The Great Himalayan Range, The Pir Panjal Range and The Zanskar Range, its scraggy mountains, snow laden peaks, barren valleys with the cerulean sky tells you the tale of the hardiness and spirit of the people of the land.
And that's not all; the area has an extraordinary hydroscopic system with the Zanskar River forming the only outlet by scything through the Zanskar range to form those towering canyons and deep gorges that are a trademark of this river. The trip takes you down the extremely uninhabited, inaccessible and 150 km of the vintage Zanskar gorge with walls rising thousands of feet above the fast moving waters to finish on the powerful River Indus.
The river also forms a unique mode of travel, a waterway by summer and frozen road by winter.
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ITINERARY:
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Day 01 |
Leh
Arrival in Leh by Flight. Check into Hotel Lharimo and relax.
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Day 02 |
Khardung la
Visit Khardung la, the highest motor able pass (5602 M) in the world. The pass is almost permanently covered in fog and snow. Here you have world's 'highest temple' and an army check post, which also serves hot tea. En route there are many vantage viewpoints of this superb landscape. Over night at Hotel.
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Day 03 |
Shey, Thiksey
Site seeing around Leh. Visit Shey, Thiksey, Hemis Over night at Hotel. |
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Day 04 |
Leh - Mulbekh
Drive through Kargil to the through some amazing mountainscape. The drive takes us over the Fotu la that is the pass between the Indus and the Suru Valley's. En route visit the Lamayuru Monastery of the "red sect", one of the oldest in the valley. Overnight camp at Mulbekh.
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Day 05 |
Mulbekh - Rangdom
Today we drive from Rangdom to Remala; the drive is through Panikar and Prakachik with up close and personal views of the magnificent twin peaks of Nun & Kun. Camp overnight at Rangdom.
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Day 06 |
Rangdom - Remala
A 6 hrs drive brings us to Remala, the starting point of this grand journey; en route one crosses the Peni la (14500 ft) and gets stunning views of the Zanskar range.
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Day 07 |
Remala - Zangla
The trip starts on the river Doda with Grade II rapids. The total rafting distance today will be 30 km and will take about 5 hrs. The lone standing Karsha Gonpa as it looks down the Gorge will be crossed today. Those interested could trek up to its distant heights in the evening to attend the incantation servce.
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Day 08 |
Zangla - Hanumil
The Tsarapchu joins the Doda at Zangla to form the Zanskar. The stretch today is about 25 km and takes one through grade II & III rapids. Set up camp late in the after noon to explore the quaint village of Hanumil that seems untouched by the passage of time.
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Day 09 |
Neraks - Lamaguru
Today's 35 km stretch takes one through the heart of the Zanskar Gorge with some kick ass grade IV rapids through continuous stretches of Grade III rapids. One of the highlights of the day is the pit stop for lunch at a huge waterfall at the confluence of the Zanskar and the Markha rivers. The sights and sounds of today's run on the river remains one of the highlights of this trip.
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Day 10 |
Lamaguru/ Rest / Markha Valley Trek
The Markha Valley Trek is certainly one of the most varied and beautiful treks in the world. It ventures high into the Himalayas crossing two passes over 15,000 ft (4575 m) as it circles from the edges of the Indus Valley, down into parts of Zanskar, and passes through terrain that changes from incredibly narrow valleys to wide-open vast expanses. Just relax and explore the resplendent Markha valley today with day hike to the villages of Kaya & Skiu.
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Day 11 |
Lamaguru – Nimu
It’s the big one today with the Chilling rapid 40 km of river running that culminates just short of the Confluence of Indus and Zanskar at nimu.
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Day 12 |
Nimu – Alchi – Leh
Nimu to Alchi on the Indus with some classic grade III & IV rapids to end the trip on the river. Head back to Leh.
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