Padum - Lamayuru Trek Questions

Hi Everybody,

This Summer I would like to trek from Padum to Lamayuru, but I have a few questions. I was originally thinking about hiring a guide/cook, but after reading a few posts I realized that with a good map I could do it myself. The following would be my itinerary. I think it would give me enough time to acclimatize (4 nights before starting the trek from Padum) and it would climb gradually until the higher passes in the northern region. Please, let me know if you think this is doable.

1) Srinagar-Kargil: 1 day (transportation)

2) Kargil-Padum: 1 day (transportation)

3) Padum-Phuktal Gompa-Padum: 2 days

4) Padum-Photaksar: 6-7 days

5) Then, depending on how I am doing time wise and health wise, either (A) Photaksar-Lamayuru: 1 day; or (B) Photaksar-Lamayuru via Shila Gorge: 2 days; or (C) Photaksar-Rangdum via Kanji and Kanji La: 3 days (my favorite option)

6) Then, depending on (5), either Lamayuru-Leh: 1 day, or Rangdum-Leh (or back to Srinagar): 2 days

Here are my questions. I appreciate the help you can provide and any additional response is deeply appreciated.

1) IS THE TRAIL WELL MARKED / EASY TO FOLLOW? Are there signals on the trail that tell me where I am?

2) FOOD. I was told that I will be passing small villages and tea tents every half day or so. I don't need anything fancy, but will they be serving meal-type of food or just packages of cookies and chips? I was told that all I need to bring are a couple of packs of instant noodles and some chocolate... so will it be easy to get enough food throughout the whole trek without having to carry it inside my back pack?

3) DRINKABLE WATER.. How much water would I need to carry? I know of the high water demands of a body at high altitude... so I'm a little concerned that I wouldn't be able to carry enough. Will I pass natural spring water on the trail and/or water bottles on sale in the tea tends?

4) SLEEPING. About those small villages and tea houses... would I be able to sleep there or must I bring a tent? I'm asking bc I would have to buy one and carry it the whole trip... and I just checked their price...outrageous. If I can always find a basic place to stay, that would be preferable, no matter the cost.

5) DAY TEMPERATURE. How cold does it get during the day? Do I need a down jacket? In Ladakh it doesn't rain/snow much in the summer... How about Zanskar?

6) NIGHT TEMPERATURE. How cold does it get at night? Just to have an idea on the type of tent / sleeping bag I need to purchase (if I need to).

I can't thank you enough for your response.
Thank you so much for your advice.

Hi,
i will try to answer with my poor english:
1/ok
2/2 days?
3/ not possible you need 3 days:
padum-bardan = 3h (jeep possible)
bardab-ichar = 7h
Ichar-Phuktal =7h

4/ 7 days

2/
A )possible if you take a jeep the road is going near hanupatta;

B ) photoksar> hanuppata 6h ; Hanupatta> wanla 5h; Wanla-lamayuru 3h (the way by shilla is difficult to find);

C ) really beautiful but it's difficult to find the way: nobody you need a tent
Photoksar>shilakong 8h; Shilakong>kanji 7h; kanji> road 3h>lamayuru 2H ? or Kanji> rangdum 3 days difficult and nobody

6/ Ok

1/ Not realy difficult to find the way between padum to photoksar, many trekkers but few sign. With bad weather some parts could be difficult

2/ you will find only instant noodles and biscuits and chocolate bar in villages and tea tent ....enough for a trek??????
, you need a stove.

3/ you need a bottle of 2 litter the day and purification tablets, you will find rivers. It coul be very hot during the day and...

4/ very cold at night (-10 minus 0) and with during day with clouds + at hight passes. so take your mountain clothes (gloves etc...)> your equipment must be always the same even if the weather is good....
and a good sleeping bag + matress+ tent.

If you want to enjoy the fabulous mountains of Ladakh Zanskar, it could be a good idea to rent a donkey or a horse.

I hope my answer could be helpfull.
yan

Read my report on Darcha to Wanlah/ Lamayuru trek in 2009, to get a fair idea. In brief , the trek from Padum is easy but strenous if you wish to do it speedily and enjoyable if you have adequate time. Food is available at Honumur village, Snetche, below Bhumikala, Lingshet, Skimpada village, before Photaskar and beyond.
Trek is marked and you will definitely not get lost but fatigue , I cant say for the trek is undulating and there are 4-5 passes to cross.

Thank you so much everybody.

Do you know which Olizane map I need? North, Central or South? I tried to read the descriptions, but I only found Padum mentioned in the central map... no mention of Lamayuru or Darcha...

Thank you.

hello,
i think that you need the central one, i ve got it at home but for the moment i am in kerala.
i can check in early june.
the ladakh-zanskar guide book by olizane is very good > maybe 20 different treks in the area day by day!

central, darcha is on the south one and lamyuru on the north but the trailis clear from both palces so you will only really need central, although the others are useful about dreaming for next year...............