ZANSKAR RIVER RAFTING EXPEDITION
Taking challenge in gushing white water of Indian Himalayan Rivers is highly rewarding. There are few great rivers we have selected for the people who wish to explore Himalaya in a very different but exiting way. Camping in unusual places, moving with the pace of rivers, struggling with the rapids, exploring sensations in deep gorges , fear, concentration, excitement are what all are mixed in a boat.
Zanskar River
The Zanskar River is a north-flowing tributary of the Indus. In its upper reaches, the Zanskar has two main branches. First of these, the Doda, has its source near the Pensi La (4,400 m) mountain-pass and flows south-eastwards along the main Zanskar valley leading towards Padum, the capital of Zanskar. The second branch is formed by two main tributaries known as Kargyak River, with its source near the Shingo La (5,091 m), and Tsarap River, with its source near the Baralacha-La. These two rivers unite below the village of Purne to form the Lungnak River. This river then takes a north-eastern course through the dramatic Zanskar Gorge until it joins the Indus near Nimmu in Ladakh.
Day 01: Arrive Delhi: On arrival, you will meet our office representative at the airport who will drive you to the hotel in Delhi for your overnight stay.
Day 02: Delhi- Leh: Morning one hour’s spectacular flight takes you to Leh, the beautiful capital town of Ladakh and the gateway to several peaks, trekking routes and rafting points in Indus and Zanskar. The full day is there to acclimatize yourself with short walks and drives to nearby monasteries and market place to experience a different land of monks and monasteries.
Day 03: Sightseeing of Leh: This will be the full day visit to the Indus Valley monasteries to get a flavor of the history and culture of Ladakh India. With a visit to Thiksey, Shey and Hemis you cover the best known monuments around Leh.
You also pass Sindhu Ghat by the Indus River. In the late afternoon you visit Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Namgyal Shemo Gompa and then stroll through Leh Bazaar.
Day 04: Leh to Kargil, 235 Kms, 9 hours: Morning after breakfast, we drive towards Kargil and cross various beautiful places on the way like Alchi, Lamayuru and Mulbek. Lamayuru is a popular monastery place in Ladakh and Mulbek is a sleepy town which many would pass through without knowing the fact that next to the road is a statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha. It is believed that the 9 meter high statue carved out of solid rock was built in 7th or 8th century. Although one is not allowed to take photographs of the statue, the statue itself is a must see for any one passing through Mulbek. We cross FOTU LA (4119 M) and reach Kargil in the late evening.
Day 05: Kargil to Rangdum (3657 M), 130 Kms/ 7 hours: Rangdum is almost midway between Kargil and Padum. It is a picturesque place, surrounded by colorful hills on the one side and glacier – encrusted Rocky Mountains on the other. Rangdum also has a 18th Century Buddhist monastery of the Geluk-pa order. Rangdum village is an elliptical expanded plateau that is situated midway between Kargil and Padum. Located 130 km south-east of Kargil, in the beautiful Suru Valley in Leh District, Rangdum is surrounded by steep hills, pastures, streams and rocky mountains. Being the farthest region of the Suru Valley, it has evolved with a wild beauty. This isolated place is known for an old monastery, which is one of the most revered Buddhist places in Leh-Ladakh. We reach Rangdum and camp at beautiful place for the night.
Day 06: Rangdum-Remala (3630 M), 6 hours: This day, we drive over Pensi La and reach Remala, our beginning point of rafting expedition. The views of Drung Drung Glaciers and Zanskar ranges are extremely amazing on the way down to Pensi La. The starting point for the expedition is on the Doda River, a tributary of Zanskar, at Remala. Overnight at Camp.
Day 07: Remala–Karsha (3490 M), 5 hours: The rafting expedition in Zanskar River starts from Ramela where the expedition guides and logistic coordinators explain the technicalities and give demonstrations. Through the Grade II and III rapids we raft for about 4-5 hours and the high mountain peaks are always following us. We establish our camp at the confluence of Doda & Tsarap Chu Rivers. In the afternoon, we walk up to Karsha Gompa to explore this very important monastery in Zanskar Valley, situated close to Padum.
Day 08: Karsha- Honio (3360 M), 3 hours: Morning we can see the spectacular views of Karsha Monastery and later start paddling through some Grade II and III rapids. The Valley narrows down as you pass through some Higher Himalayan ranges and this stretch is almost 24 Kms long, the day can be considered as an easy day and we relax at our camp site in the evening.
Day 09: Honio- Nyerak (3286 M): This day, we move down the river for almost 25 Kms to enter through the canyon to reach Nyerak through a couple of grade III rapids. The river banks appear at hundreds of feet above you. After few more rafting we stop for the day to pitch camp in a gorge below Nyerak village. Almost 3 hours are spent this day for rafting.
Day 10: Rest Day: This is the rest day at Nyerak where we can walk to the Nyerak Village and spend a relaxing time at campsite.
Day 11: Nyerak- Lamaguru (3190 M)/ 6 hours: This days rafting takes us to a 35Kms river journey marked with grade III and IV rapids through the core of the Zanskar canyon and brings us to Lamaguru at the confluence with Markha River. The river gets tight in between just for 15-20 feet and creates great excitement while rafting. Break for lunch at a beautiful site near huge waterfall. Further along paddle through the stunning Red canyon and camp for the night. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to see that at this high altitude the sky is nothing less the bejeweled sheet. The night close to the river is fantastic experience.
Day 12: Lamaguru- Nimmu Raft) and drive Leh: Raft 40 Kms of Class III/IV white water from Lamaguru to Nimmu (3154 M)/ 4 hours: We raft past the village of Chilling and exciting rapids as the Zanskar plunges out of the canyon to meet with the Indus at Nimmu. This is the route for the winter Chadar trek on frozen river too. We end our trip at the confluence of the Zanskar with the Indus. Drive to Leh from here will take about one hour.
Day 13 Leh- Delhi flight: Morning fly back to Delhi where our representative will meet and take you to your hotel.
Day 14 Fly home: We transfer you to the international airport for your flight back to home.
Pick up from the International Airport
We transfer you to the international airport for your flight back to home.