Ladakh, Adventure Tours.

This high altitude cold desert is the western extension of the Tibetan plateau in northmost India. Predominantly Buddhist, it is a land of monasteries and high passes. The inhabitants are a happy go lucky sort who live a romantic life herding their prized yaks in the summer pastures. They live in primitive villages with a central monastery which have amazing "Thankas" (paintings), caved images and murals, and ahead "Lama" - high priest in charge of daily affairs. Although no mountaineering skills are required for trekking in this area you should be reasonably fit as it involves crossing passes up to 6000 m.

a) WHISKEY BRIDGE TO LEH

This area provides absolutely stunning scenery. Snow tipped peaks stretch into the distance while rocks of many different hues contract with thin ribbon and patches of green, marking water or cultivation. This is a rare opportunity join a trek that takes you far off the beaten track, away from the well trodden. With some passes on this trek over 5000Mt. it has primarily been assigned for the fairly fit walker.

DELHI / MANALI / ZARA RIVER / YARLA / KHAR HANKAR / INDUS VALLEY / LEH / DELHI

- Duration : 25 Days Delhi to Delhi
- Average Trek : B to 10 kms per day
- Maximum height : 75000 ft
- Grade : Difficult
- Best time : July to Mid October

b) RUPSHU TREK

Rupshu is a high altitude desert in the middle of the Himalayans on the Tibet borderland. Previously closed to visitors this region offers some of the most amazing scenery to be found in Ladakh. Lying beyond the great Himalayan rang which blocks the rain carrying winds, this barren and moon like region has be few inhabitants. The harshness of the topography is reflected in their simple lives. The all prevailing Buddhist influence mixed with the "animistic"Bon religion and their Tibetan features lends them a distinct look belonging to medieval times. The trip begins with a two day drive from the verdant Kuala valley across two high passes deep into the easternmost part of Ladakh, followed b an 11 day trek through the heart of Rupshu, finally ending in the Indus valley near Leh.

17 Days Delhi to Delhi, 8 to l0 kms per day, 14000 ft
- Difficult : July to Mid October

c) DARCHA TO PADUM

This trek starts from Manali over the Rohtang Jot 13300 ml passing through Keylong and then the trek to Padum, the capital of Zanskar. From here you may drive to Kargil and then to Leh.

- Duration :156 Days Delhi to Delhi
- Average Trek : B to 10 kms per day
- Maximum height : 73000 ft
- Grade : Difficult
- Best time : July to Mid October

Option & Extensions

1. To Lamayuru. One of the oldest and largest gompas in Ladakh and
then drive to Leh (12 days ).

2. To Martselang near the famous Hemis gompa ( 21 days ).

d) OTHER LADAKH, LAHAUL & ZANSKAR TREKS

a) Buddhist Gompa trek
bI Pangi valley trek
cI Over Kugti Pass
dl Over Kalicho Pass
el Over Chobia Pass
fI Monastery trek

• Adventure to the top of the world

RAFTING, BIKING & TREKKING IN LADAKH REGION

Day 1 . DELHI I LEH : Transfer to airport to board flight to Leh. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Afternoon free for own activities. Overnight at hotel.

2. LEH : Leh is the capital of Ladakh and is about 10 kms north-east of Indus There are many places and monasteries to visit in and around this fascinating town yet it is equally interesting lust to wander the back streets of old Leh. A full day sightseeing of monasteries in and around Leh. . Return to hotel for overnight stay.

3 & 4. RAFTING IN INDUS RIVER : After breakfast drive to Indus valley for 2 days rafting and one night camping at the sandy banks of river Indus. The journey downstream is a fascinating experience as you pass between amazing rock formations and granite outcrops interspersed with open stretches of cultivated land. An occasional Gompa dots the landscape with the ever present mountains, stark and inspiring, looming above. Around mid day on both days stop for a picnic lunch and one night camping on one of the many sandy banks of river Indus. Continue rafting down-stream passing an occasional settlement until your destination, where you will be picked up and drive back to the hotel in the early evening glow of the setting sun. Overnight at hotel.

5. LEH I HEMIS : After an early breakfast take charge and then start cycling on world's second highest motorable road. The Shey gompa, the old summer capital palace of the kings of Ladakh 115 kms from Leh towards Hemis was built more than 550 years ago by Li Palgyigon, the king of Ladakh. Visit Shey gompa set upon a hill and h the largest golden topped victory stupa. The monastery has a two storyed of the sitting Buddha wrought in copper and gold . Continue cycle to Hemis. Arrive overnight at camp. Trekking

6. HEMIS I RUMTSE : Breakfast at camp. Visit Hemis gompa, whit tains quite a few statues in gold and stupas decorated with precious 5 Hemis also has a gigantic tanka, one of the largest in the world, which displayed to the public after every 12 years at the festival. Now it will bee in 2004. Hemis gompa is the largest and one of the most important in quite apart from its annual festival. It was founded about 360 years Staagtshang Raspa. After visiting gompa cycle to Rumtse. Camp in meadow at the foot of Tanglang La pass.Overnight at camp.

7. RUMTSE I PANG : Morning we cross Tanglang La Pass 117394 ft highest point of the entire route, on a truck and then cycle down to Pang crossing the Lingti plains. The road climbs higher and suddenly, mountain is different than encountered so far. This once restricted route now takes one across high Himalayan passes and extensively plains. Arrive Pang . Overnight at camp.

B. PANG I SARCHU : Morning drive by truck to the top of the Lapo Pass (5025 ml and then cycle down to the Sarchu sarai, at the base of the Bara Lacha Pass l49O9m). Today we ride on the cold and mountain desert land The scenery becomes more and more spectacular. At the day end, we are right at the beginning of the spectacular Lingti plains. Overnight at camp.

9. SARCHU I BAR LACHALA PASS: After an early breakfast drive b to Baralachala pass, where you will meet the ponies/porter. On arrival St trek (4 hrs) down the broad green valley floor. Interesting Tibetan flora are lucky the ground will be carped with yellow saxifrage. Camp just by the large river, which has to be forded early next morning before the water Overnight in camp.

10.TOPKOYONGMA I CHANDRATAL C 4270 m) : Early morning the river and the walk brings us to the range hills behind which Chandi hiding.Enroute packed lunch.Walk down to Chandratal passing through Gaddi flocks ,the first signs of life since leaving Baralacha.The lake only itself after skirting a small range of hills. Arrive and camp near the lake.Ov at camp.

11. TOPKOYONGMA I CHANDRATAL (4270 m Early morning cross the river and the walk brings us to the range hills behind which Chandratal is hiding. Enroute packed lunch . Walk down to the Chandratal passing through some Gaddi flocks, the first signs of the life since leaving the Baralacha. The lake only reveals itself after skirting a small range of hills. Arrive and camp near the lake. Overnight at camp.

12. CHANDRATAL : Morning enjoy this most beautiful sight in the western Himalayas. The surface of the lake changes with the lights beyond cloud shadows play across the hills and beyond again the higher peaks are capped in snow.Full day to explore the area at camp

13. CHANDRATAL I BATAL ( 3960 m ) : After enjoying the enchanting Moon lake walk down to Batal 112 kms) on the road up the Chandra valley to Spiti and Kunzum La.Camp in a meadow away from the road near Bata , where we meet our bus/Jeeps.Overnight at camp.

14. BATAL I MANALI After breakfast drive over to Rohtang pass ( 3978 m ). Packed lunch at the Pass. Explore the area. After lunch continue drive or cycle to Manali. Late afternoon arrive Manali and check in hotel.Overnight at hotel.

15. MANALI I DELHI : In time transfer to Bhuntar airport to board flight to Delhi. On arrival transfer to hotel.

- Best time: July to October