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THE ZANSKAR VALLEY TREK

This is one of the best long distance treks in the Himalayas. From the heat of Delhi you experience the joys of an Indian train journey and a drive through the cooler foothills of the Himalaya. You drive up the Kulu valley to Manali, surrounded by pine forests, terraced fields and orchards of apple and orange trees. After a rest in Manali you drive over the famous Rohtang Pass, and descend into the Lahaul valley, which is surrounded by mountains. At Darcha you meet your trek staff and horses, and set off on foot into the Himalaya. The terrain immediately becomes dramatic and arid as you enter a land of Tibetan Buddhism where white chortens and prayer flags form part of a striking landscape. Local people are friendly and can often be seen in their colourful traditional dress.

After the trek you will have time to relax in Leh, the capital of Ladakh, before your flight back to Delhi.

Duration: 30 Days London to London

Date: 9 July to 6 Aug

Price per person: £1125 plus local payment of £75

Grade: *Moderate/Strenuous

HOW THE TREK IS ORGANISED: All food supplies, camping equipment and personal belongings are carried by porters and/or pack horses. A camp crew is designated to oversee all cooking arrangements.

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Day 1: FLY TO NEW DELHI.

Day 2: DELHI. Arrive in the early morning and you will be met by our 'Essential India' representative and transferred by taxi to your Hotel. In the afternoon there is a guided tour of Delhi.

Delhi basically is 7 cities all merged into one and laced together by the new city of the British Raj, designed by Lutyens & Baker. It was one of the boldest expressions anywhere in the world of British Imperial ambitions and has endless sightseeing possibilities. In the afternoon we will tour Old Delhi, visiting the Raj Ghat memorial at the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, and the two structures that dominate this part of the city - the Red Fort, once the most lavish fort and palace of the Mughal Empire, and Jama Mosque, the largest in India.

RED FORT. This imposing monument to the rule of Shah Jahan was begun in 1639 and completed in 1648, taking its name from the red sandstone used in its construction. It is said to have cost 10 million rupees to build, much of it spent on the opulent marble royal palaces within. Here the Emperor exercised his divine authority in the Halls of Public and Private Audience - seated in the latter on the fabulous gold-canopied Peacock Throne that was inlaid with a vast number of sapphires, rubies, emeralds and diamonds.

JAMA MOSQUE. This last great architectural work of Shah Jahan was intended to dwarf all other mosques that had gone before it, symbolising the aspirations of its maker and the gulf that existed between monarch and subject. Each Friday, the Emperor and his male retinue would travel the short distance from the Red Fort to attend midday prayers. Marble and sandstone are interspersed in its domes, minarets and cusped arches and its courtyard can accommodate 20,000 worshippers.

DAY 3: TRAVEL BY TRAIN TO CHANDIGARH, AFTERNOON AT LEISURE, THEN BEGIN DRIVE TO MANALI. You make an early morning transfer to the station for the morning Shatabdi Express, air conditioned train to Chandigarh. (Timings are usually 07.40 depart, arrive at 11.00 am.) The city, purpose-built in the 1950s as the new capital of the Punjab after Lahore was handed over to Pakistan, was largely designed by Le Corbusier. The result is not yet the forward-looking statement of faith in a modern Indian society it was designed to be, although for visitors it is a fascinating view of 1950's utopian town planning.

Later you begin the drive to Manali, stopping after about an hour at Nalagarh, the gateway to Himachal Pradesh, where you will stay tonight. This fort on a hillock was built in 1421 during the reign of Raja Bikram Chand, and stands amid acres of greenery with a panoramic view of the Shivalik Hills. It is now a hotel with air-conditioned rooms, and facilities include a swimming pool, golf course and health club. Overnight at the Nalagarh Fort Resort.

DAY 4: CONTINUE DRIVE TO MANALI. (6,430ft/1,960m). The
remaining 250km road journey should take about 8 hrs. The road crosses the northern plains - dead flat, highly cultivated and bustling with life - before reaching the foothills that begin abruptly at Kalka. From then on the road winds upwards through to Manali. Overnight at the Sunshine Lodge

THE KULU VALLEY

The Kulu valley is one of the most enchanting parts of Himachal Pradesh. Through the Valley runs the Beas River, bordered by paddy fields in the monsoon and wheat fields in the winter. Conifers and rhododendrons grow on the upper slopes which are covered by snow in winter. To the northwest of the valley is the white mass of the Solang Valley and to the north is the Rohtang Pass (4,075 meters (13,370 feet), the gateway to the Great Himalayas. The road to Lahaul and Leh in Ladakh crosses the Rohtang Pass.

DAY 5 : DAY AT LEISURE IN MANALI. A free day in Manali; it is a great place to relax with good souvenir shopping, a Tibetan monastery and lots of good restaurants. The afternoon can be used for a walk to Vashist, where there are some natural hot springs, a great way to ease the tight muscles, aches and pains of the trek. You could also make the hour long drive by taxi to the village of Naggar, once the capital of the Kulu district. Naggar is noted for its old fort with spectacular views over the valley below, the Roerich art gallery and several interesting Hindu temples. Overnight at the Sunshine Lodge.

DAY 6: DRIVE TO DARCHA. Manali - Darcha (3350 mts) - 148 Kms Approximately 8 hour drive time. Today we drive northwards over the spectacular Rohtang Pass(13,370 ft.) and into the Buddhist land of Lahoul. Beyond the reaches of the monsoon, it is an area more akin to the high altitude desert of Tibet than the alpine scenery we have left behind. Following the Chandra river towards Keylong, the capital of Lahoul, This journey is on rough roads, but the spectacular scenery fully makes up for any discomfort. Stop for lunch in Keylong. Beyond Keylong we drive to Dacha (approximately 2 hours drive time) Camp in Darcha and meet the rest of the camp crew. Overnight in tents.

DAY 7: TREK TO PALAMO. (3720m) Approximately 4 hours journey. A gradual decent past village hamlets brings us to the small village of Chikka. we camp on a meadow.

DAY 8: TREK TO ZANKAR SAMDO (3860m) Approximately 4 hours journey. We follow the river bank and cross over a suspension bridge before reaching our campsite.

DAY 9: TREK TO RUMJAK (4380m) Approximately 6 hours journey. There is gradual ascent along the Shingo Chu river before we climb up towards the high peaks of the Zanskar range of Mountains and camp at the base of the Shingo La pass.

DAY 10: TREK TO LAKHONG VIA THE SHINGO LA PASS (Shingola 5050m) (Lakhong 4400m) Approximately 7 hours journey. This is a demanding days walk upto the Shingo La pass, gateway to the Zanskar valley. After crossing this pass we decend down into Zanskar and camp in Lakhong.

DAY 11: TREK TO KARGIAH (4150m) Approximately 6 hour journey . Early this morning you will cross over the Shingo river and walk along grassy meadows. Camp in Kargiah.

DAY 12: TREK TO PURNE (3660m) Approximately 7 hour journey. You finally meet the main Zanskar valley and pass through the villages of Tabla and Testa before a steep descent takes us to a further bridge that you cross to your campsite at Purne. There are a couple of shops in Purne selling soft drinks, chocolate and a few other items.

DAY 13: TREK TO PHUKTAL Approximately 4.5 hours Journey. You walk up a very deep and impressive gorge with a fast flowing river to this remarkable and remote monastery. The 500 hundred year old Gompa is builit literally on the side of a cliff. Here you can visit the inner temples and see a stone tablet left by the Hungarian, Alexander Csoma de Koros, one of the first explorers in Tibet, 1826-27.

Day 14: TREK TO PHEBULA (3680m) Approximately 4.5 hours journey. We are treated to fine views on our walk upto Galbok village as we follow along the main river bank until we reach our campsite in Phebula.

DAY 15: TREK TO RARU (3620m) Approximately 5 hours journey. The valley deepens and takes on the proportions of a gorge. You pass some small hamlets: Cha, Kaydang (with a small teashop) and on to Hamuni, then continue past the village of Surle and on towards Ichar where you cross the river on a new strong metal bridge. The fortified village of Ichar is about a 30-minute walk away and is well worth a visit, as it is perhaps the most beautiful of the villages on the way to Padum, the capital township. You then walk through more magnificent gorge scenery and with further small monasteries to visit. You camp overnight by a small lake behind Raru village.

DAY 16: TREK TO KARSHA (3550m) Approximately 5 hours journey. Before reaching Shila, which is marked by a high waterfall, you pass Mune Gompa and come to Bardan Gompa, an impressive monastery sitting on top of a rocky outcrop in the middle of the gorge. The building was erected in the early 1600s on the orders of Nawang Namgyal, the first ruler of Bhutan, who was given various lands in Ladakh to further his Drukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, by the ruler of Ladakh at that time. The valley, which you have walked down for the past few days now, opens out into the much wider Lunak Valley and you reach Padum, the capital of Zanskar. Today, as you approach Padum you will be walking on a jeep track. Camp in Karsha.

DAY 17: TREK TO PISHU (3630m) Approximately 5.5 hours journey. From Karsha the trail decends across the plains to the village of Rinam, and then follows the banks of the Zanskar river to Pishu. This allows time in the afternoon to cross the famous twig bridge of Zangla. Camp in Pishu close to the river.

DAY 18: REST DAY Time to relax and explore nearby Zangla monastery, which was once the seat of the throne in Zanskar. Overnight camp.

DAY 19: TREK TO HANUMA (3540m) Approxmately 5 hours journey time. The village of Pidmu is about half way, and there is a campsite down by the river below the village of Hanuma. Hanuma, Pishu and Pidmu on the west side of the river, together with Chazar and Honia on the other side, constitute the tiny Kingdom of Zangla.

DAY 20: TREK TO NYETSE. (3950m) Approximately 6 hours Journey time. A difficult stage for horses, which may have to be unloaded as the trail winds steadily up towards the Parfi La. From the pass there is a steep 500m decent down the Juniper covered hillside to the Jingchan Tokpo. The bridge over the Jingan Tokpo marks the boundary between Zanskar and Ladakh. It also marks the start of a steady climb to the small shepherd settlement of Nyatse. Camp on Glade.

DAY 21: TREK TO LINGSHET. (3800m) Approximately 6/7 hours journey time. The trail from Nyetse gradually asends the valley, which follows a tributary of the Jingchen Tokpo. The climb to the pass (4800m) should take 4 hours. From the pass there are clear views to the Singge La and the main Zanskar range, while the sight of the Lingshet Monastery can be appreciated in the valley below. The decent to Lingshet is steep and it will take 3 hours to reach the village. Camp lingshet.

DAY 22: TREK TO BASE OF THE SINGGE LA PASS. Approximately 6 hour journey. The trail from Lingshet winds over two minor passes, the Netuke La and Khyupa La, with plenty of ups and downs. The campsite at the base of the Singge La Pass is on a rocky ledge.

DAY 23: TREK TO PHOTASKER (4200m) Approximately 7 hour journey time. The climb up the steep scree slope takes at least 2 hours. Frozen waterfalls from the limestone cliffs form an impressive sight above the trail. The Singge La is 5100m high. From the pass Photaskar can be reached in 4 hours and the village supports two small monasteries that are serviced by monks from Lamayuru Monastery. Overnight camp.

DAY 24: TREK TO HONUPATTA (3650m) Approximately 6.5 hours journey time. From Photaskar it is tiring haul to the Sirsa La (4800m) but the views are good. The trail down to Honupatta follows across a barren ridge down to the valley floor. The time from the pass to the village is 3 hours. Camp Honupatta.

DAY 25: TREK TO WANLA (3600m) Approximately 6 hour journey. From Honupatta the trail decends gradually to the confluence of the Photang River. Here the trail enters a gorge and there are no river fords, exept by bridge, before reaching the village of Pangge. Beyond here the trail gradually descends the valley, to the village and monastery at Wanla. Camp Wanla.

Day 26: TREK TO LAMAYURU VIA PRINKITI LA (3850m) Approximately 4 hour journey. From Wanla, we follow the Shilakung valley upstream for 2kms to the turnoff leading up the gorge to the Prinkiti La. The entrance is marked by prayer flags and small chortens. The decent to Lamayuru from the pass takes about 1 hour. Arrive Lamayuru and after lunch drive by jeep to Alchi (Approximately 55kms - 3 hours drive time). Arrive Alchi and stay in Guest House.

Day 27: VISIT ALCHI MONASTERY AND DRIVE TO LEH (3500m) Approximately 65kms - 4 hours drive time. The monastery complex at Alchi was founded in the 11th century, when the noted teacher Ringchen Zangpo was sent by a local Tibetan King to lay the foundations for Buddhist monasteries throughout Ladakh and Zanskar. Due to its sheltered location, Alchi has remained intact to the present day. After lunch drive to Leh. Overnight in Guest House accommodation.

LEH The capital of Ladakh, has long been a remote and facinating outpost. Its situation in the upper Indus Valley made it an important crossroads for pilgrims and traders. Pilgrims continued from here along the Indus Valley to Mt Kailash and Tibet, while traders would set off with their caravans over the Karakoram pass to the markets of Yarkland, Kashgir and central Asia.

Day 28: AT LEISURE IN LEH. Overnight Guest House accommodation.

Day 29: FLY TO DELHI. Transfer to the Domestic airport to board the 10:30am Alliance Air Flight to Delhi. Arrive Delhi at 11:45hrs. You will be met on your arrival and transferred to the 4 star Siddarth Hotel. Rest of day at leisure. Late evening transfer by taxi to the airport to board your return flight home.

Day 30: arr LONDON.

*GRADE: This trek is graded moderate/strenuous and will be enjoyed by those who are in good health and who take regular exercise. Some previous trekking experience is highly recommended.

Trek Notes:

A "moderate/strenuous" trek at high altitude.
30 day trip, London to London. 20 days Camping with full porterage.
Maximum altitude 4380m. Average 3400m.
4 nights hotels, 5 nights Guest houses,

TRAIN TRAVEL. Train travel is by air-conditioned carriage. Bedding is normally provided free of charge on the train (sheets, pillows and blankets)

IMPORTANT NOTE: Whilst every effort is made to keep to the above itinerary, clients will hopefully appreciate that this is adventure travel in a remote mountain region. Given the nature of these treks there will quite likely be changes to the itinerary in terms of anything from on the spot choice of camp site to the day that a rest day is taken. Weather conditions, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns off the beaten track, local availability of porters, can contribute to the need for changes. Your trek leader will do everything in his/her power to see that you are inconvenienced as little as possible in such events. Timings given are approximate.

Meal Plan: B&B in Delhi and elswhere. Full board on Trek

Not Included: Entry fees to monuments of historical importance.

ACCOMMODATION: Twin sharing. Delhi Siddarth Hotel: Comfortable 4 star property with en-suite accommodation and swimming pool, bar and restaurants as standard. Nalagarh is a comfortable 3 star property. In Manali, Alchi, Leh we use basic but clean Guest House and Lodge accommodation.

EQUIPMENT PROVIDED. We provide 'A' frame or dome tents which have room for two people plus all of your equipment. There is also a dining tent, a toilet tent exclusively for our group use, and a kitchen and staff tent. There are camp chairs or stools, a kerosene/gas lamp or candles for reading in the dining tent at night, stainless steel crockery and tableware and foam sleeping mats. We strongly recommend you bring your own karrimat or therma-a-rest as well. The staff complement of cooks and assistants are always in attendance. They put up and take down the tents, make the tea, cook the food, wash the dishes, load the porters and carry a load of their own. They work extremely hard and are always willing to help. If you want to join in putting up tents and taking them down, you are free to do so, but it is not expected.

A TYPICAL DAY ON TREK

Soon after dawn you are served tea or coffee while still in your sleeping bag. A few minutes later a washing bowl of hot water is placed outside your tent. You can wash inside or outside the tent. Once dressed you can pack your kit-bag and day-pack in preparation for the day's hike, and place these outside the tent. The camp staff will take down the tents. While this is happening, breakfast is served. In the Himalaya breakfast usually consists of cereals and/or porridge with milk, eggs, usually served with chapatis, (unleavened bread that is cooked on a hot iron plate) or pancakes with honey or jam. There is always plenty of tea and coffee. The camp will be being struck while you are eating, and you will need to be packed and out of your tents before breakfast.

You can take a leisurely breakfast breakfast while the staff prepare loads for the porters or pack animals. If you have not filled up your water bottle the night before ask the cook to fill your bottle with boiled water. You may also collect a packed lunch, although usually you may have a cooked meal at the lunch stop. Departure from camp could be from any time between dawn and 9.00am, depending on the days itinerary, but generally you will start walking at around 8.00am.

Depending on the length of the day's walk, you will walk for three or four hours before stopping for lunch. The lunch stop will last for about an hour.

You usually arrive at the next camp site by 5:00pm. Camp may already set up by the time you get there, and tea/juice and biscuits will be ready to welcome you. Supper will be ready soon after dark, and will be served in the dining tent or in some instances, around the camp fire. Camp fires will only be made if dead wood is available. The standard of cooking on trek is usually surprisingly good, with the style of cooking being a compromise between local and western food. Menus vary, but typically we start with soup. The main course is often a rice based meal with meat stew or mild curry, plus separate vegetable and salad dishes. A sweet dish is provided after the meal. Our meal is finished with tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Sometimes a bottle of local spirit is provided by the camp staff, but we advise clients to buy plastic half bottles from duty free. However, you should only drink alcohol when you feel acclimatised. After dinner, the usual practise is for your water bottle to be filled with hot water and used as a hot water bottle for your sleeping bag and for drinking water the next day.

We would like you to enjoy the serenity of the unhurried atmosphere that exists in these wilderness regions. Our day to day camp routine on your trekking adventure is geared to allow you to make the most of your holiday.

LEADERS: European leader for a minimum of 6 people. Under six will be led by our English speaking sirdars.

WEATHER: In August it can be quite hot during the day (up to 30°C) at lower altitudes. At night it can drop to freezing at higher altitudes (11,000ft)

MEAL PLAN AND HOTELS: Twin sharing en-suite Guest House accommodation (B&B) in Manali, Alchi and Leh. All meals on trek.