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Padum Darcha Trek Itinerary — Day by Day Route & Camps
A historic 9-day journey starting in the Zanskar valley, visiting ancient cliffside monasteries, and crossing a massive mountain pass to reach the green valleys of Himachal.
Standard RouteThis is the standard mountain pacing for this trek. Specific operators may add an acclimatization day or alter the starting point. Check individual operator schedules for their exact logistics.
Duration
9 Days
Total Distance
134.0 KM
Max Altitude
16,700 FT
Trek Type
linear
Day by Day Breakdown
Camp Alt
12,800 ft
Day Gain
+1,000 ft
Reach Mune
The trek starts by leaving the wide Padum plain and entering the Lungnak valley. The trail follows the Tsarap (Lungnak) river, passing the stunning cliff-mounted Bardan monastery before arriving at Mune.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The route follows the river valley. The path breaches the mountain barrier crossing the watershed.
Camp Alt
12,900 ft
Day Gain
+100 ft
Reach Ichar
The trail undulates along the river. You will cross a few side streams and pass through the village of Reru. Ichar is a beautiful, traditional Zanskari village perched above the river.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The route follows the river valley. The path breaches the mountain barrier crossing the watershed.
Camp Alt
13,000 ft
Day Gain
+100 ft
Reach Purne
The valley narrows into a spectacular gorge. The trail weaves up and down the steep valley walls. Purne is a small junction located at the confluence of the Tsarap and Kargyak rivers.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
Tree line disappears as the valley broadens into a spectacular high-altitude alpine meadow basin, replacing the dense forests with expansive grazing pastures.
Field Notes
Use Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are highly recommended to save your knees on the descent.
INFOSlower Progress
Progress will be significantly slower and more taxing on your ankles than trail distance suggests.
Camp Alt
13,500 ft
Day Gain
+500 ft
Reach Kargyak via Phugtal Detour
Early morning, take a 2-hour return detour to the stunning Phuktal Monastery. Then, continue up the Kargyak Chu valley. The landscape widens, and you pass several high-altitude farming settlements before reaching Kargyak, the highest permanent village in the valley.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The rugged alpine terrain opens up to reveal a spectacular high-altitude glacial tarn, serving as a critical hydrological node in the upper watershed.
Camp Alt
14,500 ft
Day Gain
+1,000 ft
Reach Lakham
Leaving the villages behind, you trek into pure alpine wilderness. You will pass the spectacular Gumburanjon peak, a massive standalone rock monolith. Camp is set at Lakham, the base for the Shingo La crossing.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
Crossing the high-altitude pass bridges two distinct watershed systems, shifting the expedition over the glaciated divide and down into a new river basin.
Field Notes
Use Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are highly recommended to save your knees on the descent.
INFOSlower Progress
Progress will be significantly slower and more taxing on your ankles than trail distance suggests.
Camp Alt
13,300 ft
Day Gain
-1,200 ft
Today's Objective
🏔 Cross Lakham To Chuminakpo Via Shingo La
The crux day. A steady, grueling climb up moraine ridges to the prayer-flag-draped Shingo La pass. After celebrating at 16,700 ft, you face a long, steep, and often slippery descent into the Lahaul side, dropping down to the meadow at Chuminakpo.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The environment transitions into open alpine meadows. The route ascends to an exposed ridge line. The path breaches the mountain barrier crossing the watershed.
Field Notes
Use Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are highly recommended to save your knees on the descent.
INFOSlower Progress
Progress will be significantly slower and more taxing on your ankles than trail distance suggests.
Camp Alt
12,600 ft
Day Gain
-700 ft
Reach Zanskar Sumdo
A continuous descent as the landscape begins to subtly shift, showing more greenery. The trail involves rock hopping and minor stream crossings to reach Zanskar Sumdo.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
Tree line disappears as the valley broadens into a spectacular high-altitude alpine meadow basin, replacing the dense forests with expansive grazing pastures.
Field Notes
Use Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are highly recommended to save your knees on the descent.
INFOSlower Progress
Progress will be significantly slower and more taxing on your ankles than trail distance suggests.
Camp Alt
11,800 ft
Day Gain
-800 ft
Reach Palamu
A short walk further down the valley. Historically, this involved a tricky river crossing via a manual pulley system, though new bridges and road constructions have made it much simpler.
Key Landmarks
Staying At
The route ascends to an exposed ridge line. The route follows the river valley.
Camp Alt
11,000 ft
Day Gain
-800 ft
Trek to Darcha
The final leg of the journey. The trail widens into a jeep track as you approach the village of Darcha, located on the main Manali-Leh highway. From here, you can catch a vehicle to Keylong or Manali.
Key Landmarks
The trail follows the mountain river corridor through a narrow, forested gorge, moving past traditional settlements into increasingly dense dense forested valleys.
Trek Extensions & Add-ons
Phuktal Monastery Stay
+1 DaySpend an entire day and night at the Phuktal monastery guesthouse to fully experience the monks' chanting and the isolation of the cliff.
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