GO LADAKH!

An initiation to Ladakh

What is it? 10th edition of the annual CWH group trip to the land of
passes. 3rd – 11th June 2017.

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 an exploration along the remote Shyok river, monastery
visits, hidden lakes, camping under the stars, glaciers, mountain biking,
Tibetan cuisine, happening streets of Leh and you have a got a complete
Ladakh experience for the first timer. The road to Leh
In 2 stages – Kashmir to Leh | Around Ladakh

Stage 1a. Srinagar to Kargil via Sonmarg

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.

Sonmarg and the Thajiwas glacier The town of Kargil

Stage 1b. Kargil to Leh via Alchi

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
Alchi, a unique monastery in Ladakh The mighty Indus meets the Zanskar at Nimmu

Stage 2a. 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
Pit Stops: Panamic lake, Diskit, Hundur
to the gompa at Diskit, where a residence for the Dalai
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 How to capture the scale of Nubra valley?

Stage 2b. Nubra 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 Yak heads at a village entrance

Acclimatization
The average altitude in Ladakh is ~3500M. At this height everyone, including seasoned climbers, are 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 4th day after gradually climbing from Srinagar to Sonmarg to Kargil to Alchi 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.

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 Ladakh first timers itinerary ™: 9 day trip, 6 days off work
Day’s activity Remarks You need to..
3rd June, Fly into Srinagar in the morning. Drive We stay in a guesthouse in an unreal setting Book flight tickets to
Saturday to and stay in Sonamarg. - right under the Thajiwas glacier. Srinagar. Make sure you
land latest by 2 pm.

4th June Drive to Kargil via zoji la and Drass. After Sonamarg, we cross the historical Zoji
~ 5 hours la pass and enter the trans-Himalayan
region. Will visit the Kargil war memorial
on the way in Drass. Kargil makes for a
convenient stopover.

5th June Drive to Alchi. Pass Mulbek and Today is a spectacular drive crossing the
Lamayuru gompa on the way. Zanskar. We cross two high passes, two very
~7 hours important Buddhist villages of Mulbek and
Lamayuru, to finally reach the hidden gem
of Ladakh -Alchi. We stay in a beautiful
guesthouse just outside the monastery.

6th and 7th Short drive to Leh. Rest day for A well-deserved and much required rest day.
June acclimatization. Check out the vibrant Chilling out is on the agenda. Our stay is at a
Leh and its sights and food. guesthouse in the hep Changspa area of Leh.

8th June 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. Stay in a
luxury campsite today.

9th June Visit the hidden lake at Panamic. Drive Today we take the road really less traveled. Note: The final call on
to Spangmik village, pretty much the last From Nubra to Pangong Tso via Tangste and which route to take will of
village along the mighty Pangong lake you will get a chance to see how Ladakh course be taken on the spot
on India side. ~ 8-9 hours. looked like few years back. depending on road
At Spangmik, we stay at camp on the shores conditions.
of the lake.

10th June Spend time on the shores of Pangong Tso Best things come to those who wait. And it’s
on the border of India and China in the the same with Pangong Tso, the highlight of
morning. Return to Leh in afternoon. the trip. Wont even try to put it in words.
~ 4.5 hours. Evening we are back in the good old Leh
guesthouse.

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

Note: If you have 3 extra days I can help you 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 throughout the trip in SUVs with 4 people per car

Stay Guesthouses at Srinagar, Kargil, Alchi, Leh, Nubra valley and camping in Spangmik. Twin sharing.

Food Various options available for food through out and hence its not included in the package. Budget for
around 2000 -2500 Rs extra for food. Will make a kitty on day 1 to be spent on food while in transit.

Permits and fees All permits, entry fees and taxes are included

The cost of the trip = Rs 45000/- per person Click here for PAYMENTS
Note: Group size will be 15. Bookings are done on first come first serve basis. Confirm your place by making the full payment in
advance. Read our cancellation policy and fill the release document

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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 guesthouses run by locals wherever possible.

• Use local staff throughout the trip e.g drivers, guides, etc. They know the region best and have an inherent respect for local
ecology.
• You can also contribute by buying woolens and other handicrafts from the villagers directly.

What to get along?

Ladakh in June is pleasant during days and cold during nights. Temp ranges from 5° C to 25° 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.

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Pics from our 2016 trip here
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