Sarchu Village is nestled between Baralacha La Pass and Lachung La pass at an altitude of 14,500 ft. widely known as Sir Bhum Chun, it is an overnight layover spot for travellers and explorers who are traversing on the Manali-Leh highway. It is about 250 km from Leh and 220 km from Manali. It is a favored destination for adventure seekers and is located on the boundary of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.
Sarchu is an epitome of beauty that lures trekking enthusiasts from all over the country. The landscape is beautiful, it is a mix of the verdant Manali landscape and the desert like Ladakh landscape. Most people only stop overnight in Sarchu for a break from the long driving, and as a result, several camping options have come up around the place. There are no traditional hotels in Sarchu but the camps in Sarchu make up amply for this. These camps are semi-permanent camps which operate from May to early October and provide a convenient accommodation option for travellers. There is an Indian army camp located on the banks of the Tsarap Chu River. During winters, this highway and high passes along the road gets blocked and camps are closed.
Historically, Sarchu was an important trading point of the Ancient Silk Route. Sarchu is also a well-known trekking point where the difficult trek into the Zanskar region of Ladakh starts. It is one of the longest trekking trails that takes several days to complete. There are very few trekking enthusiasts who complete this trail. The Tanglang La pass which is among the highest motorable passes in the world at an elevation of over 17,500 ft. is located here. The place is very peaceful and gives a panoramic view of the surrounding valleys. It is the second highest mountain pass in Ladakh. The pass is adjacent to Leh - Manali highway and is reached via 21 loops. The pass provides an amazing view as it sways away from the main highway.
Sarchu village is still a hot favorite with traders, nomadic tribes and adventure seekers. It is surrounded by exceptional beauty and views.