Zanskar trek from Lamayuru to Darcha

Accomodation
5 Star Hotel
Admission Fee
No
Arrival City
Pune
Best Season
Autumn
Departure City
Kathmandu
Free Cancellation
Yes
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Wifi
Available
Guide
Guided
Hotel Transfer
Available
Insurance Coverage
Covered 80%
Language
Hindi
Maximum Altitude
8848m
Meeting Point
Hotel
Mineral Water
Available
Payment Method
VISA
Tour Availability
Available
Transportation
Bus, Taxi
Walking Hours
5-6 Hours

Duration: 19 days
Difficulty: level 5
Distance: 291 km
Max elevation: 5062m
Elevation gain / loss: +8535m / -8555m

This challenging trek from Lamayuru to Darcha follows a 19-day itinerary across Zanskar. You will walk through beautiful landscapes, visit ancient monasteries and stay in charming remote villages. Homestays provide a fascinating window into the local culture: you will cook and eat with the family, you might even be able to help planting or harvesting the fields.

Day 01 :

Lamayuru - Prinkti La - Wanla

Time: 3-4 hrs
Distance: 9.1 km
Elevation gain / loss: +369m / -592m

visit the well-known monastery of Lamayuru just above the village
cross the Prinkti La pass and walk through the small village of Shilla before reaching Wanla
homestay can be arranged in Wanla

Day 02 :

Wanla - Hanupatta

Time: 6-7 hrs
Distance: 17.5 km
Elevation gain / loss: +569m / -0m

walk along the river and pass through barley fields studded with whitewashed farmhouses
the trail goes through a narrow gorge via Phenjila before reaching Hanupatta
homestay possibility in Hanupatta

Day 03 :

Hanupatta - Sir Sir La - Photoksar

Time: 7-8 hrs
Distance: 16.6 km
Elevation gain / loss: +1117m / -690m

cross the river and start ascending the Sir Sir La, the pass offers a nice view of the Zanskar range
walk down to the village of Photoksar
homestay possibility in Photoksar

Day 04 :

Photoksar - Singge La Base Camp

Time: 4-5 hrs
Distance: 11.5 km
Elevation gain / loss: +332m / -182m

cross the Bumiktse La and enter the wide valley of Photang where villagers keep their yaks and horses for grazing
go to the base camp

Day 05 :

Singge La Base Camp - Singge La - Lingshed

Time: 8-9 hrs
Distance: 20.5 km
Elevation gain / loss: +1073m / -1483m

cross the Singge La and enjoy the great view from the pass
cross the 2 small passes (Kyukpa La and Margum La) before reaching Lingshed village
visit the beautiful monastery of Lingshed where more than 60 monks live
homestay possibility in Lingshed

Day 06 :

Lingshed - Hanuma La - Snertse

Time: 7-8 hrs
Distance: 17.8 km
Elevation gain / loss: +1119m / -1253m

pass through the village of Lingshed and follow the trail to Hanuma La base
go up gradullay towards the Hanuma La, enjoy the panoramic view of the Zanskar mountains and Lingshed village from the pass
walk down along a stream that leads to Snertse

Day 07 :

Snertse - Purfi La - Hanamur

Time: 4-5 hrs
Distance: 12.4 km
Elevation gain / loss: +610m / -938m

cross the Purfi La pass and follow the Zanskar river until the village of Hanamur
Himalayan brown bears and blue sheep can sometimes be spotted in this area

Day 08 :

Hanamur - Pishu

Time: 4-5 hrs
Distance: 15.4 km
Elevation gain / loss: +141m / -150m

easy walk along the Zanskar river
pass through the village of Pidmo which has few households and continue to Pishu
homestay possibility in Pishu

Day 09 :

Pishu - Karsha

Time: 5-6 hrs
Distance: 16.9 km
Elevation gain / loss: +251m / -0m

easy walk to Karsha
visit the monastery of Karsha, the largest and the most important monastery in Zanskar. It is built on a mountainside above the village
homestay possibility in Karsha

Day 10 :

Karsha - Padum

Time: 3 hrs
Distance: 11.2 km
Elevation gain / loss: +77m / -174m

walk towards Padum, the capital of Zanskar
it is also possible to drive from Karsha to Padum
homestay possibility in Padum

Day 11 :

Padum - Raru

Time: 7-8 hrs
Distance: 22.6 km
Elevation gain / loss: +389m / -164m

follow a long but easy trail leading to Raru
on the way, you can visit the monastery of Bardan which is perched on a hill
possibility to drive from Padum to Raru
homestay possibility in Raru

Day 12 :

Raru - Changpa Tsetan

Time: 5-6 hrs
Distance: 16.0 km
Elevation gain / loss: +379m / -355m

the trail follows the Tsarap river down through a craggy landscape
you need to cross the stream several times before arriving to Changpa Tsetan

Day 13 :

Changpa Tsetan - Purne

Time: 3 hrs
Distance: 9.7 km
Elevation gain / loss: +225m / -207m

the trail continues to follow the Tsarap river
walk past the villages of Surle, Kalbok and Zantang to the confluence of Tsarap and Kargyak river and a little ahead is the village of Purne

Day 14 :

Purne - Phuktal - Purne

Time: 4 hrs
Distance: 11.7 km
Elevation gain / loss: +233m / -233m

walk towards the monastery of Phuktal from Purne
Phuktal gompa is spectacularly located at the mouth of a huge cave high up in the vertical mountainside
meet the resident monks at the monastery and take time visiting around

Day 15 :

Purne - Tabley

Time: 5-6 hrs
Distance: 16.9 km
Elevation gain / loss: +485m / -281m

walk along the Kargyak river
you will see the villages of Testha, Kuru and Tanse before reaching Tabley

Day 16 :

Tabley - Lakung

Time: 7-8 hrs
Distance: 22.0 km
Elevation gain / loss: +455m / -0m

walk through Kargyak village and follow the wide valley leading to the grazing land of Lakung

Day 17 :

Lakung - Shingo La - Ramjak

Time: 6-7 hrs
Distance: 16.4 km
Elevation gain / loss: +571m / -678m

follow the trail to Shingo La base
cross the Shingo La, the highest pass of the trek
descend to Chumik Nagpo and further down is the village of Ramjak

Day 18 :

Ramjak - Pallamo

Time: 4-5 hrs
Distance: 15.3 km
Elevation gain / loss: +55m / -833m

a gradual descent leads to Pallamo

Day 19 :

Pallamo - Darcha

Time: 3-4 hrs
Distance: 11.7 km
Elevation gain / loss: +57m / -342m

the trail to Darcha is fairly easy and you can visit the gompas of Rarik and Chika on the way

FAQs

Expand all

How fit do I need to be to do this trek?

Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.

How long do we walk every day when doing Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.

What is the highest altitude reached in this trek?

The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.

What about battery charging and hot shower facilities?

Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.

Are there ATMs on the way to Annapurna Base Camp?

No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.

What about internet access?

Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection

Zanskar trek from Lamayuru to Darcha

Zanskar trek from Lamayuru to Darcha

Trip Info

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Map