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1st Day: Darcha (3.400 m) to first Campsite (3.800 m),
5 hours
Leave Darcha 3.440 m (11.150 ft) and follow the track
(some kms are on yhe road) to the
small village Rarik. You will pass a spectacular gorge and cross a first ford.
There is a good campsite (3.800 m) for the first night outside.
2nd Day: 1. Campsite (3.800 m) to Ramjak (4.100 m), 7 hours
Continue on the left bank until you reach the second major ford. You go up the
right-hand valley. The path is good but hard going up. You will find a good camp
at the hamlet of Ramjak 4.100 m (13.450 ft) in the small meadow
(stone falls in the rainy season).
3rd Day: Ramjak (4.100 m) to Lakang Sumdo (4.500 m) via Shinkun-La (5.000 m), 9
hours
From the camp you start climbing on a moderate slope to the foot of
the first pass including several easy stream crossings. The breathless climb
with the zigzag path leads you through a moraine as far as the Shinkun-La 5.000
m (16.400 ft). You will be rewarded with the wonderful views of several 6.000 m
peaks. The descent is steep and leads you through a permanent snow field. Cross
the final firm to reach the first meadows. After crossing several easy streams
you go down to an escarpment towards a small plateau. There are wonderful views
all around. The campsite 4.500 m (14.760 ft) is between two streams. You will
have a nice view of the mountain Gumburanjon (5.900 m).
4th Day:
Lakang Sumdo (4.500 m) to Habla (4.140 m), 6 hours
You climb down a mass
of fallen rocks and cross several streams. After one hour you pass beneath the
face of the Gumburanjan (5.900 m). This shark’s fin of a mountain has been
climbed several times. The walking is gentle and easy all the way to the first
and highest village in this valley. Kargyak
(4.200 m - 13.780 ft) is a small and
beautiful place of about 120 people. You can visit the
Sun School. After two more hours of walking you reach
the next settlement Habla 4.140 m (13.582 ft) with a good campsite.
5th Day : Habla (4.140 m) to Purne (3.950 m), 6 hours
From Table continue
on the right bank along an easy path until you reach Tanze. Tanze is a small
village with a monastery on ruins a bit higher up. A short distance beyond Tanze
there is a bridge you have to cross. The trail leaves the river and climbs to a
willow plantation, before descending between the fields of the pretty village of
Kuru. Afterwards an excellent path leads steadily lower. Soon you reach the
larger village Teta. The path continues downward near the river. Stay on the
left bank and then climb gentle up the slope to Yal. Next comes a steep descent
towards a large bridge which you cross to reach Purne. Purne 3.950 m (12.960 ft)
is a collection of houses owned by only two families.
6th Day :
Sidetrip from Purne (3.950 m) to Phuktal monestary (4.000 m) and back to Purne,
4 hours
This sidetrip is very admirable because you visit the most
spectacularly situated monastery of Ladakh. Leave the horses in Purne. Go up the
left bank of the Tsarap River into a gorge. After 2 hours you cross a bridge in
good condition. Fifteen minutes later you arrive at a small tributary of the
Tsarap. The beautiful clear water is cascading down. A ledge leads you to a
small plateau sprinkled with chortens and religious banners. From here you can
see the Phuktal monastery. Phuktal belongs to the tradition of the Gelupas. 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.
(Here arrive the path from sTongde Gompa via
Shade and you cona by-pass Padum plains).
7th Day :
Purne (3.950 m) to Ichar (3.800 m), 6 hours
From Purne you go back down.
After crossing the bridge you go up the left bank. The trail overhangs the
Tsarap River. It’s sometimes tricky and hard going. There are frequent small
canyons of pudding stones. Pass a bit above a hanging, which leads to the
village of Cha. Two hours later you arrive at the small village
of Kyelbo. Carry
on until Ammu and pass below the village of Surle. The trail is still not good.
Several stretches are a little bit difficult. The large bridge on your way leads
to the impressive village Ichar 3.800 m (12.467 ft). The houses in Ichar are
perched on the top of a crag. There are wonderful views west to snow-capped
mountains.
8th Day : Ichar (3.800 m) to Padum (3.800 m), 5 hours
Cross back over to the left bank and then gradually climb before coming to a
major tributary. Gradually descent down towards to
Reru.
We are at the road-head and can drive to Mune, Bardan and padum in max 2 hours. |
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