Lamayuru Alchi via Tar-La Tour
Duration : 04 Days / 03 Nights
Destinations : Lamayuru - Urshi - Tar-La - Tar - Mang Gyu - Gera - Alchi
An interesting tour on which one can visit three of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh , founded by Rinchen Sangpo around the XIth century : Wanla , Mang Gyu and Alchi . Crossing the Tar pass is difficult . The best period is from June to October . Allow 4 days.
Day 01 : Lamayuru - Urshi , 6-7 hrs.
From the monastery , go down towards the village , cross the stream , then , gradually across a mountain - side , reach a small valley which you follow as far as the Prinkiti-La (3720m). Go down into a narrow gorge until reaching the village of Shilla . Cross the river over a bridge , then take the right bank as far as Wanla ( 2.5hrs , possible to get some supplies in 1985). Go along the Yapola on the left bank for another 2 hrs until reaching the village of Phenjilla after crossing the river (bridge ). From Phenjilla , go up a valley which goes off at right angles (north-east).After one hour , leave the main valley and go straight north along a stream which leads to Urshi . Pass the village and pitch camp close to the pass.
Day 02 : Urshi - Tar-La- Tar , 8 hrs.
From the camp , the path is well -marked but difficult until the Tar-La ( 5250m , 5hrs). Climbing down can pose problems for the horses , difficult mass of fallen rocks . After a 3-hrs descent , you arrive at the village of Tar
Day 03 : Tar - Mang Gyu , 4-5hrs.
From the village of Tar, the path goes up along the mountainside to a new pass , then easy descent towards Mang Gyu . Attractive village and interesting monastery . Good campsite near the stream beneath the village.
Day 04 : Mang Gyu - Gera -Alchi , 4-5hrs.
From Mang Gyu , very good path into a beautiful narrow valley. After 2 hrs , you reach the indus valley at the village of Gera. { From there , a bridge across the Indus upstream , pass Lardo ( 3hrs) , continue along the hillside until reaching the road , half an hour before Alchi. Guest house in Alchi . The monastery here contains the most beautiful wall paintings in Ladakh.