CHARCHAR LA


Roaring rivers, high passes, remote valleys - this is an ideal trek for those seeking real high adventures. The stark beauty of the Zanskar landscape forms the backdrop for the trek.

SEASON: July - September

MAX. ALTITUDE: 5200m

NUMBER OF DAYS: 11 days

HIGH PASSES: Kongmaru La (5200m), Jalung Karpo La (5150m), Charchar La (4950m)

TREK GRADIENT: Challenging

Day 01: Participants arrive in Leh.

Day 02: Leh - Shang Sumdo by road
Duration: 3 hours

Day 03: Shang Sumdo - Lartsa (4600m)
Duration: 6 hours

The first day's trek is through the Shang gorge. While there is not by way of views, the rock formations of the gorge are spectacular.

Day 04: Lartsa - Thachungtse (4000m) via Kongmaru La (5200m)
Duration: 6 hours

A steep ascent takes you to Kongmaru La from where you will get fabulous views of Kang Yatse (6400m), Zanskar and Karakoram ranges. On the other side of the pass, after a short descent is the summer pasture of Nimaling. The camp at Thachungtse is further down the valley on the banks of the Marka river.

Day 05: Thachungtse - Yakrupal (4200m)
Duration: 6 hours

This is an easy day but an early start is recommended since the Langthung Chu river has to be crossed several times. As the sun goes higher, the water level in the river increases and it gets more dangerous. The path is through the remote Langthung valley that branches away from Marka.

Day 06: Yakrupal - Jalung Karpo La (5150m) - Tilat Sumdo (3750m)
Duration: 6 hours

A short ascent brings you to Jalung Karpo La (5150) from where you get breathtaking views of the Zanskar range on one side and the wide Changthang plateau on the other which extends into Tibet and is the home of the nomadic Changa people. Once you descend from the pass, you will need to cross a few rivers before you arrive at the campsite of Tilat Sumdo. Look out for rare sightings of blue sheep, snow leopard and golden eagle.

Day 07: Tilad Sumdo - Base of Charchar La (4400m)
Duration: 8 hours

You will have more river crossings than any other day today, the first of which will be the icy Chang Chu. The path goes from one narrow valley to another before a gradual ascent to the base of Charchar La.

Day 08: Base of Charchar La - Zangla Sumdo (3400m) via Charcharla (4950m)
Duration: 5 hours

The path is initially through some narrow, impressive gorges and after a while climbs up to Charchar La. The way down is over a glacier and then along a stream. At the intersection of two streams is the camp of Zangla Sumdo.

Day 09: Zangla Sumdo - Zangla (3370m)
Duration: 5 hours

More river crossings and past a couple of Zanskari villages will bring you to Zangla castle. The village is a short walk down hill from there.

Day 10: Zangla - Karsha (3600m)
Duration: 6 hours

You will walk past numerous villages today along the Zanskar river. At Karsha is one of the largest and ancient monasteries of Zanskar.

Day 11: Karsha - Padum (3531m)
Duration: 2 hours

The last day of the trek is the shortest and easy walk on a jeep track to Padum, the main town of Zanskar, where the trek ends.

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