Leh – Padum to Junglam Trek

Places Covered: SPITUK , ZINGCHAN, YURUTSE, SKU, MARKHA, BAIRPA KYANCHIK, TILAT SUMDO , STASHONG GAMISHONG, CHAR CHAR LA, ZANGLA, STONGDAY, PADUM,
Duration: 11 Nights 12 Days
Best Season: Mid April to Mid June and Mid September to November
Grade: Challenging
Altitude: 5200 Mtrs

Leh Padum trekking via Junglam is seasonal and is therefore practicable from mid April to mid June and from mid September to November. This trekking demands a bit of endurance as it arduous and mountain rivers has to be negotiated for scores of time. Trekkers should be fully equipped and food provision should be carried by them.

Itinerary:

Ist Day: SPITUK – ZINGCHAN 5 hours.
One can go to Spituk by Bus or Taxi. At Spituk a bridge takes you across the river Indus to Farkha village. You follow a trail which initially goes towards the south west and after wards turns to east where a stream meets your routes to your right. After fording the stream for three times you reach Zingchan, a hamlet consisting of 2 houses. The upper end of the village offer a good camping site at a nominal rate.

2nd Day: ZINGCHAN – YURUTSE 6 hours.
After 3 hours walk from Zingchan two valleys come to your site one to east and another to the south west. Rumbak a small village remains to your left. People bound for Markha trek have to follow the route leading to south west. After fording the stream for two times and having a mild ascending you reach Yurutse, consisting of 2 houses. After two hours walking a good camping site with clear spring water is available at the base of Kandala ( 4,900 Mtrs.)

3rd Day: YURUTSE – SKU 6 hours.
Having climbed Kandala, its peaks commends a good panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. The descending to trend of the routes continues up to Shingo, consisting 2 houses. The route pass through a gorge with groves of willow tress. As the end of the gorge the lower end of Sku village can be seen where the route branch off to opposite direction. The route to the Southeast leads to Sku, while the route to the Southwest goes to Chiling. Sku also offer very good camping site in the heart of the village.

4th Day: SKU – MARKHA 5 hours
For most of the time the streams remains flow to your right which you have to cross several times. After a pleasant walk through the wooded valley you reach Markha, the biggest village in this trekking, consisting of 50 houses and a monastery on mountain spur at the lower end of the village.

5th Day: MARKHA – BAIRPA KYANCHIK. 6 hours
The trail leads Langrula ( 4900 Mtrs), from a top the pass, the route branch off, one in front is very steep which is not advisable and the other to the left has a gradual descending, come across Kharnak Sumdo. Valley runs to the Southeast and to the Southwest. The former valley is restricted. One should follow the route to the south west. An hour walk bring you to Bairpa Kyanchik, a suitable camping place.

6th Day: BAIRPA KYANCHIK – TILAT SUMDO ( STABDONGSA) 5 hours.
Between Bairpa – Kyanchik and Tilat Sumdo route pass through narrow gorges, Tilat Sumdo offers good camping place. After the gorge trail turns to the east and ascends continuously upto the Tilat Sumdo, the river has to be crossed after every half a kilometre. The route is very narrow, specially at Nari Nartse. It is quite precarious for loaded animals. Ultimately you reach Stopdongsa which offer camping place.

7th Day: STAPDONGSA – STASHONG GAMISHONG. 5 hours.
En route there are glaciers . Sta shong Gamishong offer camping place. It being the coldest place the water freezes during night. Therefore water for morning use should be stored in the evening.

8th Day: STASHONG GAMISHONG – CHAR CHAR LA 6 hours.
Stashong Gamishong the trail is very narrow at the initial stage. The animal has to be unloaded at certain places. After the gorge turns to the east and ascends continues upto the summit of Charcharla ( 5030 Metres), from the top of the pass one can enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding mountain of Zanskar valley and descend to the south base camp of Charcharla for nearly 2 hours. At the base water and wood is available.

9th Day: SOUTH BASE OF CHAR- CHARLA – ZANGLA 5 hours.
The trail descend towards Zangla. En- route a river has to be forded for several times.
The trail passes through narrow gorges and the descending continues upto Zangla. Zangla is fairly a big village with a monastery and an old palace.

10th Day: ZANGLA – STONGDAY 5 hours.
It is almost flat walking. Villages like Tsazer and Shiling Skit can be visited enroute. Stongday has a big and a prominent monastery.

11th Day: STONGDAY – PADUM 4 hours.
From Stongday, Karsha on the right side of the river and Padum which is the Headquarter of Zanskar Sub-Division can be seen. Accommodation both in Public and Private Sector is available. Food provision can be purchase from the shops. A Tourist Office also exist in Padum.

12th Day: PADUM – LEH.