Ladakh Through Lens
Days 16
May June Sep
4980Mtr
Challanging
12 Pax
1 : 6
Exp. Preferred
Fit. Very High
Live the life of a documentary filmmaker or an ace wildlife photographer, as you track the elusive Ghost of the Himalayas at the Hemis High Altitude national park. Brave the extreme Ladakhi winter and explore the other sight of this cold desert.
This trek is accompanied by expert Snow Leopard guides and trekkers who give an apt update on the last sighting of the lovely cat to increase the chances of sightings. The tracking route is never linear – so flexibility is the key. You will get to experience how the locals brave the cold as you expose yourself to the elements (albeit in a cautionary manner) of Ladakh. Be a part of a small group of maximum of 10 participants – travel, trek, track and click with like-minded wildlife lovers. We spend the first two days acclimatizing in Leh, post which we move into the Hemis National Park. The mountains here are home to four different types of wild sheep, the Asiatic Ibex, Blue Sheep, Ladakh Urial, and the Tibetan Argali. Also found here are the Tibetan Wolf, Red Fox, and the Eurasian Lynx. In the cold winter months from October to March each year, a window opens that gives you the opportunity to spot this beautiful cat. In its habitat, it is truly magnificent to see it walk with ease and finesse. Once spotted, it is impossible to leave the scopes even for a second, even for our guides, who have seen it more than a couple of hundred times! At that moment, you truly feel blessed and lucky.
Itinerary & Details
Arrive in Leh. Meet Pahadi Bakra’s team member and transfer to Hotel. Flight to Leh takes you right over the top of the Greater Himalaya before dropping down in a series of steep turns, to land at the small military airport at Leh. We recommend that the rest of the day be filled with gentle walks in town and resting to help adjust to the altitude. Overnight in Leh.
In Leh. This morning we walk to acclimatization. Our walk brings us to Shanti Stupa, a large, white-domed Buddhist chorten perched on a hill outside of Leh, Gyamsa village, and farther to Kalon Farm and across to Leh Palace, down through the Old town of Leh back to the hotel. After Lunch Tour of Ladakh’s famed monasteries and palaces such as Shey, Thiksey & Hemis Gompa. Each of these monasteries are profoundly beautiful in both architecture and internal artwork. On Third day we would be visiting Likir on the Leh-Srinagar highway, magnetic hills while having view of Indus and Zanskar River confluence and Alchi. Finally after having our lunch at Alchi we drive back to Leh. Overnight stay in hotel.
Early morning after breakfast we start our drive towards Nothern Ladakh region, Nubra Valley. Nubra is a tri-armed valley located to the north east of Ladakh valley. Diskit the capital of Nubra, Original known as Ldumra among the Locals. With its vast landscapes, gigantic views of the holy Himalayas, beautiful trails, a wide variety of flora & fauna, and the peaceful hummings of Shyok River in the backdrop, drifting off on a Nubra Valley bike ride is sure to fill your hearts with calm, content, and serenity. Overnight in Nubra.
On day 5 we drive towards Eastern Ladakh, We will be exploring Changtang Region and its offbeat locations. (Complete itinerary will be provided at the time of booking). Tso Moriri is situated at a elevation of 15,000 ft. above the sea level. It is like a pearl shaped and contains large mineral deposits. Korzok village is situated on the South-west bank of this lake. Korzok Gonpa and its inhabitants nomads by tradition are most outstanding features of this area. The upland plateaus of Changthang in Nyoma Sub-Division are possibly the most attractive areas in the District as far as scenic beauty, brackish lakes and Wild Life are concerned. The vast pastures with their gently flowing streams and the lakes amidst the spectacularly coloured mountains are quite unlike anything a tourist see anywhere in India. On day 7 we drive back to Leh. A whole year is less if you want to explore Ladakh, but we can build a solid plan that can take you through the offbeat and well known locations of Ladakh. Overnight at the Hotel in Leh.
Morning after a heavy breakfast Our driver will pick you up you from the guest house and transfer you directly to the airport in time for your early morning flight, Unless you notify us otherwise.
- Accommodations as per the Itinerary
- Air port / Railway Station Pickup & Drop
- Welcome drink on Arrival
- Local Experienced guide fees
- All transportation as per the Itinerary
- Transportation in SUV / Tempo as per the requirement
- Driver with all Allowance paid
- Guide with First aid Certification
- Breakfast and dinner in the during stay at town / city
- Permit & Park / Forest fee
- Waste disposal bags
- Wire transfer fee (if applicable)
- Professional Photographer fees (You need to inform us prior to book)
- India entry visa and airport fees (If Required)
- Any extra nights’ lodging
- Single room supplement
- Meals not listed above
- All personal snack/lunch food
- Alcoholic beverages and bottled drinks (bottled water)
- International & Domestic Airfare / Trainfare
- Excess baggage charges and airport taxes
- Any transportation not mentioned
- Personal gear, clothing and Camera Equipment
- Forest Charges for carrying still/video cameras etc.
- Personal communication (phone, fax, email)
- All expenses incurred in the event of early departure (evacuation fees, transport, extra hotel nights, etc.)
- Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of Pahadi Bakra Adventure
- Insurance. Participants are required to have a comprehensive medical insurance policy in order to embark on this expedition.
We are currently organizing the treks for private groups only. Our expeditions are safe and all the required security measurements are taken as per the guidelines. Please contact us for Group costing.
Payment Policy:
- A deposit of 25% of the complete trip Amount is due at the time of registration to reserve the expedition.
- All balances are due 60 days prior to expedition start date, unless otherwise specified, and can be paid by check, bank transfer, UPI or by credit / debit card with a 3% fee.
- Participants whose balances are not received by the 60-day deadline as stated above, unless otherwise specified.
- Each deposit includes a 10% non-refundable fee.
- 25% cancellation of the package cost after confirmation/issuing the hotel voucher.
- 30% cancellation of the package cost Between 60 to 45 days of the traveling date.
- 50% cancellation of the package cost Between 44 to 30 days of the traveling date.
- 100% cancellations Between 29 – 0 days of the travels date.
- 10% amount is non-refundable at any point.
- If the customer cancels his/her booking because of reasons like Illness, personal problems death, accident or No Shows amount will be deducted according to the policy.
- All cancellations must have interacted in writing.
- Policy may be different for Foreigners or International traveler / participants.
TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE
- As there are many unforeseen circumstances that may occur during or leading up to the trip, we highly recommend trip cancellation insurance.
- In many situations, this may be the only way to receive a refund for unused services.
- In brief, trip cancellation insurance may allow you to get reimbursed if you need to cancel your expedition when you are not entitled to a refund from Pahadi Bakra.
- Train / Flight reservations for your expedition should be made as soon as possible.
- Please forward a copy of your travel itinerary before final payment so we can review departure and arrival dates.
- We make hotel arrangements to meet individual itineraries.
- Visas & Passports To enter India – You must have a passport that is up to date and valid for at least six months after the end of your intended trip in order to enter India.
- Citizens of SARC nations do not need visas, but they must have a valid form of identification with them at all times (see country-specific rules before travelling).
- It is the responsibility of participant to ascertain and meet entrance criteria for their passports or nationalities.
- We are delighted to assist with this procedure. We advise you to review the entry requirements on the relevant country’s official website.
Flying to Leh : Small airport of Leh is very well connected with Mumbai, Delhi, Chandigarh and other Major Airports. This trip requires that you arrive in Leh on Day 1 of your Excursion. All the flights to Leh arrives before 2 PM. For International participants arrival at New Delhi airport is required. Keep in mind Delhi Airport can be challenging as there is unpredictable length of time to clear customs. A taxi from Leh airport will take you to your hotel. Departure: You may fly out any time on the last day of your itinerary, as most of the flights fly before 2:00 PM, make sure you have booked connecting flights accordingly.
Train to Leh : There are no Railway station at Leh, or for that matter in Ladakh.
By Road to Leh : There are three world famous roads connecting rest of the world with Leh, Manali to Leh, which is also dream of most of the Bikers requires one to travel to Manali and after one day rest you can get the direct shared cab / taxi to Leh, it takes 12 Hrs to travel 415 Km and you will cross 2 5000 Mtr High altitude Passes. Second is Srinagar to Leh through Kargil & Lamayuru. It also takes approx 14 Hrs to reach, here as well you will cross 2 High altitude Pass. Third one could be one of the toughest way to Leh, It starts from Manali goes to Darcha and from there you go to the Zhanskar, aka Lost Kingdom, and you continue towards Kargil or off road to Lamayuru via Lingshed. We can arrange transportation if someone wants to travel via Road. Contact Us!
Early Arrival/Late Departure: For those arriving early or departing after the scheduled itinerary, we can make hotel and transport arrangements at an additional cost. Please contact our office in advance if you would like us to make additional reservations.
Missed Flights / Trains: If you miss your flight / Train or if your flight / Train is significantly delayed, please contact Swapnil Rachelwar on +91 94076 89444 and follow the prompt for 24-hour contact. Citizens of SARC nations do not need visas, but they must have a valid form of identification with them at all times (see country-specific rules before travelling). Participants are responsible for determining and meeting entry requirements for their passports or nationalities.
EXPENSES
For purchases and supplemental costs in India, we advise combining cash and credit/debit cards. Apart from Leh, there aren’t many establishments that accept cards or UPI payments, therefore we advise you to bring additional cash. Request modest denominations of change when exchanging money because bigger note change is difficult to get outside of major cities. Alcoholic beverages and bottled beverages are not included with your meals, and as we do not promote the use of single-use plastic, it is advised that you bring your own water bottle. If you intend to purchase refreshments (which are not permitted during the excursion), please bring some additional cash. Ahead of Schedule/Evacuation You are in charge of paying any costs incurred (such as extra hotel nights, transportation costs, and evacuation fees) if you have to leave the adventure before it is finished. It is advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance so that these expenses may be paid for should they arise.
TIPPING
Every effort is made by our staff to make sure your trip or excursion is successful, safe, and as fun as possible. Gratuities are a great way to express your gratitude after a satisfying encounter. Since we think gratuities should depend on the quantity and quality of services, as well as an amount that fits your budget, it’s challenging to suggest a precise sum. Your lead guide and coordinator can accept any contributions to the guides’ tip fund, and the entire team will be grateful.
What to expect from this Expedition
It is a high altitude tour, the route remains above 4000m most of time. Thus a proper acclimatization at Leh is essential for doing this trip. The other challenging and significant problem can be the crossing of multiple mountain passes, which are above 5000 mtrs. It is therefore essential to have good acclimatization prior. This whole trip is not just about the photography, It’s the blend of Cultural exploration and Historical experience. Its a perfect trip for general tourist as well. Given difficulty of the trek endurance is key and preparation should be more rigorous. Good fitness level is must in order to enjoy this trip. Some training up before the trip would help. Apart from the physical aspect one has to come mentally prepared as we would be spending almost a month into the unknown territory, while experiencing new way of life, a different culture. Prior trekking experience is desirable.
Note on Itinerary: Each day we will try to have some free time so one is not always on guided tour. While we often eat meals together, they will not be pre-arranged which will allow us the flexibility to eat at local establishments or at more preferred hours. Hotels are subject to change. Although we do our very best to follow the schedule listed, this itinerary is subject to change due to inclement weather, unsafe route conditions, or other reasons beyond our control and in the guide’s best judgement.
Private Expedition
We believe any expedition or tour is the ideal setting for making new acquaintances and lasting relationships, but in particular circumstances, a privately led trip is required. Pahadi Bakra has organised private expeditions, trips, and journeys to almost all regions of the nation during the previous ten years. A private tour is a fantastic opportunity to personalise your experience and keep team sizes to a manageable number.
This option is ideal for anybody who has a certain start date, needs a custom itinerary, or unique trip extras, or needs a lengthier itinerary to give themselves more time to acclimatise. It’s also great for filmmakers and non-profit fundraising trips.
If you would like more information on the above please contact Swapnil Rachelwar directly to help you plan your next travel experience.
Why Book With Us
Each of our programmes is based on Leave No Trace principles, and we want everyone who joins us to be aware of appropriate wilderness and environmental standards. By providing each of our clients with Leave No Trace instruction and resources, we contribute to this effort. The LNT Outdoor Ethics are tried-and-true, science-based approaches to the preservation of the environment. In order to provide individuals the creative knowledge and skills they need to care for the environment, we also run educational and cleaning activities.
Our team make us who we are. We are a team of people that share the same understanding of and commitment to principles. These people are committed to imparting their knowledge to others. Many of our tour guides have more than 10 years of experience, and a few of them have been in business for more than 35 years. Our guides have a strong reputation in the climbing community as a result of their work and services. The main distinction between us and our rivals is the calibre of our guides and staff.
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