Overview

The ancient Buddhist kingdom of Zanskar is hidden deep in the western reaches of the great Himalayas. For most of the year the high passes are inaccessible because of snow, making the frozen Zanskar River the only way of transport by walking. Villages nestling high up on cliffs, the greenest fields where peas and buckwheat are grown and ancient monasteries are just some of the attractions on this spectacular trek. Zanskar is well known for its many and high passes and ever changing landscape, the highest of them being Singe La, the Lion pass at 5090m.On the fifth day one will reach Lingshed, One can end the trek in Padum after ten days or continue all the way to Darcha for a 20 days adventure. If you have time and the inclination to be part of a classic and beautiful Ladakh trek experience, the trek from Lamayuru to Darcha is an option worth considering. The trek is an absolute delight for those who revel in adventure and challenges of nature. The trek starts from Lamayuru, home to one of the oldest monasteries of Ladakh, and continues through various magnificent passes, some remote villages, some beautiful valleys and a lot more in between until it commences at Darcha. Located on the bank of Bhaga river, Darcha in Lahaul at an elevation of 3,360 meters is a small village that is mostly inhabited by the Himalayan tribes. It is well mentioned in the book ‘Rough Guide to India’ as "a lonely cluster of dry-stone huts and dingy tent camps". The popular Darcha Lamayuru trek is a journey that connects the remote terrains of Himachal Pradesh with the ancient hues of Indo – Tibetans in Lamayuru at Ladakh. The trail passes through a wide barren landscape and cascade of snow fed ranges, high altitude mountain passes and quaint villages. Further, it embarks upon the beautiful vicinity of alpine lakes where one can get acquainted with the wild whispers of several Himalayan wildlife, which includes migrating birds endangered animals. Interestingly, this rugged trekking tour to Lamayuru from Darcha will also travel across different high passes including Shingo la 5,090 at meters, Parfi la at 3,950 meters, Hanamun la at 4,800 meters, Sengge la at 5,060 meters, Sirsir la and Prinkti la. The trekking routes also require crossing magnanimous rivers like Chandra, Bhaga, Tsarap, Doda, Zanskar and Indus. The Darcha Lamayuru trek goes deep into the far-flung monasteries and gompas and the major attractions are the Sani Gompa, Mani Gompa, Bardan Gompa, Karsha Gompa, Lingshed Gompa and Lamayuru Gompa.