Trekking
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
T
he
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.
