Zanskar River Rafting Expedition

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Zanskar River Rafting Expedition

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Category: Himalayan River Expedition / 12 days
Season: 11 - 21 Aug / 22 Aug - 01 September
Location: Zanskar - Ladakh
Cost: Rs 75000/- per person + taxes
Min Group: 6
Customizable: Yes

About the trip

Few places on earth match the grandeur and sheer magnitude of the Zanskar in Ladakh, the Trans - Himalayan region on India’s northern borders. Being a geographical extension of the southwestern end of the Tibetan plateau, Ladakh is often referred to as “Little Tibet”. Indeed, both geographically and culturally there is little difference.
Our 12-days expedition to this high altitude lunar landscape is a “once-in-a lifetime” experience combining the best of adventure and cultural insight into the lifestyle of these Himalayan and Trans Himalayan communities from the predominantly Islamic communities of Kargil to the predominantly Buddhist communities of Zanskar and an insight into their shared lifestyle in these barren lands.
Looking forward to seeing you there…

Note: A detailed packing list will be shared with you once you have signed up for the trip

Duration – 12 days
Rafting days days – 06 days
Max Altitude – 4393 mts Pensi La
Acco - Camping - 09 Nights,
Hotel/Guesthouse - 03 Nights

Cost Inclusive of

1.    All road transfers by private vehicles from Srinagar to Leh.
2.    Accommodation will be provided throughout the trip as mentioned in the itinerary on twin sharing basis.
3.    Meals: As per itinerary. Tea /coffee, snacks & drinking water during the trek. All meals would be vegetarian. The cuisine would be a mix of Indian, Chinese, Continental & Local.
4.    English speaking & professionally trained river guides.
5.    Kitchen staff would accompany the group on the expedition.
6.    All special equipment required for the expedition.
7.    Camping equipment: 3/4 season tents, ground mattress, mess tent & camping tables & stools.
8.    All permits and park entry fees.
9.    First Aid Kit.

Cost Not Inclusive of

1.    Air Fare
2.    Travel Insurance
3.    Accommodation in Delhi - We can arrange it if required. Rooms starting at Rs.2500 and upwards.
4.    Single supplements.
5.    Additional meals/services not mentioned in the above.
6.    Charges for video/ still cameras etc.
7.    Alcohol, beverages, soft drinks etc.
8.    Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
9.    Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, road blocks, bad weather, etc.
10. Insurance

Itinerary

(Note; Depending on conditions - this trip can start in Srinagar or in Leh. If the start point is Srinagar, the first two days will include stay in Srinagar and the drive to Kargil over the Zoji la. Trip will end in Leh. A detailed itinerary will be sent to you to plan your flight or train bookings)

Day 01:
Fly into Leh and check in to the hotel. Rest of the day, take it easy, acclimatize to to the high altitude. If feeling good - explore the Leh market.

Day 02:
Drive Leh to Kargil with a visit enroute to Lamayuru Monastery and the Buddha statue at Mulbek. Overnight at hotel in Kargil.

Day 03:
The most spectacular drive filled with natural wonders. We drive to Ringdum Gompa (12,000 ft.). Few mountain drives get you this close to the Great Himalaya. The awesome mass of the Nun Kun massif over 7000m high with its hanging glacier across the road from us, dominating today’s journey. Overnight in the PWD rest house/ tented camp at Ringdum.

Day 04:
Our final road leg across the Pensi La at 14,500 ft ASL, surrounded by an awe inspiring arena of the Zanskar peaks. Below us is the Durung Drung glacier that feeds the Zanskar River. We drive on to camp 40 kms below the glacier at Remala village, our put-in. Overnight tented camp.

Day 05:
Rafting expedition commences on the Doda river from Remala to Karsha covering approx 30 km. Class 2 rapids primarily; wide open valley surrounded by 6000m Himalayan and Zanskar peaks.

Day 06:
This will be a layover day. Witness a beautiful sunrise over the Himalayan peaks followed by a leisurely breakfast. Visit The Kharsha Monastery in the early morning or late evening to witness the chanting of the monks. During the day you may drive or walk 1hr. 30 mins to the village of Padum which is at the cross roads between the valleys of the Zanskar and Tsarap river.

Day 07:
Our river journey continues down to the confluence of the Doda with the Tsarap River, to form the Zanskar. Today’s stretch is approximately 50 kms.
With Class II & III rapids, passing by Zangla village the old capital of Zanskar. We enter the upper Zanskar gorge, completely dwarfed by the gigantic chasm walls each turn bringing on amazing rock formations and colors. The power of the river and rapids pick up, ending our exciting run till Nyerak, the only camping site in the upper gorge section. Lounge around in the early evening and take in the grandeur of this geological wonderland.

Day 08:
Layover Day. You have the option to just take it easy or go on a day long hike up this magnificent canyon first crossing the 25 ft span wooden Nyerak Bridge across one of the narrowest parts of the river. Up it is after that on the old trade route between Zanskar and Indus valleys, now a well known trekking route. This trek gives you a completely different perspective on the scale and geological formation of the gorge with stunning views as we climb higher above. We have a chance to interact with the hardy but cheerful locals as they trek between their habitations in this harsh and desolate lunarscape. Visit the local home of Tashi who weaves carpets. After lunch we descend back down to river level and Nyerak camp.

Day 09:
Action packed rafting day through the heart of the Zanskar Grand Canyon - 40 km of non-stop Class 3 and 4 whitewater, awe-inspiring rock formations and a stop for lunch at a gigantic cataract pouring out of a cliff face to an oasis below- paradise! We conclude our long days rafting at Lamaguru camp, the confluence of the Markha River with the Zanskar.

Day 10:
We start early to raft the final leg of the Zanskar from Lamaguru to Nimu, covering approx 25 km to its confluence with the mighty Indus. Mostly Class 3 bouncy rapids including encountering the big water ‘Chilling’ rapid as the volume increases significantly after the Markha River has joined. Our raft trip ends at the confluence from where the river becomes the mighty Indus as it flows westward towards Pakistan and finally to the Arabian Sea. We drive back 40 km to Leh to check into our hotel to have lunch and take those much needed hot showers! Overnight at hotel.

Day 11:
After a leisurely breakfast some sight-seeing of the neighbouring monas-teries at Thikse, Shey and Shanti Stupa. The afternoon is for shopping and exploring Leh’s quaint bazaar and numerous bakeries. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12:
Fly out of Leh!
Trip Ends Here!

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