Padum Darcha Trek – 13 days
Day 01. Leh to Mulbek (3600m) 7hrs
Embark on a thrilling journey from Leh to Mulbek in a jeep, where you will visit the famous Lamayuru, Likir, and Rizong monasteries. Discover the ancient history and rich cultural heritage of the region while soaking in the breathtaking views. Mulbek, a picturesque village, is famous for its awe-inspiring rock-carved Buddha statue that will leave you spellbound.
Day 02. Mulbek to Rangdum via Kargil
Drive through the picturesque landscapes to reach Rangdum via Kargil, the nearest village to Nun Kun in the Suru valley. Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the region and stay overnight in a comfortable camp in Mulbek, just 36 km before Kargil.
Day 03. Rangdum to Padum via Sani Gompa
Explore the mystical beauty of Sani Gompa as you make your way to Padum via Rangdum. Witness the unique architecture and learn about the fascinating history of the region.
Day 04. Padum – Raru (6 hrs)
Continue your journey from Padum along a dusty Jeep track, passing through the charming villages of Shila and Bardhan. Don't miss the opportunity to visit Bardhan's valley monastery (3620m), closely associated with the Drukpa order of Hemis monastery. Admire the beautifully engraved mantras prayer wheels that are sure to captivate your senses. After a 2.5-hour drive along the Tsarap River, you'll reach the village of Reru via Mune Monastery (3900 m) and the Kangla plateau.
Day 05. Raru to Icher 3-4 hours
This day will be one of the most exciting ones on your trip, as you will get to witness the biggest village of Lung Nag Valley, Icher. Explore the village, its unique culture, and architecture, and make unforgettable memories.
Day 06: Scenic Trek Along the Blue Zanskar River
Embark on an easy 4-5 hour trek along the pristine blue Zanskar River. The picturesque views of the river with towering mountains in the background are sure to leave you spellbound.
As you make your way along the river, you'll pass through quaint villages and see locals going about their daily lives. At the end of the trek, you'll set up camp for the night at Pepula.
Day 07: Trek to Purne, a Picturesque Hamlet
Today, we'll embark on a 5-6 hour trek from Pepula to Purne (3775m), a picturesque hamlet nestled in the heart of the Zanskar Valley. The trail will take you through lush green meadows and across scenic mountain passes, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
As you reach Purne, you'll be welcomed by the warm hospitality of the locals. Spend the evening exploring the village and interacting with the friendly locals.
Day 08: Discover the Magnificent Phuktal Monastery
Today, we'll take a side trip to the magnificent Phuktal Monastery, one of the most fabulous sights in the Zanskar Valley. The 4-hour trek to the monastery follows the right bank of the Tsarap River and enters splendid gorges for some time before reaching a makeshift bridge.
As you walk along the trail, you'll come across a small plateau adorned with chortens and prayer flags. From here, you'll have an amazing view of the monastery, which is built on a limestone cliff with the main assembly hall carved out of a huge cave and the monks' residences scattered down the hillside.
Inside the monastery, you'll find an inscription of Cosma de Koros, one of the first Europeans to visit the Zanskar region. The spring that gurgles deep in the cave is still out of bounds for women.
After exploring the monastery and taking in its unique architecture and history, we'll trek back to Purne for a well-deserved overnight rest.
Day 09. Purne- Tabley (6 hrs)
Embark on a new adventure as we cross the bridge in the gorge and begin our trek towards the Tetha village plateau (3980m). The trail follows the right bank of the river, offering stunning views and minor climbs and descents. We'll pass through Kuru village (3990m), a hub for livestock breeding marked by well-maintained stupas, before descending towards the Tanze village (3850m). From here, we'll join the route that connects to the popular Darcha-Padum hiking tour via Baralacha and Phirtse La.
Day 10. Tabley – Lakung (7-8 hrs)
The trail from Tabley gradually ascends towards Kargyak village (4050m), the highest permanent settlement in the Zanskar region, located on the left bank of the river. We'll climb towards the majestic rock tower of Gonpo Rangjung and continue towards the scenic yak grazing pastureland of Lakung (4470m). This is an ideal spot for camping, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
Day 11. Lakung – Ramjak 4290m (6-7 hrs)
After a hearty breakfast, we'll take on the challenge of the Shingo Pass (5090m), which can be accomplished in a couple of hours. Although not tough by Himalayan standards, it is a demanding climb that offers stunning panoramic views of the main Himalayas and the Baralacha Range. The top of the pass is marked by a series of prayer flags. The descent path is well-trodden and easy, passing through Chumik village (4640m) and leading to the picturesque meadowland campsite of Ramjak (4290m).
Day 12: Rumjak – Pallamo (5 hrs)
We continue our trekking on the right bank of the river, where the descent is rather gradual until the last section of the Zanskar Sumdo. Before reaching Zanskar Sumdo, we need to be alert of the steepness. After a steep descent at the intersection, we cross the river on a manned pulley bridge. Further on, the trail runs along the far bank towards boulder fields until Pallamo, where we camp for the last night of our trekking, ending our thrilling adventure on prepossessing greenery.
Day 13: Pallamo – Darcha-Manali 3350m (3 hrs)
On the last day, we take an easy and short hike on this adventure. We pass the village of Rarig, continuing in a spectacular gorge along a dusty path until the final countdown to Darcha. From there, we drive back down to Manali, reminiscing about our awe-inspiring trekking adventure.