THE VILLAGES AND HIGH MOUNTAIN PASSES OF LADAKH

14-DAY TREK IN INDIA

14 days

4/5

12 people max.

TrekkingLadakh – India

An original and off-the-beaten-track journey to discover the rugged and little-travelled Ladakh region. You will be able to explore its valleys and villages to immerse yourself in the region and meet some of its people.

At the foot of Ladakh’s most climbed peak over 6,000 m (19,685 ft), Stok Kangri, our trekking route weaves its way between high mountain passes and green valleys, where poplars grow in the middle of oases cleverly created by the villagers.

13

2995,00 

About this trip

An original and off-the-beaten-track journey to discover the rugged and little-travelled Ladakh region. You will be able to explore its valleys and villages to immerse yourself in the region and meet some of its people.

At the foot of Ladakh’s most climbed peak over 6,000 m (19,685 ft), Stok Kangri, our trekking route weaves its way between high mountain passes and green valleys, where poplars grow in the middle of oases cleverly created by the villagers.

You will meet many people as you go along, and the smiles of the inhabitants will remain engraved in your memory until the day you come back again! One thing is for sure, you will be completely enchanted by this vast playground of opportunities.

Pierrick Delattre
+33 (0)6 65 93 29 29
contact@watse.fr

Pierrick, the founder of the agency, grew up in the Mont Blanc region.

As a true mountain lover, he has made the area his playground and his profession. He will take you off the beaten track on routes that he has designed and mapped himself. Sharing his experience and passion with you every step of the way, you can entrust yourself completely to his guidance.

Highlights of the trip

A trek on little-used paths in rugged scenery
Not-to-be-missed monastery visits
The chosen route guarantees the best possible acclimatization
DAYS 1 & 2: FLIGHT TO LADAKH
Night in a guest house
Flight to Delhi and then another flight on the regular route from Delhi to Leh. A stunning flight over the Himalayan range and landing on one of the highest runways in the world. Transfer to your hotel in a lively district of Leh (3,600 m / 11,810 ft above sea level).

If you feel like it, you can spend a short time visiting Leh and start your acclimatization. Dinner at your own expense.
DAY 3: MONASTERIES
3-hour drive - Night in a guest house
A day devoted to visiting the key sights of the Indus valley with our local guide: Hemis, Thiksey, Thag Thog and of course Shey, the former capital of Ladakh where you will meet the family for a local lunch. You will continue your acclimatization. Dinner at your own expense.
DAY 4: LEH - SHEY
4 hours walking time - Night in a guest house - 350 m (1,150 ft) ascent / 300 m (985 ft) descent
Today you will start walking in the highlands of Ladakh with a day hike around Leh, revealing exceptional and far-ranging views of the scenery. Your acclimatization process continues. Return to Leh at the end of the day. Dinner at your own expense.
DAY 5: FROM BEZZI TO THE REFUGE OF THE SWORD
30-minute drive - 6 hours walking time - Night in a tent - 700 m (2,300 ft) ascent
Today you will set out on your trek, heading for the village of Stok (3,500 m / 11,485 ft above sea level). The transfer is short, so you can take your time exploring the village. You will then start walking towards Mankarmo (4,400 m / 14,435 ft). You will walk up a spectacular gorge with many geological features before arriving at the camp site not far from Kangri La Cha (6,195 m / 20,325 ft), a mountain you might want to climb on a future trip.
DAY 6: MANKARMO - GYANG POCHE
6 hours walking time - Night in a tent - 700 m (2,300 ft) ascent / 500 m (1,640 ft) descent
Today you will reach your first mountain pass. The climb is gradual, taking you past a sheepfold and then up a zigzag path to Matho La (4,930 m / 16,175 ft), where you can enjoy some magnificent views and a glimpse of nearby Matho Kangri (5,860 m / 19,225 ft). Then there is a fast descent to the camp at Gyang Poche (4,440 m / 14,565 ft).
DAY 7: GYANG POCHE - SHANG PHU
6 hours walking time - Night in a tent - 600 m (1,970 ft) ascent / 600 m (1,970 ft) descent
You will enjoy a varied ascent with flat sections offering stunning views on your way to Shang La (4,940 m / 16,210 ft). You will pass several sheepfolds and have the opportunity to talk to these nomadic herders and to gain a better understanding of their way of life. Since they are often as interested as we are, the discussions are sure to be enjoyable. The descent initially takes you through pastures where you can observe the yaks in the middle of a magical, red-tinged landscape. Shang Phu (4,374 m / 14,350 ft) camp awaits with its nomads at the confluence of three valleys.
DAY 8: SHANG PHU - CHOGDO
6 hours walking time - Night in a tent - 600 m (1,970 ft) ascent / 600 m (1,970 ft) descent
Today, a high-level traverse takes you to Gyuncho La (4,590 m / 15,060 ft), which is actually made up of two successive passes. Some beautiful fairy chimneys can be seen in this vast landscape. The descent along the river is easy and you will reach the camp at Chogdo (4,100 m / 13,450 ft) in a beautiful valley, where you can still see some of these unusual folded geological formations.
DAY 9: CHOGDO - NIMALING
6 hours walking time - Night in a tent - 700 m (2,300 ft) ascent / 700 m (2,300 ft) descent
You will start the day in a unique and beautiful setting with many river crossings before moving on in the direction of Kongmaru La (5,260 m / 17,260 ft), which you will reach after a beautiful, long climb. The view from the pass is far-reaching and magnificent. But what really catches your attention is the slender silhouette of Kang Yatse rising up in front of you. The descent is easy to the Nimaling pastures (4,730 m / 15,520 ft) where you will set up camp for the night.
DAY 10: NIMALING - DROKSA
6 hours walking time - Night in a tent - 600 m (1,970 ft) ascent
Fabulous scenery surrounds you for these last two days in the middle of the glaciers and at the gateway to Changtang, the high-altitude Tibetan plateau. Today you will pass Lhalung La (5,320 m / 17,455 ft) before reaching camp at Droksa (4,700 m / 15,420 ft).
DAY 11: : Droksa - Lhato
7 hours walking time - Night in a tent - 500 m (1,640 ft) ascent / 800 m (2,625 ft) descent
Your last day of walking in the midst of these stunning landscapes. Expect to feel emotional as you cross the last two mountain passes on your adventure, Chagtsang La (5,200 m / 17,060 ft) and Poze La (4,950 m / 16,240 ft). The time has come to shout out “Kiki Soso Largyalo” (“the gods will always be victorious” in Tibetan) and leave these high-altitude valleys to reach Lhato, on the famous Leh-Manali highway. Depending on the time of arrival, you will either return directly to Leh or spend your last night at the camp. One thing is for sure, the atmosphere will be festive !
DAY 12: LHATO - LEH
6 hours walking time - Night in a tent - 700 m (2,300 ft) ascent / 700 m (2,300 ft) descent
Depending on the previous day's programme, drive to Leh or spend the day shopping, sightseeing or doing a final hike as you wish. There will be one last meal with our Ladakhi friends so that you can keep their smiling faces in your memory for years to come and enjoy their company once last time.
DAY 13: FLIGHT HOME FROM LADAKH
Morning flight to Delhi and then home.
DAY 14: ARRIVAL HOME
Arrival home. Depending on flight options, there is a possibility of arriving in the evening of day 13.

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THE VILLAGES AND HIGH MOUNTAIN PASSES OF LADAKH-14-DAY

Photos and videos

Practical information

Time difference
UTC +5h30: at 11.00 CET, it’s 15.30 in Leh
Safety

You can find advice on foreign travel from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs on their official website at diplomatie.gouv.fr under the heading “Conseils aux voyageurs”.

Information published on the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs is subject to change and is provided for guidance only. Furthermore, please remember that no country or region of the world can be considered safe from the risk of terrorism.

Climate

Nestled between the Himalayas to the south and the Karakorum to the north, Ladakh, at an average altitude of 5,300 m (17,390 ft), has two main seasons:

– Winter, with temperatures down to -30°C, snow and road closures.
– Summer (mid-May to mid-October), when the climate is very dry and harsh (the mountains stop the monsoon, in principle) with intense sunshine.

In September, it is already freezing at night… and on some summits, it starts to get cold from mid-August. It is quite possible to encounter snow in Ladakh in September, so be prepared and well equipped.

Reminder: the weather is unpredictable, so it is important to be prepared in case of exceptional and difficult weather conditions.

Infos
Luggage
During the trip, you will only carry your light backpack (30/35 L) with useful things for the day (water, sun cream, jacket, small first-aid kit, etc.). Every evening, you will collect your travel bag (80/100 L) entrusted to the mules during the trek. During the trek, mules or horses are used to transport your personal belongings. Therefore, it is imperative that you only take the bare necessities (maximum 15 kg) on your trek. Your luggage may be weighed at the start of the trek and if it is overweight you will have to review its contents. You can leave the rest of your belongings at the hotel and collect them at the end of the trek.
Transport

Travel overland is by private vehicle.

Air
Airfares will be maintained until 3 months before departure and may be readjusted if necessary if you are booking less than 3 months before.
Electricity
No adapter needed for power outlets
Meals

Picnics or hot meals at midday, hot meals in the evening either in restaurants in the towns, in the hotel or prepared by the cooking team during the treks.
Meals in town are not included so you can eat what you like before and after the trek.

Accomodation

Hotels in the towns and camps on the treks.

In the towns, we have chosen comfortable hotels that are always well located.

On the trek, we use 3-person tents for 2 people for more comfort. You will find the camp already set up when you arrive. A helping hand (especially for dismantling in the morning) is welcome and allows an earlier start. Meals are taken in a mess tent and a toilet tent is set up when there is no toilet at the camp. A basin of hot water is provided or can be requested from our local team for a quick wash.

Health and vaccines

No compulsory vaccines.

We strongly recommend that you make sure you are up to date with the standard vaccinations: diphtheria-tetanus-poliomyelitis, whooping cough, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B.

We recommend that you have a check-up with your dentist before you leave.

Ifremmont
No vaccinations are required for entry into India. We recommend that you are up to date with the standard vaccinations, primarily tetanus and polio. Typhoid and hepatitis A and B vaccines are recommended. Hepatitis A is transmitted by drinking contaminated water, B is transmitted by sexual intercourse or blood contact and sometimes by saliva.
Supervision

Supervision by a qualified French mountain leader and a local Ladakhi team. This team varies from day to day but is composed of a local, English-speaking Ladakhi guide for the visits and helpers for the trekking part.

Formalities and Visa

For French nationals:
• Tourist visa to be requested from VFS GLOBAL or other visa service.
• Your passport must be valid for 6 months after the mandatory return date and have at least three blank pages, two of which must be consecutive.
For nationals of other countries, please contact the Indian embassy in your country to find out about the formalities.

Procedure for obtaining a visa:
• e-Visa (via Internet): Less expensive and quicker to obtain than the classic visa, an e-Visa (electronic visa) can be obtained from the following official website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html
You will need to fill in a form, upload the administrative copy of the passport you will be travelling with, a passport photo and pay the consular fee by bank card. Your e-Visa will then be sent to you by email. You will have to print it out and present it with your flight tickets when you board your flight and when you arrive at the Indian immigration office. We advise you to apply for a multiple-entry tourist visa valid for one year, once your stay is confirmed.

• Classic visa (via an embassy or consulate), especially when the conditions for an e-Visa cannot be met. You will need to submit/send your application to an embassy or consulate (Paris, Lyon, Marseilles, Bordeaux, Strasbourg).

As these formalities may change, please check with the consular authorities in your country to ensure that they are accurate. Each individual traveller is responsible for complying with the entry requirements of the countries they visit. Watse cannot be held responsible for any changes in formalities.

BUDGET, CURRENCY AND TIPS
The currency in India is the Indian rupee. Abbreviation: INR. Indicative rate in November 2020: €1 = 79 INR Cash: you can travel with both euros and dollars. Currency exchange can be carried out in exchange offices, banks or even hotels. - Meal in a tourist restaurant: between €8 and €15 - Coffee: between €0.6 and €1 - Bottle of mineral water: €1
Registration

By post:

Ask us for a registration form

Send us your registration along with a copy of your passport, your details (postal address, phone numbers and email address) and a deposit of 30% of the cost of the trip.

Also, if you wish to take out a Comfort or Comfort Multi-risk cancellation insurance policy, this must be paid at the same time as the deposit when you register. You can consult the insurance contracts on our website.

On the internet:

Book your stay directly on our website: on the page for the trip by selecting your date and insurance options.

PLEASE NOTE: Airfares will be maintained until 3 months before departure and may be readjusted if necessary if you are booking less than 3 months before.

Insurance and assistance

We strongly advise you to take out insurance for the duration of the trip.

We offer two tailored insurance policies: Comfort Cancellation and Comfort Multi-risk to be taken out when you register for the trip.

Details of this insurance cover can be provided on request or can be viewed by clicking here.

There are other insurance options available, such as Mondial Assistance, your own insurance company or the Club Alpin Français. You should check that they cover trekking.

Make sure that your insurance covers all medical costs in the event of an accident.

It is essential that you check and ensure that you have insurance cover for mountain rescue costs. If this is the case, you must provide us with the following information prior to your departure on the trek:

A certificate from the insurance company stating that mountain rescue costs are covered.

The contract number and telephone number of the assistance centre.

Be aware of the restrictive clauses contained in certain insurance policies (particularly those linked to bank cards such as Visa Premier, Gold or others), for example mountain insurance restricted to snow activities and altitude sickness not recognised as an illness requiring repatriation, resulting in refusal to repatriate.

Please check the actual content of your insurance and make the necessary arrangements where required.

THE VILLAGES AND HIGH MOUNTAIN PASSES OF LADAKH

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Added benefits from Watse

LOCAL EXPERIENCE

The guide who will accompany you on this trek is a specialist in the area. He has lived with the locals for several months!

DUAL SUPPORT

You will be guided by both a local and a French guide. This duo of experts will enrich your adventure with anecdotes and advice, as well as guaranteeing safe and comprehensive guidance.

DISCOVERY OF THE LOCAL CULTURE

With Watse, share unique moments with the villagers and discover the local culture from every angle. Contact with the local people will be facilitated by the local guide.

Next dates and prices

THE VILLAGES AND HIGH MOUNTAIN PASSES OF LADAKH, 14 days

Date of departure DescriptionTotalPeople
2995,00 
-
+
September 3 - 16, 2023 Registration in progress 2995,00 
-
+
August 6 - 19, 2023 Registration in progress 2995,00 
-
+

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR TRIP

  • International flights and airport taxes
  • Travel overland and internal flights as described in the programme
  • Trekking and climbing permits
  • Accommodation in guest houses and tents
  • Meals on the trek including hot drinks and filtered water
  • Supervision by a qualified French mountain leader and a local English-speaking guide for the trek.
  • The assistance of a local team and the carrying of equipment during the trek
  • Camping, rescue and assistance equipment for the trek
  • The IFREMMONT SOS MAM service, a group of doctors specialised in altitude who can be reached by satellite telephone 7 days a week and 24 hours a day (as long as communication can be established)
  • A hyperbaric chamber as well as a first aid kit adapted to the altitude

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR TRIP

  • Meals in the cities of Leh and Delhi
  • Cold or fizzy drinks in general
  • Personal hiking and travel equipment (boots/shoes, poles, personal toiletries, etc.)
  • Cancellation and repatriation assistance insurance to be taken out at the time of registration
  • Visa fees
  • Single room supplements in the accommodation
  • Anything not listed in “What’s included in your trip”

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