Lamayuru - Alchi trek in July

Mali

Dear All!
I planned the biggest part of my Ladakh trip with the help of this forum, thanks to knowledgeable travellers here
But I still have some questions.

We are a group of 3 people, 26-30 years old, coming to Leh on about 17th of July. If i am not mistaken, there would be festival in Lamayuru on 20-21 of July. We want to see it and then I think we could make a trek from Lamayuru to Alchi. So the questions are:

1. Is this festival really takes place on 20-21 July? Will it be possible to find accommodation at that time? I heard only about "Lamayuru Monastery guest house", and not sure what it is Or we can camp somewhere nearby? (We will have our own tents etc.)
2. As i understand, it is not good to go trekking without local guide? I don't really need somebody to carry my bag or cook for me, but I am not sure - is this route (Lamayuru-Wanla-Hinju-Sumdha Chenmo-Sumdha Chun-Alchi) very complicated and is it easy to actually get lost? Do we need help of crossing streams or someting like that?
3. In case if you say we really need a local guide - can we get ponywalla from Lamayuru? Where to search for one? How much we should expect to pay him?
4. And the last - what kind of terrain we are going to pass? I read many descriptions of the route, but I didnt see photos of the way itself. Anybody has photos, or maybe just can describe - is it walking way, or do we have to climb sometimes?
I will appreciate if you share your ideas on any of these topics, thank you very much in advance!!!

kriste_oh

Hi,

I'm sorry I can't really answer any of your questions, because I have the same ones

Me and 5 other people will be at Leh at the same time too and we are thinking of doing the same trek, so maybe we should get in contact and share the information we have?

let me know: bungee_super(at)yahoo(dot)com

doIhavetoReally

Kristie,
As the moderator will point out, it is not a good idea to post your email address -- as this could cause lot of spam.
Good to see people from Lithuania~~ Happy Trekking!

AvidTrekker

A big welcome to Mali and Kriste_oh.... from Lithuania

Welcome to India and Welcome to IndiaMike

Not sure about finding ponyman in Lamayuru... maybe yes maybe no. Some who are returning on that day may come..

Leh has many agencies who will arrange anything and everything.

July August being high season, expect to pay 500 to 800 rupees per day to the ponyman. This year it seems, they are quoting 1000 as well.
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Mali

Thanks for answer and thanks for welcoming!

One day is 1000 Rs per head or per group? Do you think it is possible to arrange this trek from Leh, i mean if we are not going directly from Leh, but already stay in Lamayuru before? Not sure how these agents work.

Thanks to AvidTrekker! Will be grateful if someone adds more precious information about the route etc.

AvidTrekker

Rs 1000 per pony per day. Usually one ponyman brings two ponies. One pony carries 60 kilograms load. Two ponies mean 120 kg. Enough for a group of four trekkers.

Ponyman will not cook for you. Trekkers hire a cook as well. Cook always goes with an assistant cook. A guide may be required as well. All this adds up the expenses. Unless you are going without the guide and the cook and only ponyman.

If you are not planning this without a guide, then it is better to give it to an agency who will do all the hassles for around 5000 rupees per day (for two trekkers).

You just have to trek and eat .... nothing else.

Yes, you can arrange these treks from Leh and the agency people will come and meet you directly at Lamayuru. They will ask for some money as advance payment to come and meet you at Lamayuru.

It is also possible to arrange it through agencies in Manali, if you intend to pass by Manali.

Lonely Planet's book "Trekking in the Indian Himalaya" gives a description of the Lamayuru to Chiling trek, and the side option to Alchi. You can buy it online here...

Or google for "Lamayuru to Alchi"

and see these links....

http://www.trekkinginhimalayas.com/l...lchi-trek.html

http://www.lehladakh.net/lamayurualchi-trekking.htm

http://www.trekkinginindia.com/trekk...lchi-trek.html

and so on...
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pvharikrishnan

Hi
I was in Leh region during 2007 june. Not clear about the timings of the festival. But i can give you a contact number in Leh. they are running a guest house

Contact this man - Dawa Tsering of oriental guest house in (0)1982 253 153

They are not just commercial, you will get any info regarding trekking or Ladakh. They too organise treks. But it is not mandatory to contract them for getting info. You can even give my [Harikrishnan from Kerala] reference

Regards
harikrishnan

Mali

Thanks Pvharikrishnan and Avid Trekker, i am taking notes
If I make this trek, I will put more information.
Some websites call this trek one of the most difficult in the region, some - medium level. Not sure whom to believe Time will show.

kolobar

1000irp for a pony is a bit too much as well as 2 ponies for 4 trekkers will probably not be enough. I was paying 1000 irp/day (off season price!) last year for 3 horses and cooking (yes, ponymen can do cooking as well, if you are not for pizzas and cakes - in fact it is quite convenient since ponymen already cook for themselves.)
Mind that there should be enough food for 5 people, kerozen, ponyman equipment, food for horses. Usually 2 horses carry for 2 people, on long treks even 3 horses. But that is theory, in fact there is quite a rush of tourists in Ladakh during main season threfore it is difficult to find independent ponymen who are mostly booked by agencies. It would be convenient to hire a ponyman in Lamayuru since it is the point where frequented Padum to Lamayuru ends. On the other hand if they are Zanskari (or Manali) ponymen, they would prefer to return to Zanskar since Alchi is very much out of their way and brings them quite far away from home. On the other hand Ladakhi ponymen (or Tibetan refugees) might use your route if they are heading to Leh. Mind that you have to pay ponymen also days for a return...
Treks in Ladakh usually involve some over 5000m high passes crossing (therefore pay attention to proper acclimatization). I havent done Lamayuru to Alchi but as far as I know there are few passes to cross on that one too...
About festivals date check here: http://www.reachladakh.com/festival_dates.htm

Larsuld

When I was in Lamayuru 8 years ago I met a group of shocked trekkers from Scotland. I believe they were trying to trek from Lamayuru to Alchi. (Someone correct me if they spot that this is my memory playing tricks on the route details.) At some point not far from Lamayuru the campground was just next to the river. When they camped there it was raining heavily. They woke up in the middle of the night as the river had broke its banks and the heavy mix of water and sediment tore up the tents. One of the trekkers in his fifties couldn't fight the torrent and, according to the guy from the party I spoke to, was only saved because one of the guides was able to pull him out. They lost several backpacks etc, but no one was seriously hurt.

This is really just a general warning - never to camp next to rivers with a potential for overflowing quickly. (Which means almost all rivers in mountain areas). But I thought it appropriate to write it here as there might be a suspect campground on the trek you are about to embark on. So you would want to take precautions and perhaps try to hitch the tents a few meters above the height of the river.

Have a great trek!
Best wishes
Lars