Padum to Brandinalla

No of Days

5 Days

Higest Point

Kontse La (4810m), Gotunda La (5040m)

Grade

Demanding

Attraction

Phugtal Monastery, Small Valleys And Hamlets, Gotunda La

Padum to Brandinalla - Trip Detail
  • 01

    Day

    (5 hours, 38km), Padum (3669m) to Phugtal (3950m)
    • The route for the first day is nowadays a paved road. It is undertaken by car from Padum to Purne. From here the road ends and the trail crosses a bridge to reach to a beautiful village of Cha. From Cha, the trail first leads along the south bank of the Tsarap Chu (also called Lungnak River). After a bridge crossing and continuing for few minutes along the north bank, the dazzling image of Phugtal Monastery greets your eyes to sheer amazement.

      The sight of the Phugtal Monastery never fails to impress any visitors. You will see a large cave above the Monastery, where holy men found it to be a perfect setting for meditation and spirtitual knowledge. It is one of the only Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh that can still be reached only by foot. The Hungarian historian Csoma de Koros stayed here over the winter of 1825-26 and translated the Buddhist texts from Ladakhi into English. Inside the Monastery is an inscription dedicated to him. The day ends here. There is a well-appointed campsite (3900m) just below the monastery.

  • 02

    Day

    (8 hours, 15km) Phugtal to Base Kontse La (4070m) & Thangstak (4100m)
    • Beyond Phugtal the trail enters wild gorge that follows the Tsarap River. The trail winds above the course of the river for 6km to a small side gorge. From here the trail ascends and then descends back to the course of the river. Further the trail is hewn out of the scree slopes until it meets the side gorge leading to Thangstak. Crossing the wooden bridge after 2km and continuing further the gorge widens. The first view of Thangstak village (4100m) will greet you. Camp in the willow thicket just above the gorge. Visit the Thangstak village and appreciate the location of the Kontse La.

  • 03

    Day

    (8-9 hours, 23km) Base Kontse La to Homuch (3940m) via Gotunda La (5040m)
    • Ascending the Kontse La (4810m) will take you 3 hours. From the Kontse La the view towards the Zanskar Range provides a magnificent backdrop for the three-hour trek to the second pass. The trail then leads across a plateau to a short steep climb to the Gotunda La (5040m). Descending for two to three hours from the pass, you will reach the settlement of Homuch (3940m) alongside the Tsarap River. A demanding day by any standards but the commanding views across snow-capped peaks and ridges of the Zanskar Range compensates.

  • 04

    Day

    (6-7 hours, 16km) Homuch to Satok (4040m)
    • A day to explore the wild and remote reaches of the Tsarap River. The trail leads through deserted Khampa settlements who take their flocks of sheep, goats and yaks to the higher pastures of Rupshu in the summers.

      Follow the course of the Tsarap River. After 8km it reaches the confluence of the Zara River. The river level in July and August may necessitate an early start. Beyond the confluence the gorge opens to a broad glacial valley and you will reach the settlement of Muneleh (3980m). The trail continues for 11/2 hours and you will reach Satok (4040m), the winter settlement in the valley. Camp along the side stream and beneath the willow trees.

  • 05

    Day

    (8 hours, 18km) Satok to Tsok Mesik (4200m) & Trailhead
    • The final stage becomes even more impressive with the peaks of the Baralacha Range looming above the head of the valley. Ascending gradually to a ridge (4400m), you will reach a commanding view of the Tsarap River and Tsok Mesik (4200m). The trail leads further three hours through willow trees and tiny streams alongside the river course to the trailhead. You will reach the Manali to Leh road.

Important Things You must know before the starts of the Trek

  • You must be well acclimatized before the start of the trek. As starting trek, without taking precaution leads to untoward incident.
  • You must bring warm clothes, good trekking shoes, Slipper for river crossing, Walking stick.
  • Sun cream is very important to protect your skin.
  • Sun glasses
  • Water bottle and water filter.

How is a usual day of Trekking?

Early in the morning you are serve bed tea in the tent with morning wishes. After bed tea, you start packing up your things. Breakfast is served in the dining tent. After breakfast, you are ready for the day. Guide walks with you but before living make sure your bag contains all the important things you need during the day like Camera, sun cream, water bottle, lunch box etc. You carry a light backpack containing all these important things required during the day and the other things come of the horse back. At noon, you stop for lunch at a nice location, and have some rest. Trek continues, and the horseman and kitchen staff leads you on the way. Before your arrival at the camp, our team would be ready tent and tea, juice and light snacks to refresh your tiredness. After the arrival at campsite, you can enjoy your leisure in your own way. The dinner is served around 7 in the evening. Post dinner, our guide brief you about the next day and decides the timing for next day with your insights and suggestions.

The food menu in breakfast, lunch and dinner keep switching from Indian, Tibetan, Chinese, Ladakhi, Continental, and Italian.

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