1st Day: Darcha (3.400 m) to first Campsite (3.800 m), 5 hours
Leave Darcha 3.440 m (11.150 ft) and follow the track to the small village Rarik. You will pass a spectacular gorge and cross a first ford. There is a good campsite (3.800 m) for the first night outside.


2nd Day: 1. Campsite (3.800 m) to Ramjak (4.100 m), 7 hours
Continue on the left bank until you reach the second major ford. You go up the right-hand valley. The path is good but hard going up. You will find a good camp at the village Ramjak 4.100 m (13.450 ft) in the small meadow.


3rd Day: Ramjak (4.100 m) to Lakang Sumdo (4.500 m) via Shinkun-La (5.000 m), 9 hours
From the camp you start climbing on a moderate slope to the foot of the first pass including several easy stream crossings. The breathless climb with the zigzag path leads you through a moraine as far as the Shinkun-La 5.000 m (16.400 ft). You will be rewarded with the wonderful views of several 6.000 m peaks. The descent is steep and leads you through a permanent snow field. Cross the final firm to reach the first meadows. After crossing several easy streams you go down to an escarpment towards a small plateau. There are wonderful views all around. The campsite 4.500 m (14.760 ft) is between two streams. You will have a nice view of the mountain Gumburanjon (5.900 m).


4th Day: Lakang Sumdo (4.500 m) to Table (4.140 m), 6 hours
You climb down a mass of fallen rocks and cross several streams. After one hour you pass beneath the face of the Gumburanjan (5.900 m). This shark’s fin of a mountain has been climbed several times. The walking is gentle and easy all the way to the first and highest village in this valley. Kargyu 4.200 m (13.780 ft) is a small and beautiful place of about 120 people. After two more hours of walking you reach the next settlement Table 4.140 m (13.582 ft) with a good campsite.


5th Day : Table (4.140 m) to Purne (3.950 m), 6 hours
From Table continue on the right bank along an easy path until you reach Tanze. Tanze is a small village with a monastery on ruins a bit higher up. A short distance beyond Tanze there is a bridge you have to cross. The trail leaves the river and climbs to a willow plantation, before descending between the fields of the pretty village of Kuru. Afterwards an excellent path leads steadily lower. Soon you reach the larger village Teta. The path continues downward near the river. Stay on the left bank and then climb gentle up the slope to Yal. Next comes a steep descent towards a large bridge which you cross to reach Purne. Purne 3.950 m (12.960 ft) is a collection of houses owned by only two families.


6th Day : Sidetrip from Purne (3.950 m) to Phuktal monestary (4.000 m) and back to Purne, 4 hours
This sidetrip is very admirable because you visit the most spectacularly situated monastery of Ladakh. Leave the horses in Purne. Go up the left bank of the Tsarap River into a gorge. After 2 hours you cross a bridge in good condition. Fifteen minutes later you arrive at a small tributary of the Tsarap. The beautiful clear water is cascading down. A ledge leads you to a small plateau sprinkled with chortens and religious banners. From here you can see the Phuktal monastery. Phuktal belongs to the tradition of the Gelupas. The spring that gurgles deep in the cave is still out of bounds to women. The Hungarian historian Cosma de Koros stayed here over the winter of 1825-26. It is possible to find food and lodging at the monastery.


7th Day : Purne (3.950 m) to Ichar (3.800 m), 6 hours
From Purne you go back down. After crossing the bridge you go up the left bank. The trail overhangs the Tsarap River. It’s sometimes tricky and hard going. There are frequent small canyons of pudding stones. Pass a bit above a hanging, which leads to the village of Cha. Two hours later you arrive at the small village Kaydang. Carry on until Hamu and pass below the village of Surle. The trail is still not good. Several stretches are a little bit difficult. The large bridge on your way leads to the impressive village Ichar 3.800 m (12.467 ft). The houses in Ichar are perched on the top of a crag. There are wonderful views west to snow-capped mountains.


8th Day : Ichar (3.800 m) to Mune (3.800 m), 5 hours
Cross back over to the left bank and then gradually climb before coming to a major tributary. Gradually descent down towards to Reru. Then a beautiful plain covered with flowers opens as far as Mune 3.800 m (12.467 ft). The monastery in Mune is spectacularly situated on a crag on a river bend and the friendly monks will lift your mind.


9th Day : Mune (3.800 m) to Padum (3.550 m), 5 hours
A few kilometres beyond Mune is an impressive monastery, the Bardan Gompa belongs to the Kagyupa sect. The monsestary has been built on a tall plug of rock which rises high above the River. It is famous for its 1.80 m high prayer wheel. From Bardan you follow the jeep track to Padum 3.550 m (11.646 ft). You pass several quite beautiful villages on the opposite bank of the river. Padum is the administrative headquarter of the Zanskar region.