With Baralacha La to the south and Lachung La to the north, Sarchu is ideally a halting point on the Manali to Leh highway. Located on the banks of Tsarap Chu River, the nights are indeed special here as you can get a clear glimpse of milky way, a sight you shall not forget your entire life. This flat expanse of land on the Manali to Leh route is popular for its meadows as it is for offering a feel of rough Himalayan terrain.
Why should you stop at Sarchu
Many travellers stopover at Sarchu only for the reason that reaching Leh can get tough in a single day from Manali. However, if you are an adventure seeker, Sarchu can be a hunting ground for you. The barren ambiance of the place is so alluring that anyone with love in nature can spend countless days here.A word of caution though! The place is barren and apart from the company of tent owners and your group, you would be all alone in the wilderness. The mobile signal is also fluctuating in this zone and you could be in trouble in case you have some emergency situation to address back home.
All said and done, the experience can be life changing especially for first time travelers who are embarking on their Manali to Leh journey.
A fresh puff of air, breathtaking views of snow capped peaks and a feel of ambiance of Ladakh, 260 Km short of Leh are perhaps some key reasons which can motivate any person to stop at Sarchu.
Initiation point for Trek to Zanskar
Incidentally, Sarchu falls on the old Silk route and is a preferred destination for adventurers and nature lovers. You can well imagine the strategic relevance of Sarchu from the fact that it was a key trading stopover for traders from Tibet and north India during the old times.
For those who wish to trek to Zanskar, Sarchu can be a beginning point. The trek is indeed a tough one and challenges the wits as it passes through steep edges, canyons and river crossings. It can indeed by a point of interest who is looking for challenging ways of travel from Manali to Leh.
May to September is a good time to visit Sarchu as trekking season kicks off and you will find numerous trekkers who embark on trek to Zanskar during this period.
Where to Stay in Sarchu
Dorje Camps
There are plenty of camping options in Sarchu and Dorje camps is one of these. Not only will to get to stay in Swiss tents, the food too is tempting indeed and I have experienced the same. These 20 Swiss cottage tents are waterproof and with facility of attached bath and toilet even in this wilderness, you will never feel away from home. You can get in touch with them at 94183-56382;
Goldrop Camp
This is another stay option in Sarchu. The camp operates during May to October every year. All cutting edge amenities that can be available at this altitude of 4000 meters are available at Goldrop Camp and you will definitely feel at home at this camp facility too.
Apart from these two camp services, you will find numerous others camping options here and a day spent in Sarchu could indeed be your one of the best memorable experiences.
Sarchu Temperature
Weather at Sarchu is quite unpredictable and while it is between 5 degree to 15 degree in the summer month, Sarchu temperature can drop to a low of -20 degrees in winters when the area is totally cut off.
However, nights can get cold during summer months too and Sarchu temperature can drop drastically as it is a flat land and winds blow at mind boggling speed at times.
Points to keep in mind
Sarchu on the way from Manali to Leh is a quaint spot and you would be in solitude. There are some things that you should definitely keep in mind when travelling on this road.
Acclimatization
You need to acclimatize before you travel on Manali to Leh highway. If you are coming from Delhi, it would be a good idea to have a stop over at Manali. You should also stop for a day at Keylong or Jispa in Lahaul as this will help you acclimatize.
Carry Cash
Even in this age of Google pay and other payment options, you will have to rely on carrying hard cash. This is due to the reason that there is ATM facility in Keylong and Jispa only and online payment platforms will hardly work as internet signals are minimal.
Carry Warm clothes
You should always carry warm clothes when you travel to Sarchu. Weather can change anytime here and if you are appropriately dressed, you would be safe even in any weather emergency condition.
FAQs
What is Sarchu famous for?
Sarchu has a barren landscape and is quite close to Ladakh in resemblance. Moreover, it has evolved as a initiation point for trek to Zanskar and sees quite an active inflow of tourists between May to October.How far is Sarchu from Leh Ladakh?
Sarchu to Leh is 259 Km and this makes it a perfect stop over location when you are either going from Manali to Leh or coming back from Leh to Manali.You are sure to cross Sarchu if you are doing Manali to Leh road trip. At times, a brief stopover is made by shared taxi drivers here. It is pertinent to mention here that the real ambiance of Sarchu cannot be felt during a lunch stopover.
The quaint stopover at Sarchu on the way from Manali to Leh would only seem an unforgettable trail when you spend a night here. The clear sky filled with stars offers a view which is beyond imagination. Anyone with interest in astronomy with find a mecca of opportunities in this wilderness.
Next time when you pass through this region, make a stopover here and in case you have any more queries in mind, do let me know !
