ZANSKAR RIVER RAFTING IN LADAKH, INDIA

Temple in Ladakh

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 a Little Tibet. Indeed, both geographically and culturally there is little difference.

Our 14 day Expedition to this high altitude lunar landscape is a once-in-a lifetime experience combining the best of adventure and cultural insight into the Buddhist lifestyle.

In the two days of acclimatization in Leh after the flight in from Delhi there is time to visit Buddhist monasteries and the old palaces as well as time to wander around the quaint old bazaar of Leh town. Our 3-day mountain drive from Leh to our river put-in forms a major highlight of the trip. Few mountain drives offer such a varied landscape from high altitude desert to in- your -face Himalayan close-ups of the Nun Kun massif (23,400 ft altitude) as we drive right below its northern face and its hanging glaciers. Our final road leg sees us cross the Pensi-La Pass at 14500 ft altitude, the highest point of the trip with the Durung-Drung glacier below, a major source of the Zanskar.

The 7 day river journey, starting just 40 km below the glacial headwaters takes you through the Zanskar gorge sometimes referred to as the Grand Canyon of Asia. Big water Class 3 and 4 rapids, walks through orchards ripe with apricot, side-hikes to gravity-defying monasteries and an evening incantation with the monks, all add to the unique charm and adventure of our expedition to this rugged wilderness.

QUICK LOOK

• Rating: class III to IV
• Distance ~180 km
• Trip Length: 2 Weeks
• Put-in: Remala (12800 ft altitude)
• Take-out: Alchi (10000 ft altitude)
• Min Group Size: 6

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1 All going well, most international flights arrive into New Delhi International Airport late at night or very early in the morning. You will be met by your 4 Corners Whitewater Expedition Leader and staff, who will be holding a 4 Corners Whitewater Sign and frantically waving at you from within the crowd that meets and greets every flight outside the airport. Depending on other arrivals, guide or staff will transfer you to you’re a comfortable Hotel in a upscale residential area of New Delhi. Depending on other arriving flights, your Expedition leader will meet the group at the hotel for coffee in the morning.

Ladakh Buddhists

Day 2 Fly from Delhi to Leh, the capital of Ladakh. Leh is at an altitude of 11,000 ft and one of the highest commercial airports in the world. Check into the basic but comfortable Lha -Rimo Hotel in Leh. Relax, don’t exert yourself, your body needs to acclimatize to the altitude. The entire group including all Guides will be staying at the hotel, which will give everyone a chance to get to know each other. You can take a walk into the bazzars and just relax, taking in all the diverse culture. Overnight at the Lha-Rimo Hotel.

Day 3 Light activity and short walks around Leh. The quaint Leh market is a great place to start exploring as are the numerous bakeries selling mouth - watering gourmet delights. For the more energetic a visit to a few monasteries such as Spituk , Thikse and Hemis will be arranged . Overnight at the Lha-Rimo Hotel.

Day 4 Today we embark on what is one of the most spectacular Himalayan drives. Very few people get the opportunity to drive over some of the highest motorable roads in the world. We drive a 180 kms. from Leh to Mulbek/Kargil, through spectacular lunar landscape. Crossing the high mountain pass of Fotu-La at an altitude of 14,000 ft, from the Indus River Valley into the Suru River Valley. We visit the Lamayuru Monastery enroute, known to be one of the oldest monasteries amongst the Red Hat Buddhist sect. Overnight at a basic Hotel/Rest House.

Day 5 The most spectacular part of the drive, filled with stunning 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, dominate todays journey. Overnight in tented camp at Ringdum.

Day 6 Our final road leg across the Pensi La Pass at 14,500 ft feet , 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 in tented camp.

Day 7 We get our rafts loaded and set off on the Doda River, a tributary of the Zanskar. We will raft down the Doda River from Remala to Karsha covering approx 30 km. Class 2 rapids primarily, wide open valley surrounded by 6000 meter Himalayan and Zanskar peaks. After settling into camp by 2 PM, take a short walk to the spectacular Kharsha Monastery for the evening incantations by the monks. Overnight in camp.

Day 8 Witness a beautiful sunrise over the Himalayan peaks followed by a leisurely breakfast .Our river journey continues down to the confluence of the Doda with the Tsarap-Chu River which form the Zanskar River. Today’s stretch is approximately 35 kms. with Class II & III rapids, passing by Zangla village the old capital of Zanskar . We camp below the habitations of Pidmu village, near the entrance to the Zanskar gorge. After settling into the camp we visit the nearby habitations for some local interaction. Overnight in camp.

Zanskar River Lunch

Day 9 We enter the upper Zanskar gorge, completely dwarfed by the gigantic chasm walls, each turn bringing on amazing rock formations and colors. The Zanskar Gorge a geological gem, with amazing rock formations and fissures clearly showing the movement of rock layers. The power of the river and rapids picks up, ending our exciting 20 km run at Nyerak, the only camping site where the gorge opens up a little. After lunch a short walk to the Nyerak wooden bridge, just 25 ft across the Zanskar, and up the opposite bank to get a feel for this geological wonderland. Overnight in camp.

Day 10 Action packed day through the heart of the Zanskar Gorge- 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. Overnight at camp.

Day 11 Relaxed morning. Then a 3 hr hike thru fields of barley and apricot trees with fruit ready to pluck in the picturesque lower Markha valley. The Skiu village and monastery have much to offer in hospitality and culture being on the main Markha trekking route. After a visit to the monastery and lunch, we head back to our river camp for an early evening. Overnight in camp.

Day 12 We raft the last stretch of the Zanskar from Lamaguru to Nimu, covering approx 30 km to its confluence with the mighty Indus. Mostly big volume class 3 rapids with the power increasing significantly after the Markha river joins. We camp below the picturesque Nimu village, an oasis of green in this stark lunar landscape. A walk through this delightful village with apricot trees in full fruit rounds off an excellent day. Overnight at camp.

Day 13 Our final river day starting with the mighty Nimu Class 4 rapids of the Indus river, floating past Alchi monastery where we conclude our river journey having covered 25 kms on the Indus. We drive up to visit the Alchi monastery, one of the oldest and historically significant monasteries of Ladakh . We drive back 60 km to Leh to check into our hotel and have those much needed baths! Overnight in Hotel.

Day 14 In Leh - Rest and relaxation and time to catch up with any last minute shopping. There is time to go for some short walks or drive to monasteries. We will have a wonderful meal as a group and recount the highlights of this journey of a lifetime. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 15 Fly Leh / Delhi. You will have the option to Overnight in Delhi or fly back to the US.

INCLUDES

• Airfare Delhi / Leh / Delhi.
• Hotel Accommodation on twin share basis in Delhi, Leh and Kargil.
• Tented and Rest House accommodation on twin share basis, en-route through the trip.
• All camping equipment, except personal sleeping bags. This includes tents and sleeping pads.
• All rafting and specialized equipment including the life jackets, helmets, etc.
• Meals throughout the trip.
• All local tax and permit fees.
• Qualified and experienced guides.

4 Corners Whitewater will provide wet suit, paddling gloves and paddling jacket for the trip - please advise weight and height for the wet suit well in advance. We would like to make sure you get your neoprene and splash gear in the US, before the trip leaves.

EXCLUDES

• Site-seeing in Delhi and Leh. Relatively inexpensive & day trips can be easily arranged.
• Any expenditure of a personal nature such as laundry, satellite & landline calls, etc.
• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal Medical and/or Travel Insurance including Trip Cancellation Insurance.
• Any cost arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as landslides, bad weather and road conditions and any other circumstances beyond our control.

GEAR CHECKLIST

1. 3 seasons sleeping bag. (We provide sleeping pads)
2. Fleece Jacket / Pullover / Jersey.
3. Thermal underwear (Poly Propylene, Capelene etc., Light weight).
4. Wind/Water resistant Jacket.
5. Woolen Socks/Cotton Socks - extra pair woolen/synthetic for rafting.
6. Gloves, Muffler, Woolen Ski Cap.
7. Change of clothes for camp/ hiking.
8. Sandals or Tennis Shoes for the raft. (We provide neoprene booties)
9. Light Hiking/Walking shoes (one pair)
10. Flash Light with spare batteries.
11. Sun Glasses.
12. Sunscreen/Sunblock. Max SPF Suggested.
13. Moisturizer/Lotion/Lip Balm.
14. Personal Toiletries.
15. Nalgene Water Bottle.
16. Cap/hat with brim ( can be worn under the helmet)
17. Small Daypack for side hikes.
18. Digital Camera/Binocular/Video Camera, etc.

For the river section. Please keep your personal items to a minimum. You will be able to leave extra/excess clothes at the hotel in Leh for after the trip. For on river, personal items should be carried in a Soft Duffel Bag which would go into you Drybag provided by 4 Corners Whitewater before the trip. Drybags will be dispersed before you leave the US.

On river, you will be wearing a wet suit, preferably with lightweight thermal underwear (optional). All other personal gear will be carried in waterproof bags, lashed down in the back of the raft. Easy Access dry bags will be at hand for cameras, sun block, etc.

Keep off river / camp clothes to a minimum. All extra gear will be left in the hotel at Leh or sent back in the vehicles from the starting point of the river.

ZANSKAR TRAVEL ADVISORY

About altitude Leh is at an approximate altitude of 11,200 ft compared to Delhi at750 ft. Some adapt better and faster to altitude than others. Do not physically tax yourselves on arrival in Leh. Do not set out immediately on an exploration of the Leh bazaar and Leh Palace! Let your body get attuned to the thin air and focus on your breathing. Consciously re-hydrate yourselves at short intervals (i.e. water and not alcohol!). You must try and drink at least 5-7 litres of water every day. Rest a lot in the first 24 hrs. Do not be alarmed if you have an odd head ache or two in the first 36 hrs. Keep your guides and trip leader informed about your head aches, nausea, any tingling sensations or swelling in hands and feet. Your Expedition Leader is very in tune with the altitude challenges and with each clients acclimatization. All altitude related medical facilities are available in Leh.

About weather Ladakh is a high altitude desert. When clear and sunny, it is very hot during the day and the sun is strong. It gets extremely cold once the sun sets. You have to be prepared for both extremes. Do not step out without applying liberal amounts of sun block (this goes for all skin types and colors). A sun shade and dark glasses are necessary. Keep the nape of your neck covered.

Zanskar Scenery

Check List of Clothes Please follow the check list closely. We will provide you with wet suits and paddling jackets on the river as well as neoprene booties and gloves. Please bring along suitable closed toe shoes or Teva style sandals for the rafting. While rafting you should wear your shoes with a pair of wollen or synthetic socks. Cotton clothes will keep you cold when wet. Toilet paper is provided. Towels are not provided during the trip. There will be towels in your hotel in Leh.

Packing for the rafting trip You will be allotted 1 large dry bag per person to carry all the clothes and sleeping bag you require for the rafting trip. There will be smaller dry bags on each raft, which will be easily accessible for all to carry your sun block and cameras etc. Extra clothes can be left behind at the Lha Rimo Hotel in Leh. Some clothes may also be returned at the put-in point of the rafting trip from where the vehicles will return to the Hotel in Leh.

Drinking Water From Mulbek onwards you will be drinking water which will be treated with iodine. On the river you will get fresh spring water also treated with iodine. We will have access to bottled water in larger towns. We will also have small volume Pur water filters for the river, but sometimes due to the heavy silt in the water, water filters do not work!

Delhi-Leh-Delhi flights and Bookings This is a very crucial part of the trip! It is only in August and September that there are daily flights from Delhi to Leh. As has been our practice in the past we make bookings for the day closest to our fixed date departure date incase there are no flights on the day that our trip is supposed to leave and return. All agents make block bookings and therefore most are heavily wait listed. Closer to the time by June the new flight schedule is announced and there are flights every day and then we get the dates of our choice. The Indian Airlines and Jet Airways both fly to Leh and we try and make bookings on both flights and go ahead with the one that confirms the booking first. You will be periodically informed about flight status and the final bookings will be made with your approval.

Return Flight Leh to Delhi The security check for this flight is very detailed. You are advised not to carry batteries, nail files (any remotely sharp objects), cigarette lighters etc. in your carry on cabin baggage.

Passports & Visas You will be responsible to make sure you have a valid passport and valid Indian Visa, before you leave the US. You can send away for your Indian Visa in the US. Please make sure you have at least 6 photocopies of your Passport and Indian Visa. One photocopy of your Passport and Visa will be sent to the US Embassy in New Delhi, in case of emergencies. Please carry your passports till Leh, which can be left behind at the hotel safe. On the rafting trip please carry photocopies of your passports.

While site seeing Before taking pictures, please take permission from the monks at the monasteries. Some monasteries restrict or disallow the use of flashes on cameras. All (or most) Ladhakhis are friendly, quiet and courteous and smile a lot - but it wouldn't harm to just take permission before you take their photograph. As with children all over the world - the kids in Ladakh are cheerful and boisterous and will always try and get a "candy" or pen off you - we request you not to give in to their pleas!, this might encourage beggary.