ZANSKAR...

The last secrets of the Heart
Zanskar River - Ladakh
1– 16 August 2012

Ladakh – General information
Ladakh lies in the eastern half of the state of Jammu & Kashmir in the far north of India. It shares its much disputed north western border with Pakistan, while to the north lies the Chinese province of Sinkiang, and to the east, Chinese occupied Tibet.
It covers an area of approximately 60,000 sq. kms. And ranges from 2600 metres to 7670 metres in elevation, making it the largest and highest district in India.
Ladakh is sandwiched between two mountain systems – the Karakorams to the north and the Himalayas in the south.
– Ladakh can basically be divided into five geographical regions
– Central Ladakh (the heartland of the Indus valley)
– Nubra (lying to the north of the Ladakh range)
– Rupshu (a dry, high altitude plateau lying in the south– east of Ladakh)
– Zanskar (one of the highest inhabited regions in the world)
– Western Ladakh or Lower Ladakh (around Kargil).
Ladakh really is a "Little Tibet".
Although Tibet is politically part of China today, Ladakh, like parts of Nepal, is situated on the Tibetan plateau and many Tibetan refugees, who fled Tibet with the invasion from China, live there today. The daunting height of the Himalaya adds to its isolation, even today the main road routes to Ladakh remain closed for more than six months of each year. Until 1979, there were no regular civilian flights into Ladakh so from October to June the region was completely cut off. Today, it is full of amazing sights - strange gompas perched on soaring hilltops, dwarfed by snow capped mountains, the barren shattered looking landscapes splashed with small, brilliant patches of green and ancient palaces clinging to sheer rock walls.

But most of all it is notable for its delightful people - friendly as only Tibetans can be and immensely colorful.

THE ZANSKAR EXPEDITION
(1 -16 August 2012)

We travel to one of the most surreal places on the planet. The trip begins with a flight over the Himalayas into the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

We spend a couple of days in Leh town acclimatizing at 3466 m above sea level and visiting the ancient monasteries, palaces and villages around Leh

We then drive west of Leh past the town of Kargil and travel south into the valley of Zanskar, one of the coldest inhabited places on earth.
Starting the trip on the Stod river, we begin our self contained multi-day river adventure down the spectacular and scenic Zanskar river gorge.

The trip takes you down the extremely desolate, remote and sheer Zanskar gorge with walls rising a few thousand feet out of the river bed, culminating on the mighty Indus river, (which incidentally lends India its name).

Itinerary:
August 01 – International flights to India - Overnight in Delhi hotel.
August 02 – Free day in Delhi - Late night transfer to airport.
August 03 – Flight Delhi - Leh. Transfer to hotel. Rest, hydrate and acclimatise. Overnight Leh hotel.
August 04 – Leh. Acclimatise and sightseeing. For the more energetic a visit to a few monasteries such as Shey, Thikse and Hemis will be arranged. Or choose to relax and walk into Leh town, to its exciting market and outdoor restaurants. Overnight Leh hotel.
August 05 – Drive Leh – Kargil (3201m ; 10500 ft ; 9-10 hrs). We drive from Leh to Mulbek - Kargil, through a spectacular moonscape. We drive over the Fotu La (14,000 ft), a high mountain pass and exit he Indus valley. Enroute, we do a photo stop above the Lamayuru monastery belonging to the 'Red Hat' sect. Overnight Kargil hotel.
August 06 – Drive Kargil - Rangdum (3964m ; 13,000ft ; 8-9 hrs). A spectacular drive past Panikar and Parkachik, with magnificent views of the 7000 metre plus Nun and Kun massif, hanging glaciers and large meadows. We drive till Rangdum Gompa (12,000 ft).
August 07 – Drive Rangdum – Remala (3635m ; 11,925ft ; 6 hrs). We drive to Remala, which is the starting point for the rafting trip on the Stod river, a tributary of the Zanskar river. We drive over the Pensi La (14,500 ft), which enables grand views of the Zanskar peaks at the bottom of which is the Drung Durung glacier that feeds the Zanskar river, 40 km below, into which we flow trip the next day. Overnight tented camp.
August 08 – Rafting expedition begins at Remala. Raft till near Karsha Gompa, near Padum. (3496m ; 11,466ft ; 4 hrs) We raft 30 km in 4-5 hrs which includes a break for lunch and hot beverages. We are surrounded by 6000 metre high peaks. River section today includes a Class II section, a good introduction for first timers as well as to the river in general. Settle into camp by afternoon, we can take an optional hike around Camp. For the energetic, a long walk to Karsha Gompa, is possible.
August 09 – After a late morning start, we raft from Karsha up to Honyo / Pidmo (3361m ; 11,025 ft ; 3 hrs). This stretch is approximately 25 km with Class II and III rapids. Another easy day to get used to the river, the altitude and hone our paddling skills.
August 10 – After packing camp, we raft 25 km to Nyerak (3286m ; 10,780ft ; 3 hrs) a Class III section. The gorge narrows in on the river - this indeed is a Grand Canyon in its own right. We stop for the day to pitch camp in a gorge below Nyerak village.
August 11 – Rest day at Nyerak. Take a hike to Nyerak village or relax under the cool shade of the willows at our Campsite. Wash up at the campsite stream and enjoy the day off.
August 12 – Todays 35 km rafting section takes us from Nyerak to Lamaguru (3190m ;10,465ft ; 6 hrs) through the core of the Zanskar A classic white water day with continuous Class III rapids, and a few Class IV rapid where the river squeezes between a gap of about 18ft. We stop for lunch near a huge waterfall and continue to camp at the confluence of Markha river with the Zanskar. Rock formations, spires and an amazing palette of colours add to the trip today. Camp.
August 13 – We raft 40 kms of Class III/IV white water from Lamaguru to Nimu (3154m;10,345 ft ; 3-4 hrs) today. We raft past the village of Chilling and exciting rapids as the Zanskar plunges out of the canyon to meet with the Indus at Nimu. We end our trip at the confluence of the Zanskar with the Indus. Drive an hour back to Leh. Last minute retail therapy and a hot shower! Overnight hotel.
August 14 – Transfer to Leh airport. Fly Leh – Delhi. Overnight at hotel in Delhi.
August 15 – Free day in Delhi. Sightseeing, shopping… At night international flight.
August 16 – Arrival in the morning.

Costs at a glance
We want to give our participants the opportunity to choose how to travel. We provide you with the basic cost of the expedition from Leh to Leh and offer a range of additional services which you can claim if you like. If you are a passenger "do it yourself" you can choose just the basic package and there you organize the logistics before and after the expedition. (international flights, internal flights, hotels, transfers taxi ...). You can even reach Leh by road.
The cost or the River Expedition, Leh to Leh is 1560,00 Euro

We also provide the following packages :
– Package "Domestic Flights" (Flights - Delhi Leh and Leh - Delhi)
– Package "Delhi no problem" (airport pick-up, transfer to hotel / airport, hotel bed and breakfast)
– Package "International Flight"

No need to be experts in rafting!
Undoubtedly a classic, this journey to the last truly lost horizon of our shrinking planet - Zanskar, the "land of white copper” is a trip of a lifetime. Our preparation day in Valle d'Aosta will provide you the minimum technical skills for the expedition. Of course the more you spend time on the river, the better. All the rest is up to you. Our trips are for energetic, flexible and curious people with a positive attitude. If you have already done a little 'camping that helps, and if this is your first experience, you will learn quickly. Everyone is an active participant not only on the river, but also in camp, pitching up the tents, loading and unloading the rafts, and if you want you can help in the kitchen! A simple life, in tune with the elements, in good company.

See you there!

For any further information, contact us

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