Scenic Himalayas Soft Trek

Dates of travel: 18th June – 1st July 2009
Price: $2025 (Final chance to signup: 8th May 2009!!!)
Deposit: S$300
Bring a friend along to enjoy S$10 discount each!
Contact Suling @ 96364342 or trips.mir@gmail.com
*Note that price quoted is subject to change due to airfare or any unforeseen circumsatances
*Promo price only for students. There is an additional $100 charge for non-students

-Moderately Challenging: do not need participants to have any prior experience but encouraged to have basic level of fitness
-You're strongly encouraged to come for free “training excursions” for our participants!
- Will need some basic cold clothing due to cold nights

SOFT TREK AND LADAKH

Himalaya literally means "abode of Snow". From east to west, it can be divided as the Eastern Himalayas, the Central Himalayas and the Western Himalayas. From the south to the north it can be grouped into four parallel longitudinal mountain belts divided as the Shivalik Himalayas, the Lower Himalayas, the High Himalayas and the Trans Himalayas. The Shivalik Himalayas includes foothills below the altitude of 1200m. The Lower Himalayas includes all the valleys between 1200m to 3200m. The High Himalayas include all the mountain ranges with peaks and passes over 3200m. The Trans Himalayan region includes all the barren landscape beyond the High Himalayas and it is commonly called as the Tibetan Plateau, which is accessible by road from other parts of India only 4 months in a year.

You can experience the formation of Himalayas in this tour covering roughly around 800 km of Himalayan region. This tour first brings you to the Shivalik Himalayas between Kiratpur to Mandi. You will be visiting the Lower Himalayan hills along beautiful Beas river between Mandi (760m) to Manali (2000m.). Continue to the High Himalayas at Rohtang Pass (3978m.), Baralachala Pass (4890m.), Nikee La 5050m, Lochulangla Pass (5100m.) and Tanglangla Pass (5400m.). Soft treks along the way provide good opportunities to enjoy the nature beyond the limits of roads without compromising your comfort during the nights.

Day 01
ARRIVE DELHI – MANALI
Arrive at Delhi airport by Air India flight at 1325 hour. On arrival, you will transfer to the bus station to board a night bus to Manali that leaves at 1830 for an overnight journey. The bus would stop for dinner along the way.

Day 02
ARRIVE MANALI ( B )
Arrive at Manali around 1000 am. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to a hotel. You will then have a free day to relax or walk around the town.

Around Manali

Day 03
ACCLIMATIZATION TREK (BL)
After breakfast, there will be 4-5 hours of acclimatization trek to get use to walking in the Himalayas. There would be an afternoon walk about Manali to shop for some nice woolen socks, mufflers and woolen caps. You can also shop for some nice Kullu design woolen shawls and Kullu hats.

Day 04
MANALI - SOLANG (BLD)
There would be a trek for 4 hours to Solang which will pass through old Manali, Gushal, Shanag and Burua villages on the way. We will also visit the Manu temple along the way. O/N Guest House.

Solang Glacier

Solang Valley

Day 05
SOLANG – KHUBI THACH (BLD)

Trek through Solang Village to a camp above the village at Khubi Thach. Pack one set of clothes for the night. The rest of the heavy baggages will be left at the guest house. This trek provides excellent views of Dauladhar and Pir Panjal Ranges of the High Himalayas. Our camp would be located on nice ground with a water source nearby.

Day 06
KHUBI THACH – PATALSU PEAK – SOLANG (BLD)
This would be an eventful day for those who have never trekked to this height before and wish to achieve climbing to a height of 4470m. Three different trekking guides would be taking care of trekkers that have different paces. The stronger trekkers would be led by the lead guide, who will take his team to the peak. The people with a middle pace can attempt to reach the top, but only if time permits and everyone is able to keep up with the trekking guide’s pace. The last guide would stay with the remaining members of the team and anyone that wishes to join the group ahead of them can do so at any time.

Day 07
SOLANG – BEAS KUND – SOLANG (BLD)
Today, we trek along the Solang river towards Beas Kund. From here, you can see beautiful snow-capped peaks right after you start to walk towards Beas Kund from Dhundi. It is not a must for all the trekkers to trek to the Glacier and we turn back after walking into the valley for 2.30 hours. Those who can keep up with the fast pace can journey ahead to the maximum point towards the Glacier. The others can walk at a more leisurely pace and enjoy the beauty of the Beas Kund glacier from a distance. O/N Guest House.

Day 08
SOLANG – KEYLONG (BLD)
Trekkers would be driven to Marhi and they will trek from Marhi to Rohtang Pass (3978m). Rohtang Pass provides fantastic views of the neighboring Chandra Bhaga mountain range. Here, the landscape changes drastically from the lush green forests of the Kullu Valley to the stark, dry, high-altitude desert of the Himalayan ‘rain shadow’. We then continue our journey (by bus) to Keylong, the administrative capital of Lahul & Spiti district for the night.

At Marhi - Beas Nala - Between Manali - Keylong Route

Day 09
SHISHIR MONASTRY & KORA TREK (BLD)
We take a break from traveling to acclimate to the altitude. Here in Keylong, the Tibetan influence grows increasingly apparent with the presence of Buddhist monasteries (gompas). Trace the steps of the traditional route taken by pilgrims, beginning with an easy morning trek to Shishur Monastery, located just above Keylong, then continue to Kardang Monastery and cross the pass above the monastery, ending in Gondla and then a drive back to Keylong.

Day 10
KEYLONG - SARCHU (BLD)
Today we drive to Baralachala and trek around Baralachala Pass (4890m) for 2-3 hours to enjoy the spectacular views of peaks and passes around Baralachala. Three rivers: Chandra, Bhaga and Yanum originate here. After completion, we will drive for 2 hours to Sarchu. O/N Camp.

Sarchu Fixed Camp

Day 11
SARCHU - LEH (BL)
Drive to Leh, the capital of Ladakh. We will drive over two high passes Lochulangla and Tanglangla. Tanglangla is the second highest motor-able pass in the World. Tanglangla offers excellent sceneries of high mountains and peaks of Great Himalayas. After descending from the pass, we will enter in Ladakhi civilization at Ramse. O/N Hotel.

Day 12
LEH (B)
This will be a free day for your own activities and sightseeing. You can either visit Alchi to see 11th century frescoes and sculptures or you can enjoy river rafting in the Indus river.

Ladakh from Spituk Monastery

Day 13
LEH – STOK - HEMIS – LEH (B)
There will be a visit to the Stok Palace and museum before continuing on to Hemis monastery. It is one of the largest and most important monasteries with an excellent library with well-preserved wall paintings and Buddha figures.

Inside Hemis Monastery

Day 14
LEH – DELHI – FLY HOME
Transfer to the airport for our flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, we embark on a half day city tour of Delhi. The rest of the afternoon is free at leisure for last minute shopping for souvenirs. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight home.

Local produce: Rice and Fruits

Cost Includes:

1. Airport and bus station transfers.
2. Seats in overnight Volvo coach from Delhi to Manali.
3. Transport costs in chartered transport from Solang to Leh as per the itinerary.
4. Accommodation in guest houses with attached toilet with hotel as indicated in the itinerary with meal plan as mentioned in the itinerary.
5. One night stay at Fixed Camp at Sarchu with proper cots and bed with toilet facilities provided.
6. Trekking arrangement with one night trekking camp and rest of the nights in guest houses as proposed in itinerary above with all meals.
7. English speaking Indian Odyssey Manager from Delhi airport to Leh traveling with the group all the time.

Delicious Indian breakfast and snacks

Dine in luxury

Cost Excludes :

1. Basic Cold wear and trekking equipment
2. India Visa- required for all nationality except Indian
3. All expenses of personal nature like drinks, tips, telephone calls etc.
4. Medical and evacuation expenses. We strongly recommend you to purchase a suitable insurance cover.
5. Any other expenses paid due to any changes in itinerary.