LADAK A LITTLE TIBET
LADAK A LITTLE TIBET
Click to Enlarge

LADAK A LITTLE TIBET

Time less land’ and ‘the last Sangri- la’ are names which have been applied to Ladakh,both with a degree of truth. Ladakh is a high- altitude plateau North of the Himalayas situated geographically in Tibet. It’s a miniature version of Tibet, the people are Tibetan in their culture and religion, and there are many Tibetan refugees living there.
The Himalayas are a very effective barrier to rain – few clouds creep across their awesome height and as a result Ladakh is barren beyond belief. Only where rivers, running from faraway glaciers or melting snow, carry water to habitation do you find plant life – hence the moonland label, Ladakh is as dry as the Sahara.
Ladakh - 'Little Tibet" Ladakh could well be a last Shangri-la, in the mid-70s Ladakh was opened to outside visitors. Its strategic isolation is matched by its physical isolation – only from June to September are the roads into Ladakh from Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh not covered by snow although nowadays there are airline flights into Ladakh. The flight is one of the most spectacular in the world.
Ladakh is well worth the effort involved in getting there. It’s an otherworldly place – strange Gompas perched on soaring hilltops, ancient buildings clinging to sheer rock walls, and shattered – looking Landscapes splashed with small but brilliant patches of green. But most of all there are the delightful Ladakhis, friendly as only Tibetan people can be and immensely colorful.
At Kargil, on the Srinagar to Leh road, the Islamic influence diminishes and the region becomes predominantly Buddhist. The people follow Tibetan Tantric Buddhism which places much emphasis on magic and demons. All around Ladakh are Gompas, the Buddhist monasteries which are always fascinating to visit.
Permits: Three regions of Ladakh were opened to foreigners in 1994. They are: the Dahanu area, North of the Kargil to Leh road at Kahlsi; the Nubra Valley; and Pangong Tso ( Lake Pangong). For all of these places you have to be officially part of the group of four people with permits are issued at the police station in leh.
 
Program Outline:
Trekking Days -› (0)
Total Days -› (28)
Min. Altitude -› (0m./0ft.)
Max. Altitude -› (5100m./16732ft.)
Walking Per Day -› hrs
Route Nature -› Lodge + Camping [TH or FOT]
Difficulty -› Medium
 
Program Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Delhi, pick up and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Delhi  full day sightseeing of Old and New Delhi.
Day 03: Delhi  Manali drive. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Manali to Darch drive (160 km). Overnight at camp.
Day 05: Commence trek Darcha to Pal Lhamo (5 hrs. trek). 
Day 06: Pal Lhamo - Ramjak (6 hrs. trek). 
Day 07: Ramjak - Chumik Nakpo (4 hrs. trek). 
Day 08: Chumik Nakpo - Lhakang (over Shinkul la - 5100 m/7 hrs. trek). 
Day 09: Lhakang - Kargiak (6 hrs. trek). 
Day 10: Kargiak - Purne (3820 m/ 8 hrs. trek). 
Day 11: Purne - Phuktal Gompa - Purne (3 hrs. trek). 
Day 12: Purne - Ichar (5 hrs trek).
Day 13: Ichar - Mune (3760 m/ 6 hrs. trek) 
Day 14: Mune - Padum (3610 m/ 6 hrs. trek). 
Day 15: Padum - Karsha (3600 m/ 3 hrs. trek)  
Day 16: Karsha - Pishu (3470 m/ 5 hrs trek). 
Day 17: Pishu - Hanumur (3380 m/ 5 hrs trek).
Day 18: Hanumur - Purfi la (3950 m) - Nyertse (3850 m / 6 hrs. trek)
Day 19: Nyertse - Hanuma La (4950 m) - Lingshet (4000 m / 6 hrs. trek)
Day 20: Day free in Lingshet for rest. Overnight at camp.
Day 21: Lingshet - Camp before Singge La (4550 m/ 6 hrs). 
Day 22: Camp before Singge La (5050 m) - Photoksar (4200 m / 6 hrs. trek)   
Day 23: Photoksar - Sirsir La (4850 m) - Hanupatta (3760 m / 6 hrs. trek) 
Day 24: Hanupatta - Wanla (3250/ 5 hrs trek). 
Day 25: Wanla - Lamayuru (3420 m/ 5 hrs trek)  drive to Leh (4hrs.) 
Day 26: Day at leisure in Leh.
Day 27: Morning transfer to KBR airport in Leh for flight to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel.
Day 28: Delhi departure (1200 noon checkout) Departure transfer to International airport. End of  tour.
Note: There are many other short and long trekking possibilities in Himanchal Pradesh, Ladakh and Zanskar regions