-| Darsha - Padum
via Shinkun-la Tour | -
Duration : 09 Days / 08 Nights
Location :
This is one of the classic hiking tours of the region . It is advisable to spend
2 and 3 days at Darsha first to become acclimatized.The best period is from
july to October .Allow 9 days.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01 :Darsha - camp . 4-5hrs.
From Darsha follow the track untill the last hamlet then a good footpath. Pass
a spectacular gorge.Continue along the left bank , then cross a first ford .Good
camp 1 hour beyond the ford , groves.
Day 02 : Camp - Ramjak , 6-7hrs.
Continue on the left bank untill reaching a second (major) ford , then go up
the right hand valley.There are good paths on both sides of the stream , but
both are hard going.Good camp at Ramjak in small meadow , spring.
Day 03 : Ramjak -Shinkun-la - camp at the Gumburanjon , 8-9hrs.
From the camp , climb moderate slopes to the foot of the pass.Several easy stream
crossing (4hrs).The ground flattens out and the path zigzags through a moraine
as far as the Shinkun-la(5090m,5.5hrs).The descent is steep and dangerous for
horses (ice and some fallen rocks).Cross a final firn to reach the first meadows.Cross
several easy streams , then go down an escarpement towards a small plateau.Nice
view of the Gumburanjon.Good camp between two streams.
Day 04 : Camp at the Gumburanjon -Table , 6hrs.
Climb down a mass of fallen rocks, then cross several streams.After one hour
, you pass beneath the face of the Gumburanjon , then an easy descent towards
Kargyak(4100m) on the right bank , no problem.Two hurs after Kargyak ,you reach
Table .Good camp.
Day 05 : Table - Purne , 6hrs.
From Table , continue on the right bank along an easy path .1/2 hrs before Tanze
you cross infront of a narow gorge
where the route joins up with Hiking tour No.2 Darsha - Padum by the Baralacha
and Phirtse-la.Tanze is a small village , gompa in ruins a bit higher up.A short
distance beyond Tanze , there is a bridge across to the left bank.Monotonous
going across morainic terrain.Slight rise leading to Kuru , major village of
livestock breeders.Afterwards , an excellant path leads steadily lower.Arrival
in Teta (3.5hrs) beautiful village.The path continues downward near the river.Stay
on the left bank, then climb gentle slope upto Jal.Next comes a steep descent
towards a large bridge which you cross to get to Purne.You can either set up
camp somewhere before the house , or pay Rs.10 per tent on an adjacent lot.Watch
your things.
Day 06 : Purne -Phuktal-Purne , 4hrs.
Leave the horse in Purne.Go up the left bank of the Tsarap into splendid gorges.
After 1.5hrs ,cross a bridge in good condition (in 1985).Fifteen minutes later
you arrive at a small tributary to the Tsarap, beautifully clear water cascading
down.A ledge leads to a small plateau sprinkled with chortens and religous banners.From
there , you can see the Phuktal monastery , one of the most spectacular sights
in Zanskar.Phuktal belongs to the tradition of the Gelupas(yellow hats).The
spring that gurgles deep in the cave is still out of bounds to women.The Hungarian
historian Cosma de Koros stayed here over the winter of 1825-26.It is possible
to find food and lodging at the monastery.
Day 07 : Purne -Ichar , 5-6 hrs.
From Purne , go back down ,
cross
the bridge , then go up the left bank. the trail that overhangs the Tsarap is
sometime tricky and hard going . Frequent small canyons of pudding -stones.Pass
a bit above a hanging bridge whcih leads to the village of Cha.Two hours later
, you arrive at Kaydang , a small village in a popular grove.Carry on until
Hamuni(tea shop).Pass below the village of Surle.The trail is still not good
, several stretches difficult for the horses.Arrive at a large bridge whcih
leads to Ichar.Veru good camp.Interesting fortified village.
Day 08 : Ichar -Mune , 5hrs.
Cross back over to the left bank , then a gradual climb before coming to a major
tributary (bridge). Gradual descent down towards Reru , then quite a beautiful
plains covered with flowers (july ) as far Mune. Possibility to camp opposite
monastery.
Day 09 :Mune -Padum , 5hrs.
From the monastery , go down a steep incline to the main trail.After two hrs
, you arrive at Barden Gompa , a Kagyupa monastery famous for its prayer wheel(180cm).From
Bardah , a dusty road suitable for motor traffic leads to Padum without difficulty
. Several quite beautiful villages on the opposite bank Padum (3650m) : possibilities
for fresh supplies uncertain(only rice , tsampa , sugar, tea and sometimes kerosene),
several hotels , a restaurant (1985).Passport control .Camping possibilities
1 km down the road to Kargil.
Darsha - Padum via Shinkun-la
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