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| Ladakh – A Wilderness Experience |
Ladakh – “Land of high passes” is at extreme northern part of India. The region is known as Trans Himalayan region, marks the boundary between the western Himalayas & the huge Tibetan plateau. Unlike the main Himalayas, the Trans Himalayan Mountains are not divided by deep river gorges covering an area of about 1,000 km (600 miles) and having a width ranging from 225 km to about 32 km.
TOPOGRAPHY:
The second highest mountain, Karakoram Range (K2) forms the northern border of Ladakh. Majestic snow capped Himalayas including Nun & Kun (the highest peaks in Kashmir region) form the southern border. The Tibetan plateau stretches out to the east with the Kashmir Valley lying on the western border.
HIGHLIGHTS:
High altitude lakes such as Tso moriri and Pangong Tso are over 14,000 ft and are accessible by road. Driving to this region involves crossing passes that are above 16,000 ft - literally “atop of the word” feeling. Even the “low” lands in the region are at around 10,000 ft altitude. Crossing into the Nubra valley from Leh, takes one across the Khardung La, which is at 18,380 ft, one of the highest motorable pass in the world!
LEH:
With a population of 1.75 lacks, Leh lies at an altitude of 11000 ft. Being a major trading centre in the past, it was extremely busy city and meeting point of cultures. Today it is much quitter with considerable army presence. The town is set amidst of dramatic surroundings. The city skyline is dominated by the palace and fort situated on a hill.
RAFTING:
The Indus River, flows across the north west to the south east, passing through Ladakh and flows into Pakistan where it joineS Shayok and Suru.
The rafting on Indus provides spectacular view of the landscapes Ladakh and Zanskar ranges which housed Buddhist monasteries on high cliff.River rafting on Indus for one to five days. Indus has rapids generally of I and II grades and at some places, has grade III to even V rapids. The popular rafting points are from Phey to Nimo and also from Upshi to Kharu or from Upshi to Nimo.
TREKKING:
When Ladakh was first thrown open to tourism an average itinerary encompassed visits to Leh and its environs with some treks into nearby valleys. The most popular of these were the 8-day Markha valley trek, the 11-day Lamayuru - Padum route and the Stok Khangri round trek. Now with growing interest in adventure tourism the focus has shifted to the inexplicable valleys of Suru and Zanskar with their spectacular landscape.
ACCLIMATIZATION:
Ladakh is a high altitude destination with low level of atmospheric oxygen. It is, therefore, absolutely necessary that visitors reaching Leh from the plains of India by air, give themselves sufficient time for acclimatization before engaging in any physical activity. This rarefied atmosphere may cause high altitude ailments like Acute Mountain Sickness, necessitating instant evacuation of visitors who are unable to get acclimatized. Anyone travelling to altitudes above 10,000 ft (2,700 m) is liable to suffer from acute mountain sickness (AMS) unless properly acclimatized. Common symptoms of this ailment are headache, disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, nausea, coughing, breathlessness, exhaustion, lack of concentration, etc. So, in order to acclimatize yourself in Ladakh, rest for the first 24 hours after arrival, especially if you have come by air. Try avoiding any kind of physical exertion for some time, after you reach. Other activities to be avoided include smoking and drinking.
Do not feel free to roam around if you have not developed any symptoms of sickness immediately after your arrival. This is because these symptoms take the first 36 hours to develop. If you take rest for the first 24 hours and avoid any strenuous activity for the next 12 hours, then, your body will get used to the lower oxygen level of Ladakh in 2-3 days.
TEMPARATURE:
Temperature is highly unpredictable. There is large variation between day and night temperatures; the day could be warm to hot and night Chilly to pretty cold. |
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SEASON:
May to October. The best time to travel Jun to September
FITNESS:
If you have never been to high altitude (above 12,000ft) you will find it is indeed difficult at first. Your ability to perform work is considerably diminished, but with proper planning, and a careful ascent rate everyone will acclimatize properly and will feel very definite improvements in ability and comfort as the days roll along. Key Mantra is keep yourself hydrated with average of 3 to 4 litres of water a day, minimize use cigarette and alcoholic beverages in the first few days of arriving into Leh.
PERMITS:
Foreigners require Inner Line Permit & Restricted area permit. Indians also require permission to visit areas such as Pangong Tso, Nubra Valley etc, which can be organised easily.
RELIGIOUS ETIQUETTE:
Wearing shorts while visiting a Gompa is not advisable & shoes should be removed. The right way of circumventing a Gompa is from left to right. Monks who act as your guide inside the Gompa do not expect any remuneration, but contributions can be left in the donation box, provided for the purpose. Photography inside the monasteries / Gompas are not permitted. The visitor is expected to respect & maintain the sanctity & tranquillity of the place. |
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TRAVEL PLAN
DRIVE IN & FLY OUT
DURATION: PLACES COVERED
DAY 01: MANALI – KEYLONG - JESPA
Depart Manali by 0600 hr, cross Rohtang Pass (about 50 km drive / 13000 ft altitude). Descend & drive to Keylong (about 35 km drive / 11000 ft altitude).
En route stop at Tandi, where the rivers Chandra & Bagha meet. Tandi has got last petrol pump on this route, till you reach Leh, which is at a distance of about 380 km.Keylong is the administrative center of Lahaul – Spitii & is the last township in this route, till you reach Leh. Jispa is about 20 km ahead, at the same altitude, but more beautiful due to wide valley with the river rushing past. Night stay at Jispa
DAY 02: JESPA – SARCHU – UPSHI - LEH
Depart Jispa by 0600 hrs, climb Baralachala (about 55 km drive / 16000 ft altitude), while descend of about 35km brings you Sarchu.
Once you cross Sarchu, first habitation is about 80 km away at Pang. This journey would take about 4 hr. immediately after Sarchu is a check post, which marks the Himachal Pradesh state border. En route to Pang you cross, two high altitude Passes, i.e, Naki La ( 16250 ft ) & Lachung La ( 16600 ft ). Descend from Lachung La to Pang is very beautiful, road passes through series of dramatic gorges.
Time taken to reach Leh from pang is about 5 hr. After quick lunch at Pang, climb about 5 km, unexpectedly find yourself on a flat grassy land. This region is known as More (Moray) plains. This stretches almost 60 km up to the base of Tanglang La. This is home to Tibetan wild ass, wild horses etc, also home of Nomadic Khampa tribe. Cross Tanglang La ( 17500 ft ), highest pass on Manali – Leh road (17500 ft ). Descend about 60 km to reach Upshi, Police check post. Now you are just 50 km short of Leh. Night stay at Leh.
DAY 03: LEH – LOCAL SIGHTSEEING
Morning at leisure. Get acclimatise to the altitude. Afternoon wander on the mall road / visit Stok palace, Gompa.
Stok Palace was built in 1814, as a royal residence. This holds a small but interesting museum, which is open to public. The Stok Gompa lies just ahead of the palace. The views from the terrace on top, is worth the climb.
DAY 04: LEH – GOMPA TRAIL
Make a day visit to Hemis Gompa - the largest & wealthiest of all the Ladakh Gompas, hidden in a gorge. The large courtyard of the gompa, is the venue for the famous 3 day Hemis festival generally held in Jun end / July first week.
While returning from Hemsi, visit Thikse, a Gompa located about 20 kms out of Leh, besides the highway, built in 15th centaury.
Later visit to Shey Palace & Gompa, located about 15 kms from Leh, built in 1645 as the summer palace. This is the oldest palace in this region.
DAY 05: LEH – KHARDUNGLA – NUBRA VALLEY – DISKIT
This region comprises the valley of the Nubra & Shyok Rivers. The two rivers meander lazily in the broad and fertile valley, often shifting channels in their sandy bed. In this valley altitude varies from 10000 ft at Hunder to 10600 ft at Panamik. Summer temperature varies from 15 to 28 C.
Great challenge on this route is to cross Khardgung La ( about 35 km from Leh ), which is at 18380 ft, one of the highest motorable roads in the world. The view from Khardung La is amazing as you can see all the way over the Indus valley, while seemingly endless peaks of the Zanskar range spreads out in front.
Nubra means Green. This lovely valley was originally part of the trade route between Tibet & Turkistan. With the best climate in Ladakh, fruits such as apples, apricots, walnuts are grown here and there is also ample grain & mustard cultivation. This picturesque region dotted with small hamlets is only 130 km (about 4 hrs drive) from Leh and drive is reasonably easy, but definitely a memorable one.
As you descend from snow heights, there is a bifurcation into the twin valleys of the Shyok & Nubra Rivers. Proceed to Nubra valley - to the villages of Sumur & Tigre. A pleasant drive further up brings you to Panamic, knwon for its hot springs.
Drive back to the bifurcation point. Take a 3 km drive along the river bed to Diskit. The village boasts the largest & most ancient Gompa in the Nubra valley. Diskit Gompa is renowned for its exquisite murals and the view from the roof is spectacular.
Overnight stay in Diskit.
DAY 06: DISKIT – LEH
Drive back to Leh. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight stay
DAY 07: LEH – PANGONG – LEH
Visit to Pangong Lake would be either a day trip or for 2 days. Visit with an overnight stay would be extremely relaxing.
Lake is situated at a distance of about 115 km from Leh, at an altitude of 14500 ft. Lake is flanked by gigantic peaks over 19500 ft. Make an early start by about 0500 hrs, Clouds tend to build up by the afternoons. Pangong Tso is 140 km long but barely 4 km at its widest point. Only 40 km of the lake is in India, rest angles into Tibet. This is a restricted military area, hence permit is necessary, but easily obtainable from Leh.
Late evening back to Leh & night stay.
DAY 08: LEH – ALCHI – LAMAYURU - KARGIL
The drive on this section is relatively easier than & not as spectacular as Manali- Leh route. Journey from Leh to Kargil is about 230 km. With some flat stretches, on a good tarmac road, journey can be completed in 8 hrs. En route visit magnetic hills & dramatic moonscapes.
Kargil is literally midway between Leh & Srinagar, located ideally along the ancient trade route. Kargil was an important trade & transit centre in olden days. Currently it is a crowded and bustling town. This area is rich in minerals & famous for its apricots & neatly terraced fields.
Day 09: KARGIL – SRINAGAR
Zozi La is the pass which is en route to Srinagar. This pass is very narrow & has one way traffic. Army regulates the departure of convoy from each side. Cross check at Kargil about the traffic timings and plan the day accordingly.
Just out of Kargil is the confluence of Sure & Drass River, which then wind their way to POK. It is a scenic drive along rushing Drass river.
Drass is the first major town along this drive. Few km short of the town, stop at - War memorial. Place lies in front of the Tololing Hill, occupied by Pakistan in 1999. Considering the place is just 3 km from the main road, you will wonder how they managed to sneak up so close to us, virtually undetected. A contributory part could be the cold. Drass is second coldest inhabited place in the world after Siberia with bone chilling temperature below -40C. The other famous feature, Tiger Hill is also visible in the distance.
Ascend to the Zoji La pass, marks the division between Ladakh & Kashmir, is relatively gentle. Be part of a convoy with light vehicles leading from the front and followed by heavy vehicles.
Srinagar is just 85km away. Drive through Sonmarg. From here to Srinagar road is flat with good surface runs through the paddy fieldswith rushing river by your side for most part of the journey.
For more details.... mail us on sales@crimsonholidays.in |
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Travel and Adventure Sports in the Himalayas: WARNING
Every participant must accept and acknowledge that Travel and participation in Adventure Sports like Trekking and Camping, White Water Rafting, Rock Climbing, Wild Life Safaris etc in the Himalayas are by their nature likely to involve actual risk and danger to life as a consequence of (but not limited to) the hazards of traveling in mountainous terrain, accident or illness in remote areas (lacking proper medical facilities), animal attacks, the forces of nature and the like. Such serious perils may endanger your life. You are urged to consider personal risks to your health and safety before accepting to participate in the tour. |
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| Reviews |
“Thanks for arranging the trip. Overall, it was great. My daughter and I enjoyed it immensely.
It was a bit cold (2 C) in Leh, but we liked it. Having a day to acclimatize was a good idea.
Things are spread out considerably. We had to spend the whole day to go to Pongong lake.
May have been worth it if the it wasn't for a frozen lake. We could spend only a few minutes there.
Noble house wasn't up to the standard. Arrangements at Ladakh Sarai resort was great. Great hospitality”
– Mr. Sridhar – Bangalore. Travelled in Second week of April 2011
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“ Ladakh Sarai is the perfect getaway for those who wish to stay within a short distance from Leh Town and yet be away from the hustle and bustle / traffic. The hotel is an Eco-Compatible resort, naturally merging with the surroundings , providing a beautiful view of the Snow-clad mountains.
The owner of the resort Mr. Rigzin Namgyal is a very proactive and hands on person, easily accessible for the guests at all times. Mr.Lotus is a resourceful person who looks after the guests and Mr. Gobind is very versatile in the catering food & drinks to the guests. The food served i.e. breakfast, lunch & dinner was simply superb and pan Indian. It had south Indian specialities like Upma, Kandha Poha, North Indian items like Roti, Chapathi, Dhaal, Chaval and even Italian Pizza, pasta and Ladakh cuisine like Momos, Butter Tea,Noodles and varied desserts.
Our stay during June (22nd To 28th), 2011 was fantastic and the local sight seeing trips such as Leh town Sightseeing, Pangong Lake visit, Nubra valley stay, Magnetic hill and rafting in Indus river, were well planned & arranged.
Overall we would rate the resort very very high with regard to food, accommodation, comfort & service. If at all if there is any grievance, it would be the frequent & prolonged break down in power supply to Leh town in general.”
– Mr. K.V.R. Babu – Bangalore
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