We have reached the maximum participant limit for the trip. Registration is closed, but do check out our other exciting trips to Mt Rinjani and Mauritius!
14 day Himalayas Soft Trek (28th May - 10 June 2010)Have the only mountains you’ve seen lately been stacks of readings or molehills formed by paper you crumpled? Or the last time you climbed really hard was a few weary steps up a lecture theatre? We’ve got the remedy for that monotony. Or anyway, adventure trekking in the historically and culturally rich Himalayas.
Himalayas? What’s that? Is that a country?!The Himalayas is a mountain range that separates India from the Tibetan Plateau. It's a land of yaks and yetis, stupas and Sherpas, and some of the best trekking on earth, according to Lonely Planet.
The Himalayas is an extended area; we’ll cover 800 km of it. We’ll first head to the Shivalik Himalayas between Kiratpur to Mandi, then the Lower Himalayan hills along beautiful Beas river between Mandi (760m) to Manali (2000m), then the High Himalayas at Rohtang Pass (3978m), Baralachala Pass (4890m), Nikee La (5050m), Lochulangla Pass (5100m) and Tanglangla Pass (5400m).
Er. Ok! Won’t that be really tiring?!?! I’m already so tired from mugging! It’s an adventure trek, but also a ‘soft trek’. We’ll go at a reasonable pace so that we’ll be able to really take in the rugged beauty of glaciers, salt lakes and Beas Kund Glacier, a lake at the base of 6 peaks.
There will also be ancient birch tree forests, Tibet-influenced monasteries (gompas), a salt lake, rivers and even desert. Oh, and a lot of snow to make snowmen with.
Which is why Himalayas is Sanskrit for ‘abode of snow’.
You can also opt to switch to an easier path after discussing with our local guide.
About Himalayas: 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 south to 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.
About the Journey: You can experience the formation of Himalayas in this tour covering roughly around 1250 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.), Namikala Pass (3737 m), Fotula Pass (4294 m) and Zojila Pass (3529 m). Soft treks along the way provides good opportunities to enjoy the nature and beyond the limits of roads without compromising your comfort during the nights. You can choose to complete the planned trek or opt to change the itinerary for the day by diverting to easier path after discussing your Odyssey Manager.
About Himachal: Himachal is essentially a mountain state, which literally means “In the Lap of Snow”, set amidst the high mountain ranges of Dauladhar, Pir Panjal and the Great Himalayas. Himachal is blessed with some of the most spectacular landscapes with mighty snow peaks, deep gorges, lush green valleys, flower filled meadows, misty woods, fast flowing icy rivers, glaciers, enchanting lakes and part of the Tibetan Plateau. It is located in the transition zone from the plains to the Shivalik Himalayas to the Lower Himalayas to the High Himalayas and then to the Trans Himalayas.
About Kullu-Manali Valley: Blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, Kullu-Manali valley is rightly celebrated as the valley of Gods. Nestled between High Himalayan ranges of Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal with some of the peaks rising over 6500m, about 80 km long, this lush green valley extends from the gorge at Aut (1000m) to starting point of Beas River at Rohtang Pass (3978m), draining melting water from all the glaciers located all around the valley. It harbours evergreen forest, alpine meadows, beautiful rivers and orchard laden with fruits. Manali at an altitude of 2000m is the start point for all sorts of adventure expeditions over the High Himalayas to the Trans Himalayan region.
About Ladakh: “More Tibetan than Tibet”, “Moonland”, “the Last Shangrila” are all romantic names given to Ladakh. With its stunning barren rugged terrain and untouched Tibetan culture, it is certainly a beautiful place – befitted all the above & much more. The height of these ranges of the Western Himalayas prevents rain clouds from crossing into Ladakh and as a result, Ladakh receives only about 2 inches (5cm) of rain per year. The aridity of the area is immediately apparent to the visitor, with long vistas of stark mountains and valleys with only a few oases of green.
Partially opened to visitors in 1974, Ladakh still retains its air of mystery which unerringly draws all those in search of the unknown, be it the serious scholar or the lover of adventure. A high, arid plateau with some of its mountain peaks rising to over 7000m, the wild grandeur of the land contrasts dramatically with its cheerful and warm-hearted people, the two combining to create a unique geographical, historical and cultural entity which fascinates the most casual visitor. It is ideal country, with its intricate network of trails threading through the mountains. Ladakh was at the center of the great trade routes across Central Asia, when journeys lasting up to two or three years were not uncommon. Here are some quick facts:
About Srinagar: Set like a jewelled crown on the map of India, Kashmir is a multi-faceted diamond, changing its hues with the seasons - always extravagantly beautiful. Two major Himalayan ranges, the Great Himalayan Range and the Pir Panjal, surround the landscape from the north and south respectively. They are the source of great rivers, which flow down into the valleys, forested with orchards and decorated by lily-laden lakes.
ITINERARY
May 28 ARRIVE DELHI – MANALI
Arrive Delhi airport by Air India flight at 1325 hour. On arrival transfer to bus station to board on night bus to Manali leaving 1830 hour for overnight journey. Bus would stop for dinner along the way.
May 29 ARRIVE MANALI ( B )
Arrive Manali around 1000 am. On arrival transfer to Hotel. Free day to relax or walk around the town.
May 30 MANALI - SOLANG (BLD)
After breakfast trek 4 hour to Solang passing through old Manali, Gushal, Shanag and Burua villages on the way. We will also visit Manu temple on the way. Manali is named after Manu Temple, which was traditionally called as Manu-Alaya which means "House of Manu". So later it was pronounced as Manali. According to Hindu mythology, human and nature have cycle of development and when it reaches its peak it is destroyed by some natural calamity and only very few people survive in this cycle. In the last destruction of the world, Manu was leader of the people who survived and he started the world from Manali. O/N Guest House.
May 31 SOLANG – BAKAR THACH (BLD) Today we walk along the Solang river toward Beas Kund Glacier. Beas Kund Glacier is located at the base of number of peaks above 5000m offering great opportunity to experienced climbers and to the novice who wish to learn the techniques of mountain climbing
June 01 BAKAR THACH – SOLANG GLACIER – BAKAR THACH (BLD) Bakar Thach is full of Bhoj Patra (Brich) Trees. Before the invention of paper by Chinese, the bark of birch tree was used as paper and some of ancient holy books of Hindus like Ramalyana and Mahabharata were originally written on the bark of birch tree (Bhoj Patra). The trekkers can also collect some of natural papers from the forest. We will walk here to enjoy the beauty of Beas Kund Lake at the base of number of peaks above 5000m, which we view on the day we climb Patalsu Peak.
June 02 BAKAR THACH – SOLANG - MANALI (BLD)
Today we trek along the Solang river back to Solang and enjoy different scenery as when we walk towards the lake we will see high peaks and on our way back we view more greenery coming to us and the mountain are less higher. A transport will be waiting for you to drive back to Manali. On arrival, transfer to Hotel.
June 03 MANALI – KEYLONG (BLD)
Early morning drive 2 hours to Marhi and trek from Marhi to Rohtang Pass (3978m) and your vehicle would take the longer route by road and meet you on top of the pass. 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 walk another further down and meet our bus at designated location and continue our journey to Keylong, the administrative capital of Lahul & Spiti district for the night.
June 04 SHISHIR MONASTRY & KORA TREK (BLD) We take a break from traveling to acclimate to the altitude, hoping to avoid altitude sickness as the road winds ever higher. 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 drive back to Keylong.
June 05 KEYLONG – TSOKAR LAKE (BLD)
Today we drive 2.30 hours to Baralachala and trek around Baralachala Pass (4890m) for one hour to enjoy the spectacular views of Baralachala and peaks and passes around Baralachala. Three rivers viz. Chandra, Bhaga and Yanum originates here. After completion we will drive 4-5 hours to Tsokar Lake. known as “white lake” due to its high concentration of salt deposit around the lake
Tonight, we camp out next to the lake which is also frequented by a variety of birds, including bar-headed goose, the great crested grebe, the brahmin duck and the brown headed gull. Sunset and sunrise over the lake is magnificent.
June 06 TSOKAR LAKE - LEH (BL)
Early morning, walk around lake till 1200 noon. After lunch drive 4 hours 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 good scenery of high mountains and peaks of Great Himalayas. After descending from the pass, we will enter in Ladakhi civilization at Ramse. O/N Hotel.
June 07
LEH (B)
Free day for own activities and sightseeing. You can either visit Alchi to see 11th century frescoes and sculptures or you can enjoy river rafting in Indus river.
June 08 LEH – KARGIL (B)
After breakfast drive 234 km to Kargil our first stop will be Alchi – the 11th century by the great Translator, Rinchen Zangpo. He even made a reference about the monastery in his biographies. It is written that he brought thirty-two sculptors and wood carvers from Kashmir, for the construction of the Alchi Monastery of Leh Ladakh. On completion drive to Lamayuru and visit one of the most significant gompa set amidst majestic scenery. Continuing our journey, we are rewarded with spectacular views of the Karakoram mountain ranges as we drive over Namikala Pass (3737 m) and Fotula Pass (4294 m) – the highest point on the Srinagar / Leh road. Over night hotel.
June 09 KARGIL – SRINAGAR
After breakfast we take a breathtaking drive to Srinagar via Zojila Pass (3529 m) which marks the boundary line between Kashmir and Ladakh. Here, dense green forest clad slopes give way to bare multi-colored mountains of stark beauty. Drive through Drass Town en route, the second coldest inhabitant place in the world to Srinagar stopping at Sonamarg on the way. On arrival transfer to houseboat
June 10 SRINAGAR – DELHI – FLY HOME
Morning Sikara Ride in Dal Lake. In time transfer to the airport for our flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, we drive around Delhi for last minute shopping for souvenirs. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight home.
Nice right?
Make it HappenWe’ll be there from 28 May to 10 June 2010. The early bird price is $1975, with $10 off each when you sign up with a friend.
Meals Included: 13 Breakfast, 9 packed / hot Lunch depending on location and availability and 7 Hot Dinners at Hotels, Restaurants and Camps.
Packed Lunch include, one fresh cooked item or sandwiches with fruits, biscuits, boiled egg and a packet drink.
Extra Cost:
Day use room at Delhi if needed: S$ 10/- per pax extra on twin sharing in guest house with attach toilet.
Cost Includes:
- Airport and bus station transfers.
- Seats in overnight Volvo coach from Delhi to Manali.
- Transport costs in chartered transport from Manali to Srinagar as per the itinerary.
- Accommodation in guest houses with attached toilet with hotel as indicated in the itinerary with meal plan as mentioned in the itinerary.
- One night stay at Fixed Camp at Sarchu with proper cots and bed with toilet facilities provided.
- Trekking arrangement with one night trekking camp and rest of the nights in guest houses as proposed in itinerary above with all meals.
- English speaking Indian Odyssey Manager from Delhi airport to Srinagar traveling with the group all the time.
Cost Excludes :
- All expenses of personal nature like drinks, tips, telephone calls etc.
- Any other expenses paid due to any change in itinerary.
- Insurance, medical and evacuation expenses if any.
.jpg)
