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This is a
expeditious trek with almost every day one or more high passe s
to cross at least till Padum from where there is only one major high
pass before crossing in to Lahul valley of Himachal Pradesh. Rinchen
Brangpo had wandered the Zanksar valley in 11th century for selecting
sites for 108 monasteries which were to be established through out the
western Himalaya. In 1826-7 the first European traveled through the area
was famous Hungarian explorer Coso de Koros who has spent a year at the
Pukhtal monastery translating Buddhist text from Ladakhi into English.
An inscription of his name can still be seen in the monastery.
Grade:
Moderate to Vigorous.
Duration: 29 Days. (Actual Trek 20 Days, Lamayuru To Darcha)
Itinerary: Delhi - Leh - Lamayuru - Trek - Darcha
- Manali - Chandigarh - Delhi
DAY
01. ARRIVE DELHI
Morning arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel. Afternoon combined guided
tour of Old and
New Delhi
includes Jammia Masjid Mosque, Cycle rickshaw ride through Chandni chowk,
Red Fort, drive through India Gate and Parliament house, Qutab Minar and
Humayuns Tomb.
DAY 02. DELHI -
LEH
Morning transfer to airport and fly to Leh, arrive and transfer to
hotel. Rest of the day at leisure for acclimatization.
Leh is a
small picturesque town of about 10,000 people. Situated at 3505 Mt., the
summer days are dry and sunny but nights can be cold. A double lines of
"Manies", stone shelters for departed spirits, protects the towns
approaches. During these three days we will explore some of the
interesting monasteries of the area.
DAY 03. IN LEH
Full day sightseeing of Stok Palace – The palace has a small
museum, which houses the queen’s head gear (peyrak) and a remarkable
collection of Thankas. Tibetan children’s village. Shey Palace –
Shey was once the capital of Ladakh in the pre – Tibetan era until the
15th century. Thiksey – Tsong Khapa had prophesied
that a monastery would be built here and Thiksey was founded by one of
his disciple Hemis - larg est
monastery founded in 1602 by Tagtsangrepa and Tatok – this
monastery of the Nyimapa order has about 50 monks and these not far from
Chimiri, Padmasambhava, the founder of the order is said to have
meditated here.
DAY 04. LEH -
LAMAYURU
Morning visit Phyang
– founded in 16th century by King Tashi Nangyal.
Spituk - The monastery first belonged
to the Kadampa order but in the 15th century it was restored
and Tsong Kapa sent two Lamas to transfer it to Gelupa order, and drive
to Lamayuru, en-route visit Alchi -
one of the few monasteries of the 11th and 12th
centuries to have survive. Arrive and camp for overnight.
DAY 05 to 24. TREK
Wind up camp, load our pack ponies,
visit Lamayuru
monastery and commence the
trek. First leg of trek from Lamayuru takes us to
Padum
in Zanskar valley over number of high passes and strenuous ascends and
descends as well as some remote spectacular hamlets and villages. Some
of the high passes which we need to cross between Lamayuru and Padum are
Prinkit – la (3726 Mt.),
Sirsir-la
(4800 Mt.), Senge-La
(4990 Mt.), Hunumla-la
(4740 Mt.), Pirfi-la
(3940 Mt).
The second leg between Padum and Darcha has only one high pass i.e.
Shingola pass
(5090 Mt.) and a few beautiful
villages and monasteries. During this trek number of rivers / streams
need to be crossed from one bank to another to find our trail. However,
our tour escorts have trekked, are well experienced and fully informed
of the route. The camping crew consists of cooks and assistants will
look after and assist in pitching tents, preparing hot meals and
serving.
During the trek
portable two men tents are provided with foam mattresses, as well as a
separate mess and kitchen tents are utilized. Arrive
Darcha
on 24th day the trek ends here and our last night of camping.
DAY 25. DARCHA
– MANALI
Drive 145 Km 8 – 9 Hrs.
After breakfast wind up our camp and drive via Keylong, the head
quarters of Lahual and Spiti valleys and Rothang Pass
(3978 Mt.) to Manali in the lush green Kulu valley. Arrive
and check in at hotel.
DAY 26. IN
MANALI
Full day at leisure to explore the
town and relax. This important fruit growing valley district produces
apples, apricots, cherries, pears, peaches and plums. Craftwork here
includes shawls, Kulu caps, jewelry and home spun tweed garments. Manali
itself is in a lovely position, surrounded by dense forests and
mountains.
DAY 27. MANALI –
CHANDIGARH Drive 370 Km 11 Hrs.
After breakfast day long drive to
Chandigarh. We leave behind the mountainous high altitude area and
descend into Chandigarh, a well laid city designed by a team of famous
French architect Le Corbusier assisted by his cousin, Jeanneret and an
English couple, Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew. Arrive and check in at hotel.
DAY 28. CHANDIGARH -
DELHI Drive 245 Km 5 Hrs.
Morning depart and drive to Delhi, via
plains of Punjab and Harayana. Arrive Delhi and check-in at hotel for
overnight stay. Remainder of the day at leisure.
DAY
29. DEPARTURE
Morning transfer to airport for
homeward flight
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