|
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.
|
