Padum to Phuktal to Padum by the Thongde-la

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In the gorge of the Indus the sun’s heat, reflected off bare rocks and cliffs, is frequently intense. The same heat makes possible to take two crops year from the fields. Fruit is also grown apricots ,apples, walnuts , and even grapes. Shurbuchan, Domkhar, Achinathang are attractive villages with an air of modest prosperity about them.

Duration :	16 days
Places Covered :	Padum, Thongde, Thongde-la , Habitable cave, Shade, Phuktal, Ichar, Barchan Gompa
Tour Code :	LL030
Season :	Mid August - October

Day 1 : Arrive Delhi

Day 2 : Delhi - Leh

Day 3 : Leh

Day 4 : Leh - Kargil

Day 5 : Kargil - Padum

Day 6 : Padum to Thongde
Two possible routes to cross the Tsarap: follow the track to Pupating as far as 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 7 : Thongde to Thongde-la
From the village of Thongde 3450 metres, go up to the gompa, then follow steady path as far as the pastures of Thongde 2 hours. Up a winding path for the last 200 metres to the Thongde-la 5150 metres, 5 hours. Go down for about 3 hours as far as the junction with the first large valley. Further 2 hours and you see a habitable cave on the left bank after crossing several rivers.

Day 8: Habitable cave to Shade
From the camp, walk along the main stream as far as the junction does with a large valley coming from the northwest. You arrive at a low wall, which delimits the wooded area for the villages of Thongde and Shade. This path leaves the flood of the valley and goes up onto the right slope. Pass a small plateau. Continue along the slope, then go down to a gorge entering at right angles, and turn back up onto the slope you arrive at a hut and a field. Here the valley windiness 6 hours. Go to the valley floor. The valley narrows. Pass a curve and there find a 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 minutes away

Day 9: Shade to Phuktal
From the village go to the three chortens and follow the main valley. Half an hour after three the chortens, the valley widens and you see the small Tantak monastery, two houses on 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 junction with the Tsarap. Walk along the Tsarap for about 1 hour as far as a large cave on the right, 100 metres above the path. Cross a small pass on a ridge, 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 5 hours.



Day 10: Phuktal to Ichar
From Phuktal, go down towards a tributary to the Tsarap, then cross this river over a bridge in good condition. Walk along it on its back into splendid gorges as far as Prune. The trail that overhangs the Tsarap is sometimes tricky and hard going. Two hours later, you arrive at Kaydang, a small village in a poplar grove. Carry on until Hamuni. 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 11: Ichar to Barchan Gompa
Cross back over the left bank, then a gradual ascent before coming to a major tributary. 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 180 cm high

Day 12: Bardan Gompa to Padum
From Bardan, a dusty road suitable for motor traffic leads to Padum without difficulty. Several quite beautiful villages on the opposite bank.

Day 13 : Padum - Kargil

Day 14 : Kargil - Leh

Day 15 : Leh - Delhi

Day 16 : Depart Home