India Information
Trekking in Ladakh
- Stok Kangri Expedition
- Markha Valley Trek
- Leh to Lamayuru
- Liker to Khaltse Trek
- Darcha to Lamayuru
- Indus Spiti Korzok
- Nubra Valley Trek
- Kanji La Trek
Ladakh Jeep Safari
India - Trekking in Ladakh - Darcha to Lamayuru Trekking
Darcha Lamayuru Trekking is a village on the Bhaga River in Lahaul region in Lahaul and Spiti district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is the northernmost permanent settlement in Himachal Pradesh along the Manali-Leh Highway.
Lamayuru Gompa is a Tibetan Buddhist Gompa (monastery) in Kargil District, Western Ladakh, India, situated on the Srinagar - Kargil - Leh road 15 km east of the Fotu La, at a height of 3,510 m.
Darcha Lamayuru Trek it was originally the foremost Bonpo monastery in Ladakh and was called gYung-drung Monastery (from Tibetan: gYung-drung - a swastika - a popular symbol in Bon, Buddhism, and other religions); also gYung-drung-bon is the name of the Bon religion.
The oldest surviving building at Lamayuru is a temple called Seng-ge-sgang, at the southern end of the Lamayuru rock, which is attributed to the famous builder-monk Rinchen Zangpo (958-1055 CE). Rinchen Zangpo was charged by the king of Ladakh to build 108 gompas, and certainly many gompas in Ladakh, Spiti and the surrounding regions, date from his time.
"The Lamayuro is oldest gompas, those dating from Rinchen-zang-po's time — Alchi and Lamayuru, and the less accessible Wanla, Mang-gyu and Sumda — belonged at the time of their foundation to none of these Tibetan schools, whose establishment they antedate. They were at some stage taken over by the Ka-dam-pa, and when it fell into decline they were taken over again, this time mostly by the Ge-lugs-pa. The exception was Lamayuru, which was for some reason claimed by the Dri-gung-pa"
The gompa consisted originally of five buildings, and some remains of the four corner buildings can still be seen.
Lamayuru Trekking is one of the largest and oldest gompas in Ladakh, with a population of around 150 permanent monks resident.
It has, in the past, housed up to 400 monks, many of which are now based in gompas in surrounding villages. Lamayuru is host to two annual masked dance festivals, in the second and fifth months of the Tibetan lunar calendar, when all the monks from these surrounding gompas gather together to pray.
Trip Detail
- Trekking Region : Darcha
- Culture : Buddhist
- Starting Point : Darche
- End Point : Lamayuru
- Trek Duration : 19 Night / 20 Days
- Type of trekking Medium
- Highest Access :4950m
- Best Season : June to September
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Darcha - Palemo - 3600m (5 hrs):
We start our journey by an easy walk into the valley. En route, we will visit the Chika and Rarik monasteries.
Day 2:Palemo - Zanskar Sumdo - 3860 m (5 hrs):
We cross the river by a hanging trolley.
Day 3: Zanskar Sumdo - Chumi Napo - 4640 m (5 hrs):
The route leaves the valley and starts climbing up quite steeply towards the Shingo La pass.
Day 4: Chumi Napo - Shingo La (5090 m) - Lakham (4470 m) (6 hrs)
Prayer flags flapping in the wind mark the Shingo La pass, surrounded with fascinating views of the glaciers. An easy traverse of a glacier, takes us to the valley and to Lakham yak pastures.
Day 5: Lakham - Kurgiak (4050 m) (6 hrs):
A gradual descent along the Kurgiak river, lined by mani walls. On the way, we will come across a few Doksas, where yaks are kept in summer time.
Day 6: Kurgiak - Tetha (3950 m) (7 hrs):
The trail is now boarded by meadows of flowers and barley fields. Chortens are spread all the way and highlight the religious fervour of the Zanskaris.
Day 7: Tetha - Purni (3700 m) (2 hrs)
We visit Phuktal monastery (3850 m), perched at the hillside of an impressive cliff. (4 h return journey).
Day 8: Purni - Ichar (3650 m) (4 hrs).
Day 9: Ichar - Mune (3900 m) - Shilla (3600 m) (5 hrs)
The trail goes up and down along the Tsarap river. En route we visit Mune and Bardan monastery.
Day 10:Shilla - Karsha (3600m) (6 hrs):
A pleasant walk through fields. On the way, we will visit Pepiting monastery, the Karsha Gompa. One of the most important in Zanskar and dating of the 15th century. We gain beautiful panoramic vistas towards the full Himalayan range.
Day 11: Karsha - Pishu (3470 m) (5 hrs):
We progress along the Zanskar river.
Day 12: Pishu - Hanumil (3380 m) (5 hrs)
An easy going walk along the right bank of the river takes us to Rinam village. We continue to the tiny hamlet of Hanumil.
Day 13: Hanumil - Purfi La (3950 m) - Snertse (3850 m) (6 hrs).
Day 14: Snerstse - Hanuma La (4950 m) - Lingshet (4000 m) (6 hrs):
After a steep climb we reach Purfi La pass, from where the panorama towards the Ladakhi and Zanskari ranges is quite impressive. Visit of Lingshet monastery.
Day 15: Lingshet - Camp before Singue La (4550 m) (6 hrs)
We start a long and gradual ascent to Netuke La pass (4280 m), where we have a wonderful view towards Nierag valley. The trail, then, descends shortly to reach Skimpata and Gongma villages, and climb steeply to reach the second pass, Khyupa La (4300 m).
Day 16: Camp before Singue La - Singue La (5050 m) - Photoksar (4200 m) (6 hrs)
An amazing spectacle of hanging icefalls. We descend towards Photang river to progress through barley fields.
Day 17: Photoksar - Sirsir La (4850 m) - Hanupatta (3760 m) (6 hrs)
Photang valley turns into a gorge labryinth, which forces us to make a detour via Sirsir La pass. Three chortens mark Hanupatta and its giant hundred-year-old cedar, flanked by colorful prayer flags.
Day 18: Hanupatta - Wanla (3250 m) (5 hrs)
We head down towards the Photang valley and climb up to Panjila pass(3410 m). We finally descend to Wanla.
Day 19: Wanla - Lamayuru (3420 m) (4 hrs)
Visit of the monastery at Lamayuru, which is the biggest in western Ladakh and was built in the 16th century on the site of a much older temple. The gompa is very well kept and famous for its many colorful wall paintings.
Day 20: Lamayuru to Leh By bus.
