Padum-Lamayuru

Time: 2 hour walk with 2 hour drive 

It starts with driving to Karsha 3.600 m (approx. 11.811 ft). In this village, you get to see the largest monastery of Zanskar with 140 resident monks. From there, you can see the best view of the Great Himalayan range. A nunnery can also be seen, its name is sTongde Gompaand Zangla. An iron bridge has to be crossed which is on the left bank of the river. The undulating land is easy going, sometimes across the moraine highland sometimes along the river. In 2 hours you can reach the village Hanumil 3.480m (11.410 ft). In 100 meters there’s a good campsite, making up the beautiful settlement. 

In 2/3 days, you can move from Padum to Pidmo on the left bank for visiting the Lamdon Model High School. 

Time: 6 hours

Possibly, this can be your first tough day since you will be climbing the very first pass. For 2 hours, you carry on an easy and good path from Hanumil. Carry water from the small rivers because the way will be directing away from the edge of the river Zanskar. There’s an impressive cutting by the rivers which is east and the north via the mountains. During the winters, the river turns strange “Chaddar” trade path to Nimu, at times when the temperature drops down so much that the Zanskaris can walk on its frozen surface. 

First go up to the flat terrain before the end of the pass. It is quite sharp vertical making it quite difficult to climb on a sandy slope as much as the Parfi-La 3.900 m (12.790 ft). This is your first pass and there are many more that you will be crossing in the coming days. Till river Oma-Chu it is steep descend. You will have to cross the bridge and climb up a 500 m sandy slope. The view is very beautiful and this way will lead you to Snertse Pulu 3.770m (12.370 ft).

Time: 7 hours

The long gradual slope directs towards the 2nd pass of the trip—Hanuma-La. You’ll pass a sheepfold after ¾ hours. It’ll take more 2 hours to reach the top of the Hanuma-La 4.700 m (15.410 ft). There is a 1 km steep zigzag path. Now you’ll have to climb up for 300 meters along the mountain side. There is a simple descent on the way to Lingshed through this small pass. The camp is close to the monastery of the Lingshed Village 3.900 m (12.790 ft). 

Time: 6 hours

You have to climb 2 passes in a single day. Although, initially you’ve to climb 4 hours up to the 1st pass which will be very easy. On reaching the first pass of the day known as Murgum-La 4.370 m (14.330 ft) you’re going to enjoy an amazing view of the Nierag valley, based on the other bank of the Zanskar. Now you’ll come across the gentle descent in the direction of the villages Gongma 4.000 m and Skiumpata 4.060 m. Slowly start the very steep climb alongside the mountain side up to the top point of the Kiupa-la 4.430 m (approx. 14.530 ft). Now you’ve to move for the next pass Sengi-La 4.430 m (14.534 ft). 

Time: 7 hours

This is the highest pass of the trek. It will take around 2 hours. The view from the highest point of Sengi-La 4.900m is immensely beautiful. There is a short slope which will lead you into a broad valley. This is going to be any easy path leading you toward the 2nd pass Bumiktse-La 4.200 m (14.430 ft). The descent along the way will lead you to the beautiful village Photoksar 4.130 m. It’s a wonderful village at the foot of the hung mountain walls. 20 minutes above the village, there is abandoned monastery.

There is a facility of car pickup Photoksar.

Time: 6 hours

There’s a gentle climb up to a big chorten from the village with a long slope towards the pass. The last 3rd of the pass is quite steep. You can look back to the Sengi-La from the heightened Sirsir-La 4.800 m (15.740 ft). It’s easy descent to the river. You have to cross the bridge and go through the long descent into a rocky valley. You can get a good campsite before Hanupatta village. In Hanupatta jeep can be available for pickup. Go left to Shillakong on the Rangdum-Kalse trail for avoiding the road. 

Time: 5 hours

The village of Hanupatta is very attractive. As you enter the gorges, the view is beautiful. You will also get to see a lot of caves there. 

A lot of religious banners can be seen on the way. For crossing the river Yapola, a natural bridge is there. Before reaching the road, you will have to pass some of the difficult stretches. At this point, you can stop and then take a jeep which will take you to Wanla and Leh.

The other option you have is to walk for 3 hours and reach the village Phanjila. As you reach this village, you can now turn towards the Lamayuru-Chilling trail. After this, you will pass a beautiful village known as Wanla. Here also, jeeps are easily available.

Time: 3 hours

You can reach the Shilla through Shillakong valley. As you pass the village, you reach the pass Prinkiti-la. From there, you get to see a spectacular view of the Zanskar Mountains. The descent is very easy here. You just have to cross the river and move towards the monastery of Lamayuru, one of the best places in Ladakh. After this, you can take a jeep and reach Leh, it will take just 5 hours.

Head towards the north, cross the Sniugutsela, and take a right turn in Shillakong gorge and reach Lamayuru via Prikitila.