Tuesday 12 June 2012

Experience Another Ladakh...


Experience Ladakh with Travel Another India

To paint a picture of Ladakh in a single stroke is difficult. Its vast and varied natural splendour, with the snow capped peaks, rugged mountainous terrain, beautiful lakes, cold deserts, mighty rivers and deep heritage make it a mosaic of natural beauty.

We invite you to paint another picture of Ladakh rich in the warm hospitality of the Ladakhis and explore the hidden untouched charm of this place as you join us and “Experience Ladakh” from 15th July to 22th July [8 Days and 7 Nights]. We aim to bring together unique and authentic experiences that represent Another India rich in the diversity of its culture, crafts and cuisine.

On this trip we will explore art, architecture and spirituality as we visit the remote monasteries and stop at a Buddhist centre of learning. We shall experience the Ph-Yang Tsedup festival at Phyang Monastery. We will camp on the banks of the serene Lake Pangong. We will follow the Indus, the cradle of our civilization, as it winds its way through Ladakh. We shall spend a day with a Ladakhi family for a first-hand view of their culture, hardships and daily life and maybe even learn a new recipe. We will talk about the social and ecological issues and the solutions that our hosts have come up with.

To ensure that the rewards of tourism are equally shared with the host community, we have partnered with PAGIR (People’s Action Group for Inclusion and Rights) – a group of Ladakhis with disabilities working towards better livelihoods, a cleaner Ladakh and deeper social inclusion. “Experience Ladakh” is managed and organised with their local expertise and the proceeds from this are shared equally with them.
So call us on +91 9900 193 873, email us at book@travelanotherindia.com or visit our website www.travelanotherindia.com to sign up and “Experience Ladakh” this July. Hurry! The group size is only 14!




Day by Day
Day 1 (15th July):               A member of the Himalaya on Wheels team will be at the airport with a placard to pick you up and take you to the hotel. Mandatory rest is advised for the first day to avoid the onset of High Altitude Sickness. 
Day 2 (16th July):               Today we go west towards Sham valley. We will be travelling along the Kargil- Batalik Highway. After stopping at the Indus-Zanskar confluence, we will head to Basgo Fort. We will then visit the Alchi and Likir Monasteries before tucking in for the night at Uley tokpo (A resort set in an orchard on a steep cliff above the Indus River).
Day 3 (17th July):               After an early breakfast, we go for a short trek up to the Rizong Monastery. We will then depart for Leh. After having Lunch at Nimoo, we will go to Phyang Monastery for the festival of Ph-Yang Tsedup with its sacred dances. We will then stop at the SECMOL campus for a talk on passive solar heating and educational reforms. Time permitting we will also visit Hall of Fame, before reaching Leh.
Day 4 (18th July):               Today we will see places in and around Leh, beginning with a visit to Shey and Thiksey Monastery. This will be followed by a visit to Sindhu Ghati on the banks of the Indus. We then move on to the Stok Palace before heading for lunch. We will then visit Choglamsar, a Tibetan settlement that has become a centre of Buddhist learning. Tea and snacks will be served with the Himalaya on Wheels team at the PAGIR office. The evening is yours to explore Leh.
Day 5 (19th July):               Spend a day as a Ladakhi today. You will be working with families in Stok region and experiencing their life first-hand as you assist them in their daily chores of farming, herding and getting water. For cooking enthusiasts, we could also have a short cooking session around noon.
Day 6 (20th July):               Start with a visit to the Shanti Stupa for a breathtaking view of Leh. Head on towards the ChangLa pass stopping at Tangtse for lunch. Then head onwards towards the Pangong Lake. We stay at the Martsemik camps for the night.
Day 7 (21th July):               Wake up to the sunrise at Pangong and laze around a bit. We then head back towards Leh. The evening is yours to catch up on all that shopping you had been meaning to do. We will also take you to Jungwa Shrungskyob – a waste-to-craft shop run by PAGIR.
Day 8 (22th July):              Head back home after a (hopefully) memorable trip J




Essential Information

1.       When: 15th July to 22th July (Sunday to Sunday)
2.       Number of Days: 8 Days and 7 Nights
3.       Maximum Group Size: 14 Guests
4.       Getting There: Daily flights to Leh from Delhi and weekly flights from Jammu and Srinagar. By road, you could drive from either Srinagar or Manali. The Srinagar–Leh (434-km) road is open from mid-May to November while the Manali-Leh road (473-km) opens in mid-June to early October. Aim to reach on the 15th and leave on the 22nd.
5.       Accommodation: (Alternate accommodations on request)
a.       Barath Guest House, Leh
b.      Ule Ethnic Resort, Uley Tokpo
c.       Martsemik Camping Resort, Lake Pangong

6.       Tariff: INR 19,900 per guest for Twin Sharing Accommodation for the period of the trip

7.       Package Inclusions:
a.       Airport transfers
b.      Accommodation as mentioned on twin sharing basis*
c.       Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on all days of the trip
d.      Taxi and driver for all the places mentioned in the itinerary
e.      Soft copy of the guidebook detailing more information about places on the itinerary
f.        Fees for places on itinerary including inner line permits to Lake Pangong
8.       Package Exclusions: 
a.       *Single rooms on request at additional cost
b.      Air fare to and from Leh
c.       Fees for cameras
d.      Bottled water,  hot beverages, soft drinks and tips
e.      Travel Insurance
f.        Laundry, phone calls, personal expenses or extra meals
g.       Anything not specifically mentioned under “Package Inclusions”
9.       Cancellation Policy:
a.       7 days before arrival due date – 100% refund
b.      Between 7 days to 72 hrs before arrival due date - 50% refund
c.       Less than 72 hrs before arrival due date - No refund
10.   Payment Policy: 100% payment at least 72 hours before arrival to confirm the booking.



Suggested Trip Extensions
For those who have more time on their hands and wish to stay and spend more time at Ladakh, we have ideas for trip extensions that we can help arrange for you:
·         
        Trip to the Nubra valley (2-3 days): Visit KhardungLa top and Disket (the capital of Nubra) on the way. Go on a double humped camel ride through the cold desert and camp at Hunder. The next day visit the Sumoor monastery going further on to Panamik before returning to Leh.
·   
      Homestay treks in Sham Valley (2-4 days): Trekking enthusiasts can trek through the Sham valley stopping at various homestays on the way. There are a lot of beautiful villages that are off the beaten track and the scenery is simply breathtaking.

For these options and more that are a part of Himalaya on Wheels, refer to our website: http://www.travelanotherindia.com/himalaya.html or call us on +91 9900 193 873 or email us at book@travelanotherindia.com