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LADAKH, ZANSKAR-Destination, Jul - Aug 2009 |
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When it comes to travel to India's remote regions at altitude, like Ladakh and Zankar, you need an outfitter with the right credentials, the right guides and the right equipment.
Our Ladakh Trips are recommended by the National Geographic Traveler !!
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Its time for the big monsoon season to arrive in the Himalaya, where the only avenues for adventure travel remain tucked away in India's Trans Himalaya. This year, due to most of our departures filling up sooner than expected, we are launching a few more upon special request from many of you who could not join us for our earlier trips. 
One is a trek into the less traveled Ripchar valley with its small villages, nomadic settlements and pastures where we see a wide variety of flowers till the end of August, and birds too. We cross some high passes with excellent views of the Karakorams and the Zanskar ranges.
Our annual climb up Stok Kangri, a fine way to test yourself at altitude, or take the easy hike out on our Sham Valley trek. For the lucky ones who could not decide early enough, we have opened another departure on our July 27-Aug 7 Ladakh-Zanskar expedition.
We look forward to seeing you in the Trans Himalaya this year.
Sincerely,
Avilash Bisht |
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 Ripchar Valley Trek
Category : Trek
Duration : 11 Days
Location : Ladakh
Grade : Moderate
Dates : July 10-18, 2009
A very interesting trek beginning at Lamayuru and walking up the less traveled Ripchar valley with its small villages, nomadic settlements and pastures where we see a wide variety of flowers from end of July to end of August and birds too. We cross some high passes with excellent views of the Karakorams and the Zanskar ranges.
Day 01(Jul 10): Fly Delhi-Leh (3500m)
Transfer to Hotel. Rest & Acclimatise.
Day 02(Jul 11): In Leh (3500m)
Visit the famous Shey & Thiksey monasteries in the morning, return to the hotel for lunch explore the interesting Leh market in the evening.
Day 03(Jul 12): Leh to Hinju (3750m) 5-6hrs drive & 1 hr walk
Drive Leh to just short of the village Hinju, visit the famous Alchi monastery and the lamayuru monastery. Hinju a pretty village, with its eleventh century gompa high up on a crag, makes a pleasant place to stop. We walk for about an hour along the Ripchar valley to reach the small hamlet of Hinju.
Day 04(Jul 13): Hinju to base of Konze La (4900m) 4-5hrs
The Ripchar Valley gets more and more beautiful the higher up we walk, with its thick growth of willows and dramatic views back to rock pinnacles on the sky line.
 Day 05(Jul 14): Base of Konze La to Sumdo Chenmo (4300m) 4-5hrs
Its a short but steep ascent from the camp to the top of this pass, but rewards with views all the way back to the Prinkiti La. Descend steepily to the Sumdo Chenmo
Day 06(Jul 15): Sumdo Chenmo to Lanak(4000m) 5-6hrs
The initially steep descent to the Sumda Valley becomes more gentle towards Lanak. Camp by the river, Sumda Chu.
Day 07(Jul 16): Lanak to valley of Chilling (3800m) over Dungduchun La(4700m) 6-7hrs
The isolated village of Sumda shows few signs of change and the villagers are largely self-sufficient. From the village the path goes over a small pass, Dungduchun La. There are fantastic views from the top. Follow the path and the stream down the valley to Chilling.
Day 08(Jul 17): Valley of Chilling to Chilling (3250m) 1-2 hrs and drive to Leh.
After breakfast carry on walking downwards towards Chilling, a fairly large village famous for producing some of the best metalwork in Ladakh.
A short drive to Leh, Check in the hotel for lunch on reaching Leh. Opportunities to shop in the Leh market. Overnight Hotel.
Day 09(Jul 18): Fly Leh-Delhi.
Early morning transfer to Airport for Leh - Delhi flight. |
The Ladakh Zanskar Expedition
Category : Multi-Activity (drives, hike, camp, raft the Zanskar canyon)
Duration : 12 Days 
Location : Ladakh and Zanskar
Grade : Moderate
Dates : July 27-Aug 07 and Aug 08-19, 2009
Our "special" yearly feature drives through most of western Ladakh, monasteries, palaces, villages, hikes and travel to one of the most surreal places on the planet. The trip begins with a flight over the Himalayas into the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. We spend a couple of days in Leh town acclimatizing at 11,000 feet above sea level and visiting the ancient monasteries, palaces and villages around Leh. We then drive west of Leh past the town of Kargil and travel south into the valley of Zanskar, one of the coldest inhabited places on earth. Starting the trip on the Stod river, we begin our self contained multi-day river adventure down the spectacular and scenic Zanskar river gorge. The trip takes you down the extremely desolate, remote and sheer Zanskar gorge with walls rising a few thousand feet out of the river bed, culminating on the mighty Indus river, (which incidentally lends India its name). Undoubtedly a classic, this journey to the last truly lost horizon of our shrinking planet - Zanskar, the "land of white copper" is a trip of a lifetime.
Jul 27 / Aug 08. Fly Delhi - Leh (3466m ; 11,370ft). Transfer to hotel. Rest, hydrate and acclimatise. Overnight Leh hotel.
Jul 28 / Aug 09. Leh. Acclimatise and sightseeing. For the more energetic a visit to a few monasteries such as Shey, Thikse and Hemis will be arranged. Or choose to relax and walk into Leh town, to its exciting market and outdoor restaurants. Overnight Leh hotel.
Jul 29 / Aug 10. Drive Leh - Kargil (3201m ; 10500 ft ; 9-10 hrs). We drive from Leh to Mulbek - Kargil, through a spectacular moonscape. We drive over the Fotu La (14,000 ft), a high mountain pass and exit the Indus valley. Enroute, we do a photo stop above the Lamayuru monastery belonging to the 'Red Hat' sect. Overnight Kargil hotel.
Jul 30 / Aug 11. Drive Kargil - Rangdum (3964m ; 13,000ft ; 8-9 hrs). A spectacular drive past Panikar and Parkachik, with magnificent views of the 7000 metre plus Nun and Kun massif, hanging glaciers and large meadows. We drive till Rangdum Gompa (12,000 ft). Overnight tented camp.
Jul 31 / Aug 12. Drive Rangdum - Remala (3635m ; 11,925ft ; 6 hrs). We drive to Remala, which is the starting point for the rafting trip on the Stod river, a tributary of the Zanskar river. We drive over the Pensi La (14,500 ft), which enables grand views of the Zanskar peaks at the bottom of which is the Drung Durung glacier that feeds the Zanskar river, 40 km below, into which we flow trip the next day. Overnight tented camp.
Aug 01 / Aug 13. Rafting expedition begins at Remala. Raft till near Karsha Gompa, near Padum. (3496m ; 11,466ft ; 4 hrs) We raft 30 km in 4-5 hrs which includes a break for lunch and hot beverages. We are surrounded by 6000 metre high peaks. River section today includes a Class II section, a good introduction for first timers as well as to the river in general. Settle into camp by afternoon, we can take an optional hike to Karsha Gompa.
Aug 02 / Aug 14. After a late morning start, we raft from Karsha up to Honyo / Pidmo (3361m ;  11,025 ft ; 3 hrs). This stretch is approximately 25 km with Class II and III rapids. Another easy day to get used to the river, the altitude and hone our paddling skills.
Aug 03 / Aug 15. After packing camp, we raft 25 km to Nyerak (3286m ; 10,780ft ; 3 hrs) a Class III section. The gorge narrows in on the river - this indeed is a Grand Canyon in its own right. We stop for the day to pitch camp in a gorge below Nyerak village.
Aug 04 / Aug 16. Rest day at Nyerak. Take a hike to Nyerak village or relax under the cool shade of the willows at our Campsite. Wash up at the campsite stream and enjoy the day off. Aug 05 / Aug 17. Todays 35 km rafting section takes us from Nyerak to Lamaguru (3190m ; 10,465ft ; 6 hrs) through the core of the Zanskar A classic white water day with continuous Class III rapids, and a few Class IV rapid where the river squeezes between a gap of about 18ft. We stop for lunch near a huge waterfall and continue to camp at the confluence of Markha river with the Zanskar. Rock formations, spires and an amazing palette of colours add to the trip today. Camp. Aug 06 / Aug 18. We raft 40 kms of Class III/IV white water from Lamaguru to Nimu (3154m;10,345 ft ; 3-4 hrs) today. We raft past the village of Chilling and exciting rapids as the Zanskar plunges out of the canyon to meet with the Indus at Nimu. We end our trip at the confluence of the Zanskar with the Indus. Drive an hour back to Leh. Last minute retail therapy and a hot shower! Overnight hotel.
Aug 07 / Aug 19. Transfer to Leh airport. Fly Leh - Delhi. |
 Sham Valley Trek Aug 15-22, 2009
This trek is probably the easiest one around Leh but its enjoyable as one comes across villages on the way that give insights into the ladakhi village life. One will notice how a stream of glacial water has led to an oasis of life amidst barren wilderness, not tomention the smiles on the faces of people living there. Among the tourists this is popularly known as "baby trek" for its relatively easy walk which is soothing.
Day 01(Aug 15): Fly Delhi to Leh(3500m)
Day 02(Aug 16): Sightseeing in and around Leh.
Visit the different monasteries around lah and the interesting Leh Market in the evening.
Day 03(Aug 17): Drive Leh to Likir and trek to Yangthang(3700m) 1.5 hrs drive & 5 hrs walk.
Its about 1.5 hrs drive to Likir from where we start the walk which goes parallel to a motorable road that ascends to Phobe La (3580m). From the pass we leave the road to take a descending track leading to a gorge which finally takes us back on the road. At this point one can view Sumdo village with its few houses. we leave the road again to climb up to Chagatse La (3630m) after crossing the stream on a wooden bridge.One starts seeing the Yangthang village where we camp for the night.
Day 04(Aug 18): Trek Yangthang to Rizong Gompa and back to Yangthang (6 to 7 hrs)
The day walk to Rizong monastery is not too tough but a bit tiring. Its a walk through the village descending to the stream from where one enters a narrow gorge that leads to the monastery, known for its monastic discipline.
Day 05(Aug 19): Trek Yangthang to Hemisshukpachan (3600m) (2 to 3 hrs )
Its a relatively short walk to Hemis Shukpachen village. We cross Tsermangchan La (3720m) to get to the village, which has its own beauty with a rich cultural background, myths and mysteries.  There is a bunch of juniper trees on one side, which is not disturbed by the villagers for a superstitious belief they attach with it. There are a couple of guest houses and homestays too in the village.
Day 06(Aug 20): Trek Hemisshukpachan to Tingmoszang(3650m) (4 to 5 hrs)
This trek involves crossing a pass called Meptak La (3980m) after which we reach the Ang village. A half an hour from this village gets us to Tingmoszang which is a relatively larger village.
Day 07(Aug 21): Drive Tingmoszang to Leh (3 hrs). Visit Alchi Gompa enroute.
The trek continues towards Tia village in the west. An easy ascent towards south after crossing the bridge brings us to Bongbong La (3600m). Half an hour walk from here brings us to the road. We visit Alchi monastery on our way back to Leh.
Day 08(Aug 22): Fly Leh - Delhi |
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Climb Stok Kangri (6153m) from Aug 23-Sep 01, 2009 A 6,000m / 20,000 ft plus mountain in the Himalayas. Some monastery visits, an acclimatisation trek and a gruelling climb to the summit which offers wide open views of the Karakoram range on the north with the Saser Kangri dominating the sky and Zanskar ranges on the south. Bookings open ! Very few spots left, write in now!
Our mountain trips are featured on The New York Times, Boston Globe and TIME magazine!!  
Write in for details to
or visit us at S-507, Ground Floor, Greater Kailash - 2, New Delhi - 110048, India
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