-| Padum - Phuktal - Padum via Thongde-la | -
Duration : 07 Days / 06 Nights
Go to Padum by lorry from Kargil ( 2 days ). Hard going many rivers to cross
, too difficult for the pack animals between Shade and Phuktal. Recommended
period from mid-August to mid-October. Allow 7 days.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01 : Padum - Thongde , 3 hrs.
Two possible routes to cross the Tsarap: follow the track to Pipting as far
as a new metal bridge then easy going until THongde ; or , below Padum cross
a wooden bridge , sometimes too difficult for animals , then go along the right
bank of the Tsarap.
Day 02 : Thongde - Thongde-la - habitable cave , 7 1/2 hrs.
From the village of THongde ( 3450 m) , go up to the gompa (20 min.),then follow
steady path as far as the pastures of thongde (2hrs).Up a winding path for the
last 200 mts. to the Thongde-la (5150m , 4 1/2 hrs). Go down for about 2 1/2
hrs. as far the junction with the first large valley (Forest). A further 1 1/2
hrs and you see a habitat cave on the left bank ( 3hrs from the pass ) after
crossing several rivers.
Day 03 : Habitable cave - Shade , 6hrs.
From the camp , walk along the main stream as far as the junction with a large
valley coming from the north -west ( 3hrs , many rivers to cross) . You arrive
at a low temperature wall which delimats the wooded area for the villages of
THongde and Shade. The path leaves the floor of the valley and goes up to the
right slope.Pass a small plateau ( spring , wood , 4hrs ).
Continue along the slope , then go down to a gorge entering at right angles
, turn back up onto the slope you arrive at right angles , turn back up onto
the slope you arrive at a hut and a field. Here the vlley widens (5 1/2 hrs).Go
to the valley floor. The valley narrows . Pass a curve and there find a rope
bridge across the river.Walk along the left bank as far as a gorge entering
at right angles.A wooden bridge and three chortens mark the entrance of this
gorge which leads to the village of Shade 30 30 minutes away.
Day 04 : Shade - Phuktal , 6-7 hrs.
From the village go to the three chortens and follow the main valley. Half an
hour after the three chortens and folow the main valley. Half an hour after
the three chortens , the valley widens and you see the small Tantak monastery,
two houses on a hill.A monk in Phuktal is responsible for its maintenance.From
Tantak go down and ford the river just before it narrows .
From there , the track rises and stays on the slope as far as Phuktal. At times
, track is precarious and very elevated as far as the junction with the Tsarap
( from the junction , possible to use this trail towards Yarshun , Mashun ,
Takh , the Baralacha-la , DArsha).Walk along the Tsarap (right bank) for about
hour as far as a large cave on the right , 100m above the path (water, wood).Cross
a small pass on a ridge(15min.), then go back down towards the river. Follow
the path which is well marked but at times precarious until the Phuktal monastery
which you reach from above(4-5hrs from the cave).
Day 05 : Phuktal - Ichar , 6-7hrs.
From Phuktal , go down towards a tributary to the Tsarap , then cross this river
over a bridge ingood condition (1984) , walk along it on its left bank into
splendid gorges as far as Purne. Here one meets up with Hiking Tours No.1 and
2 whcih come from Darhsa.Cross the bridge then follow the left bank upstream
.The trail that overhangs the Tsarap is sometimes tricky and hard going.Frequent
small canyons of pudding -stones.
Pass a bit above a hanging bridge which leads to the village of Cha(from Cha
, it is possible to go to Phuktal without horses , whcih is dangerous). 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
which leads to Ichar.Very good camp .Interesting fortified village.
Day 06 : Ichar - Bardan Gompa, 7hrs
Cross back over the left bank , then a gradual ascent before coming to a major
tributary(bridge) Gradual descent down towards Reru , then quite a beautiful
plain covered with flowers (july) as far as Mune.Possible to camp opposite monastery
.After two hours , you arrive at Bardan Gompa , a Kagyupa monastery famous for
its prayer wheel (180cm high).
Day 07 : Bardan Gompa -Padum , 3hrs.
From Bardan , a dusty suitable for motor traffic leads to Padum without difficulty
.Several quite beautiful villages on the opposite bank.
Padum - Phuktal - Padum
via Thongde-la, Ladakh Tour Reservation Form
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