Zanskar and Ladakh
This
trek explores the region to the north of Lahaul. It includes the
Lingti valley, summer home to nomadic shepherds before climbing
5000 m to Phirtse La and entering Kargia valley. This valley has
rock colours and attractive medieval villages. A visit to the monastery at
Phuktal situated in a huge limestone cave on the edge of a cliff
is recommended. Large herds of ibex can be seen along rocky crags.
This trek entails hours of strenuous walk over high passes and numerous
river crossings. With proper acclimatization, it is both physically
exhilarating and culturally enriching.
DELHI / MANALI / PATSE / BARA LACHA PASS / SARCHUI KURGIA VALLEY
/ SHINGO LA / DARCHA / MANALI / DELHI
- Duration : 26 Days
- Average Trek: Delhi to Delhi B to 70 kms per day
- Maximum height: 75000 ft
- Grade: Difficult
- Best time: July to Mid October
•
Over the High Passes : Padum / Lamayuru
Day 1 . MANALI : Day at leisure. Evening meet your crew members
and briefing by our tour escort. Overnight hotel.
2. MANALI I JISPA : After breakfast drive over Rohtang
pass ( 3978 m ) to Jispa ( 8-9 hrs). Enroute packed lunch. Evening
arrive Jispa and camp .Overnight Jispa.
3. JISPA I SARCHU SAFARI : After an early breakfast
drive over Baralacha pass ( 4908 m ) to Sarchu (8 hrs). Enroute
hotel lunch. Arrive and camp. Meals and overnight at camp.
4. SARCHU I HEMIS : Breakfast at camp.Leave for Hemis.
Enroute hotel lunch.Evening arrive and meet our rafting experts.Meals
and overnight
5. RAFTING : Full day rafting on Indus river. Evening transfer
to Leh. Arrive and check in hotel. Meals and overnight at hotel.
6. LEH : Half day sightseeing of surroundings - visiting
Shey and Thikse monasteries. Afternoon free. Overnight at hotel.
7. LEH I KARGIL : After breakfast drive to Kargil
( 225 kms ). Evening arrive Kargil and check in hotel for meals
at Kargil.
8. KARGIL I RANGDUM GOMPA: Scenic drive 8 hrs to Rangdum
with packed lunch. Arrive and camp. Overnight at camp.
9. RANGDUM GOMPA I PADUM: Drive with packed lunch
( 7 hrs ). Padum is the starting point of our trek in Zanskar. Afternoon
camp. Overnight at camp.
10. PADUM I PISHU : Morning meet our ponies men and
start trek ( 6 hrs). Hot lunch enroute. Arrive and camp for overnight.
Grade : Moderate
11 PISHU I PIDMU : Trek to Pidmu ( 5 - 6 hrs). Hot
Iunch enroute. Arrive at campsite near village and camp. Overnight
at camp.
Grade : Moderate- difficult
12. PIDMU I HANUMIL : Trek to Hanumil village ( 5 - 6
hrs). Enroute hot lunch. Meals and overnight at camp.
Grade : Moderate
13. HANUMIL/ LINGSHED GOMPA : Trek over to Purifi Ia pass and
Hanumila pass. One can see the beautiful view of Lingshed gompa
and village from top of the Hanumil pass. Overnight camp near the
village.
Grade : Difficult
14. LINGSHED I BASE OF SINGI LA Trek 6 hrs to base
of Singi La pass. Hot lunch enroute. Overnight at camp.
Grade : Moderate- difficult
15. OVER SINGILA PASS TO PHOTOKSAR Trek over Singi La pass
14850 ml to Photoksar village. Packed lunch enroute. Overnight at
camp at bank of the Photang river near Photoksar village.
Grade : Moderate
16. PHOTOKSAR I OVER SIRSIR LA PASS I HANUPATTA Trek
over to Sirsirla pass ( 5100 m ) to Hanupatta village. Packed lunch
enroute. Overnight at camp.
Grade : Moderate
17. HANUPATTA / WANLA : Trek to Wanla ( 5 hrs ). Hot lunch enroute.
Dinner and overnight at camp.
Grade : Moderate
18. WANLA I LAMAYURU Trek to Lamayuru 14 hrs I. Enroute
hot lunch. Arrive and overnight at camp.
Grade : Easy
19. LAMAYURU I LEH After breakfast visit to Lamayuru
monasteries. Drive to Leh. Packed lunch enroute. Visit to Alchi
monasteries. Evening arrive Leh and check in hotel for meals and
overnight stay.
20. LEH : Day at leisure. Meals and overnight at hotel.
21. LEH / DELHI In time transfer to airport to board flight
for Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day at
leisure. Overnight at hotel.
- Duration
: 79 Days Delhi to Delhi
- Average Trek : 8 to 9 kms per day
- Maximum height : 13000 ft
- Grade : Moderate difficult
- Best time : June to September
•
Lahaul Zanskar Splendour Trek
Day
1 . MANALI I DARCHA ( Lahaul Valley) :
We drive to Darcha which is exceedingly scenic. We first ascend
from Manali to Rohtang Pass. This famous Pass at 13600 ft separates
2 different worlds - the agriculturally rich "Valley of Gods " Kullu
& Manali and the arid and rugged moonscape of Lahaul. Once beyond
the pass, the road descends into the valley of river Chandra and
leads us to its confluence with river Bhaga.The remaining drive
is along the river Bhaga, passing enroute interesting Lahauli villages
and dramatic waterfalls swandiving over the high cliffs leaving
a fine spray of mist in its wake. All along the way, we are dwarfed
by high peaks and glaciers right up to our campsite at Darcha.
2.
DARCHAI PALAMO : The trek starts along
the Darcha - Leh highway and then follows a dirt road passing two
rustic Lahauli villages. Beyond these villages, the trail narrows
down to a stone bridge over the river Jhankar Sumdo. Our campsite
at Palamo is in a beautiful green meadow.
- Trekking time : 5 hrs
- Grade : Moderate ascent
3.
PALAMO I RAMJAK : This day's trekking
is comparatively more difficult as it involves a river crossing
and a fairly steep climb from the valley of Jhankar Sumdo to the
higher bank of the Shingo stream. which is our next campsite.
Trekking time : 5 hrs
Grade: Moderate ascent
4. RAMJAK I CHIMIK NAKPO : We continue along the Shingo
stream today, enjoying the beauty of the alpine flowers that grow
here in careless abandon. Camp-site at Chimik Nakpo.
- Trekking time : 5 hrs
- Grade :
•
Lahaul
Gradual ascent but long
5. CHIMIK NAKPO I LAKONG : Our second Pass crossing
is accomplished today. The Shingo Pass at 16000 ft, is the highest
point of our trek. It is an adventurous walk, partly on snow and
partly on moraines lying on glaciers. The views from the pass is
superb as we are now in the heart of the Great Himalayas, amid hanging
glaciers and unclimbed 20000 ft peaks. The descent from the pass
to Lakong is steep but well marked. The Lakong campsite is commonly
used by yak herders and we may encounter grazing yaks from now on.
- Trekking time : 6 hrs
- Grade : Steep
6. LAKONG / GOMPA RINCHEN : Beyond Lakong, the valley widens
considerably with the river Kargiakh Chu meandering through it.
It is a pleasant level walk till the base of the Gompa Rinchen peak,
our next campsite .Regarded as sacred in Zanskar, this peak is undoubtedly
a most impressive rock massif. The camp-site is lush green with
lovely freshwater springs, set against the backdrop of the Gompa
Rinchen peak.
- Trekking time : 5 hrs
- Grade : Easy
7. GOMPA I RINCHEN I KARGIAKH VILLAGE: The flat
open valley leading to Kargiakh is a paradise grazing ground for
yaks. It is thus not uncommon to encounter groups of Zanskari girls
collecting yak dung for their home fuel. Long before one reaches
Kargiakh, it is already visible across the wide plain -signs of
emerald vegetation laboriously cultivated by the Kargiakh villagers
and rows of white chortens mark the way. Kargiakh is the first village
of Zanskar on this route. It is interesting to note the cultural
change of this high mountain kingdom. The camp-site is outside the
village, on a grassy~ patch close to the river.
Trekking time : 5 hrs
Grade : Easy
8. KARGIAKH / TETHA : On
the way to Tetha, we now begin to appreciate the harshness of the barren mountains against
the lush greenery surrounding all the small Zanskari villages and
hamlets. The entire route is well marked by chortens, signifying
the strong Buddhist influence in this region. Short of Teth we cross
the river Kargiakh Chu. The village of Tetha is extremely picturesque
and also fairly' prosperous. Some of the houses have their private
temples with rare Buddhist artifacts and scriptures. It is regarded
as an honor to be invited to view these private collections. The
campsite, a little below the village, boas of willow trees a rare
sight indeed
- Trekking Time : 5 hours
- Grade : Fairly easy
- Optional
: Tetha / Purni / Phuctal Gompa / Phibula / Muni Gompa /
Padum / Karcha Gompa / Ringdom Gompa / Kargil
• Chandratal Classique Trek
Day 1. MANALI I BATAL : A full day's drive from Manali
across Rohtan Pass to the valley of river Chandra. It is a scenic
route which ends at Bata Batal is situated at the foot of the Kunzum
Pass which is the main approach fc Spiti. Enroute one gets a stupendous'
view of the Bara Shigri glacier.
2. BATAL I CHANDRATAL LAKE : Our first day's trek' is long,
starting wit an initial climb and gradually leveling off at the
Chandratal lake. The lake famous for its high altitude beauty. Calm
and serene, it covers a large basin an is one of the highest lakes
in the world which is inhabited by fish,
Trekking time : 6 hrs
Grade : Moderate
3. CHANDRATAL : Day at leisure
in Chandratal to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the lake and explore
the surrounding areas as we acclimatize.
4. CHANDRATAL I TOPKO YONG MA: Fairly
easy trek following the river Chandra upstream to Topko Yongma.
There is a stream crossing enroute.
Trekking time : 5 hrs
Grade : Easy
5. TOPKO YONGMA I TOPKO GONGMA :
Another day following the river Chandra with a gradual climb. The
route offers some superb views of ft Mulkila mountain range. Awesome
hanging glaciers are visible on all sides.
- Trekking time : 5 hrs
- Grade : Moderate
6. TOPKO GONGMA I BASE OF BARALACHA PASS:
Fairly easy trek with breathtaking views of the KR range's peaks
which are all above 20,000 I The valley leading to the Baralacha
Pass is very wide. Windy camp.
- Trekking time : 5 hrs
- Grade : Moderate
7. BASE OF BARALACHA I BARALACHA PASS ISURAJIAL
LAKE: After a short gradual climb we reach the Baralacha Pass
at 1'6000 ft, the highest point of our trek. The entire topography
of this pass is very arctic like, with wide glaciated spaces. It
is a pass with cross roads at the top whereby one can get to either
Ladakh, Zanskar, Lahaul or Spiti. The Manali - Leh highway cuts
through this pass. We camp at Surajtal lake which is a short descent
from the pass.
- Trekking time : 5 hrs
- Grade : Moderate steep
8. SURAJTAL LAKE I MANALI :
Return to Manali by road via Lahaul valley, along the river Bhaga.
We re-cross the Rohtang pass on the way.
- Trekking time : 6 hrs
- Best Time : July to October
•SARAHAN-SANGLA-CHITKUL-KAZA
This special itinerary leads you through a remote area
of outstanding beauty. This are has been recently opened by the
Indian Government for foreigners. The road from Shimla loops along
the river Sutlej through Kinnaur and on to Lahaul and Spiti. It
is fascinating and scenically beautiful route.
Day 01 Arrive Delhi : Met at the airport and transfer to hotel.
Half day sightseeing of Delhi to include the magnificent Red Fort,
the Jama Masjid - India's largest mosque, Rajghat - memorial to
Mahatma Gandhi. Overnight Delhi.
Day 02 Delhi / Shimla (7 hrs.) : After breakfast drive to
Shimla. Arrive by noon. Check into hotel Combermere. Evening at
leisure to explore the infamous Mall with its church and mock Elizabethan
architecture Overnight Shimla.
Day 03 Shimla / Sarahan (6 hrs.) : Road from Shimla goes
East towards the Tibetan border along the Sutlej to Rampur. Visit
Buddhist monastery and the Palace and temple. Arrive at Sarahan
and check into Srikhand tourist bungalow. Evening visit the 2000
year old Bhimakali temple. Overnight Sarahan.
Day 04 Sarahan / Sangla (3 hrs.) : Drive up the Sutlej valley
into Baspa valley to Sangla. Check into Wanderlust Deluxe Swiss
camp. Evening relax around bonfire. Overnight Wanderlust Swiss camp.
Day 05 Sangla / Thangi / Lambar : Morning
drive to Thangi 2966 mtrs. (80 kms. 3 hrs.). From Thangi we start
the trek to Lambar (12 kms.). Overnight camp at Lambar.
Day 06 Lambar / Charang (3506 mtrs) : Today we do a 12 kms
trek from Lambar to Charang, which has beautiful landscape and high
altitude flowers. Overnight camp at Charang.
Day 07 Charang / Chitkul (3450 mtrs) : Relatively easy trek
of 8 kms brings us highest and last motorable Charang pass and arrive
at Chitkul. Chitkul is the last Indian village before Tibet with
its small houses, monastery, temple, and saffron farms. Enjoy short
walks around and feel the exhilaration of being surrounded with
snow capped peaks at near distances. Overnight camp at Chitkul.
Day 08 Chitkul / Puh : Morning enjoy the panoramic view of
the surrounding. After lunch drive to Puh (3200 mtrs). Close to
Tibetan border. Puh lies in the rain shadow region situated on the
confluence of Spiti and Sutlej. It is famous for grapes, wood carvings,
and deodar trees. Overnight Rest house.
Day 09 Puh / Kaza : Morning after breakfast drive along the
scenic road to reach Kaza (3450 mtrs.). Enroute visit Tabo Monastery
(3200 mtrs.). Apparently it is an ordinary mud structure but inside
it has beautiful frescoes which earned Tabo the epithet of "Ajanta
of Himalayas". Reach Kaza in the evening. Overnight Kaza.
Day 10 Kaza / Manali : After breakfast drive to Manali via
Kunzum Pass (4551 mtrs.) and Rohtang Pass (4500 mtrs.). Arrive Manali
by evening. Check into the luxurious riverside Manali Resort. Overnight
Manali.
Day 11 Manali : Morning proceed for sightseeing of Roerich
Art Gallery and Naggar Castle. Evening free to explore the Mall.
Overnight Manali.
Day 12 Manali / Nalagarh : Drive to Nalagarh. Check into
the hill top Nalagarh Palace Resort managed by the extremely hospitable
royal family. Overnight Nalagarh Palace.
Day 13 Nalagarh / Delhi (6 hrs) : After
leisurely breakfast drive to Delhi in time to board International
flight back.
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