Come and have a lifetime experience walking on the frozen river Zanskar in the high lands & the Buddhist Kingdom of Ladakh, where the temperature will be sub zero. This route has been used from Centuries as a trade link by Zanskaris. On the way you will also have chance to stay with the locals Zanskaris and visit some of the ancient monasteries behind the Ice walls, wedged between the mighty Karakoram & the Great Himalayan range.

WE ARE COVERING TWO ROUTES.

Destination:Ladakh-Zanskar-Delhi-Leh-Karsa
Duration: 19 Nights/ 20 Days

1, Chilling to Karsha- Duration 20 Days.
2, Chilling to the Village of Lingshed- Duration 15 days.

Best Time : Mid January to Mid February.
Focus : Ice trek, Ladakh's winter life, culture, monks and monasteries.
Physical Challenge: Some long trekking days & Harsh Cold. Challenging slippery walk.
Highest Point : Leh 11,500 ft.
Climate: Usually sunny days but dry chilly winds, temperature can drop to minus 25- 30 degree centigrade.
Accommodation: While on trek we will try and make use of caves/ local homes for night shelter

LADAKH, popularly known as, the land of numerous passes of mystic Lamas, The Broken Moon & The last Shangri-La. Ladakh is bounded by two of the world's highest Mountain ranges, the Karakoram and the great Himalaya. The Leh region varies between 9,000 ft. / 2743 mats. to 25,170 ft. / 7672 m. above the sea level. Leach is a Land of medieval monasteries, Fluttering prayer flags, high deserts, peaks and passes.

Based in the town of Leh (11,500 ft./ 3505 m), the journey include many fascinating excursions to nearby gomps (monasteries), villages and surrounding countryside.

ZANSKAR: Zanskar valley lies to the south - west of Leh, surrounded by the Himalaya and Zanskar ranges, which is the most isolated of all the trans - Himalayan Valleys. Zanskar comprises of two main valleys the Stod(Doda Chu) and the Lanak (Tsarap Chu)which coverage below at Padum. The valley has an area of about 5,000 sqr. kms. and an elevation of 13,154 feet/ 4010 mts. The area remains inaccessible for nearly 7 months in the year. All passes close in the winter and the river freeze on the surface. Zanskaris walk along it to reach the Indus River in Nimoo (Chilling village), which is known as the Chadar (frozen blanket) Trek.

The geographical isolation has resulted in the preservation of the Buddhist heritage and identity. Many ancient monastic establishments are still actively involve in religious activities some remote caves are believed to have been used by the successive Buddhist saints to sustain meditation in pursuit of knowledge and enlightment.

WINTER FESTIVALS 2007-08

Special Feature for 2007:
Spituk Monastic Festival: Jan17th & 18th.
Likir Monastic Festival: Feb 15th & 16th.

Special Feature for 2008:
Spituk Monastic Festival: Jan 06th & 07th.
Likir Monastic Festival: Feb 04th & 05th.

Monastic festivals provide Ladakhi's with the spice of life. No other festival can match them in religious and entertainment value. Monastic festivals are held to commemorate the founding of a monastery, the birthday of its patron saint or major events in the evolution of Tibetan Buddhism. Thousands of People turn out in their colourful best, making every festival a carnival of colours.

OPTION 1.

CHILLING TO KARCHA.
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi and greet by our representative who will transfer you to hotel for overnight.

Day 02: Delhi/ Leh: Early morning transfer to domestic airport for 01 hour spectacular flight over the heights of mighty Himalayas. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free for acclimatization.

Day 03, Leh Sightseeing: After breakfast proceed for sightseeing to the Indus Valley. Visit the three important gompas- Shey, Thiksey and Hemis OR Spituk Festival. Overnight in hotel.

Day 04, Leh/ Chilling: Today in the morning drive about 4 hrs. to Chilling, one of the most famous villages in Ladakh, known for craftsmanship, specially the metal works. In the afternoon meet your trekking crew and prepare for the trek. O/n local home/ tent.

Day 05, Chilling/ Tilat Sumdo: After breakfast start trek to Tilat Sumdo (3180m)/ 5/6 hour, along the magnificent frozen river Zanskar. This trek along the frozen river is the only route Zanskar region as other approach routes remain closed due to heavy snow on passes. Overnight in Cave.

Day 06, Tilat Sumdo/ Paldar Sumdo: After breakfast trek 6/7 hrs. to Paldar Sumdo (3220m). Trek along the edges of the frozen river, through narrow mountain George. Steep mountain sights fascinates ones mind as we carefully trek along the river. O/n in Cave.

Day 07, Paldar Sumdo/ Nerak Pullu: Walk 5/6 hrs. through tremendous canyons, inaccessible in any other season, to Nerak (3300m). As we trek along the river valley, one might find on high mountain ridges sights of mountain fox. O/n in Cave.

Day 08, Nerak Pullu/ Hanumur: After breakfast trek 5/6 hrs. to Hanumur (3380m), the first village and most likely the first people we have seen since leaving Chilling. O/n in Cave.

Day 09, Hanumur/ Pishu: Today trek 5/6 hr. along the well established path to the village of Pishu (3470m), which is larger than Hanumur. O/n in local home/ tent.

Day 10, Pishu/ Karsha: After breakfast trek about 5/6 hrs to Karsha (3600m). Trek along the banks of river Zanskar. Arrive at Rinam village and then ascend gradually to Karsha village, with its 15th Century Karsha Gompa the largest monastery in Zanskar region. The monastery is perched on a hill side overlooking the entire valley. O/n in local home/ tent.

Day 11, Karsha: Explore Karcha, its charming village, see way of Life and Visit the splendid Monastery perched on a hill, dating back to about 11th century, and belonging to the Gelukpa order, a large white complex housing over 100 monks, there is also a 500 year old nunnery nearby.. Overnight in Local home/ tent.

Day 12, Karsha/ Pishu: After breakfast trek to Pishu. O/n in local home/ tent.

Day 13, Pishu/ Hanumur: Today trek to Hanumur through the frozen river Zanskar. O/n Cave.

Day 14, Hanumur/ Nerak Pullu: After breakfast trek to Nerak Pullu. O/n Cave.

Day 15, Nerak Pullu/ Paldar Sumdo: After breakfast trek to Pladar Sumdo. O/n Cave.

Day 16, Paldar Sumdo/ Tilat Sumdo: Trek from Paldar Sumdo to Tilat Sumdo. O/n Cave.

Day 17, Tilak Sumdo/ Chilling/ Leh : Trek for the last day to Chilling village, and then drive back to Leh. O/n in hotel.

Day 18, Leh: A day free or visit to the monasteries/ Festival at Lakir. Overnight in hotel.

Day 19, Leh/ Delhi: After breakfast transfer to airport for flight back to Delhi. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Afternoon independent activities. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 20, Delhi Sightseeing- Departure transfer: After breakfast a full days guided sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi, Visiting Red Fort, Jamai Masjid, Ghandhi Samadhi, India gate, Qutub Minar and the Lotous Temple. ( Today rooms are reserved till 1800hrs/Day rooms). After dinner transfer to the airport for flight to your home country Or Joins us to Rajasthan, as this is the best time to visit this most colourful state of India.

OPTION 2.

CHILLING TO LINGSHED.
This Option is more scenic.

Day 1 to Day 5: Same as above programme ( Chilling to Karcha).

Day 6: Trek on Frozen Rive to Markalak about 5/6hrs. Overnight in cave/ tent.

Day 7: Trek to Dip Yoma about 5 hrs. Overnight in cave / Tents.

Day 8: Trek about 3hrs on Frozen River, and then on village path for few more hours to the charming village of Lingshed, stay overnight in Local home.

Day 09: Explore this charming Village and its small monastery. Overnight in Local home.

Day 10 to Day 13: Retrace the steps over the frozen River, making use of caves.

Day 14: Visit to the monasteries or attend the Festival at Lakir. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 15: Fly Back to Delhi. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon free. Late night transfer to the international airport.

NOTE : This is a serious challenging expedition therefore physical & mental fitness and resistance is required.