Adventure || Trekking || River Rafting || Mountain Climbing

Adventure

Ladakh offers great scope for undertaking adventure activities amidst landscapes of breathtaking, rugged beauty. The most popular and best established among these are trekking, mountaineering and river rafting.



Trekking

Trekking possibilities include short, day -long walks up and down mountain slopes to visit isolated villages or monastic settlements, or across a ridge to enjoy the sheer beauty of the lunar mountainscape. Or long , transmountain treks involving weeks of walking and camping in the wilderness.
For example , the trek from lamayuru in the Indus Valley to Darcha in Lahoul across Zanskar takes nearly three weeks. Most of the established routes traverse the Zanskar range which separates the Indus Valley from Zanskar. The 10 day Markha Valley trek , The 11 day Lamayuru -Padum traverse and the Stok-Khangri round trek are the more popular ones among the numerous options available in this convoluted mountain mass. In recent years, parts of the Ladakh rage between the Indus and Shayok Valleys hae also become available for trekking. The traditional trekking season extends from early June to Mid October. But localised treks within the Indus valley can be undertaken even in May. On the other hand, some routes are suitable only for late autumn as during the summer, the bed of narrow valleys through which the treks lie become turbulent streams, as in these case of the 13day Hemis -Markha -Padum trek. The winter access to the Zanskar Valley is actually along the frozen surface of the Zanskar river. This route , known as Chaddar, calls for elaborate arrangements, but it is perhaps the most exciting trek in the world.

Depending on the time and budget you can afford , ask the Tourist offices at Leh , Kargil or Padum to design a trekking programme for you

For trekking in Ladakh to be a rewarding experience, it is not enough to be physically fit; intending trekkers must also be prepared to face the rigors of back country travel. There are considerable fluctuations in day and night temperatures even during the height of summer. While the days are pretty worm, even hot, due to the desert effect of the barren landscape, evenings can become chilly, requiring additional clothing. It is, therefore, advisable to keep a pulloverand/ or an anork handy. A sturdy pair of walking shoes with strong rubber or synthetic soles for grip, thick cotton socks (wollen for autumn treks or glacier walks) and a good sleeping bag together with an insulated ground pad are essential gear for going on a trek even if you may be passing through inhabited areas with the possibility of acommodation in village homes or monasteries. In case of extended treks across mountain passes additional requirements could include a balaclava, wollen undergarments, wind parkas, etc. Toiletries and first aid kits should include lipsalve, moisturisers and suncream, water purifying tabllets, medicines for high altitude sickness, etc. A good quality water canteen is a must to carry the drinking water so essential during high altitude trekking in arid conditions. Do not forget to carry a flashlight with sufficient spare batteries, a sun hat and a paid of good quality sunglasses with sufficient filter factor to check the sun's brightness and ultraviolet rays.

The J&K Tourism department maintains trekking equipment hire shops in its srinagar , leh and Kargil offices. Imported items like two Man tents , insulated ground sheets, sleeping bags, insulted jackets, trekking shoes and rucksacks are available at these shops at reasonable charges fixed by the Government. Some private establishments and trekking agencies in Leh also provide similar trekking gear on hire.

River Rafting

A range of rafting options is available on the Indus and its major tributaries. The best stretch for professionally guided runs in white water is on the Indus between Spituk and Saspol. Beyond Saspol, the river becomes difficult and running it requires technically skilled participants and careful organisation. Upward of Spituk, the Indus has the easiest strech up to Karu, ideal for basic training and for day return scenic floating for amateurs. In recent years, running the Indus has become an attractive alternative to trekking and features on the itinerary of most visitors.

The most difficult but exciting option for river running is on the Zanskar along its spectacular course through the gorge in the Zanskar mountains, between padum and Nimo. This is suitable only for well organized white water expeditions, prepared for several days of river running and camping in absolute wilderness. Participants are required to be trained rafters themselves while the arrangements should be assigned to a dependable professional agency. Adequate arrangements for rescue coverage is an essential pre requisite for embrking upon a white water expedition on a river like the zanskar

Mountain Climbing

The area most frequented by foreign climbers is the Nun -Kun Massif in the Great Himalayan Range. Its easy accessibility from the Kargil -Padum road and the shortest possible approach march to the base camps makes this massif the most attractive climbing destination in the Great Himalaya, necessitating advance booking years ahead. Among its six known peaks accessible from the Suru Valley, Nun ( 7135 M) and Kun (7077 m) are the highest summits.

The area nearest to Leh is the Stok -Khangri Massif in the Zanskar mountains , south of Leh. The base camp for the various peaks of this massif is about two days trek from the village of Stok. Among its known peaks , Stok Khangri ( 6,150m) is the highest ; it offers a spectacular perspective to the central expanse of the Indus Valley which it dominates. Other peaks in the area iclude Gulp Khangri ( 5900m) , Matho West (5950m) and Kantaka (5275 m ). The much higher Konglacha Peak ( 6,700 M ) lies south -west of Leh and is reached via Rumbak on the first leg of the Markha Valley trek from Stok. Many unnamed peaks in the altitude range of 5,500 m and 6400 m are also available for climbing in the same region. This entire area falls well outside the Inner Line, or restricted area.

North of Leh , across the Ladakh Range and the Nubra Valley, lies the Karakoram range. It soars to a number of known peaks which are, however, within the restricted area and so not freely accessibleto foreign climbers except with special permission from the Government of India. The most prominent summits in this range which are accessible from various parts of the Nubra Valley include, Saser-I ( 7415 M), Saser -II ( 7,513 M) and Saser III ( 7495 m).

The climbing season extends from mid May to mid October, the ideal period being from June to September because during this time only Ladakh remains unaffected by the monsoon which holds sway over most of the Himalaya. Foreign climbing expeditions are required to obtain permission from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation from Climbing all listed peaks. A booking fee, based on the height and popularity of the allotted peak, is charged and a Liaison Officer is assigned to every climbing team. The minimum period required for processing applications is six months. Every authorized expedition is provided with adequate rescue coverage in the event of accidents and illness.