Tarsalamu La Trek

Trip Details

  • Trip Type: Trekking

  • Region: Lahaul - Himachal

  • Grade: Moderately Challenging

  • Duration: 10 days

  • Max Altitude: 5362m

  • Batch Dates: Custom Trips only

Tarsalamu La Trek Overview

Tarsalamu La Trek is a rarely visited pass that forms the passage between the two better known valleys of Tod and Miyar. The Miyar Valley has had a legendary status in climber's imaginations for decades. Often compared to the Yosemite valley in America, the big granite walls of the Miyar would easily make El captain and Half Dome look like dwarfs. The increasingly popular Leh Manali highway cuts through the Tod (or Stod) valley and brings a lot of people to its biggest village - Darcha.

 

We start the trip from Manali town and drive to Darcha in Lahaul and onward to Zanskar Sumdo where we start our trip. We make our way over two days to cross over Tarasalamu Pass (5362m). The approach to the pass is steep and might need a fixed rope. To the other side of the pass, get spectacular views of the Tharang Peaks and the Miyar Valley.

 

One can also choose to extend this trek and explore the Miyar Valley, trek all the way to Zanskar or climb the Tharang peaks.

Trip Cost

This is a custom departure tour and so please write to us for prices and more info on this trek. 

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Tarsalamu La Trek Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Manali
Arrive in Manali in the morning and check into your hotel. Walk around town and orient yourself to your surroundings. Final gear check and prepare for the climb ahead. Overnight in a hotel.

 

Day 02: Manali - Zanskar Sumdo (3900m)
Duration: 12 hours
We leave Manali early in the morning over the Rohtang Pass and pass Darcha town to reach Zanskar Sumdo.

 

Day 03: Zanskar Sumdo - Kuddu (4080m)

Start trekking and make our way west to reach the Kuddu alpine meadow.  Shepherds often stay at Kuddu for a few months to graze their flock.

 

Day 04: Kuddu( 4080m )

Today we walk take a day to acclimatise. Walk around the campsite and explore the valley.

 

Day 05: Kuddu - Snout Camp (4500m)

Make our way along the Mayar Nala to reach the camp at the snout of the glacier.

 

Day 06: Snout Camp -East Base Camp (4800m)

Hike through the moraine and glacier to the bottom of the pass.

 

Day 07: East Base Camp - Tarasalamu Pass(5362m) - West Base Camp 

Our hardest day yet, we climb to the top of Tarasalamu Pass. Depending on the snow conditions and the season, the use of a rope and protection might be required. Get great views of the peaks of the Miyar valley on the way down.

 

Day 08: West Base Camp - Tharang  (3900m)

Make our way to the main Miyar valley and set camp in one of the meadows.

 

Day 09: Tharang -Shukto

Make our way to Thanpattan and then onward down the valley to Shukto, the roadhead.

 

Day 10: Shukto - Manali

Duration: 10 hours

Drive back to Manali. Trip Ends!

  • Camping Tents, Kitchen tents, Sleeping bags (Holofill) and Carry mats.
  • Nutritious, high-calorie vegetarian food will be served for the whole trek.
  • Guide, cook and camp helpers.
  • Porters/ Horses to carry loads on the whole route.
  • Participants are not expected to carry any loads other than a small daypack with a camera, some trail layers and some trail food.
  • Two people will be accommodated in one tent.
  • Transport Manali hotel to Road Head and back.
  • Hotel accommodations in Manali for 1 day before the trek.
  • All expenses of personal nature like drinks, tips, telephone calls, mineral water etc.
  • Food in Manali
  • Accommodation in Manali on return.
  • Medical and evacuation expenses, we strongly recommend purchasing a suitable insurance cover.

Pack:
- Backpack 40 - 50 Lts with rain cover.This you will need in case you choose to offload your larger pack onto a horse/porter
- Day Pack 15 - 20 lts - You will use this to carry your camera, water bottle, Trail layers, trail food etc.
Footwear:
-Trekking Shoes: Please do not wear sports shoes as on most treks as we go higher it gets harder to use the sports shoes. We recommend shoes with a good hard sole and also ankle support preferable water proof. While we do not subscribe to any particular brand you can try the Quechua forclaz 100, 500 or 600.
Socks:
- 2 -3 pairs of cotton socks.
- 2 pairs of woolen socks ( these are ideal to sleep in and best to use when in camp. We do not recommend them while trekking).
Clothing:
- Pants: 3 pairs (including the ones you wear) - Ideal are the quick dry light weight synthetic pants. Alternatively track pants are also comfortable to trek in. We do not recommend you get Denims or Jeans as they get hard to trek in.
- Tshirts 3 pairs (including the ones you are wearing) - Preferable cotton t-shirts that are full sleeves. You can also choose to get T-shirts with collars, they offer extra protection for the neck from sun burns.
- Synthetic Fleece Jacket - 1 pair.
- Wind proof/ Water proof Jacket - 1 pair.
- Down filled / Hollow fiber fill insulated Jacket - 1 -pair ( optional - get this if you want to stay extra warm at camps.)
- Thermal liners - 1 pair upper and lower (optional).
Accessories:
- Raincoat/ Poncho - what ever you get make sure it is something that will cover your daypack and camera too.
- Warm Beanie - make sure it is something that covers your ears. You can also use buffs, scarfs etc in addition to your beanie.
- Gloves - Lightweight synthetic gloves made of Fleece or you can also use woollen gloves.
- Sun Cap- 1 no
- Sun Glasses with good UV protection.
Other necessary things that we recommend you get:
- Toiletries - Sunscreen SPF 40+, Moisturizer, Lip balm, Soap, Toilet paper.
- Repair Kit (needle and thread).
- Headlamp/ Torch.
- Camera.
- Water Bottle- Ideally keep two bottle 1 litre each.
- Trekking Pole - Optional.
- Plastic Packing covers. (Please pack all your gear in waterproof plastic bags so that your clothes etc do not get wet while on horses or porters. Also carry extra plastic bags in case you need to pack wet clothes.)