Main Image: Indus River and Stakna Monastery, Leh - Image © Jeremy Woodhouse
Ladakh & Zanskar Valley, 19 - 31 Aug, 2021A Scouting Trip with Jeremy Woodhouse & Abhishek Hajela
Ladakh
Spectacularly jagged, arid mountains enfold this magical Buddhist ex-kingdom. Picture-perfect gompas (Tibetan Buddhist monasteries) dramatically crown rocky outcrops next to fluttering prayer flags and whitewashed stupas, while prayer wheels spun clockwise release merit-making mantras. Gompa interiors are a riot of golden Buddhas and intricately colourful murals and home to red-robed monks. It's a little corner of Tibet marooned in the furthest reaches of India. Though threatened by a rapidly increasing number of visitors, Ladakh has much to teach the West regarding ecological sustainability. Most Ladakhis are cash poor yet their traditional mud-brick homesteads are large and virtually self-sufficient in fuel and dairy products, and barley used to make tsampa (roast barley flour) and chhang (barley beer). The walls of dramatic mountains that hem in Ladakh make for an unforgettable landscape, but be aware that road access requires crossing tortuous high passes, which close from around October to May. Zanskar Valley Majestically rugged, the greatest attraction of this mountain-hemmed Ladakhi Buddhist valley is simply getting there. As in Ladakh, the main sights are timeless monasteries, notably at Karsha, Stongdey & Sani. The area's tiny capital, Padum, is not much more than a village with a few shops. It is not a major attraction in itself but is a key transit point if you want to drive in or out on what remains, for now, the only reliable access route (via Kargil). While days can be scorching hot, come prepared for cold nights, even in summer. Daily Itinerary
02 Aug: Arrive Leh full day's rest for altitude acclimatization
03 Aug: Leh local sightseeing monastic tour Nyamgal Tsemo monastery at dusk from Shanti Stupa 04 Aug: Leh visit Hemis/Thiksey & Stakna Monasteries 05 Aug: Leh to Kargil 06 Aug: Kargil to Rangdum ( Zanskar ) 07 Aug: Rangdum to Padum ( Zanskar ) 08 Aug: Local visit in Zanskar 09 Aug: Local visit in Zanskar 10 Aug: Padum to Kargil 11 Aug: Kargil to Uleytokpo 12 Aug: Uleytokpo to Leh 13 Aug: Departure from Leh to Delhi for flight home (hotel not included–available for $95/night) Arrival, Departure & Visa
Arrival & Meeting Place 2 Aug: Arrive Leh (flight TBA)— Full day's rest for altitude acclimatization Departure 13 Aug: Early morning departure from Leh to Delhi (flight TBA) Visa All the foreign nationals, except citizens of neighboring Nepal and Bhutan, are required to possess a valid international travel document in the form of a national passport with a valid visa that they can get from Indian consulates all around the world. Weather
July and August are monsoon months in India, but Ladakh remains completely dry opening up its doors for visitors. Weather in August is little hot in Ladakh as the sun scorches pretty well. Ladakh temperature during the day might rise up to 25°C in the daytime. At night too, it remains in the range of 10-12°C. Language The Ladakhi language, also called Bhoti or Bodhi, is a Tibetan language spoken in the Ladakh region of India. Currency The only currency accepted in Ladakh is Indian Rupee. US Dollars and Pound Sterling are the easiest currencies to exchange. |
Tour Registration
Before you pay your deposit, please register for this tour Tour Details
Tour dates: Aug 19 - 31, 2020 Cost: Approx: $5,300 (min 4 people) Small Group Supp (4 or fewer): $500 Deposit: $500 Single Supplement: $550 Flight from DEL/IXL (Leh): $TBA Max Group Size: 6 4 SPOTS OPEN Photographer: Jeremy Woodhouse Flight Information
Once you have made your flight arrangements, please fill in the form at the link below Tour Fee Includes
Paying by check
If you would like to pay your deposit and/or balance with a check, please make the check payable to: Pixelchrome, Inc and mail it to: Nicole Woodhouse Pixelchrome, Inc, 605 Rouen Drive, McKinney TX 75070 Paying by Wire Transfer
Please contact Nicole directly for bank information at (214) 906-2314 Virtual Private Network
If you want to access an uncensored internet while on the road, you may want to consider getting a Virtual Private Network (VPN). I use Express VPN. If you decide to use this option, please use the referral link below. Equipment Checklist
Also good to have
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