Ladakh
River Rafting
THE ZANSKAR RIVER RAFTING EXPEDITION
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 funning
it requires technically skilled participants and careful organization.
Upward
of Spituk, the Indus has the easiest stretch 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 expedition, 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 embarking upon a white -water expedition on
river like the Zanskar.
Zanskar River Expeditions trip begins with a
flight over the Himalayas into the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh
in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. We spend a few days in Leh
town acclimatizing at 11,000 feet above sea level and visiting
the ancient monasteries, palaces and villages around Leh. We drive
west of Leh past the town of Kargil and travel south into the
valley of Zanskar, one of the coldest inhabited places on earth.
Staring the trip on the Doda river, we begin our self contained
multi-day river adventure down the spectacular and scenic Zanskar
river gorge. The trip takes you down the extremely desolate, remote
and sheer Zanskar gorge with walls rising a few thousand feet
out of the river bed, culminating on the mighty Indus river, (which
incidentally lends India its name) at the historic monastic conclave
at Alchi.
ITINERARY
Day 01 : Early morning Fly Delhi - Leh. An hour's spectacular flight over
the Greater Himalayas, with views stretching as far as K2 in the
west and the entire Zanskar range and views of Tibet beneath.
On arrival at Leh, we drive 15 mins to our hotel, the Kanglhachhen,
a traditional, yet comfortable and clean hotel in town. Rest and
acclimatise. Overnight Leh.
Day 02 : Leh. Acclimatise and sightseeing. Light activity and short walks
till Leh palace and the town's exciting market and outdoor restaurants.
For the more energetic a visit to a few monasteries such as Spituk,
Thikse and Hemis will be arranged. Overnight Leh.
Day 03 : Drive Leh - Kargil (180kms). We drive from Leh to Mulbek / Kargil,
through a spectacular moonscape. We drive over the Fotu La (14,000
ft), a high mountain pass, exiting the Indus valley and entering
the Suru valley. Enroute, we visit the Lamayuru monastery, known
to be one of the oldest monasteries amongst the 'Red Hat' sect.
Overnight Kargil hotel.
Day 04 :
Drive Kargil - Rangdum (12,000ft). A spectacular drive
past Panikar and Parkachik,with magnificent views of the Nun and
Kun massifs (7000 metres),hanging glaciers and large meadows.We
drive till Rangdum Gompa (12,000 ft).Camp overnight.
Day 05 : Drive Rangdum - Remala (6 hrs). We drive to Remala which is the
starting point for the rafting trip on the Doda river, a tributary
of the Zanskar river. We drive over the Pensi La (14,500 ft),
which enables grand views of the Zanskar peaks at the bottom of
which is the Drung Durung glacier that feeds the Zanskar river,
40 km below, into which we flow trip the next day. Overnight tented
camp.
Day 06 : Rafting expedition begins at Remala. Raft till Karsha Gompa, near
Padum. We raft 30 km in 5 hrs which includes a break for lunch
and hot beverages. We are surrounded by 6000 metre high peaks.
River section today includes a Class II section, a good introduction
for first timers as well as to the river in general. After settling
into camp by afternoon, we take a hike to Karsha Gompa for the
evening incantation.
Day 07 : After a late morning start, we raft from Karsha up to Pidmu. This
stretch is approximately 30 km with Class II and III rapids. After
settling into the camp by mid afternoon, we visit the nearby villages
of Pidmu and Hanomil.
Day 08 : After packing camp, we raft 20 km to Nyerak, a Class III section.
The gorge narrows in on the river - this indeed is a Grand Canyon
in its own right. We stop for the day to pitch camp in a gorge
below Nyerak village.
Day 09 : Today's 35 km rafting section takes us from Nyerak to Lamaguru,
through the core of the Zanskar A classic white water day with
continuous Class III rapids, and a few Class IV rapid where the
river squeezes between a gap of about 18ft. We stop for lunch
near a huge waterfall at the confluence of Markha river with Zanskar.
Rock formations, spires and an amazing palette of colours add
to the trip today. Camp at Lamaguru.
Day 10 :
Day hike to Kaya and Skiu. Return to camp by late afternoon. (4-5hrs).
Camp at Lamaguru.
Day 11 : We raft 40 kms of Class III/IV white water from Lamaguru to Nimu
today.We make camp short of Nimu,the confluence of the Zanskar
with the Indus river.
Day 12 :
Raft approximately 25 km from Nimu to finish the trip at Alchi
through Class III / IV rapids. After ending the trip at Alchi,
we walk up to the centuries old monastery to view the beautiful
frescoes and wood carvings. Drive back 60 km to Leh and check
into hotel.
Day 13 :
Leh. Reserved day for shopping, sightseeing etc.
Day 14 :
Early morning transfer to Leh airport. Fly Leh - Delhi. Trip ends
