Duration: 23 days trip, 17 days trekking Best time: June to September Grade: Strenuous
INTRODUCTION
One of the finest long distance treks in all of the Indian Himalaya, Charcharla trek bring you home to the untouched mountain scape and ancient indigenous life of the people of Zanskar, Ladakh. The length of timeless trek in the Ladakh Himalayas brings you closer to the adventurer in you. As we explore the narrow gorges and valleys of Zanskar Valley trek, Ladakh we witness life and nature in its raw element.
The trek takes us to the depth of Zanskar Valley with its river gorges and sparkly populated tribal villages. The farms and pastures through the treks are a bounty that mother nature presents to the locals of this high altitude mountain ranges. This trek has been the finest of its kind, to the new trekker as well as the veteran explorer, and is a journey of a lifetime.
itinerary
Day 1ARRIVE IN DELHI, INDIA
On arrival in
Delhi we will have our representatives assist in your transfer to hotel. Relax
for the rest of the day and in the evening explore life in the capitol city of
Delhi.
Accommodation: Hotel
Transfer: MUV 7 seater
Road condition: Good
Meals: B
Altitude: 318 meters
Day 2DELHI TO MANALI VIA BHUNTAR
Take an early
morning flight to Bhuntar from Delhi and drive on towards Manali. On reaching
Manali check in hotel in Manali and relax for the day. Visit the old Hadembe
temple and nearby forest walk.
Accommodation: Hotel
Transfer: MUV 7 seater
Road condition: Good
Meals: Lunch / Dinner at the
hotel
Altitude:
Day 3MANALI TO JISPA
After
breakfast at the hotel we start on our day’s drive to Jispa over Rothang pass,
our first high mountain pass of the trip. On reaching Jispa we will set up camp
and rest for the day.
Accommodation: Hotel
Transfer: MUV 7 seater
Road condition: Good
Meals: Lunch / Dinner at the
hotel
Altitude:4000 meters
Day 4JISPA TO SERCHU
After
breakfast at the campsite we will start our drive to Serchu further ahead on
the Leh - Manali Highway. Serchu is the first high altitude range we will be
spending our first night at and also look forward to acclimatize nicely with
the altitude for the coming trek. Rest at campsite in Serchu and give your body
Tim to relax and feel the Himalayan air.
Accommodation: Hotel
Transfer: MUV 7 seater
Road condition: Good
Meals: Lunch / Dinner at the
hotel
Altitude:
Day 5SERCHU TO CHUMIK KARPO
Its our first
day of trek and we will start our hike towards Langti. The hike takes us
through mountain pastures and Trans - Himalayan wetlands as necrosis into the
barren landscape of Ladakh from the greens of Himachal Pradesh. Wide valleys
welcome us to the young mountain folds of Ladakh. We reach Chumik carp in the
evening and rest for the night at the campsite.
Accommodation: Trekking
campsite
Trekking time: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast / Packed Lunch /
Dinner at the campsite
Altitude: 5000 m
Day 6TRAIL BY THE RIVER
The day’s
hike consist of walking through pastures and we will come across many Shepherd
tribes of the Indian Himalayas mainly the ‘GADDI’ who venture into Ladakh
Himalayas in the summers. Through the trail we will find many ancient stupas
and mani walls that gave landmarks and directions to the early traders and
travellers.
Accommodation: Trekking
campsite
Trekking time: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast / Packed Lunch /
Dinner at the campsite
Altitude: 5000 m
Day 7PHIRTSELA BASE
Today’s hike
takes us deeper into the narrow gorges of Zanskar Valley. Barren mountains on
either side of the river valley and the lonesome trail makes this day’s hike
relatively strenuous one. On reaching base of Phirtse La we setup camps and
relax for the evening.
Accommodation: Trekking
campsite
Trekking time: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast / Packed Lunch /
Dinner at the campsite
Altitude: 5000 m
Day 8ACROSS PHIRTSELA
One of the
more difficult trek days, today we will cross Phirtse la at a height of 17,876
ft. The climb to Phirtse la is steep in some areas and crosses a number of
scree slopes before it finally reaches the top. Atop Phirtsela we can have a
panoramic view of the mountain ranges of Eastern Ladakh or the Changthang
plateau and Zanskar ranges. We will spend some time at the pass and have a
quick snack before descending down to the valley. From here we will trek a
little way down the valley before reaching our campsite for the night.
Accommodation: Trekking
campsite
Trekking time: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast / Packed Lunch /
Dinner at the campsite
Altitude: 17,876ft
Day 9ZINGCHEN
We leave the river a climb a small pass where we see fine views of the Zanskar
Valley spreading out ahead of us. It is from this pass that we get our first
views of the massive granite mountain of Gumbo Rangjon (manifestation of god) .
Overnight amp at Zingchen.
Accommodation: Trekking
campsite
Trekking time: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast / Packed Lunch /
Dinner at the campsite
Altitude: 14,664ft
Day 10ZINGCHEN TO PURNEY
We descend
steeply for approximately 500 meters through a gorge before joining the main
valley at a bridge crossing the Kargyak River a short way from the village of
Kuru and through to Purne where we camp for the night. The day takes us through
many small villages through the route.
Accommodation: Trekking
campsite
Trekking time: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast / Packed Lunch /
Dinner at the campsite
Altitude: 12,300ft
Day 11PURNEY TO PHUKTAL
This is half
a day's diversion leaving the camp standing at Purne. We walk up a very deep
and impressive gorge with a fast flowing river to this remarkable and remote
monastery. The 500-year-old Gompa is built literally on the side of a cliff.
Here we can visit the inner temples and see a stone tablet left by the
Hungarian, Alexander Csoma de Koros, one of the first explorers in Tibet,
1826-27. We then return to Purney where we can relax with a beer and exchange
stories with other trekkers. Overnight camp.
Accommodation: Trekking
campsite
Trekking time: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast / Packed Lunch /
Dinner at the campsite
Altitude: 12,073ft
Day 12PHUKTHAL TO RARU
The day’s
walk to Raru village takes us through villages and hamlets of Lungnak Vally of
Zanskar, which until recently was one of the most remote regions in Ladakh. One
of the fortified village of Ichar is about 30 minutes walk away and is well
worth a visit, as it is perhaps the most beautiful of the villages on the way
to Padum, the capital township. We camp by a small irrigation pond behind Reru
village.
Accommodation: Trekking campsite
Trekking time: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast / Packed Lunch /
Dinner at the campsite
Altitude: 12,073ft
Day 13RERU TO PADUM
Todays hike
will bring us closer to the township of Padum through Bardan Gompa, an
impressive monastery sitting on top of a rocky outcrop in the middle of the
gorge. The building was erected in the early sixteen hundreds on the orders of
Nawang Namgyal, the first ruler of Bhutan, who was given various lands in
Ladakh to further his Drukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, by the ruler of Ladakh
at that time. The valley which we have walked down for the past six days now
opens out into the much wider Lunak Valley and we reach Padum, the capital of
Zanskar. Camp overnight.
Accommodation: Trekking
campsite
Trekking time: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast / Packed Lunch /
Dinner at the campsite
Altitude: 11,483ft
Day 14KARSHA MONASTERY DAY
Rest for the
day in Padum and visit Karsha monastery and school and spend the day with the
little monks of kasha monastery.
Accommodation: Trekking
campsite
Trekking time: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast / Packed Lunch /
Dinner at the campsite
Altitude: 5000 m
Day 15PADUM TO ZANGLA
Drive to
Zangla in the morning and visit Zangla palace and nunnery. Walk around the
village in the evening. Overnight at campsite in Zangla village.
Accommodation: Trekking
campsite
Trekking time: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast / Packed Lunch /
Dinner at the campsite
Altitude: 5000 m
Day 16ZANGLA TO CHARLA BASE
Today we trek
north-east, following the course of the Zumling River to Char La. The day is
called the day of the bridges. We will be well versed to the variety of
Zanskari bridges as you are likely to cross the river a number of times through
the day. On reaching Char La base camp set up campsite and relax for the
day.
Accommodation: Trekking
campsite
Trekking time: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast / Packed Lunch /
Dinner at the campsite
Altitude: 5000 m
Day 17CHARLA BASE TO TOMTHOK
Our day’s
hike starts with a 4 hour long gradual ascend to Char La at 5000 meters. The
view from the pass brings the entire Zanskar ranges in preview. After our
descend to the valley through narrow gorges we will reach Tomthok Sumdho.
Accommodation: Trekking
campsite
Trekking time: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast / Packed Lunch /
Dinner at the campsite
Altitude: 5000 m
Day 18TOMTHOK TO TILAT SUMDO
The walk from
Tomthok to Tilad Sumdho is a tough one through rugged rock beads. The day’s
heat draws out energy and we keep on the trail of the Zanskar valley belittled
by its natural bounty. On reaching Tilat Sumdho we camp by the small river
running through the village filds. Camp overnight.
Accommodation: Trekking
campsite
Trekking time: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast / Packed Lunch /
Dinner at the campsite
Altitude: 5000 m
Day 19TILAT SUMDO TO NIMALING
Today we will
cross into the Ladakh ranges and meet our trip with the famous Markha Valley
trek in Leh. A welcome change to the rigours of the last few days. Nimaling is
a pasture land on the trail with lush medows and villagers from around the
valley bring their livestock here to graze. Its also the base route to king Ya
Tse summit across the valley to the South West.
Accommodation: Trekking
campsite
Trekking time: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast / Packed Lunch /
Dinner at the campsite
Altitude: 5000 m
Day 20NIMALING TO GYA PHU
We start our days hike with a gradual ascend to Lalung La Almost as
soon as we join the main Markha Valley trail, we leave it again to trek up the
Lalunga La. From the top of the Lalunga La we can see the view of Karakorum
ranges of Northen Ladakh and into Pakistan. After a gradual descent we reach
Gay Phu, our campsite for the night.
Accommodation: Trekking
campsite
Trekking time: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast / Packed Lunch /
Dinner at the campsite
Altitude: 17,000ft
Day 21GYA PHOO TO LATO, DRIVE TO LEH
This will be
our last day of trek and it is an easy descend to late village. On reaching
Lato we will be transferred to Leh in a 7 seater MUV. Overnight at
homestay in Leh.
Accommodation: Homestay
Trekking time: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast / Packed Lunch /
Dinner at the campsite
Altitude: 17,000ft
Day 22HERITAGE WALK OD LEH TOWN
After a
healthy organic breakfast at the hotel, the guests will start for heritage walk
from the guesthouse towards the market. On this walk, Mr. Gyatso, a
storyteller, will escort us through the walk. We will start by visiting the
museum built by the Leh Old Town Restoration Initiative (LOTI) group, with
locally available materials and infrastructure. The structure evolves around a
skyscraper (Thokskar) on the top floor and has relics of Ladakh. From there we
will enter the old town streets where the entire landscape is still as it was
in the Kings times, some of which have been restored by LOTI. The walk will
take us through King Singay Namgyal’s palace. After finishing the walk around
the old town the guests can explore the market and eateries.
Accommodation: Homestay
Transfer: MUV 7 seater
Road condition: Good
Meals: Lunch / Dinner at the
hotel
Altitude:
Day 23LEH TO DELHI DEPARTURE
Leave for KBR
airport in time for your flight to Delhi with sweet memories of the Himalayas.
Rest in Delhi for the day and explore the capital city for a few hours and
enjoy the city at your own ease.
STAY THROUGHOUT IN PREMIUM HOMESTAYS AND CAMPSITES
ALL MEALS
WELCOME & SOUVENIR KIT
ALL ACTIVITIES MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY
TRANSFERS IN TOYOTA INNOVA THROUGHOUT THE TRIP
AIRPORT TRNASFERS
TREKKING EQUIPMENT AND CAMPING GEAR
ACCOMPANYING LOCAL EXPERTS AND RESOURCE PERSONS THROUGHOUT THE TRIP
ALL PERMITS AND PASSES
DOCTOR ON CALL
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
TRAVEL, LUGGAGE & MEDICAL INSURANCE
TOURIST VISA
SLEEPING BAG
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TAXES
TIPS
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
CHANGES TO YOUR ITINERARY
For your best interest, sometimes it might have to make necessary alterations to your holiday itinerary. Where practical, we will advice you before you depart from your hometown, although occasionally we may be forced to make changes en route. We will keep you informed at all times.
MOUNTAIN FLIGHT DELAYS
Bad weather in mountainous regions can cause flight delays. These problems mainly happen in Ladakh region of India. If the delay is extended it may be necessary for us to re-route the trek and tour, perhaps to an area more readily accessed by road transport. We do not accept responsibility for charges incurred as result of flight delays and missing international flight connections. However, we will make every effort to assist you.
INHERENT RISKS OR DANGERS
You understand and accept that your proposed tour may expose you to levels of physical exertion to which you may not be accustomed to or be exposed to inherent dangers when traveling through remote areas which may be subject to, among other things, unfavorable political, physical, health or climatic conditions. By agreeing to use our services, you accept these dangers and unfavorable conditions.
INSURANCE
You must purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes a provision for helicopter rescue when you pay your deposit.
YOUR HEALTH AND FITNESS
We strongly recommend that you visit your doctor and dentist before your holiday. You must ask your doctor about current inoculation requirements. Full details of pre-existing medical conditions must be forwarded to us when you book. Older clients or clients with pre-existing medical conditions may require a letter from your doctor clearing them for the trek and Beyond Himalayas Pvt. Ltd. reserve the right to check these documents prior to confirmation of tours and treks
PASSPORT
A valid passport is required for all tourists. The passports must be valid for minimum of six months from the start of journey, with at least two clean pages per country to be visited.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
A valid visa is required for the entire destination. You should always consult your doctor or nearest travel clinic for the latest information on recommended health precautions, both vaccination and malaria prophylaxis.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
GENERAL
Extensive medical kits are carried on all trips. In addition, medical oxygen and Portable Altitude Chambers are carried as a precaution on high altitude treks and climbing expeditions. All meals on trek are prepared specifically for your group to strict hygiene standards, and sterile washing facilities are provided.
HIGH ALTITUDE
Sickness from altitude can affect anyone. Serious problems are avoided by building in rest and acclimatization. For normal symptoms a drop in altitude, or time in portable acclimatization chamber, leads to quick recovery.
All trips are graded. There are Easy, Moderate, Challenging and Mountaineering categories.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance that includes helicopter evacuation is highly appreciated
AGE LIMITS
Client over sixty are required to complete a medical and personal travel history questionnaire. Persons under sixteen can join specified family departures and private groups.
