ITINERARY

Day 01:

A long drive over the Rohtang pass and through Lahaul valley in Himachal Pradesh leads from Manali to Darcha (10,827m), a nondescript village on the road to Leh. Starting early a short walk tarmac road takes you to a dirty track going into the valley along the Kade river. An hour and a half on the track, and you are at the twin villages of Chikka and Raring. The trail takes another hour and a half to reach the bridge on the river overlooking a waterfall and gushing rapids. Another half an hour takes you to the camp at Palamu (11,300 ft. / 3,444m).

Day 02:

Climbs a scree slope, cross a side stream and go through a boulder-strewn stretch to reach the confluence of Kade with the Shinkun Nala coming down from the Shinkun La.

Day 03:

Day of third the path climbs steeply for half an hour from the camp itself, switch backing about 400 ft. to a small grassy patch. Another four hours through a very rocky terrain on the right bank of the Shinkun Nala takes you to the campsite at Chuminakpo (13,320 ft. / 4,060m.) A side stream meets the main shinkun stream just near the campsite.

Day 04:

The trail starts climbing immediately after camp. The gradient is not too stiff but as you are at almost 15,000ft / 4,572 m, the going is slow and tiring. After crossing a side, stream, climb to the top of a hump from where the ice wall of a glacier is visible. The trail passes above the ice wall to the top of the pass. There are great views towards Lahaul Valley. Trekking from the campsite to Shinkun La takes around three hours. The trail leaves the pass to descend the glacier, initially on snow, and then it levels off to the left bank of the scree slope. Zanskar comes into view as you see the green meadows of Lakong. An hour's fairly level walk leads to a ridge from where a sharpdrop reaches the valley of Tsarp Lingti.

Day 05:

Use the morning to cross over to the right bank of the Tsarap Lingti. A gradual descent of an hour ad a half takes you to the base of Cumboranjan, a solitary rock peak rising sharply from the valley floor. After thirty minutes or so you get a spectacular view of the rock face looking back up the valley. For a rock climbing enthusiast, this would be an ultimate challenge, but the peak is considered sacred by the locals. In fact, the villagers believe a light shines on the summit on the religious occasions. Well, faith is known to open up many a new vision for people. After a gentle walk of another four hours along the river. In another forty-five minutes you reach the campsite at Khee village.

Day 06:

A three hour climb takes you to a bridge over Tsarap Lingti, where the valley narrow down. The trail continues past the villages of Tabely, Shanze, and Tangze. Crossing over to the left bank, a short climb takes you to Kuru village. Another two and a half hours along the Tsarap Lingti Past Teta and Yal villages, and you reach the campsite at purne village (12,140 ft / 3,700m), a small oasis surrounded by bleak mountais where the river Tsarap Chu joins up.

Day 07 :

Keeping camp at Purne, go for a hike to Phuktal Gompa. The gorge along the Tsarap Chu is narrow with red cliffs rising sharply on both sides. The trail at times, is quite narrow and exposed, and rises and falls steeply. You reach the bridge in two hours and cross over to the right bank. After a fifteen minute climb from the bridge, you face the dramatic view of Phuktal on the cliffs above. It takes around twenty minutes to climb from the bridge, you face the dramatic view of Phuktal on the cliffs above. It takes around twenty minutes to climb up to the monastey nestled at the entrance of a huge cave. There is impressive statues of Mahakala, the Lord of Death, and Aalokiteshwara, the Lord of Mercy, and a priceless collection of thangkas and frescoes, Phuktal is a gem of Buddhist culture.

Day 08 :

Crossing over to the left bank, turn to the towards the conflence of Tsarap Lingti and Tsarap Chu. An hour's walk over rubble leads to the rope bridge at Char, a relic from not-so-distant past still in use. It's always better to see someone else crossing these precarious bridges rather than becoming a part of the spectacle-and sometimes part of history yourself! Then go to Kyalbo Village after this reach Changpa Setin village. Immediately afterthat yo enter a gorge cutby a side stream. Descend a few hundred feet into the gorge; cross over a small bridge and then climb up again, and in another hour and a half, you reach the Pepul campsite.

Day 09 :

An hour's walk takes you out of the enclosed valley and you out of the enclosed valley and you start seeing the peaks of the Great Himalayan Range. In another hour to the fortified village Village of It char, with its houses clustered together.

Day 10 :

Start early and go to the Mune and Burdun monasteries on the way to Padum (11,580 ft / 3,530 m). The trail is on a dirt track that tends to get hot. You reach the administrative headquarters of Zanskar in Six hours. Take the road over Pensi La to get out of Zanskar or hit either of the two trails through inner Zanskar Valley.

Important Facts of Darcha Padum Trek

Duration : Maximum - 10 Days
Degree of Difficulty : 4 - Moderate to Rigorous.
How to Reach : Daily flights from Delhi to Bhunter near Kullu. From Manali, a seven hour drive over to the Rohtang pass to Darcha.
Cross the pass (13,000ft / 3,962 m) on foot. Buses and taxis are available for the rest of the Journey. In September, early snows could make the crossing of the Shinkun La into Zanskar difficult. Also, the road into Padum over the Pensi La could get blocked.Altitude Maximum height is 16,700 ft / 5,100m on the Shinkun La. Most of the walking is between 10,000 ft and 12,000 ft / 3,000 m and 3,650 m.
Highlights of Treks : Monasteries at Pukhtal, Mune, and Bardun. Good views of Gumbarojan Peak.
Support Services : Mules and ponies available through the advanced requirements, but not available on arrival. A tent is a must; guest houses only in a few places.
Emergency : Reasonable medical facilities in Leh, especially in the army hospital, including high altitude rescue facilities. Radio contact only at Padum. Only basic medical facilities at Padum.