Leh Skurbuchan Safari Tour

Duration : 07 Days / 06 Nights

On this tour you will drive from Leh & will explore the wilderness of Drokhpa area, this route move along the Indus river & provides a rare oppurtunity to witness the culture & lifestyle of local Inhabitants known as "Drokhpas" who are the purest Aryan race & are believed to have migrated in this region around 1000 years back. The tour will take your through the main villages of the area such as Dunkhar, Tirit, Skurbuchen, Hanudo, Biama & dha. Tourist will pass through Deserts & Appricot orchards, paying visit to Gompas & community centre famous for local weaving & Handicrafts.(nomad.jpg)

Detailed Itinerary
Day 01 : Leh/ Kharse- Dunkhar,

Drive is 140kms. O/n Camping at Dunkhar.

Day 02 : Dunkhar - Tirit - Skurbuchan
It is a pleasing drive through apricot orchirds. O/N camping at Skurbuchan.

Day 03 : Skurbuchan - Hanudo - Biama
It is short drive of 80Kms. O/N camping at Biama.

Day 04 : Rest Day
O/N camping.

Day 05 : Biama - Dha - Biama
Drive 80kms for a day exursion to the village of Dha ,well known for its handicrafts.
O/N camping at Biama.

Day 06 : Biama - Khalse
Drive is 170kms. O/N camping at Khalse.

Day 07 : Drive back from Khalse to Leh.

Padum - Phuktal - Padum via Thongde-la

Duration : 07 Days / 06 Nights

Go to Padum by lorry from Kargil ( 2 days ). Hard going many rivers to cross , too difficult for the pack animals between Shade and Phuktal. Recommended period from mid-August to mid-October. Allow 7 days.

Detailed Itinerary
Day 01 : Padum - Thongde , 3 hrs.
Two possible routes to cross the Tsarap: follow the track to Pipting as far as a new metal bridge then easy going until THongde ; or , below Padum cross a wooden bridge , sometimes too difficult for animals , then go along the right bank of the Tsarap.

Day 02 : Thongde - Thongde-la - habitable cave , 7 1/2 hrs.
From the village of THongde ( 3450 m) , go up to the gompa (20 min.),then follow steady path as far as the pastures of thongde (2hrs).Up a winding path for the last 200 mts. to the Thongde-la (5150m , 4 1/2 hrs). Go down for about 2 1/2 hrs. as far the junction with the first large valley (Forest). A further 1 1/2 hrs and you see a habitat cave on the left bank ( 3hrs from the pass ) after crossing several rivers.

Day 03 : Habitable cave - Shade , 6hrs.
From the camp , walk along the main stream as far as the junction with a large valley coming from the north -west ( 3hrs , many rivers to cross) . You arrive at a low temperature wall which delimats the wooded area for the villages of THongde and Shade. The path leaves the floor of the valley and goes up to the right slope.Pass a small plateau ( spring , wood , 4hrs ).

Continue along the slope , then go down to a gorge entering at right angles , turn back up onto the slope you arrive at right angles , turn back up onto the slope you arrive at a hut and a field. Here the vlley widens (5 1/2 hrs).Go to the valley floor. The valley narrows . Pass a curve and there find a rope bridge across the river.Walk along the left bank as far as a gorge entering at right angles.A wooden bridge and three chortens mark the entrance of this gorge which leads to the village of Shade 30 30 minutes away.

Day 04 : Shade - Phuktal , 6-7 hrs.
From the village go to the three chortens and follow the main valley. Half an hour after the three chortens and folow the main valley. Half an hour after the three chortens , the valley widens and you see the small Tantak monastery, two houses on a hill.A monk in Phuktal is responsible for its maintenance.From Tantak go down and ford the river just before it narrows .

From there , the track rises and stays on the slope as far as Phuktal. At times , track is precarious and very elevated as far as the junction with the Tsarap ( from the junction , possible to use this trail towards Yarshun , Mashun , Takh , the Baralacha-la , DArsha).Walk along the Tsarap (right bank) for about hour as far as a large cave on the right , 100m above the path (water, wood).Cross a small pass on a ridge(15min.), then go back down towards the river. Follow the path which is well marked but at times precarious until the Phuktal monastery which you reach from above(4-5hrs from the cave).

Day 05 : Phuktal - Ichar , 6-7hrs.
From Phuktal , go down towards a tributary to the Tsarap , then cross this river over a bridge ingood condition (1984) , walk along it on its left bank into splendid gorges as far as Purne. Here one meets up with Hiking Tours No.1 and 2 whcih come from Darhsa.Cross the bridge then follow the left bank upstream .The trail that overhangs the Tsarap is sometimes tricky and hard going.Frequent small canyons of pudding -stones.

Pass a bit above a hanging bridge which leads to the village of Cha(from Cha , it is possible to go to Phuktal without horses , whcih is dangerous). Two hours later you arrive at Kaydang , a small village in a popular grove. Carry on until Hamuni(tea shop).Pass below the village of Surle.The trail is still not good , several stretches difficult for the horses.Arrive at a large bridge which leads to Ichar.Very good camp .Interesting fortified village.

Day 06 : Ichar - Bardan Gompa, 7hrs

Cross back over the left bank , then a gradual ascent before coming to a major tributary(bridge) Gradual descent down towards Reru , then quite a beautiful plain covered with flowers (july) as far as Mune.Possible to camp opposite monastery .After two hours , you arrive at Bardan Gompa , a Kagyupa monastery famous for its prayer wheel (180cm high).

Day 07 : Bardan Gompa -Padum , 3hrs.
From Bardan , a dusty suitable for motor traffic leads to Padum without difficulty .Several quite beautiful villages on the opposite bank.