September 1st - 19th 2023: This trek itinerary allows for ample acclimatisation In Leh (3500m) after arrival from the United Kingdom or the Middle East. Acclimatisation in Leh is essential due to flying into such a high altitude from Delhi. Prior to departure from the United Kingdom, a series of pre-trek training days and walks will be offered and this will include high altitude awareness. The approximate price for this trek will be £2500 (with a payment schedule to follow) excluding airfares but full details will be provided to those joining this trek. The normal end of trek bonus to the support crew will be approximately £100. These prices are based on international currency exchange rates effective September 2022. The airfare from the UK to Leh will be approximately £1000 with a change of aircraft in Delhi but this might require an overnight transit stop at an airport hotel close to Delhi Airport. Helen Menhinick recently travelled to/from Leh using Vistara Airlines in Premium Economy and thought it was a nice way to travel although Alan's previous trips were with KLM and Jet Airways. Participants can opt to extend their trip with a tw0-night trip into the Nubra Valley on the ancient Silk Road or visit the Taj Mahal near Delhi after departure from Leh. Further details of this trek can be obtained from either Alan Ward (IML + Group Technical Adviser) or Helen Menhinick (ML + Group Manager): [email protected] [email protected] www.brynwalking.co.uk After arrival in Leh we will be met by our local partners and transferred to our hotel for three nights pre-expedition and two nights post-expedition at the Hotel Osmalia which was recently inspected by Helen Menhinick and found to be very good. The location is just a short walk into Leh and the Hotel Omasila is a family-friendly hotel that brings the best of Leh to your doorstep. Single room supplements are available on request. Guest rooms offer amenities such as a flat screen TV, and guests can go online with free internet access offered by the hotel. The Hotel Omasila features room service, to help make your stay more enjoyable. The property also boasts an on-site restaurant. While staying at the Hotel Omasila, visitors can check out Monastery Circuit (0.5 mi) and Sankar Monastery (0.5 mi), some of Leh's top attractions. Leh has plenty of restaurants so when you’re here, be sure to check out popular spots like the Crossroad Restaurant and Tingmo at Thongsal, which are serving up some great dishes. Should time allow, Shanti Stupa and the large Prayer Wheel are some popular attractions that are within walking distance. September 2nd/3rd/4th: Acclimatisation in Leh will see visits to important sites in and around Leh:
September 5th: Leh to Rumtse (3 hrs drive) From Leh, the drive to Rumtse is an exciting one, with views of the mighty Indus Valley and many monasteries on the way which it is hoped can be visited. Visits to the ancient monasteries of Thikse, Stakna and Hemis are potential sites to be visited. Overnight camping there. September 6th: Rumtse to Kyamar 4600m (4 hrs trekking) Day one is easily manageable: we have a short walk on a rather flat terrain to aid acclimatization. We will camp overnight at lush Kyamar, near a spring. September 7th: Kyamar to Tisaling (6 to 7 hrs trekking) We should be fully energized today with proper breakfast for a challenging day ahead. We begin with gradual ascent towards our first pass of Kyamar La (4900 m), which gives a spectacular view of the Changthang range with its colorful rife of mountain. After the pass, we steadily descend towards the base of the next pass. Here we might come across nomads with their herds of sheep, goats and yaks. After a short rest, we set out for Mandalchan La (4950 m). From this pass it’s an easy descend to the camping site at the pastureland of Tisaling. September 8th: Tisaling to Ponganabu 4600m (6 hrs trekking) By now, we are well acclimatized to conquer our third pass, the Shibuk La (5000 m), an about 2-hour journey. From the top of the pass, we have an incredible view of the surrounding mountains and of our next destination, Tsokar Lake. With a breathtaking view to ease our exhaustion, we head down towards the valley accompanied by the shrill whistles of the shy and active marmots, which is characteristic of this harsh region. It’s approximately a 4 hrs walk to the Tsokar Basin, and our camp for the night will be the windy Pongunabu. September 9th: Ponganagu to Nuruchan 4700 m (6 hrs trekking) Today is an easy day, and we follow a dusty jeep road towards Tsokar Lake. Along the salty shores of the lake, we have a rare impeccable opportunity to see some of the endangered migratory birds of the world. From here we carry on along the trail to the right of the lake, keeping to a barren land until Nuruchan, where we will be welcomed by a grassy land with streams nearby. September 10th: Nuruchan to Gyamar Barma 5100m (4 hrs trekking) Today also it’s an easy day ahead with a small pass. We will cross the icy cold stream in Nuruchan before gradually ascending Horlam Kongka La (4900 m). From the pass, we will have a view of the turquoise blue Tsokar. From the pass we will walk down to the valley and then follow the valley up until to the camp Rachungkaru (Tibetan Nomads group) with their flock of yaks, sheep and pashmina goats. September 11th: Gyamar Barma to Gyama 5200 m (5 to 6 hrs) Today is going to be a hard day with two passes to go Gyama camp. After the breakfast we will continue to the ascend of Kyamayuru La (5410 m) which is our first pass; this pass is challenging in nature, but the magnificent view from the top makes it well worth all our strenuous efforts. , now we head to our next pass, Kartse La (5300 m). Ascending slowly in the thin air of the plateau, we will eventually reach the pass. The trail leads gradually down to the lush green valley of the Gyama, where we spend our night. Due to the campsite’s high altitude, bad weather can make night temperature freezing, and night will be supper windy. September 12th: Gyamar to Korzok Phu 4500 m (6 to 7 hrs trekking) Today, we gradually ascend towards the highest and final pass on the trek. Following the narrow valley until the Yalung Nyaulung La (5440 m), we will see some of the rare flowers and herbs of the Himalayan region. The fragrances will astonish you! To our right we can view snowcapped mountains and from the top of the pass we will also have a view of the lake Tsomoriri, surrounded by snowcapped mountains such as Mentok kangri and on other side Chamser and Lungser peaks. We descend steeply for a couple of hours to the Korzok Phu, the summer pasture of the Korzok people. Overnight and meals in camp. September 13th: Karzok Phu to Base Camp (5 to 6 hrs trekking) After breakfast we slowly but steadily ascend towards the Base Camp of Mentok Kangri at 5330mts, approximately 5hrs trek. Rest of the day is spent making final preparations for the summit day. September 14th: Summit day for Mentok Kangri for those opting to climb to the summit with our local climbing guides We will start around 3:00 AM in the morning. For the initial stage of the summit day, we don’t need to use crampons. Slowly and gradually and closer to the summit there will be enough snow from there onwards, we will put on crampons, its most likely that ropes are not need but this entirely depends on our climbing guide and the situation there as you will have with you all important equipment. Approaching the summit, it will become more physically demanding, but once you are at the summit the joy will be unforgettable, with breath-taking views in all directions. September 15th: Spare summit day September 16th: Base Camp to Korzok (Tsomoriri Lake) Early morning, we will have breakfast and finally pack and break camp and descend down towards Korzok to explore the area. September 17th: Korzok to Leh (7 hrs drive) We drive back to Leh along the gorges of the mighty Indus with all these good memories in mind, leaving behind the beautiful Lake Tsomoriri. Overnight hotel in Leh with a farewell dinner. September 18th: At leisure in Leh or depart for a 3-day visit into the Nubra Valley
September 19th: Fly from Leh to the UK What's included:
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2021 OnwardsFollowing on from retirement, more time will be available for hill and mountain walking on a personal basis with friends. Categories |