A beautiful and attractive trek that gives you the opportunity to visit famous monasteries of Ladakh and see through rich flora and fauna of the region.
LAMAYURU TO ALCHI VIA TAR LA
Period: Mid June – October
Day1-Leh Lamayuru:
Transport by taxi to Lamayuru (124km from Leh) for the start of your trek. Camp at Lamayuru with the opportunity to visit LamayuruGompa (Monastery). Please, be aware to take an extra day if necessary to aid acclimatization.
Day2-Lamayuru Wanla (via Prinkiti La)
this is a hot but short day: do it early or late. From Lamayuru (3450m) the path goes down to the stream, then turns up a side valley (go downstream) at the chortens (shrines) and prayer flags, and winds up through a barren gorge to Prinkiti La (Pass) (3700m). You descend steeply to the river; turn downstream and you are in Wanla (3200m) in 30 min. Overnight camp.
Day3-Wanla Ursi (via Phanjila)
Follow a jeep track upstream (hot and dusty) for 2 hrs to Phanjila (3300m) where the trail splits with the Zanskar trek continuing up the main river. The Phanjila road takes you high above the village and rejoins the stream after 30 min. At a side stream a painted arrow on a rock indicates the way to Ursi (3670m), which you will reach after a steep climb (1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hrs). Overnight camp.
Day4-Ursi Tar (via Tar La)
The trail heads towards steep cliffs before sneaking its way into a narrow gorge, where the going can be a little bit difficult over the jumble of boulders. The valley widens and the path zigzags its way up a steep slope to Tar La (4850m). The view stretches south to the Zanskar Range, east along Indus Valley and north to the Likir-Temisgam-Trek. The descent to Tar is a long and arduous one through a seemingly endless valley till you reach the lush fields of Tar village (3250m).
Day5-Tar Mangyu (via Hibti La and Mangyu La)
After leaving Tar village the valley to east is leading up to Hibti La (4150m) with a path getting gradually steeper as it nears the top. From the pass you have sensational views of the Indus Valley as far as Leh and to the south of snow-capped peaks. The path to Mangyu La (4140m) contours the mountainsides but with parts of very steep slopes with loose earth and a steep last ascend. The path down leads over the sandy hillside. Take the chance to visit Mangyugompa.
Day6-/ Mangyu to Alchi
Follow the path along the river and through a short, narrow gorge till you reach the road, which crosses the river to enter Indus valley. Walking along the road on the south side of the river you will go through the small settlement of Lardo (3190m) till you reach the metal led road leading up to Alchi (3150m). The going can be hot and dusty across the sun-baked plains. Don’t miss to visit the famous, 11th century Alchigompa. The transport back to Leh by taxi will be arranged on day 6 or 7 (if you like to stay overnight at Alchi.
Please note: The altitudes given in various trekking guides and maps differ. The given altitudes in this description are taken from one book/map to give you the best possible idea about heights you have to do on each day.
