Darcha to Lamayuro at mid July

amirboomboom · Jun 24th, 2007, 17:58

Hello,
We are a couple planning to trek Darcha to Lamayuro at mid July.
I have a few questions... Hope somebody can help...

1) Will it be easy to arrange the trek in Darcha ? I guess we will need 2 mules, a mule driver, possibly a guide, and some cooking utensils (and food obviously). Can we just arrive at Darcha and get everything done within a day ?
If not, should we arrange it in Manali ? Any recommendations ?

2) Should we be worried about Monsoon rains in the first half of the trek ? If this is a problem then we might just fly to Leh and trek in that region only.

3) We thought it should take ~18 days. Is this realistic ?

4) We can do it the opposite way, ie. Lamayuro to Darcha, but then we have to get adjusted to the altitude, losing a few days. (We are a little pressed for time). Which is the better option ?

Many thanks,
Amir.

Wandering Spirit · Jun 25th, 2007, 01:25

1.) You MAY get a ponyman at Darcha if you are lucky... i couldnt find one last year and had to stay there for a or another day to tag along with a small group setting out...

2.) Monsoon is never really a problem in Ladakh... but mother nature has gone kinda berzerk in the last couple of years.... so expect some mild drizzle on a couple of days... that should end as soon as you cross Shingo La

3.) 15 days would be good enough ... 18 would be more than adequate for slow walkers (Presuming its Darcha - Lamayaru... not Manali - Darcha - Lamayaru - Leh)...

4.) I'd suggest the Darcha - Lamayaru route... the change of scenery as you leave Lahul and enter Zanskar is intense... from deep green to stark brown... its mindbending....

kolobar · Jun 25th, 2007, 05:38

Darcha to Lamayuru in 15 days will be possible only if you will run most of the time. It takes 9 trekking days to Padum if you dont rush but take care of proper acclimatization. Padum to Lamayuru is even longer and you will want to take at least one rest day in Padum and do some sighseeing.
Availability of ponymen in Darcha depends on the frequency of trekking groups coming from Zanskar. There is a good chance to find one although I have noticed some Zanskari ponymen are avoiding Israeli trekkers. I dont want to start another of already more than plenty discussions about Israelis in India - it is a fact you might want to consider and arrange your trek in advance from Manali.
You can buy some basic food in Darcha including vegetables but you should not miss much better choice of food in Manali.

amirboomboom · Jun 25th, 2007, 16:27

Thanks for the info guys.

Not quite what I had hoped for (well not worrying about monsoon was good news) since I don't want to get 'stuck' in Darcha waiting for horses. But I don't really like to work with agencies if I don't have to.

If you could recommend someone in Manali that can take care of the horse issue that would be great.
Also, from previous posts I gather it's better to stay the night at Keylong rather than Darcha?

Another question - between Darcha and Padum, and between Padum and Lamayuro, do we have to carry ALL supplies or can we count on getting rice, dhal, etc. on the way?

thanks again...

kolobar · Jun 26th, 2007, 01:25

It is not necessary to bring supplies for the whole stretch if you will be happy to take whatever will be available on the way. There are quite a few basic teahouses or parachute tents on campsites where you can get some food. Also there are many villages between Shingo la and Padum and few also on the way from Padum to Lamayuru.
If you really want to be on the safe side you can break the drive to Darcha to stay overnight in Keylong but you will probably have to stay in Darcha too before the start of the trek.
I dont think it will be easy to organize just horses&ponyman in Manali. Agents will prefer to sell you the whole package or at least get some share in ponymans fee. There are plenty of agents in Manali, check with them what is the minimum they are ready to provide. They have to contact somebody in Darcha to book a ponyman for you.

amirboomboom · Jun 26th, 2007, 10:58

Thanks again. Very excited about the whole business. First time to Ladakh.

Jun 24th, 2007, 17:58	#1
amirboomboom Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Israel Posts: 3	Darcha to Lamayuro at mid July Hello, We are a couple planning to trek Darcha to Lamayuro at mid July. I have a few questions... Hope somebody can help... 1) Will it be easy to arrange the trek in Darcha ? I guess we will need 2 mules, a mule driver, possibly a guide, and some cooking utensils (and food obviously). Can we just arrive at Darcha and get everything done within a day ? If not, should we arrange it in Manali ? Any recommendations ? 2) Should we be worried about Monsoon rains in the first half of the trek ? If this is a problem then we might just fly to Leh and trek in that region only. 3) We thought it should take ~18 days. Is this realistic ? 4) We can do it the opposite way, ie. Lamayuro to Darcha, but then we have to get adjusted to the altitude, losing a few days. (We are a little pressed for time). Which is the better option ? Many thanks, Amir.

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Jun 25th, 2007, 01:25	#2
Wandering Spirit Big Jerk Join Date: May 2007 Location: All over the place Posts: 23	1.) You MAY get a ponyman at Darcha if you are lucky... i couldnt find one last year and had to stay there for a or another day to tag along with a small group setting out... 2.) Monsoon is never really a problem in Ladakh... but mother nature has gone kinda berzerk in the last couple of years.... so expect some mild drizzle on a couple of days... that should end as soon as you cross Shingo La 3.) 15 days would be good enough ... 18 would be more than adequate for slow walkers (Presuming its Darcha - Lamayaru... not Manali - Darcha - Lamayaru - Leh)... 4.) I'd suggest the Darcha - Lamayaru route... the change of scenery as you leave Lahul and enter Zanskar is intense... from deep green to stark brown... its mindbending....

Jun 25th, 2007, 05:38	#3
kolobar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: beside a lake Posts: 148	Darcha to Lamayuru in 15 days will be possible only if you will run most of the time. It takes 9 trekking days to Padum if you dont rush but take care of proper acclimatization. Padum to Lamayuru is even longer and you will want to take at least one rest day in Padum and do some sighseeing. Availability of ponymen in Darcha depends on the frequency of trekking groups coming from Zanskar. There is a good chance to find one although I have noticed some Zanskari ponymen are avoiding Israeli trekkers. I dont want to start another of already more than plenty discussions about Israelis in India - it is a fact you might want to consider and arrange your trek in advance from Manali. You can buy some basic food in Darcha including vegetables but you should not miss much better choice of food in Manali.

Jun 25th, 2007, 16:27	#4
amirboomboom Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Israel Posts: 3	Thanks for the info guys. Not quite what I had hoped for (well not worrying about monsoon was good news) since I don't want to get 'stuck' in Darcha waiting for horses. But I don't really like to work with agencies if I don't have to. If you could recommend someone in Manali that can take care of the horse issue that would be great. Also, from previous posts I gather it's better to stay the night at Keylong rather than Darcha? Another question - between Darcha and Padum, and between Padum and Lamayuro, do we have to carry ALL supplies or can we count on getting rice, dhal, etc. on the way? thanks again...

Jun 26th, 2007, 01:25	#5
kolobar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: beside a lake Posts: 148	It is not necessary to bring supplies for the whole stretch if you will be happy to take whatever will be available on the way. There are quite a few basic teahouses or parachute tents on campsites where you can get some food. Also there are many villages between Shingo la and Padum and few also on the way from Padum to Lamayuru. If you really want to be on the safe side you can break the drive to Darcha to stay overnight in Keylong but you will probably have to stay in Darcha too before the start of the trek. I dont think it will be easy to organize just horses&ponyman in Manali. Agents will prefer to sell you the whole package or at least get some share in ponymans fee. There are plenty of agents in Manali, check with them what is the minimum they are ready to provide. They have to contact somebody in Darcha to book a ponyman for you.

Jun 26th, 2007, 10:58	#6
amirboomboom Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Israel Posts: 3	Thanks again. Very excited about the whole business. First time to Ladakh.

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