Doda-Zanskar-Indus River Expedition

Rafting the Zanskar River in India

Few places on earth match the grandeur and sheer magnitude of the Zanskar in Ladakh, the trans- Himalayan region on India’s northern borders.

Being a geographical extension of the southwestern end of the Tibetan plateau, Ladakh is often referred to as a Little Tibet. Indeed, both geographically and culturally there is little difference.

Our 14 day Expedition to this high altitude lunar landscape is a once-in-a lifetime experience combining the best of adventure and cultural insight into the Buddhist lifestyle.

In the two days of acclimatization in Leh after the flight in from Delhi there is time to visit Buddhist monasteries and the old palaces as well as time to wander around the quaint old bazaar of Leh town. Our 3-day mountain drive from Leh to our river put-in forms a major highlight of the trip. Few mountain drives offer such a varied landscape from high altitude desert to in- your -face Himalayan close-ups of the Nun Kun massif (23,400ft altitude) as we drive right below its northern face and its hanging glaciers. Our final road leg sees us cross the Pensi-La Pass at 14500 ft altitude, the highest point of the trip with the Durung-Drung glacier below, a major source of the Zanskar.

The 7 day river journey, starting just 40 km below the glacial headwaters takes you through the Zanskar gorge sometimes referred to as the Grand Canyon of Asia. Big water Class 3 and 4 rapids, walks through orchards ripe with apricot, side-hikes to gravity-defying monasteries and an evening incantation with the monks, all add to the unique charm and adventure of our expedition to this rugged wilderness.

Day 00: All going well, most international flights arrive into New Delhi International Airport late at night or very early in the morning. You will be met by your 4 Corners Whitewater Expedition Leader and staff, who will be holding a 4 Corners Whitewater Sign and frantically waving at you from within the crowd that meets and greets every flight outside the airport. Depending on other arrivals, guide or staff will transfer you to you’re a comfortable Hotel in a upscale residential area of New Delhi. Depending on other arriving flights, your Expedition leader will meet the group at the hotel for coffee in the morning.

Day 01 : Fly from Delhi to Leh, the capital of Ladakh. Leh is at an altitude of 11,000 ft and one of the highest commercial airports in the world. Check into the basic but comfortable Lha -Rimo Hotel in Leh. Relax, don’t exert yourself, your body needs to acclimatize to the altitude. The entire group including all Guides will be staying at the hotel, which will give everyone a chance to get to know each other. You can take a walk into the bazzars and just relax, taking in all the diverse culture. Overnight at the Lha-Rimo Hotel.

Day 02 : Light activity and short walks around Leh. The quaint Leh market is a great place to start exploring as are the numerous bakeries selling mouth – watering gourmet delights. For the more energetic a visit to a few monasteries such as Spituk , Thikse and Hemis will be arranged . Overnight at the Lha-Rimo Hotel.

Day 03 : Today we embark on what is one of the most spectacular Himalayan drives. Very few people get the opportunity to drive over some of the highest motorable roads in the world. We drive a 180 kms. from Leh to Mulbek/Kargil, through spectacular lunar landscape. Crossing the high mountain pass of Fotu-La at an altitude of 14,000 ft, from the Indus River Valley into the Suru River Valley. We visit the Lamayuru Monastery enroute, known to be one of the oldest monasteries amongst the Red Hat Buddhist sect. Overnight at a basic Hotel/Rest House.

Day 04 : The most spectacular part of the drive, filled with stunning natural wonders. We drive to Ringdum Gompa (12,000 ft.) . Few mountain drives get you this close to the Great Himalaya. The awesome mass of the Nun Kun massif over 7000m high, with its hanging glacier across the road from us, dominate todays journey. Overnight in tented camp at Ringdum.

Day 05 : Our final road leg across the Pensi La Pass at 14,500 ft feet , surrounded by an awe inspiring arena of the Zanskar peaks. Below us is the Durung-Drung Glacier that feeds the Zanskar River. We drive on to camp 40 kms below the glacier at Remala village, our put-in. Overnight in tented camp.

Day 06 : We get our rafts loaded and set off on the Doda River, a tributary of the Zanskar. We will raft down the Doda River from Remala to Karsha covering approx 30 km. Class 2 rapids primarily, wide open valley surrounded by 6000 meter Himalayan and Zanskar peaks. After settling into camp by 2 PM, take a short walk to the spectacular Kharsha Monastery for the evening incantations by the monks. Overnight in camp.

Day 07 : Witness a beautiful sunrise over the Himalayan peaks followed by a leisurely breakfast .Our river journey continues down to the confluence of the Doda with the Tsarap-Chu River which form the Zanskar River. Today’s stretch is approximately 35 kms. with Class II & III rapids, passing by Zangla village the old capital of Zanskar . We camp below the habitations of Pidmu village, near the entrance to the Zanskar gorge. After settling into the camp we visit the nearby habitations for some local interaction. Overnight in camp.

Day 08 : We enter the upper Zanskar gorge, completely dwarfed by the gigantic chasm walls, each turn bringing on amazing rock formations and colors. The Zanskar Gorge a geological gem, with amazing rock formations and fissures clearly showing the movement of rock layers. The power of the river and rapids picks up, ending our exciting 20 km run at Nyerak, the only camping site where the gorge opens up a little. After lunch a short walk to the Nyerak wooden bridge, just 25 ft across the Zanskar, and up the opposite bank to get a feel for this geological wonderland. Overnight in camp.

Day 09 : Action packed day through the heart of the Zanskar Gorge- 40 km of non stop Class 3 and 4 whitewater, awe-inspiring rock formations and a stop for lunch at a gigantic cataract pouring out of a cliff face to an oasis below- paradise ! We conclude our long days rafting at Lamaguru camp, the confluence of the Markha River with the Zanskar. Overnight at camp.

Day 10 : Relaxed morning. Then a 3 hr hike thru fields of barley and apricot trees with fruit ready to pluck in the picturesque lower Markha valley. The Skiu village and monastery have much to offer in hospitality and culture being on the main Markha trekking route. After a visit to the monastery and lunch, we head back to our river camp for an early evening. Overnight in camp.

Day 11 : We raft the last stretch of the Zanskar from Lamaguru to Nimu, covering approx 30 km to its confluence with the mighty Indus. Mostly big volume class 3 rapids with the power increasing significantly after the Markha river joins. We camp below the picturesque Nimu village, an oasis of green in this stark lunar landscape. A walk through this delightful village with apricot trees in full fruit rounds off an excellent day. Overnight at camp.

Day 12 : Our final river day starting with the mighty Nimu Class 4 rapids of the Indus river, floating past Alchi monastery where we conclude our river journey having covered 25 kms on the Indus. We drive up to visit the Alchi monastery, one of the oldest and historically significant monasteries of Ladakh . We drive back 60 km to Leh to check into our hotel and have those much needed baths! Overnight in Hotel.

Day 13 : In Leh – Rest and relaxation and time to catch up with any last minute shopping. There is time to go for some short walks or drive to monasteries. We will have a wonderful meal as a group and recount the highlights of this journey of a lifetime. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 14 : Fly Leh / Delhi. You will have the option to Overnight in Delhi or fly back to the US.

The Detail

 - Airfare Delhi / Leh / Delhi.

- Hotel Accomodation on twin share basis in Delhi, Leh and Kargil.

- Tented and Rest House accommodation on twin share basis, enroute through the  trip.

- All camping equipment, except personal sleeping bags. This includes tents and sleeping pads.

- All Rafting and specialized equipment including the best Coast Guard approved life jackets, helmets, etc.

- Meals throughout the trip.

- All local tax and permit fees.

- Fully Qualified and Highly Experienced River Guides.

4 Corners Whitewater will provide 3 mm neoprene wet suit, neoprene gloves and paddling jacket for the trip – please advise weight and height for the wet suit well in advance. We would like to make sure you get your neoprene and splash gear in the US, before the trip leaves.

COST EXCLUDES :

- Site-seeing in Delhi and Leh. Relatively inexpensive & day trips can be easily arranged.

- Any expenditure of a personal nature such as laundry, satellite & landline calls, etc.

- Alcoholic beverages

- Personal Medical and/or Travel Insurance including Trip Cancellation Insurance.

- Any cost arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as landslides, bad weather and road conditions and   any other circumstances beyond our control.

NOTE:

4 Corners Whitewater and its agents reserve the right to modify and alter the itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control, such as weather and road conditions, condition on the river, etc. This right would be exercised in the best interest of your safety and well being.

4 Corners Whitewater and its agents will not be liable in case of delays on flights in the Delhi-Leh-Delhi sector as well as for any delays due to bad weather etc.