Sarchu Tourism

A significant halt on the Manali-Leh highway, Sarchu is a popular site for tented accommodation. It is popular for people traveling from Manali to Leh or vice versa to stay here overnight before continuing their journey the next day. Several dhabas, Chadar tents, and campsites can be found in Sarchu, where travelers can stop for a meal or a rest. The site is also suitable for pitching your tent. There are a lot of travelers who pick Sarchu as their preferred spot for self-camping in Ladakh. You can use this short overview of Sarchu tourism to plan your journey if you're traveling on the Manali-Leh highway soon.

Overview of Sarchu

Sarchu, also known as Sir Bhoom Chun, located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, is situated on the border between Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh. Sarchu is situated on the southern end of Baralchala and the northern tip of Lachulung, which is 4290 meters above sea level. Tourists traveling from Manali to Leh or Leh to Manali stay at Sarchu and rest for one night; the distance of both the places from here is 475 km. which is similar. The route remains closed during winters and cannot be passed by passengers. The route remains open from May to September, as the snow melts during this period. Tourists stay at Sarchu while traveling to and from Leh and Manali. The river Sarp flows here, which is the base for the Indian Army. Indian Cantonment remains in the vicinity of this river. Sarchu cannot be visited every season. Travelers should consider making a stopover in Sarchu. There are a lot of accommodations available even though it is an isolated location, including tourist bungalows and tented campsites. At such high altitudes, these camps offer luxurious accommodations. The tents are constructed scientifically and have warm beds inside entire canvas rooms. There is medical attention, transportation, and meals available for the guests. Tents are waterproof, windproof, and have a backup power source. Visitors to Sarchu, the starting point for a trek to Zanskar in Ladakh, will get a glimpse of the Tibetan culture here. Joginder Nagar Railway Station is the closest rail station to Sarchu. Far from the hustle and bustle of urban life, this romantic stopover is perfect for honeymoons, where couples can relax amid the picturesque landscapes and magnificent valleys.
Reasons to visit Sarchu

• Going camping
• A point of departure for various treks
• Experience Ladakh's barren beauty
• Enjoy a stroll along the Tsarap Chu river
• A stay in Leh is recommended for travelers from Manali
• An ancient trading post on the Silk Route

Tourists places in and around Sarchu

Sarchu is one of the main tourist points in the Himalayas and is located at an altitude of 4290 meters, on the border of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh. In this place, people traveling from Manali to Leh stay overnight. The two cities lie 475 km apart. As the highway remains closed during winters, travelers cannot travel to Sarchu. It is open from May through September when the snow melts. Travelers can use the Leh-Manali Highway during this time as a transit camp or a halting place. In the vicinity of the base, there is the Tsarap Chu River, which is home to an Indian Army base. Since travel along the Leh-Manal highway usually takes two days, tourists must make an overnight stop. For this purpose, they come to Sarcha. Since the highway is closed from October to April due to heavy snow, it is only possible to visit the point from May to September. Sarchu also serves as a starting point for hiking in Zanskar. Tourists can pitch their tent here and stay at the Indian Army camp on the banks of the Charap-Chu River, in a guest house, or with locals. You can grab a bite to eat at the traditional Himalayan-style eateries adjacent to the campsites, but it's best to stock up on food beforehand. Travelers should also carry medicines for mountain sickness, which often develops in these parts.

Staying in Sarchu, enjoy the magnificence of the mountain nature that surrounds you, the beauty of which will give you an unforgettable experience.

With the increase in altitude and the beginning of the season, the trip to the pass becomes exciting. However, the surrounding snowdrifts and trucks falling into the valley prompt drivers to be very careful in this section. Since travel along the Leh-Manal highway usually takes two days, tourists must make an overnight stop. For this purpose, they come to Sarcha. Since the highway is closed from October to April due to heavy snow, it is only possible to visit the point from May to September. Sarchu also serves as a starting point for hiking in Zanskar. Tourists can pitch their tent here and stay at the Indian Army camp on the banks of the Charap-Chu River, in a guest house, or with locals. You can grab a bite to eat at the traditional Himalayan-style eateries adjacent to the campsites, but it's best to stock up on food beforehand. Travelers should also carry medicines for mountain sickness, which often develops in these parts. Staying in Sarchu, enjoy the magnificence of the mountain nature that surrounds you, the beauty of which will give you an unforgettable experience. With the increase in altitude and the beginning of the season, the trip to the pass becomes exciting. However, the surrounding snowdrifts and trucks falling into the valley prompt drivers to be very careful in this section. From June through October, tents are a comfortable accommodation option for visitors. Meals are available as well. Also located in Ladakh, Sarchu is an excellent base for trekkers who wish to explore the Zanskar region.

The Best Souvenirs

In addition to the above, you can find dozens of handicrafts made of fine Costa Rican wood that can serve as decoration, such as bowls, trays, utensils of all kinds, jewelry, and masks. With elegant and stylized contours, much of the area's woodwork is found in Sarchí, from tables and chairs to dressers and desks. These items are typically made for the country's domestic market and generally reflect the culture and quirks of the Tico and its traditions. In addition to the beautiful handicrafts of the area, another reason to visit this charming town is its church painted in pink and blue. Built-in 1950, this twin-turret church is centrally located with beautiful town views.

Best time to visit Sarchu

Every road to Sarchu is open during the summer, making it easy for tourists to come. Tourists can stay here at this time and enjoy the food available here. The temperature here goes up to -35 degrees Celsius during winters, so don't forget to visit here during these months. Anyway, in winter, the whole search remains closed. It is recommended that tourists visit this place during the summer months. This region has an average temperature of 25°C this season, making exploring the area a comfortable experience. June and October are the season's beginning and ending months. October marks the start of the winter season in Sarchu, so the highway route and camp are closed by then. As low as -35°C can be experienced during this period.

How to reach Sarchu?

By air

Sarchu is approximately eight hours from Gaggal Airport in Shimla, the nearest airport. Chandigarh and Delhi have daily flights. Chandigarh's next closest city is a Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, about 530 kilometers away.
Several major cities, including Amritsar, Bangalore, New Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Leh, are accessible from here.

By rail

Joginder Nagar Railway Station is the nearest one and connects to most major cities in Himachal Pradesh. It is located 382 kilometers away from Sarchu.

By road

Located 72 kilometers from Darcha, 102 kilometers from Keylong, 251 kilometers from Leh, 260 kilometers from Kullu, 270 kilometers from Bhunter, 329 kilometers from Mandi, and 471 kilometers from Shimla, Sarchu is well connected by Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporations (HPSRTC and J&KSRTC) as well as some private bus services.

Route followed

Manali to Sarchu

Approximately 8-9 hours would be needed to cover the total distance of 220 kilometers. When you start your journey from Manali in the morning, you can quickly get to Sarchu by 3 to 4 pm.
The alternative route, however, is equally viable. By going this route, you will avoid traveling to Rohtang and save yourself a distance of about 50 kilometers and a travel time of 3 hours. In about 5 hours, you can reach Jispa from Manali after cutting the distance down to 177 kilometers.

Manali to Sarchu bus

It is impossible to take a direct bus between Manali and Sarchu; you must travel through Keylong first.  An HPTDC bus operates between Manali and Leh during the tourist season that passes through Sarchu. However, you must purchase a Leh ticket for this bus. Several years ago, HRTC began running a bus that would travel from Manali to Leh in a day. However, the bus was suspended the following year for unknown reasons. Some talks were scheduled to begin after the inauguration of the Atal tunnel, but I am not sure of their timing right now. If this bus was available to you when you traveled, you can take it from Manali in the morning and get off at Sarchu. Due to insufficient seats on this bus, you must take the bus to Keylong and find another means of transportation from there. If the timing does not match, there is always the option of taking a shared taxi from the Manali bus stand if the timing does not match.

Leh to Sarchu

Below is the route you would take if you were traveling from Leh. It takes about 7 hours to complete the trip between Leh and Sarchu, which is about 250 kilometers. Additionally, you will need to cross the passes of Tanglang La, Lachulung La, and Nakee La.

Leh to Sarchu bus

From Sarchu to Leh, there is a bus available every day.

Where to stay in Sarchu?

There are only tents available for accommodation. Your budget will entirely determine your choice. The Chadar tents are a good option if you want to stay just one night and do not want to spend much money. You can get a bed in one of these dormitories for about a couple hundred dollars. Of course, privacy is a concern, and a shared bathroom will be used. When it comes to accommodation, there are a few campsites here that are an excellent choice. The price will likely range from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 2000 per person, depending on your negotiation and travel date. It is possible to self-camp if you carry your equipment. All you need to do is locate a suitable spot to pitch your tent on what appears to be a vast field in the middle of nowhere. It would be best if you tried to stay close to the other campsites or dhabas. There are only dhabas where you can get food. More details can be found on Self-Camping in Ladakh. You can also find some shacks here with poorly maintained tin roofs.

Mobile network in Sarchu?

Cellphone reception is not available in Sarchu. However, even BSNL does not work in Sarchu because its coverage is more comprehensive in Himachal and Ladakh than in Sarchu. You can treat your phone like a paperweight or a camera here. The Keylong Hotel is the best place to stay if you wish to stay connected for as long as possible. Airtel, BSNL, and Jio all function in Keylong. From Keylong, you can travel to Leh in the afternoon. During the day, your phone won't work, but once you arrive in Leh, you'll be able to get reception in the evening.

Sarchu altitude sickness

Several reasons make a stay here unwise, including altitude sickness. Sarchu is set at 4,290 meters above sea level, so the gain in altitude in a few hours is twice as much as it is in Manali. When you awake in the morning in Manali, you are at 2050 meters; by evening, you have gained more than double that height. Because of this, most travelers to Sarchu are affected by altitude sickness. This place drops drastically in temperature at night, which makes AMS symptoms worse. Instead of staying in Jispa, if you're worried about AMS, stay in Jispa. However, if you plan to stay at Sarchu overnight, rest and stay warm. Step into your tent after the sun goes down, and don't remain in the wind. Make sure you're always covered. Check out How to Handle Acute Mountain Sickness in Ladakh for more details about some management tips.

Other tips

In planning your trip, the following tips will be helpful for you.

Medical facility

In Keylong or Leh, the nearest hospital is located. When traveling from Manali to Leh, it is highly recommended to bring some essential medicines. People with AMS in Sarchu can receive some medical assistance at Goldrop Camp. In this case, you can seek their assistance if your condition deteriorates overnight.

ATM

Either Leh or Keylong is the nearest camp. Be sure to have enough cash when you leave Manali for Leh.

Petrol pump

Petrol pumps are either in Leh or Tandi. Before you get started, make sure you complete a tankful, depending on which side you were coming from. To learn more about fuel availability in Leh Ladakh, please visit How to Manage Fuel Availability.

Pangong Lake to Sarchu

The road will be very long if you travel directly from Pangong Lake. There are 340 kilometers between the two places via Chang La. You can reach Sarchu by 4 or 5 pm when you leave Pangong early.
You should avoid going directly to Pangong Lake from Sarchu if you were thinking of doing that. You must get your permits from Leh because you cannot travel to the lake without them. A second reason is that traveling directly to Pangong would increase your chances of altitude sickness. The journey would be better if you started in Leh and went to Pangong afterward. Do not proceed straight from Sarchu to Pangong Tso.

Tso Moriri to Sarchu

A drive of 220 kilometers from Sarchu to Tso Moriri (Karzok) can be accomplished in 6-8 hours. In other words, you can travel directly to Sarchu from Tso Moriri Lake and then directly to Manali.
If you were thinking about going directly to Tso Moriri from Sarchu, it is impossible to do so for the same reasons as for Pangong. First, you must travel to Leh.

Itinerary

Your itinerary from Manali to Sarchu does not need to be considered carefully. Begin your journey early in the morning from Manali, follow the route described above, and arrive by evening.
Leh to Sarchu Itinerary: The same rule applies to travelers coming from Leh. It would help if you left early from Leh so you could arrive by evening.

Bottom line

It is recommended for tourists to visit this place during the summer. Tourists may explore the region this season due to the region's average temperature of 25°C. From June to October, tourists can explore the region. October signals the beginning of the winter season in Sarchu tourism, so the highway route and camp are closed by this month. This is the time when temperatures can drop as low as -35°C.
Campers at Sarchu reported that altitude sickness was relatively rare. Our advice to families and couples is to stay overnight in either Keylong or Juspa and then travel directly to Leh the following day.