Trekking in Ladakh
Its landscape, sky, shooting stars, silence, wizened faces, rosy cheeks, dragons
and Zen everything makes Ladakh a quite place to visit.
This
ethereal cold desert that goes by names such as ‘The Last Shangrila’,
Moonscape, Little Tibet and so many others – all of which ring true, is
a land that seldom fails to baffle or surprise.
The inhabitants of Ladakh are simple smiling people who greet one and all
with the all-encompassing which could mean hello, bye, thank-you and please!
So if there is a word of Ladhaki that you must learn. The stark and rugged
landscape is situated amidst multiple-hued mountains, some smooth enough to
rub your cheeks on, others scraggly as though termites have had a go at them
for breakfast. Miles and stretches of this never-never land, surprised by
quaint little vibrant green hamlets oozing wild roses and lavender, fringe
the life-giving Indus River.
Getting There
By Road and Air : Journey to Ladakh is quite fascinating, though overland
route is by far the better alternative. Alliance Airways operates a daily
return flight from Delhi to Leh. The town has also air links with Chandigarh,
Jammu and Srinagar. The tourist season is from June to August. Get your tickets
booked well in advance if you are planning a trip at the June-August period
as the limited number of flights tend to remain overbooked during the tourist
season. There are two overland routes to the region – one from Srinagar
(only open from June to October) and the other from Manali ( from July to
September). It takes 2 days by the overland routes to reach Ladakh. A regular
bus service operates on the routes; cabs can also be hired from both Srinagar
and Manali
Mountaineering
Mountaineering is the ultimate challenge, the trial by fire, for the spirit,
the mind and body. Striving to reach for the pinnacle, is essentially an urge
to reach within, to discover the essence of one's being.
LADAKH
The land of rugged rocks and serrated glaciers, Ladakh offers a challenge to
mountaineers that not many can resist.
The Susu and Zanskar Valleys are adorned with a number of spectacular mountain
peaks that attract climbers from the world over. In particular, the Nun-Kun
massif serves as the focus of increasing mountaineering activities in the region.
Its easy accessibility by road and shortest possible approach march to reach
the base camps makes the Nun-Kun massif one of the most attractive mountaineering
destinations in the Western Himalaya. Nearby is the Zanskar massif with several
challenging peaks surrounding the majestic Drang-Drung Glacier, adjoining Penzi-La.
This massif too is accessible by road up to the base of the glacier and the
approach trek to the base camp is at a day's trek from the road.
THE ZANSKAR GROUP
The
Zanskar massif lies adjacent to the Nun-Kun massif. Most frequented area in
this group is along the Drung-Drung Glacier below Penzi-La, on the Kargil Zanskar
road. Its base camp can be approached in a day's trek from the road head. The
best known peaks in the group are Z-2 (6175m), Z-3(3270m) and Z-8 (6050m). In
addition there are many unnamed peaks in the area in the altitude range of 5000m
to 6000mt.
The climbing period in the region extends from early June to mid October,
the main climbing period being June-August when most of the Himalayas remain
inaccessible due to the monsoon elsewhere. The Ladakh Himalaya however remains
unaffected.
CENTRAL HIMALAYAS
The ranges of the Great Himalayas- Zanskar, Pir Panjal (or Shivalik) and Dhauladhar
provide the State its mountainous character.
The main peaks of this region include, Leo Pargil (6791m) above sea level, Kinner
Kailash (6050m) with Jorkaden (6473m) to the immediate south and Raldang(5499m)
and Phawarang (6439m).The twin peaks of Gushu(5607m) and Pishu(5672m) are situated
between Sarahan and Pin-Parbati Pass.
Safari Adventure
Jeep Safari
This 17 day trip encompasses exciting activities. Arrive in Delhi on the first
day and take a trip by car or air to Manali. Enjoy a wondrous trip from Manali
to Lespa by jeep, while you cross the famous Rohtang pass and the Baralachal
and Baratacha La passes. Camp overnight at the picturesque Nallah. On day
seven, visit the Tsokar Lake camp overnight near the lake. On the 10th day,
visit the Shey Hemis and Thiksey monasteries, and spend a day of leisure the
next day. Move on to Uletopko and visit the Lumayuro monastery. Leave for
Delhi on the 15th day and go sightseeing to various exciting places including
Agra.
Rafting
The
most difficult but exciting option for river running is on the Zanskar along
its spectacular course through the gorge in the Zanskar mountins, between Padum
and Nimo. This is suitable only for well organized white-water expedition, prepared
for several days of river running and camping in absolute wilderness. Participants
are required to be trained rafters themselves while the arrangements should
be assigned to a dependable professional agency. Adequate arrangements for rescue
coverage is an essential pre-requisite for embarking upon a white -water expedition
on river like the Zanskar.
Though Himachal has a number of rivers, it is only the Beas and the Chandra
River in Lahaul that have been used for river running. There are regualr runs
between Shamshi and Aut on the Beas. the 20 km stretch has exciting white water
and class 3 rapids.
The Chandra River flowing through the exotic mountainscape of Lahaul is another
interesting area for river rafting. The other rivers of Himachal, namely the
Ravi and Sutlej also have possibilities for rafting and canoeing.
With the sky-high Himalaya in the north and the sea-level jungle in the south
separated by a mere 200 km of hilly terrain, the entire country is like a
steep incline. The rivers that flow down from the mountains towards the flatlands,
therefore are of the high speed kind. Brimming with glacial melt, the raging
rivers charge down from the high mountains and as they twist and roar through
the narrow gores the waters churn into white foam-answering the prayers of
every river runner.
Apart from the thrill of charging down tremendous waves and swirls, a white
water trip on Nepal's waterways provide splendid views of the landscape and
river died flora and fauna. Descending from the mountains to the plains, a
river trip also provides a cross-section of Nepal's ethnic diversity. You
traverse a variety of terrain. lifestyles and climatic conditions in a few
short days. Some rivers rush through scenic canyons with sheer rock walls
on either side while others course through uninhabited wilderness to offer
varied scenery and excitement.
Water Sports
Cutting across the lunar landscapes of Ladakh, The Indus river begins its 2,000
mile long journey, biting through a land few men have seen. Often called the
'lion river' the Indus roars across great hams of mountain and earth, bridging
both in a roar of thundering foam as she plunges across untamed countryside.
As she passes through Leh, river runners congregate to navigate her waters,
ice-cold, clear and offering infinite variations to occupy all grades of enthusiasts.
Options include a half day scenic run for amateurs on low waters from they along
fast currents through canyons and along spectacular mountain views to Niemo,
the confluence of the zanskar and Karakoram ranges. Or combine a scenic and
white trip on the run from Niemo. Water-skiing on Dal and Nagin lakes is a popular
sport and for those who are trying it for the first time ten-day water ski courses
are available. Canoeing too may be attempted at the high altitudes lakes, while
diving in the lakes has still to catch on.
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