Darcha also known as Dartse (elevation 3,360 m or 11,020 ft)[1] is a pair of villages (Darcha Sumdo and Darach Dangma) on the Bhaga River in the Lahaul sub-division in the Lahaul and Spiti district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is the northernmost permanent settlement in Himachal Pradesh along the Manali-Leh Highway.[2] With the opening of the Atal Tunnel, Darcha is likely to see a large influx of tourists as it is now connected to Manali throughout the year.[original research?] The Nimmu–Padam–Darcha road which is being constructed, will improve connectivity of Kargil, Zanskar and Leh District of Ladakh to Darcha.[citation needed]
Darcha | |
|---|---|
Village | |
Darcha Sumdo and Darach Dangma | |
Darcha Location in Himachal Pradesh, India | |
| Coordinates: 32.674°N 77.216°E / 32.674; 77.216 | |
| Country | |
| State | Himachal Pradesh |
| District | Lahaul and Spiti |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.51 km2 (0.20 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 3,360 m (11,020 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 358 |
| • Density | 700/km2 (1,800/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Hindi |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 175132 |
| Vehicle registration | HP-42 |

Darcha consists of two adjacent villages, Darcha Sumdo and Darcha Dangma with a total area of 51.3 ha (127 acres). Information on Darcha from the Census of India 2011 is given in the table below.[3]
| Measure | Darcha Sumdo | Darcha Dangma | Darcha (total) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area (ha) | 10.6 | 40.7 | 51.3 |
| Population | 172 | 166 | 338 |
| Households | 38 | 34 | 72 |
| Scheduled Caste | <5% | Nil | |
| Scheduled Tribes | 41-50% | >75% |
Schooling from primary up to senior secondary (Class 1 to 12) is available in the village. There is a Primary Health Centre at Darcha. Drinking water is available, and the village has power and telephone connections.[3]

Some buses between Manali and Leh stop for the night at Darcha where travelers sleep in tents.[citation needed] A new all weather steel bridge of 360 meters length has been built over the confluence of the Bhaga river and Jankar Nala on the Leh-Manali Highway.[4] The village is the end-point of a popular trek beginning in Padum, Zanskar. Roadside stalls offer basic food.[2]
All passing vehicles must stop at Darcha's police checkpoint for identification and passport checks.[2][5]
| |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Capital: Shimla | |||||||
| Topics |
| ||||||
| History |
| ||||||
| Culture |
| ||||||
| Jurisdiction |
| ||||||
| Districts and divisions |
| ||||||
| Major cities |
| ||||||
| Economy |
| ||||||
| Geography |
| ||||||
| Images and Others |
| ||||||
| |
|---|---|
| Passes |
|
| Valleys |
|
| Cities and towns | |
| Monasteries |
|
| See also |
|