enquire nowDarcha to Zanskar Trek - 15 days / 14 nights

About The Trek:   A 15 days/ 14 nights tour involving 09 days of high altitude trekking. The tour starts at Manali where we make an acclimatization walk and then travel on to the starting point of the challenging trek enroute visiting some villages in Lahaul valley. This trek has a well deserved reputation of being one of the most challenging and rewarding trek in all. It involves crossing high passes and descending steeply back down to river valleys before climbing yet another pass enroute visiting some monasteries and villages around. The adventurous find it irresistible since it captures the essence of the Himalayas. The serenity and spiritual solace are an experience of a life time. The trek ends at Padum which is the old capital of Zanskar.

Duration of Tour: 15 days/ 14 nights
Duration of Trek: 09 days/ 08 nights
Best Time: Mid June to End Sep
Highest Point: Shingo La 5100 m
Highlight: Zanskar Region, Monasteries & Landscape
Physical Challenge: Challenging overall.

Day Wise Trek Description:

Day 01: Manali - Darcha ( 146 kms / 9 hrs )
Travel from Manali to Darcha by jeep over the Rohtang Pass (3980 m) enroute visiting several villages in Lahaul valley like Sissu, Gondla etc to Keylong from where we visit to Khardong village and monastery. Continue further to Darcha (3360 m) enroute visiting Jispa. On arrival set up camp. Overnight in tents.

Day 02: Darcha - Plano ( 5 hrs trek )
Straight forward waking to pleasant campsite at 3700 m. View an amazing gorge enroute. On arrival set up camp. Overnight in tents.

Day 03: Palano - Zanskar Sumdo ( 5 hrs trek )
Again very little climbing but a lot of scrambling over rocks and a river crossing near the campsite at 3900 m. On arrival set up camp. Overnight in tents.

Day 04: Zanskar Sumdo - Chumik Nakpo ( 5 hrs trek )
After the cattle trolly there a steep climb for half an hour and then a steady climb for the rest of the day to camp at 4500 m. Overnight in tents.

Day 05: Chumik Nakpo - Shingo La - Lakong ( 7 hrs trek )
An eventful day for those who have never climbed to this height (5100 m). Walk over the glacier and descend to a good campsite (4400 m). On arrival set up camp. Overnight in tents.

Day 06: Lakong - Kargyak ( 5 hrs trek )
Easy walking along this beautiful valley past Mount Gumbarajon to the first village of the Zanskar region (4000 m). On arrival set up camp. Overnight in tents.

Day 07: Kargyak - Zamthang ( 6 hrs trek )
Now you are walking through the Buddhist region passing quaint villages (camp at 3400 m). On arrival set up camp. Overnight in tents.

Day 08: Zamthang – Phuktal - Zamthang ( 4 hrs trek )
This is a free day to see the incredible monastery situated in a cave. Crossing a hanging rope bridge is an unforgettable experience (3400 m). On arrival set up camp. Overnight in tents.

Day 09: Zamthang - Bipul ( 4 hrs trek )
Easy walking along the river Tsarap (Camp at 3650 m). On arrival set up camp. Overnight in tents.

Day 10: Bipul - Baruk ( 4 hrs trek )
A steep half hour climb and then a gentle down hill walk to Baruk (camp at 3680 m). On arrival set up camp. Overnight in tents.

Day 11: Baruk - Padam ( 5 hrs trek )
Trek to Padam (3560 m) enroute visiting Burdan Gompa which is one of the oldest in the region. Padam is the sub-divisional headquarters of Kargil. Overnight in tents/hotel.  

Day 12: In Padum
After breakfast a trip to the nearby village of Sani and saini monastery (with local guide), which was one of the holiest places of Buddhists in Zanskar is among the pilgrims. Evening free to explore surroundings. Overnight in Guest house  

Day 13: Drive Padum / Rangdum ( 120 kms / 8-9 hrs )
Today, we take leave of Padum and drive over the pass Pensi (4400 m) back north to Rangdum, On arrival Check in at Camp. Overnight at Camp

Day 14: Drive Rangdum / Kargil ( 160 kms / 6-7 hrs )
Travel by surface from Rangdum to Kargil enroute viewing Nun 7135 mts and Kun 7077 mts peaks and Darang – Durung glacier. On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel

Day 15: Kargil / Leh drop ( 236 kms / 8 hrs )
After early Breakfast drive to Leh enroute visiting Likir Monastery and Basgo Palace. Trek ends in Leh.

(Per Person Cost) : -Rates  valid till 31st March 2014

INCLUSIONS

• Accommodation in alpine tents while camping (trekking style camping)
• All three meals - breakfast & dinner would be hot and lunches would be packed
• Meals starts with packed lunch on day 01 of trekking till packed lunch on last day of the trek
• Services of an experienced trekking route guide (from 4 pax onwards)
• Cook & attendant during the trekking
• Insulation mats & Sleeping bags  
• Dinning tent (from 4 pax onwards)
• Kitchen tent fitted with kitchen equipment
• Ponies during trekking to carry baggage, food material, camping equipment
• Entrances to places of visit, camping fee
• All transfers  (to the trek starting point & pick up from trek end point by non AC jeeps)
• Presently applicable taxes
• Accommodation would be provided in Moving camp in a moving camp we provide accommodation in alpine tents (trekking tents) and carry all equipment like kitchen tent, dinning tent, cook, kitchen equipment & ration etc on pones or porters (guest would have to carry their own day bags)

Hotels Included
Padum  Hotel Ibex or similar (basic neat & clean guest house)
Rangdum Rangdum camps (camps with common toilets)
Kargil Siachen or similar (basic best available)
** Incase of 2 -3 pax, cook would work as route guide and dinning arrangements would be made in kitchen tent only

EXCLUSIONS

• Any airfare / Bus fare / train fare or airport tax
• Any hotel in Manali
• Any transportation to reach Manali, local sight seeing  or departure
• Meals other then mentioned
• Sleeping bags, Trekking Shoes and clothing
• Any kind of insurance, Medical evacuation charges
• Travel insurance, repatriation charges, Damages/ claims of any nature, Expenses of personal nature like telephone calls, Laundry, Any kind of hard or soft drinks, Any kind of personal clothing, Any other expense not mentioned in the cost include column

 IMPORTANT NOTE:

• Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/ stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control
• We will provide basic equipment like ropes for safety, ice axe, harnesses, ascenders and descanters but one has to bring his/her own good quality Shoes, Sleeping bags, and crampons.
• Incase of 2 -3 pax, cook would work as route guide and dinning arrangements would be made in kitchen tent only
• Services subject to advance payments
• At times due to road blockade or landslide we may to alter the itinerary at the last moment or the day of journey also. In such a case any extra running of vehicle or expenses incurred in operating the changed tour, extra cost would have to be paid by the guest.
• Trekking & high altitude travel are adventure activities and the rates donot cover any insurance, risk cover, damages, claims etc. A person coming on adventure tour has to be covered for adventure travel & activities apart from normal travel insurance. We would not be liable in any case for any mishap/ loss etc 
• A person should be covered under travel insurance and the insurance should also include adventure travel and repatriation by a helicopter. Our transfer rates donot include any travel insurance/ repatriation charges/ damages/ claims etc incase of any eventuality 
• Our rates donot include any travel insurance/ repatriation charges/ damages/ claims etc incase of any eventuality 
• To reduce the risk of altitude sickness you should: drink enough liquids (check your urine periodically to make sure it is pale in color, dark yellow urine indicates that you are getting dehydrated), eat light (low fat food high in carbohydrates), and rest (take it easy and relax). Alcoholic drinks may not help during the acclimatization process
• Our first add box normally contains – normal drugs for regular use like pain killers, Diamox, ORS powder, Bandages, ointment for cuts and wounds, antiseptics like Detol or Savolon etc. But normally foreign guest carry their own medicines and we also avoid suggesting anything in this regard. Carrying  Diamox is always advisable (this is for high altitude, oxygen deficiency and mild high altitude sickness)
• We suggest guest to consult doctor and have a thorough physical checkup before undertaking a trek.
• For any helicopter rescue operations, normally the expenditure for these operations is paid by the insurance companies if the guest is insured.  But Guest taking this adventure tour must be covered under travel insurance and the insurance should also include adventure travel and repatriation by a helicopter.
• Incase guest doesn’t have any risk insurance for adventure travel and repatriation by a helicopter charges, then in such a case of emergency we would want a written guarantee from the foreign office and the guest’s travel agent that in such a case all the expenses incurred in rescue operation, extra cost immediately would have to be paid by the guest / foreign office or guest’s travel agent in advance or as soon as the operation is over as per requirement of helicopter company or Army

TERMS & CONDITIONS

• The client should make the reservation with the company along with 50% of tour cost as booking deposit. The balance amount has to be paid one month prior to the departure of the trek/ safari/ tour.
• The booking form should be completed filled, signed and returned to the Company before starting any kind of adventure activity.
• If the client is forced to cancel the booking prior to departure, the cancellation policy will be followed.
• Once the tour starts and is cancelled due to any reason beyond our control, the Company reserves the right for the payment of refunds to the client and will be on Company's discretion.
• In case of any delay beyond our control, the client will have to bear extra cost for the extra days as per the option chosen on per day basis.
• In case the strength falls below the stipulated group strength or the Client can travel as individual travelers, then a different rate i.e. not group rate would be applicable
• Company reserves the rights to decline to reserve any person or persons as client for any trek without assigning any reason whatsoever

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