 04: Drive to Keylong (3050 M)- 110 Kms- The day is extremely spectacular and fascinating while driving up towards majestic Rohtang La through green valleys and even after crossing the pass and entering into Lahoul valley is totally a different experience. We reach Keylong through small tribal villages and CHINAB- the confluence of two popular rivers of the valley, Chandra and Bhaga. Finally the river goes to Pakistan though Lahoul. Keylong is the headquarter of Lahoul and Spiti and a Buddhist dominating area with couple of nice monasteries in surroundings. A walk to Kardang Monastery is worth visit to experience the age old culture and surely nice to keep your muscles toned. Night at hotel.
Day 05: Drive to Darcha through Jispa monastery and village/ It is 30 Kms drive from Keylong and from here we will start our first day trekking to Palamo (3825M) The trek will take about 5 hours to reach to our campsite where you will be welcomed by our camp staff with hot cup of tea/ coffee and snacks. Jispa and Darcha are two villages on the rod side and leaving Darcha towards left side is the trail moving inside of Zanskar. Rareek and Chikka are two another villages which fall on the way of out trek with best views and sights On the way, we pass a spectacular gorge and continue along the left bank. Night at Camp.
Day 06: Trek to Zanskar Sumdo (4,100mM) 5 hrs. The day starts with finest view of surroundings which start glowing with the first rays of sun and after breakfast we start the day with gradual climb and good view of mountain continue on the left bank until reaching our second camp site. Night at Camp.
Day 07: Trek to Chumik Nakpo (4670 M) 6 hrs.-Cross the second ford then go up the right hand valley following the stream, which comes from Shingo La. Streams in Himalayas should be crossed carefully even if they look small and here we ensure you about the experience of our trekking guides who have been walking on these trails for several years. We establish the camp in a small meadow. Night at Camp.
Day 08: Climb to Shingo-La (5090 M) - Lakhong (4590M) 7/8 hrs.-Today we cross the wonderful Shingo La pass and it would be surely an eventful day for those who have never climbed to this height. From the camp, we climb moderate slopes to foot of the pass and slowly move upwards by leaving green valley behind us, depending on the season and time, we might encounter snow while going up and reach finally at the top of the pass of Shingo-la (5090 M.) which would surely be enchanting for the trekkers. We see the view of various peaks from the pass and later walk over the glacier and fallen rocks while descending to the next side of the pass. We reach Lakhong camp beside small stream in next 3 hours and Night at Camp.
Day 09: Trek to Kargyak (4230 M) 5/6 hrs.- Lakhong camp is packed up in the morning after a wonderful breakfast and we cross a stream after few time and come to the right side of stream to continue our trek of the day. Then we walk on a mass of fallen rocks and again cross a small stream. After one hour, we pass beneath the face of the gomborangjum, and then an easy descent takes us to the first village of Zanskar region, Kargyak. Evening we walk around Kargyak and later reach to our camp. Night at Camp.
Day 10: Trek to Purne (3965 M) 6 hrs.- Morning after breakfast we proceed for our next destination, Purne which is another Buddhist area and while walking through the Buddhist regions we should always go from the left side of Chorten (Stupa) and recite as OM MANE PADME HUM, this is not mandatory but since a trekker regards the global religion so it looks advisable. After the village we continue on the right bank with an easy walk and reach Tanze which is a small village, with a Gompa (monastery) in ruins a bit higher up. At a short distance after Tanze, there is a small bridge across to the left bank and a slight rise leads to Kuru, a major village of livestock breeders. Then we reach Testa which is a very beautiful village. The path further continues downwards near the river, we stay on the left bank and then climb to Yal. From here we take steep descent towards a large bridge, which you cross to reach Purne. Night at Camp.
Day 11: Trek to explore Phuktal Monastery (4055 M) and back to Purne 6 hrs. - Phuktal Gompa is the 11th century monastery which is like a honey climb, cut into rock under a graphic limestone cave. It belongs to the Gelupas (Yellow Cap) sect, in the cave is a spring believed to have water of healing properties
We go up the right bank of the Tsarap River in to the splendid gorges and after crossing a bridge we walk up for few minutes where a ledge leads to a small plateau sprinkled with Chorten and religious banners. From here we see the most spectacular sights in the Zanskar regions. After visiting Phuktal Gompa we return by the same route to Purne. Night at Camp.
Day 12: Trek to Phibula (3865M) 5/6 hrs. -Morning after breakfast from Purne we come back to the bridge and then go up the left bank through frequent small canyons of pudding stones. Pass a bit above a hanging bridge, which leads to the village of Cha and two hours later reach Kheydang, a small village in a poplar grove. Finally we reach to Phibula. Night at camp.
Day 13: Trek to Raru (3960M) 6 hrs. -It’s a long way to reach a large bridge which leads you to Ichar village. From here we realize a gradual climb before coming to a major tributary and then to the campsite of Raru. We camp near the lake which is extremely wonderful. Night at Camp.
Day 14: Trek to Padum (3,530 M) 5/6 hrs. -Morning from the camp; cross a beautiful plain covered with flowers and later watch the monastery of Mune. Go down to a steep incline and reach the main trail. After two hours, we arrive at Burdan Gompa, a Kargyudpa Monastery famous for its prayer wheel. Several beautiful villages on the right bank of Tsarap River is visited and then a dusty trail will take you to the sub-headquarter of Zanskar regions, Padum. Night at hotel.
Day 15: Trek to Karsha (3,320 M) 4/5 hrs.- Morning we trek towards Pipiting through a dusty plain towards the Doda river .A new bridge over the Doda River is established which we cross and walk up towards Karsha Monastery. Visit the Monastery, which is again of Gelukpas section, and offers a good view of the valley. Karsha is the biggest Monastery in Zanskar region, having 150 monks of the yellow section. Night at Camp.
Day 16: Trek to Pishu (3660 M) 5 hrs.- We today walk along the left bank of Zanskar River and above Rinam, we witness a small shelter formed by the rocks. See the Thongde monastery on the right side of Zanskar River. The trail further will take you to the Pishu village. A very attractive campsite is situated below the village of Pishu. Night at Camp.
Day 17: Trek to Hanumil (3650M) 5/6 hrs. -This day we continue on left bank, some times along the river and reach to a bridge before Pidmo, and then another two hours will take us to the campsite of Hanumil. Night at Camp.
Day 18: Trek to Snertse (3940M) 6 hrs. -Today also we continue on the left bank of the Zanskar River where crossing a small stream on the left, the trail leads away from the edge of the Zanskar and the leads up to the foot of PERFI LA pass. It is surely a steep and difficult climb to Perfi-la (4560M), after we reach to the top of the pass; we start steeply descending to Uma Chhu River, and later after crossing a bridge and walking up to 500 M upwards on sandy slope, we reach to the campsite of Snertse. Night at Camp.
Day 19: Trek to Lingshed (4100M) 7/8 hrs. -Today is very long gradual ascent to the pass of Hanuma-la (4800m.) through the gorges. It takes about two and half hours to reach the pass from the camp. Whereas from the pass; it’s easy walking to the campsite of Lingshed. Night at Camp.
Day 20: Trek to foot of Sengge-la (3,990 M) 6 hrs. -Morning after breakfast we start our day’s trek and reach Netoski La (4475M) after about one hour easy climb. From here we look out the view of Nerag, on the other bank of Zanskar River. Later we have enjoyable gradual descent to the villages of Gongma and Skiumpata and after crossing a small stream and hour’s steep climb we reach to the pass of Kuba-La (4520M.) From here we slowly move upwards to the campsite of Gazo or foot of Sengge la. Night at Camp.
Day 21: Climb to Sengge-La (5060 M) & trek to Photoksar (4400 M) 6/7 hrs.-Today from the camp it takes nearly two hours steep climb to Sengge-la pass, (5060m.) which surely offers a panoramic view of the entire valley and later it is easy going down to the valley on next side. Short climb to Bhumiktse-la (4520mt.) and then descent towards Photoksar, a beautiful village at the base of huge mountain wall is our destination. Cross the bridge and camp near the stream. Night at Camp.
Day 22: Climb to Sir Sir-la (4965 M) & trek to Hanupatta (4070 M) 5/6 hrs.- It is a long ascent to the sir sir-la (4965 M) then easy descent to the river flowing down. We cross the river by bridge and walk along the left bank of it to reach a beautiful camping before Hanupatta village. Night at Camp.
Day 23: Trek to Wanla (3470 M) 5/6 hrs. -This day we continue along the left bank until entering the gorges. Cross the small bridge then a natural bridge again to the left side until reaching across the Yapola. From here we will take three hours to Phenjila (a small village) and then walk along the right bank until reaching village of Wanla. Cross the Bridge and reach to the camping place. Night at Camp.
Day 24: Climb to Prinkiti-La (3930 M) & trek to Lamayaru (3750M) 4/5 hrs.-This day we walk up to Shillakong along the right bank and cross the bridge to come to the left bank until reaching a Chorten (Stupa). From here we follow a dry and narrow gorge going up to Prinkiti-la (3930 M) Later we walk down and cross another small river and trek towards the village of Lamayaru. Lamayuru has a famous ancient monastery which is among oldest ones in Ladakh regions and has big library of Buddhist literature. The trek terminates here and from here Leh is 120km. Night at hotel/ guest house.
Day 25: Lamayaru to Leh by jeeps/- This is a wonderful day to entering inside of Leh region through remarkably known and fascinating places like Uletopko and Alchi which are having wonderful landscape and finest monasteries of the time of Rinchen Zangpo. We reach Leh and check in to our hotel. Night at Hotel. Day 26: Full day sightseeing of Leh
Day 27: Leh – New Delhi by morning flight and we will transfer you respectfully in the evening after differ to the international airport to get flight for your home.
Getting there: Your nearest international airport is Delhi where you will meet with our expedition manager. After essential visits to IMF and cargo (if required), you will be escotrted towards the initial point of your adventure as per the program details.
After the expedition/ adventure journey, you arrive back to Delhi. After de briefing (in case of expedition) and farewell ceremony, you will be driven to international airport to board flight back to your home.
Airtickets: We have our partners in almost every foreign countries, so if you need any assistance in your air tickets bookings, you are always welcome to speak to us to know about our partner close to you.
Cargo Management: We have strong tieups with the cargo management companies to get your consignments clear timely in Delhi. In maximum cases, you will only need to spend just 2 hours for getting your consignmwent delivery. Once you send the documents and the boxes details, we start locating them in India.
Insurance : It is a condition of joining our trips that you must be adequately insured. All persons are expected to arrange their own insurance. Polices should cover any potential risks involved in such adventure.
Our hotels and camps: We offer you best economy hotels in cities and towns and till base camp we provide you very comfirtable tents with maximim possible faciltiies in the mountains. For the trekking, Jeep Safaris, MTB and other adventure journeys, we provide the most luxurious camps fitted with dining areas and modren toilet facilities.
Adventure India briefing: We have excelent maps, images and movies of majoriety of our adventure expeditions/ joiurneys and sports. A short briefing in our offices is highly recommended so the team understands logistics, forecarst problems and know where the solutions would be. We stress on planning, planning and planning in any adventure expediton and till now we have remained successful in all of our expeditions just because of our planning. So we need you to be an active part of it.
Rescue and helicopter evacuation: if the expeditons are well planned, rescue operations can be avoided. In the history of 14 years, we didn’t encounter any seviour requireemtn of rescue but still we can tie up with the agencies to provide helicopter evacuation on your request and willingness to pay the charges.
Peak booking formalities: already mentioned in detail in our mountaineering formalities in India link. For necessary applications either you can check the website of IMF or speak to us.
Ground transportation: We provide the ground transportation compriseing of best available cars/ copaches in fine roads and rough trucks in remote areas of the Indian mountains.
Porters and ponies: We provide ponies till base camp and HAP/ LAPs as per the requirement of the expedition.
Fuel and gases: Fuel (aftwer BC) is not a part of cost included section, but we will manage Butane / Butane propane gases for you on your timely request.
Trek & BC food : We offer a mixture of Vegetarian and Non vegetarian food till BC including the several herbs we have individually discovered with the medicinal values and capacity to keep the body warm. We have cooks who make Korean, Japnese and Continental food along with Indian food.
Our guides & instructors: Our guides are basically trained till BC trekking and support to establish BC. But our instructors do have good experience of mountaineering who can join the expeditions to higher levels too.
Ground Support system: We have fantastic ground support system developed in collaboration with the local people of nearest villages, army camps, porters and local guides. We have re discovered the use of traditional communication system also along with the setellite phones to stay in touch with the groups after BC. Our BC staff is trained to keep information of the groups at ABC and between and act as per the situation.
Cost Includes & not: The cost includes all hotels, guest houses, camps till BC, food till BC, ponies, porters, LAP/ HAP, food & tents for the porters, cooks and staff at BC, insurance of our permanenet staff, food for LO, cargo management, all transportation, all sightseeing, liasioning and coordination, trekking guides and BC management. The cost doent include IMF fees and environment levies, State Government fees and environment levies, porters insurance, clients air fares, helicopter evacuation, extra porters requirement from the BC, extra days at or above BC and any expenditure on personal level including clients insurance/ visa etc.
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