GO LADAKH!

An initiation to Ladakh

What is it? A group holiday to the land of passes. July 2011.

What would you call a journey traversing 3 of the 5 highest
motorable passes in the world, the second highest salt water lake in
the world, the second coldest inhabited place in the world, 3 entirely
different terrains, 3 distinct cultures, 5 mountain ranges and possible
for only 3 months in an year? Add a homestay based trek in the snow
leopard territory, rafting on Indus all the way to its confluence with
Zanskar and mountain biking on the lunarscape and we have the
complete Ladakh experience.
The road to Leh

Stages in the Journey

1. Srinagar to Kargil

From Srinagar, we follow the Sindh river to the lush Distance covered: 204 km
green high altitude meadow of Sonmarg and then cross
over the Zoji La to the barren contours of the trans- Passes crossed: Zoji La (3505M)
Himalaya in Drass. The vista now shifts to the Zanskar Pit Stops: Sonmarg, Drass, Tiger hill
range and its narrow gorge as we approach Kargil, the
town which marks the end of the Muslim Kashmir and Mountain ranges: Pir Panjal, Greater Himalaya
the beginning of Buddhist Ladakh.

Sunset on the Dal lake Sheep on glacier beyond Sonmarg

2. Kargil to Leh

From Kargil, the road goes over the huge Khurbathang Distance covered: 234 Km
plateau to the village of Mulbek with its gigantic rock
carving of Maitreya Buddha, crosses over two passes, Passes crossed: Namika La (3719M)
reaches the spectacularly located Lamayuru gompa Fotu La (4094M)
amongst amazing wind eroded towers and then
descends all the way down to the Indus at Khalatse. Pit Stops: Mulbek, Lamayuru, Alchi, Nimmu
Follow the Indus to its remarkable confluence with
Zanskar at Nimmu and further on to Leh. Mountain ranges: Zanskar

At Lamayuru The mighty Indus meets the Zanskar at Nimmu

3. Leh to Nubra Valley

The Nubra valley, leading to the Siachen glacier and Distance covered: 150km North of Leh
opened for tourists very recently, is reached after
tackling the small matter of crossing the highest Passes crossed: Khardung la (5578 M)
motorable pass in the world, the Khardung la. A visit
to the gompa at Diskit, where a residence for the Dalai
Pit Stops: Panamic lake, Diskit, Hundur
Lama is being built and the hidden lake right on the
Mountain ranges: Zanskar, Karakoram
bed of the Nubra river at Panamic follows. This is the
last place civilians are allowed before Siachen glacier.
The road at Khardung La Camel ride in Nubra Valley

4. Leh to Pangong Tso

We drive to Pangong Tso on the Indo-Tibet border, Distance: 160 km east of Leh
which is the 2nd highest salt water lake in the world. It
is 130km in length out of which 1/3rd lies in India and Passes crossed: Chang La (5475M)
is famous for the color of its water which changes Pit Stops: Sakti, Tangtse, Pangong Lake
every hour. We pass through the spectacularly green
Sakti village before crossing the Chang La and Mountain ranges: Ladakh range, Pangong range
descending to Tangtse village with its domesticated
Yaks and nomadic herdsmen, Chang-Pa.

Pangong Tso at India- Tibet border The Colors of Ladakh

Activities in Leh
Homestay trek Spituk to Rumbak: This is the perfect 2 day trek from Leh. It starts from Spituk, which is around 7 kms
from Leh and goes to the village of Rumbak. A walk of approx. 8kms through the wild Markha valley,
home of blue sheep, mountain deer and the elusive snow leopard. You will stay with a local family in
their house and enjoy the best of Ladakhi hospitality.

Rafting On Indus river: The run has mostly Grade II or III easy rapids and it passes through astoundingly
beautiful mountains, many of them with tiny villages and imposing old monasteries nestling among the
valleys and ends at the confluence of Indus and Zanskar in Nimmu.

Around Leh Leh abounds in places of interest. Be it the 16th century Thicksey gompa or the more modern Shanti
stupa, the palace at the ancient capital of Shey or the enlightening Kargil war museum there is
something for everybody.

Biking You can rent a mountain bike or a motorcycle and go around Leh.

Eat, eat, and eat The many popular eating joints in Leh rewards hungry travelers with filling Tibetan fare, from
some more delectable momos to soul-warming thukpa (noodle-based soup) along with excellent Indian vegetarian
curries. And of course there are the bakeries- French, German, Swedish, you name it and its there.

Homestay at Rumbak village On the trail to Rumbak Stakna monastery outside Leh The town of Leh

Acclimatization
The average altitude in Ladakh is ~3500M. At this height everyone, including seasoned climbers, is prone to mild altitude
sickness (AMS). Following are the precautions we are going to take:

1. Drive into Leh from Srinagar rather than flying into Leh or driving from Manali. The drive from Manali reaches a height of
~5300M before dropping down and is a sure shot way of falling sick. Srinagar-Leh on the other hand is a gradual gain.
2. Reach Leh on the 3rd day after gradually climbing from Srinagar to Sonmarg to Kargil and then to Leh.
3. Keep one entire day as rest day for acclimatization upon reaching Leh.
4. Keep ourselves well hydrated through out the journey. Avoid alcohol as much as possible.

These precautions will reduce our chances of getting AMS, but not make it zero. But always remember that even if we get sick,
it’s going to be the mildest form and in 99% cases one recovers within 24 hours. Read my blog on AMS here.
The itinerary

Day’s activity Remarks You need to..

Day 1: Fly into Srinagar in the morning. (Can We leave the hustle bustle of Srinagar Book flight tickets to
Thursday, get there by train/road also). Drive to the behind and stay in the beautiful Sonmarg. Srinagar. Make sure you
7th July guesthouse at Sonmarg. ~ 2 hours. This also ensures we have covered a small land latest by 2 pm.
part of our long journey to Leh.

Day 2 Drive to Kargil via zoji la and Drass. We cross the historical Zoji la pass and enter
180 Km, ~5 hours the trans-Himalayan region. Kargil again
makes for a convenient stopover.

Day 3 Drive to Leh. Pass Mulbek and Today is a spectacular drive crossing the
Lamayuru gompa on the way. Zanskar. We cross two high passes, two very
234 km, ~7 hours important Buddhist villages of Mulbek and
Lamayuru, a Gurudwara and confluence of
Indus and Zanskar river to finally reach Leh.

Day 4 In Leh. Rest for acclimatization. Can A well deserved and much required rest day.
check out the vibrant Leh market. Chilling out is on the agenda.

Day 5 Drive to Nubra valley across Khardung It has become very accessible, but that
La, the highest road in the world. doesn’t take away from the breathtaking
150 Km, ~5 hours. beauty of Nubra valley. We also visit the
important monastery at Diskit.

Day 6 Visit the hidden lake at Panamic. Return It’s a small lake, but what it lacks in size it
drive to Leh. Rest. makes up for its unique location. Very few
people have seen this lake.

Day 7 A day of options. You can chose to do For all adventure activities you can hire
white water rafting, mountain biking or local providers (we can suggest).
plain chilling out at a café.

Day 8 Drive to Spituk village from where the We are in snow leopard country now and the
walk starts to Rumbak village. best way to explore this is on foot. This walk
Walk for ~ 8Km, ~3 hours to Rumbak and the homestay there is easily
the highlight of the trip for me.

Day 9 Early morning walk back to Spituk and We leave the warm hospitality of our hosts
drive to Leh. in Rumbak and are back in Leh by
afternoon. Good day to catch up on all your
shopping.
Day 10 Drive to Pangong Tso on the border of Best things come to those who wait. And it’s
India and Tibet. And back. the same with Pangong Tso, the highlight of
160 Km , ~ 4 ½ hours, One way the trip. Wont even try to put it in words.

Day 11: Fly back early in the morning to Delhi Most of the flights out of Leh are in the Book flight tickets from
Sunday 16th morning only. Leh to Delhi and beyond.
July

Note: If you have 3 extra days I can help organize the return journey via Jispa and Manali. It’s another thrilling road drive
through some amazing landscape. Let me know.
Cost for the trip
The cost components for the trip are:

Cost component Includes

Transportation From Srinagar airport and through-out the trip in SUVs.

Stay Stay in guesthouses at Sonmarg, Kargil, Leh and Nubra valley. Twin sharing.

Food Breakfast at the guest house in Leh and all meals during the trek. (Various options available for food
through out and hence its not included in the package. Budget for around 1000 Rs extra for food).

Trek Guide, homestay and food

The cost of the trip = Rs 32000/- per person. Includes only the components mentioned above.
Note: The group size will be limited to 12 and will be on first come first serve basis. Reserve your place by making the full
payment as per the details below. Please check the cancellation policy and release document on our website.

Payment options:

1. Cheque/ DD: 2. Online transfer/ Cash deposit to:

For ‘Connect with Himalaya’ Account name: Connect with Himalaya
403, Ram Krishna chambers Bank: Axis bank
Linking Road, Khar west Branch: Springfield- Lokhandwala, Mumbai
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Mumbai -400052 IFSC: UTIB0000415, SWIFT: AXISINBB002

Making a contribution:
There is always a way of giving back to the place and people where we go for our holidays. This is how we will do it:

Stay in homestay at Rumbak. The only alternate source of income for the otherwise agriculture dependent population.
Use local staff through out the trip e.g drivers, guides, etc. They know the region best and have an inherent respect for local
ecology. We will also stay the family run guesthouse in Leh.
 You can also contribute by buying woolens and other handicrafts from the villagers directly.

What to get along?

Ladakh in June is warm during days and cold during nights. Temp ranges from 5° C to 20° C. Full sleeve t-shirts during the day
and warm sweater and jacket during mornings and evenings. Get woolen gloves, cap and socks also (can be purchased from Leh
from local handicraft shops). Comfortable walking shoes and a pair of slippers/ sandals will do. The biggest thing we need to
protect against is the UV radiations from the Sun. So a 50+SPF sun block is a must. Will send you a detailed list on signing up.

Get on the road GIFT THIS TRIP

Gaurav Punj You can chose from gift vouchers

cwh.now@gmail.com starting from Rs 5000.
+91 9833829240
Write to us with the name of the
www.connectwithhimalaya.com
receiver and the denomination of
Pics from our earlier trip here
the voucher.

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