Ladakh Trip - July 12 2008

7/12/2008

Mumbai to Delhi by Train

Late afternoon board train from Mumbai for Delhi (O/N Journey in Train)

7/13/2008

Delhi – Manali (O/N Journey)

Arrival at Delhi by morning, transfer to Hotel for Refreshment and leave for Manali by evening, dinner on route O/N Journey L/D

7/14/2008

Manali & Rotang Pass

Reach Manali by Morning 10 am, check into Hotel. Take rest around afternoon take jeep to Rotan Pass and Return to Manali

Remaining day at leisure and rest; Overnight stay at Manali

7/15/2008

Manali – Sarchu (222 Kms – 10 Hrs)

Manali – Sarchu (222 Kms – 10 Hrs) - Leave for Sarchu by early Morning by 5.am, Breakfast at Marhi, cross Rohtang Pass (13050 ft), Enter Lahaul Valley, Pass by Koksar, Tandi (Where Chandra River Meets Bhaga River), Lunch Break at Keylong, Cross Baralacha Pass (16020 ft), Evening Tea Break at Bharatpur, Reach Sarchu (13953 ft) by late afternoon. O/N Sarchu. B/D

7/16/2008

Sarchu – Leh (255 Kms – 9 Hrs)

Sarchu – Leh (255 Kms – 9 Hrs) (Wednesday)
Leave for Leh by early morning, through Nakeela & Lachlangla Pass 16,617 ft, Reach Pang by afternoon lunch break at Pang, enroute More Plains (Biggest and Highest Plateau on Earth on Stretch of 42 Kms), Taglang La Pass (2nd Highest Motorable Road in the World at A Height of 17,585ft) & reaching Upshi, from here the road follows the Indus River, passing villages with there terraced Fields and neat- Whitewashed houses. On a way one notice the ruins have an ancient Fort or palace or the distant glimpse of gompa on a hill. And at last Leh is Reach by evening. O/N Leh.B/D

7/17/2008

Leh – Local Sightseeing

Leh – Local Sightseeing. (Thursday)
After breakfast drive for full day sight seeing of Hemis & Thiksey monastery with Stok Palace & Museum. Return Leh by afternoon. Lunch at Leh. Evening cultural programme at hotel. O/N Leh.B/PKD L/D

7/18/2008

Leh – Pangong Lake (8-9 Hrs)

Leh – Pangong Lake (8-9 Hrs) (Friday)
After breakfast leave by early morning for Pangong Lake 14, 500 ft, through Changla Pass 17,350 ft. Third Highest Motorable road in the world. Pangong Lake, a highest salt water Lake in the world, shared by twocountries India & China. Enjoy the beauty of lake on banks of the lake while appreciating the changing colors of fascinating high altitude lake. Leave back to Leh by Same Route. O/N Leh. B/PKD L/D

7/19/2008

Leh – Nubra Valley (4-5 Hrs)

Leh – Nubra Valley (4-5 Hrs) - Saturday
After breakfast drive to Nubra Valley via Khardungla (Highest Motorable road in the world, 18,380 ft) reach Hundur by Afternoon, rest of the day free for exploring Deskit & Hundur Villages or one can leave for two hump camel safari in sand dunes at Hundur Village. O/N Hundur. B/PKD L/D

7/20/2008

Nubra Valley – Leh (5-6 Hrs)

Nubra Valley – Leh (5-6 Hrs) – Sunday
After breakfast proceed for Deskit Monastery and Drive back to Leh by same Route by crossing Khardungla Pass and Visiting Shanti Stupa & Leh Fort. O/N Leh. B/ PKD L/ D

7/21/2008

Leh – Lamayuru – Alchi (6 - 7 Hrs)

Leh – Lamayuru – Alchi (6 - 7 Hrs) - Monday
After Breakfast drive to Lamayuru (Oldest Monastery on Central Ladakh Region) enroute where you can view a spectacular view Mountain Ranges and Moon landscape. Alchi enroute visit Basgo palace, Alchi & Liker Monastery, Pathar Sahib Gurudwara. Lunch at Alchi. O/N Alchi. B/ PKD L/ D

7/22/2008

Alchi – Leh (4 Hrs)

Alchi – Leh (4 Hrs) - TuesdayAfter Breakfast leave for back to Leh by visiting enroute to Hall of Fame Museum. Back to Leh by afternoon. Lunch at Leh. O/N Leh. B/ PKD L/ D

7/23/2008

River Rafting - Grade III Rafting

A 4 hr stretch in grade 3 rapids on the Indus is a experience of a life time the rafting is organised O/N Leh. B/ PKD L/ D

7/24/2008

Day1 of trek - (Spituk – Zincgchan)Time 5 hours Level – Moderate to Easy

Spituk – ZincgchanTime 5 hoursLevel – Moderate to EasyTransfer by jeep or by Bus to the nearby village, Spituk and same morning, one can start the trekking down through the barren landscape after crossing Indus from Spituk bridge. The trail abruptly turns to the east through a narrow valley when you come across a stream. While walking upstream, one has to cross the water thrice to reach a wooded place. A mild ascend takes you to the village of Zingchan comprising of two houses. The upper end of village offer a good camping place. One has to pay a nominal rent for the camping place.

7/25/2008

Day - 2 of trek (Zingchan – Rumbak) Time 5 hours Level – Moderate

Zingchan – RumbakTime 5 hoursLevel – ModerateImmediately beyond the camp is a wooden bridge across a mountain stream. Thereafter you have to do three or four more river crossings but the water is not more than knee deep during the summer months. At the junction of two valleys, the route goes turns east in the narrow valley and one can see the small village of Rumbak. Camping is possible by the side of a stream.

7/26/2008

Day 3 of trek - Explore Hemis National Park from Rumbak Level - Easy

Saturday - Explore Hemis National Park from RumbakLevel - EasyHemis National Park is a high altitude protected area created in1981 in the eastern part of the cold desert of Ladakh for the conservation and protection of its unique flora and fauna. It covers an area of 600 sq. kms in the Markha and Rumbak valleys. There are many U-shaped valleys, carved by the glacial actions that occurred in the past. Rivers and streams have laid a thick deposit of sand along their banks. The general elevation of the parks exact location is over 3,000 meters.Dry forests of juniper, birch and fir are found in the region. Also present are the alpine grasslands and scrublands. There are many rare and endangered animal species found in the cold desert area that are also found in the Hemis national park, known to be the home of an interesting assemblage of cold desert fauna. Amongst these are the elusive snow leopard, Tibetan wild or kiang, ibex, serow and Tibetan antelope. Amongst the avi fauna population found in the Hemis national park are the snow, snow partridge and golden oriole.

7/27/2008

Day 4 of trek - (Rumbak – Stok La – Campsite) Time 5 hours Level – Tough

Rumbak – Stok La – CampsiteTime 5 hours Level – ToughThe trail ascends gradually upto the base of Stok la at 4900m. Now the ascend is bit steep and continues for another 2 hours. While at the peak once can have a very close view of the Stok glaciers and a panoramic view of Indus valley and the mountain ranges beyond Indus river. Camp at Pullu

7/28/2008

Day 5 of trek - (Campsite to Stok village) Time 4 hours Level - Easy Drive to Leh

Monday - Campsite to Stok villageTime 4 hoursLevel - Easy
The descend is as steep as the ascend on the other side. Enroute to Leh, the capital town, one can visit Stok monastery, Stok Palace Museum. Back to Leh Hotel

7/29/2008

Check out of Hotel Leh in morning (Leh to Kargil)

Leh to Kargil ; Overnight stay at Kargil

7/30/2008

Kargil to Srinagar House Boat

7/31/2008

Srinagar City tour of gardens

8/1/2008

Srinagar to Jammu 10 hrs drive - LD and ONS

8/2/2008

Board train from Mumbai (Jammu Tavi)

8/3/2008

Arrival in Mumbai

End of Expedition