The Zanskar River Rafting Expedition

Our "special" yearly feature drives through most of western Ladakh, monasteries, palaces, villages, hikes and travel to one of the most surreal places on the planet. The trip begins with a flight over the Himalayas into the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. We spend a couple of days in Leh town acclimatizing at 11,000 feet above sea level and visiting the ancient monasteries, palaces and villages around Leh. We then drive west of Leh past the town of Kargil and travel south into the valley of Zanskar, one of the coldest inhabited places on earth. Starting the trip on the Stod River, we begin our self contained multi-day river adventure down the spectacular and scenic Zanskar river gorge. The trip takes you down the extremely desolate, remote and sheer Zanskar gorge with walls rising a few thousand feet out of the river bed, culminating on the mighty Indus river, (which incidentally lends India its name). Undoubtedly a classic, this journey to the last truly lost horizon of our shrinking planet - Zanskar, the "land of white copper" is a trip of a lifetime.

• Famous Monastery of Ladakh & Confluences of Zanskar & Indus River, Snow clapped Peaks and many more.
• River rafting on the Zanskar River, cavernous gorges, spacious views, vibrant colors. Dazzling variation in mountain scenery
• Murmuring Waterfalls, Sandy Beaches & numerous species of birds, butter flies etc.
• Rare glimpses of an ancient culture of Ladakhi & Zanskari people.
• Possible sightings of some wildlife,
• Nights in Hotel, Guest House and Tents on sandy beaches.

You may also be interested in :

• Alaknanda Ganges River Rafting
• Brahmaputra River Rafting
• Karnali River Rafting

Region : Zanskar River of Ladakh
Style of Trek : Indian Leader
Altitude : High Altitude
Duration : 13 Days
Season : End of July to Mid September
Grade : Grade III – Grade + IV
Minimum : 4 clients plus Indian Leader

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi

Upon arrival at Delhi airport met our representative and then transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 02 : Delhi - Leh (3466 mts/11370 ft)

In the morning take a flight for Leh. Upon arrival at Leh met our representative and then transfer to hotel. Take a complete rest and acclimatise. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 03 : Leh (full day sight seeing at Leh)

In the morning take a full day guided sight seeing at Leh covering Shey, Thiksey and Hemis Monastery. Evening back to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 04 : Leh – Kargil (3201 mts/10500 ft) drive/9 - 10 hrs

We drive from Leh to Mulbek - Kargil, through a spectacular moonscape. We drive over the Fotu La (14,000 ft), a high mountain pass and exit the Indus valley. Enroute, we do a photo stop above the Lamayuru monastery belonging to the 'Red Hat' sect. Overnight stay at Kargil.

Day 05 : Kargil - Rangdum (12000 ft) drive

A spectacular drive past Panikhar and Parkachik, with magnificent views of the Nun and Kun massifs (7000 meters), hanging glaciers and large meadows. We drive till Rangdum Gompa (12,000 ft).Camp overnight.

Day 06 : Rangdum – Ramela (3635 mts/11925ft) drive/6 hrs

We drive to Ramela, which is the starting point for the rafting trip on the Stod River, a tributary of the Zanskar River. We drive over the Pensi La (14,500 ft), which enables grand views of the Zanskar peaks at the bottom of which is the Drung Durung glacier that feeds the Zanskar River, 40 km below, into which we flow trip the next day. Overnight tented camp.

Day 07 : Rafting expedition begins at Ramela

Raft till near Karsha Gompa, near Padum. (3496m; 11,466ft; 4 hrs) We raft 30 km in 4-5 hrs which includes a break for lunch and hot beverages. We are surrounded by 6000 meter high peaks. River section today includes a Class II section, a good introduction for first timers as well as to the river in general. Settle into camp by afternoon, we can take an optional hike to Karsha Gompa.

Day 08 : Ramela – Karsha

After a late morning start, we raft from Karsha up to Honyo / Pidmo (3361m; 11,025 ft; 3 hrs). This stretch is approximately 25 km with Class II and III rapids. Another easy day to get used to the river, the altitude and hone our paddling skills.

Day 09 : Karsha - Nyarak

After packing camp, we raft 25 km to Nyarak (3286m ; 10,780ft ; 3 hrs) a Class III section. The gorge narrows in on the river - this indeed is a Grand Canyon in its own right. We stop for the day to pitch camp in a gorge below Nyarak village.

Day 10 : Nyarak

Rest day at Nyarak. Take a hike to Nyarak village or relax under the cool shade of the willows at our Campsite. Wash up at the campsite stream and enjoy the day off.

Day 11 : Nyarak - Lama Guru

Today’s 35 km rafting section takes us from Nyarak to Lama Guru (3190m; 10,465ft; 5-6 hrs including scout and lunch) through the core of the Zanskar A classic white water day with continuous Class III rapids, and a few Class IV rapid where the river squeezes between a gaps of about 18ft. We stop for lunch near a huge waterfall and continue to camp at the confluence of Markha river with the Zanskar. Rock formations, spires and an amazing palette of colours add to the trip today. Camp.

Day 12 : Lama Guru - Nimu

We raft 40 kms of Class III/IV white water from Lama Guru to Nimu (3154m; 10,345 ft; 3-4 hrs) today. We raft past the village of Chilling and exciting rapids as the Zanskar plunges out of the canyon to meet with the Indus at Nimu. We end our trip at the confluence of the Zanskar with the Indus. Drive an hour back to Leh. Last minute retail therapy and a hot shower! Overnight at Leh hotel.

Day 13 : Leh - Delhi

In the morning take a flight for Delhi. On arrival at Delhi transfer to International airport to catch onwards flight.

Trip & Services Ends Here

Cost Includes :

• Accommodation : Hotel in Delhi and Leh on breakfast basis. While on River accommodation we will provide on Dome/Alpine tents on twin sharing basis. Sleeping bag, Camping mattresses, camping stool etc would be provided.
• Transport : Toyota Qualis/Jeep from Leh airport to rafting point and back also all sight seeing at Leh. Airport transfer at Delhi and Leh.
• Meals : Breakfast at Delhi & Leh. While on river all meal will be provided. All meals will be freshly prepared and will be a mix of Indian, Chinese & Continental.
• Complete rafting gear (raft, safety Kayak, dry bag, first aid etc).
• Professional river rafting Guide, who knows the river very well.
• Camping Charges

Cost does not includes :

• Air fare
• Enroute meal
• Any charges for carrying still/video cameras etc.
• Alcohol, soft drinks, bottled water, beverages, etc.
• Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
• Any meals/services not mentioned above
• Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, road blocks, bad weather, etc.
• Travel insurance

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.

Please Bring :

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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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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