The Zanskar River Expedition

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The journey starts by acclimatizing the self for a few days at the Leh town, where one gets to explore the ancient palaces and monasteries. Drive past 7000 meter high mountains and awesome glaciers, to begin the river run in the Zanskar Valley at 12,000 feet. The first two days can be spent relishing the moderate white-water where one gets an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery and natural surroundings. Zanskar has some mind boggling physical features, unlike anything one has seen in all of India or the world. At the end of the Zanskar valley, get rolling for the spectacular Zanskar Canyon, also referred to as the Grand Canyon of Asia. The walls of the Canyon go up thousands of feet off the river bed. This is the time when one feels absolutely in tune with the nature. The Zanskar canyon is a grade 4 section and offers amazing white-water for River Rafting and Kayaking.

Spend most of the day on the river Zanskar and pitch up camp late in the afternoon. Enjoy simple meals by the river side and laze in the afternoon or stroll & explore the area. Experience spectacular nights each night with the skies filled with twinkling stars, while one sits around a camp fire and listens to stories of the many runs our guides have done on their favorite river. There is a lot to discover in terms of rich culture and history of the natives as one makes his way down the Zanskar, building up memories and a desire to return.
August is the ideal month for this expedition.

Day 01: Delhi – Leh.

One can take an hour-long flight from Delhi to Leh where one flies over the Greater Himalaya where one will be able to see the K2 amongst many other breath-taking views. After transferring to the hotel, resting and acclimatizing with the weather is suggested. Stay overnight at a hotel in Leh.

Day 02: Leh

One needs to acclimatize oneself with the high altitude of 11,000 feet. A visit to the Thikse and Hemis monasteries will be organized. Visit the Ecological Centre or walk around Leh and experience the culture of the region. The Tibetan market is a fun visit if one is looking for souvenirs. There is no dearth of picturesque sites and one can spend the entire day taking in magnificent sceneries and the miracles of nature. Get ready for the drive to Kargil the next day. Stay overnight at Leh hotel.

Day 03: Leh- Kargil.

A spectacular drive to Kargil over the Fotu La Pass at 14,000 ft. awaits. One will stop at the Lamayuru monastery that belongs to the ‘Red Hat’ sect. Also, a mid-stoppage at the stone statue of the Maitreya (the future Buddha) at Mulbek is can be an added attraction. Stay overnight at Kargil hotel.

Day 04: Kargil-Rangdum.

A large part of the day goes in driving from Kargil to Rangdum. As one passes along Panikar and Parkachik, one can enjoy awesome sights of the twin peaks Nun and Kun, situated at an altitude of 7000mts and above, numerous hanging glaciers and lush meadows.

Day 05: Rangdum-Remala.

This is the last day of driving before the river expedition commences. Travel past the Pensi La pass at 14,000ft.to enter the Zanskar valley & get some amazing views of the Drung Durung glacier and the Zanskar range. The starting point for the expedition is on the Doda River, a tributary of Zanskar, at Remala. Get a good night’s sleep as one anticipates the first day on the river. The night stay is in the camp.

Day 06: Remala–Karsha.

It is necessary to be aware of the safety procedures and basic instructions for paddling. Once briefed by experienced and competent river guides, the expedition begins. The river begins with a grade 3 section, a great way to get the body muscles worked up and a good introduction to river rafting for the first-timers. Raft for about 4 hours with a lunch break on the river. Set up camp at the confluence of the Doda & the Tsarap Chu rivers. One can choose to rest and enjoy the camp or hike up to the Karsha Monastery. Stay overnight at the camp.

Day 07: Karsha-Honia.

For photography lovers sunrise is the best time to capture some breath taking shots. Leave in the morning light for the Karsha Monastery, and then get on the river to head out to Honia. Enjoy practicing paddling skills on grade 3 rapids and get ready to enter the Zanskar Canyon. Take in the amazing sights of the Zanskar range and the Greater Himalayan ranges as the valley starts to narrow down. Stay overnight at the camp.

Day 08: Honia-Nyerak.

Pack up and get moving for about 25 km on the river & enter the canyon to reach Nyerak. This is a grade 3 section and warms one up for the rafting that is to follow in the days to come. At Honimul, the last village, we enter a breath-taking canyon. The banks of the river now give way to mountain walls that rise thousands of feet above. Here some terrific rapids are run followed by lunch. Raft some more before calling it a day and setting up camp below the Nyerak village. This campsite is one of the few sites in the canyon where one can camp & is perfect for a Layover day to explore the area.

Day 09: Layover Day. This is a day ear-marked for rest. One could choose to hike to the Nyerak village, mingle with the locals and visit their homes, or relax and enjoy a break under the Weeping Willows, splash about in the camp stream and get ready for another exciting day on the river. The night stay is in the camp.

Day 10: Nyerak-Lamaguru. A 35 km river journey takes one through the core of the Zanskar canyon. It brings one to Lamaguru at the confluence with Markha River. Here one shall encounter grade 4 rapids on this stretch. Break for lunch at a beautiful site by a waterfall from the canyon wall. Paddle further through the stunning Red canyon and camp for the night. Get ready to be amazed by some of the most extraordinary sights and colors, courtesy of Mother Nature! The night stay is in the camp.

Day 11: Lamaguru-Nimu. Raft grade 4 rapids till the take out at Nimu. Past the Chilling village one encounters excellent whitewater as Zanskar prepares to meet the Indus at Nimu. This is the end of the river journey. Drive back to Leh. One can choose to relax under a hot shower and sleep off or do some last minute shopping. Overnight stay is at Leh hotel.

Day 12: Leh-Delhi. The flight back to Delhi will hover past the Great Himalayas and allow one to bid farewell to the mythical land of Ladakh until next time!

Travel facts and other Details

Price Includes:

1. Pick up from the Airport / Railway Station
2. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners
3. Airport transfers
4. Group medical kit
5. Good quality accommodation
6. Trek pack including sleeping bag, down or fiber filled jacket and insulated mat
7. Private transportation
8. All park entrance fees and trekking permits
9. Porters to carry all personal and group equipment.

Coming soon