Ladakh The land of High Passes stands at a height 4,600 meters in the outer Himalayas with its peaks, ranging from 5,800 to 7,600 meters forming the most striking feature of the area.
The snow leopard, or ounce, is truly a predator of the heights, one can spot snow leopard from November – March at Hemis national Park. Hemis National Park is a high altitude protected area created in year 1981 in the eastern part of the cold desert of Ladakh for the conservation and protection of its unique flora and fauna. It covers an area of 600 sq km in the Markha and Rumbak valleys.
The snow leopard is Ladakh's most rare animal. Another one that is unique is the kyang or the wild horse, while at lower altitudes the musk deer too is a rare sight, precious by virtue of its expensive musk. Visitors are likely to spot many marmots, mouse hares, stone martens, red foxes, wolves, ibex, Bharal and shapu during the course of their journey but the habitat of the nyan (big horned sheep), chim (Tibetan antelope famed for its fleece-Shahtoosh), Goa (Tibetan gazelle), lynx, pallas cat, kyamg (wild horse) and brong dong (wild yak) are still outside the tourists' sphere.
The Park is full of dry forests of juniper, birch and fir are found in the park area. Also present are the alpine grasslands and scrublands. Various rare and endangered animal species found in the cold desert area are also housed in the Hemis National Park. Amongst these are the snow leopard, Tibetan wild or kiang, ibex, serow and Tibetan antelope. Amongst the avi fauna population found in the Hemis national park are the snow, snow partridge and golden oriole.
- High Passes, Monasteries, Palaces, Confluences, Snow clapped Mountains and many more.
- Low altitude trek with breath taking gorges, spacious views, rough mountains, Dazzling variation in scenery
- Snow Leopard, Blue Sheep, Wild Ass, Marmot, Yak and birds
- Rare glimpses of an ancient culture of Ladakhis people.
- Nights in Hotel, Guest House, Cave and Home stays
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Region : The Land of high Passes; Ladakh
Altitude : 4090 mts/13415 ft
Duration : 15 Days
Season : November - March
Grade : Moderate - Challenging
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
On arrival at Delhi airport meet our executive and transfer to pre booked hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 02 : Delhi - Leh (11,500 ft)
In the morning catch a flight for Leh. On arrival at Leh met our representative and transfer to hotel for rest. This is necessary for the acclimatisation. In the evening our expert will brief about the whole trip followed by welcome dinner. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 03 : Leh (the day is free to explore the local market)
Today we will explore the Leh local market. It is full of small lanes with hidden treasures – take the time to explore. Overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 04 : Leh Local sight seeing
In the morning after breakfast we will take a guided walking tour of Leh Palace, Victory Peak, the old quarter and offices (a local conservation organization). Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 05 : Leh – Phey – Hemis National Park (12400 ft)
In the morning after breakfast we will drive to Phey and from here our trek will start along the Indus River gorge, a dramatic entry to Hemis National Park. On arrival set out camp for overnight stay at the park. Dinner & overnight at tent.
Day 06 : Hemis National Park
In the morning after breakfast we will trek to viewing wildlife with our expert. The Hemis National Park is home to blue sheep, argali (a large horned sheep), numerous mountain and migratory birds, as well as an occasional Tibetan wolf. You are likely to see sign of snow leopard as winter is the time that they descend to lower elevations. Dinner and overnight in tent.
Day 07 to 12 : Wildlife Viewing, Visit Villages and Home stays
From day 06 to day 11 we will trek to nearby sites where snow leopard may have been sighted recently. Visit neighboring villages, and experience a home-stay. Home stay hosts have been trained in hospitality and are members of a community conservation effort to conserve the endangered snow leopard. At home stay you will feel the culture of the Ladakhi people.
Day 13 : Trek to Zingchen – Leh
In the morning after breakfast we will trek to Zingchan and from here drive to Leh. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 14 : Leh – Delhi
Early in the morning transfer to airport and from here catches a flight for Delhi. On arrival at Delhi transfer to hotel. The day is free. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 15 : Delhi Depart
Transfer to airport according to your flight schedule.
Trip & Services Ends Here
Visa
You Need to have Indian Visa for entry to India on your holiday. To apply for Indian Visa you have to contact your nearest Indian consulate or you can call on 09057570045 or visit http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/ for more information.
Indian Embassy in London
Address : Indian Embassy
India House, Aldwych,
London WC2B 4NA.
Tel: 020 7836 8484
Site URL : http://www.hcilondon.net/
Money
There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that visitors can bring.
Banks
Banks are open in the major cities & the nearest towns of the sanctuaries for transaction from 10.00 to 14.00 hrs on all days except Sunday.
Best time to visit
High season: October to April - Monsoon.
Travel wear
Cotton outfits, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion etc. Some woolen clothes require, during winter.
Credit cards
Main hotels, restaurants and shopping centers honor major credit cards.
Currency
Indian Rupee (INR)
Drugs
Heavy punishments including imprisonment are imposed for possession of narcotic drugs.
Food
All standard restaurants offer a variety of cuisines including Continental, Chinese, Indian & local.
Water
It is always better to drink bottled drinking water or drinking water from restaurants. It is not advisable to drink water from slow moving streams, lakes or dams. Mineral water is available in sealed bottles.
Trekking Equipment List:
- Trekking boots - well broken in and waterproofed
- Down jacket or equivalent with hood
- One heavy wool shirt or sweater, Two cotton shirts
- One pair cotton trousers or shorts, One pair woolen trousers
- One pair shorts or calf-length skirt for women
- Three pairs of regular underwear, Long underwear - thermal or wool
- Wind- and rain-gear with hood, Sun hat with brim
- Woolen hat or balaclava, Woolen gloves
- Woolen socks to wear with boots, Cotton socks
- Personal first-aid kit including medication for common ailments
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Sunglasses or snow goggles (an extra pair is recommended)
- Water bottle, preferably wide mouthed, with at least one liter capacity
- Pocket knife, Note book with pens and pencils
- Plastic bags - small size for books, film etc., larger bags for clothes, sleeping bags
- Well fitting strong shoes with a couple of woolen socks. The shoes should be used before treks to avoid blisters.
- First aid set for minor accidents and sickness.
- A raincoat is necessary to meet uncertainties of weather.
- Chocolates, lozenges, candies, glucose and dry fruits provide extra pep and energy.
- It is advisable not to exhaust energy by walking fast, as otherwise the trek will be not enjoyable.
Private Departures
Did you know that we can also arrange private departures on the vast majority of our small group tours? So if you can’t find a date to suit you or if you want to have your very own adventure just with your friends or family then we can help you.
Private departures will follow the same itineraries as our usual group tours, but on a date to suit you, with no minimum numbers.
Customised Private Groups
For a group of 6 or more people we can organise a customised private group tour where we design the itinerary and activities especially for you, according to your requirements.
To enquire about booking a private departure of this tour or about organising your own private group tour, please fill in the form below and our Private Tours Team will be in touch shortly.
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Chadar trekking was a fantastic experience and adventure...
Until the 15th I only saw one tourist, but after 15th more people showed up.
The guide Lama looked behind every time danger was near for me or for my equipment.
At one point he even risked his own safety by when he jumped to hold me from sliding down from a high frozen waterfall into the Zanskar river.
