Ladakh Trip: 27, June, 2009
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I am joining a group on a 14-day trip to Ladakh on 27 June, 2009. The trip starts in Srinagar and ends in Chandigarh and we’ll be travelling on hired Qualis / tavera jeeps. Anyone wanna join in is welcome. Here are the details:
GO LADAKH!
What is it?
A group holiday to the Land of Passes- Ladakh.
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.STAGES OF THE JOURNEY
1. Srinagar to Kargil
Distance covered: 204 km
Passes crossed: Zoji La (3505M)
Pit Stops: Sonmarg, Drass, Tiger hill
Mountain ranges: Pir Panjal, Greater Himalaya
From Srinagar, we follow the Jhelum to the lush green high altitude meadow of Sonmarg and then cross over the Zoji La to the barren contours of the trans-Himalaya in Drass. The vista now shifts to the Zanskar range and its narrow gorge as we approach Kargil, the town which marks the end of the Muslim Kashmir and the beginning of Buddhist Ladakh.
Sunset on the Dal lake Sheep on glacier beyond Sonmarg2. Kargil to Leh
From Kargil, the road goes over the huge Khurbathang plateau to the village of Mulbek with its gigantic rock carving of Maitreya Buddha, crosses over two passes, reaches the spectacularly located Lamayuru gompa amongst amazing wind eroded towers and then descends all the way down to the Indus at Khalatse. Follow the Indus to its remarkable confluence with Zanskar at Nimmu and further on to Leh.
Distance covered: 234 Km
Passes crossed: Namika La (3719M)
Fotu La (4094M)
Pit Stops: Mulbek, Lamayuru, Alchi, Nimmu
Mountain ranges: Zanskar
At Lamayuru The mighty Indus meets the Zanskar at Nimmu3. Leh to Nubra Valley
The Nubra valley, leading to the Siachen glacier and opened for tourists very recently, is reached after tackling the small matter of crossing the highest motorable pass in the world, the Khardung la. A visit to the gompa at Diskit and the hidden lake and hot springs at Panamic follows. The highlight though is the ride on the two humped Bactarian camels across the cold desert and amidst the snow covered peaks.
Distance covered: 150km North of Leh
Passes crossed: Khardung la (5578 M)
Pit Stops: Panamic lake, Diskit, Hundur
Mountain ranges: Zanskar, Karakoram4. Leh to Pangong Tso
We drive to Pangong Tso on the Indo-Tibet border, 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 is famous for the color of its water which changes every hour. We pass through the spectacularly green Sakti village before crossing the Chang La and descending to Tangtse village with its domesticated Yaks and nomadic herdsmen, Chang-Pa.
Distance: 160 km east of Leh
Passes crossed: Chang La (5475M)
Pit Stops: Sakti, Tangtse, Pangong Lake
Mountain ranges: Ladakh range, Pangong range
Pangong Tso at India- Tibet border The Colors of Ladakh5. Leh to Jispa
The first day of the return journey and one to remember. 3 passes, 300KM and a terrain more fitting for our planet’s satellite makes it one of the most remarkable drives in the world. It starts off fairly plain till Upshi where the Indus and Gya rivers merge. We follow the river to the last village of Rumtse beyond which its just you and the road. Zanskar range is then crossed and we drive through the spectacular Morei plains, literally. Crossing over the Greater Himalayan range we finally reach the charming village of Jispa.
Distance covered: 300KM
Passes crossed: Taglang La (5325M)
Lachulung La (5029M)
Baralacha La (4892M)
Pit Stops: Upshi, Rumtse, Morei plains
Mountain ranges: Zanskar, Greater Himalaya
The surreal Baralacha La The Morei plains- Flat land at 4200M6. Jispa to Naggar
We drive to Keylong, with its historic gompa and then start the ascent to one of the most well known passes in the Himalaya, The Rohtang pass. Crossing the Greater Himalaya range over this pass we come into the lush green of the Kullu valley and a long descent later are in the town of Manali with the Beas flowing along us. We go further 20km to the charming little town of Naggar, the capital of Kullu for 1200 years and end our journey at the Naggar castle, now a heritage hotel.
Distance covered: 194Km
Passes crossed: Rohtang pass (3978M)
Pit Stops: Keylong, Gramphoo, Manali
Mountain ranges: Greater Himalaya, Pir PanjalACTIVITIES IN LEH:
Trek
Spituk to Stok: This is the perfect 3 day trek from Leh. It starts from Spituk, which is around 7 kms from Leh and passes through two small villages with homestays and a pass called Namlung-la popularly known as Stok -la, which is about 4820 mts high and ends in the Stok village where you can visit the palace housing the relics of the Royal Family of Ladakh.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.Camping
In the village of Sumur in Nubra valley, along the river and amongst orchards of apple and apricot.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 some more
The many popular eating joints in Leh rewards hungry travelers with filling Tibetan fare, from 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.Day 1
Fly into Srinagar. (Can get there by train/road also). Visit various sites. Stay in houseboat. OR we will drive to Sonmarg and stay the night there.Day 2
Drive to Kargil via Sonmarg and Drass.
204 Km, ~7 hoursDay 3
Drive to Leh. Pass Mulbek and Lamayuru gompa on the way.
234 km, ~7 hoursDay 4
In Leh. Rest for acclimatization. Visit palaces, monasteries and monuments.
RestDay 5
Drive to Nubra valley across Khardung La, the highest road in the world. Visit a hidden lake at Panamic. Overnite in camp.
150 Km, ~5 hoursDay 6
Camel ride in the morning. Return drive to Leh. Rest.
150 km, ~5 hoursDay 7
Drive to Spituk village from where the trek starts. Trek to Rumbak village and stay in the village homestays.
Walk for ~ 10Km, ~4 hoursDay 8 & 9
Rest day at Rumbak. Go for an early morning wildlife sighting with local guide. Early next morning climb Namlung La (4820 M) and reach Stok. Drive to Leh.
Walk for ~ 18 Km, ~6 hoursDay 10
Rest day in Leh. Go for Rafting/ Biking.
~ 2 hours in raftDay 11
Drive to Pangong Tso on the border of India and China. And back.
160 Km , ~5 hours One wayDay 12
Start the return journey towards Manali. Reach Jispa in Lahaul after a long drive.
300 Km, ~10 hoursDay 13
Jispa to Manali over Rohtang pass. Will stay in the 16th Century Naggar castle.
194 Km, ~7 hoursDay 14
Early morning drive to Chandigarh. Shatabdi to Delhi. Flight back home.Cost for the trip: Rs. 28,500 (Roughly Dhs 2,500).
The cost includes:
Al travel costs between Srinagar and Chandigarh.
Breakfast througout the trip.
Accommodation for 14 days.Transportation to Srinagar and from Chandgarh to your home to be paid by you.
Transportation
Through-out the trip. On the basis of 4-5 max in one Qualis/ Tavera.Stay and food
Stay at Srinagar or Sonmarg, Kargil, Leh, Nubra valley, Jispa and Naggar. Breakfast is included at most of the places.Trek
Guide, cook, porters, mules, homestay, food and basically everything we will need while trekking.OPTOINAL EXTRAS
White water rafting* From Leh to Nimmu on Indus river…. Rs. 1,500
Mountain biking* Around Leh Rs. 500-1000
Motorcycle* Around Leh….. Rs. 500-1000We will travel responsibly. What this means is that we will not only try to understand the history, culture and lifestyle of the inhabitants of the places we visit, we will also try and contribute in all ways we can, whether it is financially or by respecting the local traditions or by practicing ‘leave no trace’ method of traveling. We will: Stay in homestays. This is the only alternate source of income for the otherwise agriculture dependent population. Use trained local guides and porters. They know the region best and have an inherent respect for local ecology. Use local drivers and vehicles for transportation.
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. And so are sunglasses. Will send you a detailed list on signing up.
What you need to do: Alright, so if you do plan to be a part of this group trip you will need to:
– Confirm your place before 10 April by making a non-refundable payment of Rs 4,000. (Group size is limited to only 15 so confirm your participation ASAP).
– Make the full payment before 30th April 2009.
– Book the flight to Srinagar. Earlier the cheaper. Air India flies direct from UAE to Srinagar.
Pictures of last year’s trip are at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/gaurav.punj/LadakhSep08#[youtube]QE5UZVyRWQE[/youtube]
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Navel Bhai, This would be a dream trip. I’ve traveled all along the way on the opposite side of the trek in Pakistan. I wish I could do this one, but due to some unavoidable reasons I cant. I wish u the best of luck and tons of enjoyment in this trip.
Cheers.
Would you suggest this trip to a Pakistani born but possessing a Canadian passport, given the current circumstances?? And how much total expense one is looking at, including tickets from Dubai, meals etc.
quote wrangler:Would you suggest this trip to a Pakistani born but possessing a Canadian passport, given the current circumstances?? And how much total expense one is looking at, including tickets from Dubai, meals etc.Well, thats a dicey one… My guess though would be that looking at the current situation it would not be advisable…
As far as the costs go… my guess is that Dhs 5,000 would be all-in… for the 14-day trip… However, if you count the luxuries and other activities during and after the trip, you’re looking at Dhs. 7,000… Thats a good deal for a 14-day fun-filled trip… which includes your airfare too!
quote navedhasan:quote wrangler:Would you suggest this trip to a Pakistani born but possessing a Canadian passport, given the current circumstances?? And how much total expense one is looking at, including tickets from Dubai, meals etc.Well, thats a dicey one… My guess though would be that looking at the current situation it would not be advisable…
As far as the costs go… my guess is that Dhs 5,000 would be all-in… for the 14-day trip… However, if you count the luxuries and other activities during and after the trip, you’re looking at Dhs. 7,000… Thats a good deal for a 14-day fun-filled trip… which includes your airfare too!
🙁 🙁 Thanks for the honest opinion.
I have done a road trip Delhi – Leh – Delhi last year . Its fabulous. Visited Pangon Tso, Tso Marori, Nubra, did rafting, camping, trekking. Would strongly urge anyone who can do the trip to do it. Dont miss!
I want to do this trip but can’t… :ymsigh:
Last call guys…. Confirm before 12th June… I’m booking my tickets… Stand up and get counted.
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