Phirtse La (~ 5540 m/18170 ft) is a remote high altitude Pass in Zanskar, Ladakh that connects to Lahaul in Himachal Pradesh. This is little known pass compared to its southerly and famous Shingo La (~ 5100 m/16730 ft) on the Darcha – Padum trail. However, as of 2024, a motor road through Shingo La is operational and connects Manali and Padum directly without needing to go via Leh.
So here we outline an alternate route and pass via Phirtse La that also connects Zanskar to Lahaul which avoids the motor route. This remote pass is almost 500 m higher and located north west of Shingola. This scenic trail ends at Purne or Phugtal monastery.
Suggested itinerary:
Note: As the trek starts from a very high point, so prior aclimatisation is very important and a must. You may also start the trek from oppositite direction, i.e. from Padum/Purne side.
Day 1: Reach Manali (~ 2000m) on your own. Standard hotel accommodation on double sharing basis.
Day 2: Drive to Keylong (~ 3000 m). Acclimatisation walks around in the afternoon. Hotel/Guest house accommodation.
Day 3: In the morning hike to Kardang monastery and then drive to Jispa (~ 3300m). Guest house/lodge accommodation.
Day 4: Drive to Baralacha La and then to Killing Sarai or further to Sarchu (~ 4400m). Twin sharing camp.
Day 5: Trek from Killing Sarai or Sarchu to Lingti/ Berga Songchak camp or continue till Khamerup (4450 m), 7-8 hours. Camp.
Day 6: Trek Chumik Marpo (~4650m), 6-7 hrs. Camp
Day 7: Start early and climb to Phirtse La (~ 5540m) and descend to Zingchen (~ 4950 m). Camp. 8 to 10 hours.
Day 8: Trek to Table or Tangze (~ 4000 m), 5 to 6 hours. Camp
Day 9: Drive to Purne. Camp. Hike to Phuktal Gompa and back.
Day 10: From Phurney you may drive back to Manali, 185 km, 6-7 hours. Or else you may go ahead to Padum and then via Kargil to Leh or Srinagar.
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