FEATURED TRIP

Ladakh - Zansker - Taj Mahal - 2017

  • Destination Overview:

    Ladakh lies in the eastern half of the state of Jammu & Kashmir in the far north of India. It shares its northwestern border with Pakistan, its northern border with the Chinese province of Sinkiang, and to the east lays Chinese-occupied Tibet. Ladakh is sandwiched between two mountain systems – the Karakorams to the north and the Himalayas to the south. The daunting height of the Himalaya adds to the isolation of this area. Even today, the main road routes to Ladakh remain closed for more than six months each year. Until 1979, there were no regular flights into Ladakh, and from October to June, the region was completely cut off.

    Ladakh, is often referred to as “Little Tibet”. Although it is officially a province of India, Ladakh is situated on the Tibetan plateau and is largely populated by Tibetan refugees who fled from the Chinese invasion of Tibet. Today, it is full of amazing sights. You will be mesmerized by magical gompas perched on soaring hilltops and dwarfed by snow-capped mountains, austere landscapes splashed with brilliant patches of green, and ancient palaces clinging to sheer rock walls. Most of all, Ladakh is notable for its immensely colorful and exceptionally friendly people.

    Ladakh can be divided into five geographical regions – Central Ladakh, the heartland of the Indus valley; Nubra in the north of the Ladakh range; Rupshu, a dry, high altitude plateau in the southeast of Zanskar, one of the highest inhabited regions in the world, and Western Ladakh near Kargil.

    Our unique itinerary features a journey through Western Ladakh, driving, hiking and rafting through some of the most surreal and hauntingly beautiful places on Earth. Beginning our trip on the Stod River, we embark on a multi-day river excursion through the spectacular Zanskar River Gorge. The Gorge is a remote canyon with sheer walls rising a few thousand feet out of the riverbed, channeling the Zanskar to its culmination at the mighty Indus River. The grand finale to our trip is a visit to the majestic Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Your sojourn to this last horizon of a shrinking planet will send you home with unforgettable memories from the immersive experience of a lifetime!

  • Photo Gallery

  • Itinerary

    Day 1 (August 4) - Arrive Delhi

    On your evening arrival at Mahatma Gandhi International Airport at Delhi, you are met and transferred to your accommodations.

    Overnight Delhi (702 ft.)

    Day 2 (August 5) – Drive Delhi to Agra, Taj Mahal

    Post breakfast we will drive to Agra for ~4hrs along the newly constructed Yamuna Expressway. Welcome to the Days of the Mughal Raj in the erstwhile Mughal capital city of Agra. It was the capital of the Mughal Empire in India for over hundred years. Upon arrival, we will check into our hotel.

    Crossing the river, we first visit the Agra fort, an imposing edifice built by Emperor Akbar in 1565 AD and continued until the reign of his grandson Shahjahan in 1627-58. When Shahjahan’s son, Aurangzeb, usurped his throne, he imprisoned his father in this palace from where he is believed to have spent his last days here gazing at the tomb of his beloved wife. Its intricate palaces viz. Jehangiri Mahal, Hall of public audience, or Diwan-e-aam, and the Diwan-e-Khas are all beautiful.

    As we enter Agra, we will stop at the I’timad-ud-Daulah, or “Baby Taj” located on the banks of the River Yamuna. It is considered a predecessor to the Taj Mahal and was built between 1622 and 1628 by Nur Jehan, the wife of Emperor Lehangir, for her father. The mausoleum is located in a large garden, elegantly crisscrossed by water channels and walkways.
    Later you visit the Taj Mahal, undoubtedly the greatest monument ever built for love and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It was built in the 17th century by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz. This shimmering white marble Mughal masterpiece is one the most symmetrical creations on Earth and the inlay work involving more than 30 precious and semiprecious stones leaves one spellbound. It took 22 years, with a workforce of 22,000, 1000 elephants and camels, architecture from Persia, Turkey and India to complete this magnificent mausoleum. With the geometrically patterned gardens the Emperor wanted his beloved’s resting place to look like Paradise on Earth.

    Overnight Agra (1,854 ft.)
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    Day 3 (August 6) - Drive Agra to Delhi

    Early morning we visit the Taj Mahal anew at sunrise when it is less crowded. We return to the hotel for breakfast and drive back to Delhi mid-day.

    Overnight Delhi (702 ft.)
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    Day 4 (August 7) - Fly Delhi to Leh

    This morning, post breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Leh. During your flight, enjoy great views of K2 and, as the plane descends for a steep landing, marvel at the very close-up view of Spituk Gompa. A gompa is a Tibetan monastery or temple and you will encounter many beautiful examples of them on this trip.

    Arriving in Leh, you will be transferred to the charming Hotel Mogol, nestled in the quiet part of Chanspa, a 10 minute walk from the town square. Your guides will meet you at the hotel and brief you about the trip, then you will enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore or relax and acclimatize to the altitude.

    In the evening, you may opt for a gentle walk into the marketplace where you will experience a delightful initiation into the local culture.

    Overnight Leh (11,370 ft)
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    Day 5 (August 8) - Leh Sightseeing

    After breakfast, we will visit a few monasteries such as Shey, with its three-story statue of Buddha Shakamuni, Thiksey, considered the most lavishly beautiful of all
    the monasteries in Lakakh and Hemish, one of the largest. Later, you may walk into Leh town to immerse in its colorful markets and outdoor restaurants.

    In the evening, your guides will brief you on packing strategies, to decide what goes on the trip and what can be left behind in Leh at the hotel.

    Overnight Leh (11,370 ft)
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    Day 6 (August 9) – Drive Leh to Kargil

    Today we drive for ~9 hours. Setting out after an early breakfast, we pass the airport and Spituk Gompa on our way west towards Kargil. Passing the army camps, the road rises up to a plateau before we reach Nimu, where the Zanskar River meets the mighty Indus or “Lion River.” For the next 60 kms, the road reveals an unfolding parade of the area’s rich cultural and historical sites including temples that look like wedding cakes, a derelict fort at Basgo, the painted caves at Saspol and the striking Alchi Gompa.

    Reaching Khalsi, the road crosses the Indus River and slowly winds its way up to the beautiful gompa at Lamayuru. On the left, just before reaching the village, there are great views of the “moonlands,” a peculiar stark landscape resembling the surface of the moon. We continue climbing up to the highest pass on the route, Fatu La (13,450ft). After crossing a second pass, Namika La (12,210 ft), the road descends to the village of Mulbekh. Just before the village, we will come upon an ancient sculpture of Maitreya, or the future Buddha, carved into the rock. From Mulbekh, the Wakha River leads to the impressive Gompa of Gyal, embedded in the craggy cliff face.

    At the town of Kargil, which marks the transition to a predominantly Muslim area, we will take the road south through the Suru Valley into Zanskar. Here you will settle into the Hotel D’Zojila in a quieter part of town. A week of the great outdoors lies ahead!

    Overnight Kargil (10,500 ft)
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    Day 7 (August 10) - Kargil to Rangdum

    We settle into another day of driving through beautiful country for ~8 hrs. You will be spellbound by our spectacular drive past Panikar and Parkachik, with magnificent views of the towering Himalyan twin peaks of the Nun and Kun massif, hanging glaciers and wide mountain meadows. From Kargil, the road runs south through the Suru Valley, home to the Balti, Muslim people of ethnic Tibetan descent. Their quaint villages are surrounded by lush fields, abundant with a wide variety of crops and fruit. As we gain altitude, the mighty snow-capped peaks of Nun (23,410 ft) and Kun (23,220 ft) begin to dominate the view.

    The road swings to the east past the last Muslim settlement of Parkachik, to the Buddhist Gelukpa monastery at Rangdum, with it’s 25 yellow-hatted monks. Like a floating island, it looms on a 12,000 ft hill surrounded by a wide flat plain. Before settling into camp, we will stretch our legs and take a nice walk around this huge meadow.

    Overnight Rangdum camp (13,000 ft)
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    Day 8 (August 11) - Rangdum to Remala

    We drive ~6 hrs to Remala, which is our starting point, or put-in, for the rafting trip on the Stod River, a tributary of the Zanskar River.

    Our route takes us up and over Pensi La (14,440 ft) providing sweeping views of the lower Zanskar peaks and the Drung Durung glacier that feeds the Zanskar River. Descending to the Stod River, you will see the neatly ordered Zanskari villages on the way to Padum, the capital of Zanskar, home to a large Muslim population of Balti people, who have settled here since the mid-17th Century.

    Overnight Remala camp (11,925 ft)
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    Day 9 (August 12) – Put in and Raft Stod River, tributary to Zanskar River

    Surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks, we will be rafting the Stod River for ~4-5 hours from Remala to near Padum. Taking a break mid-way, you will enjoy a delectable hot lunch. A good introduction for first-timers, our float includes a Class II section of easy whitewater so you can feel at home on the river. Settling into camp by afternoon, you may take a hike around camp, and/or a longer walk to visit Karsha Gompa.

    Overnight river camp, Padem (11,466 ft)
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    Day 10 (August 13) - Raft Zanskar River

    After a leisurely morning, we raft from Karsha down to Honyo/Pidmo. This stretch is ~25 km with invigorating Class II and III rapids. This is a moderate day for you to hone your paddling skills.

    Overnight river camp, Honyo/Pidmo (11,025 ft)
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    Day 11 (August 14) – Raft Zanskar River

    Rafting through this Class III section, the sheer walls of the gorge narrow, giving the feel of the Grand Canyon. Creating an interesting challenge at the entrance to the canyon, a new rapid has formed recently from the making of the road. “Dislocator” or “Spanish Fly” are a few of the many names for this new rapid. Today you will use all of your finely tuned team paddling skills of the past two days! At days end, we will pitch camp in a gorge below Nyerak Village.

    Overnight river camp, Nyerak (10,780 ft)
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    Day 12 (August 15) – Hike to Nyerak village

    Today is a “layover day” where we camp at the same place for two nights. Today you may enjoy a hike up to Nyerak village where you may catch sight of frozen waterfalls and ice cliffs high above the simple stucco cottages where the locals stay during the summer grazing of their yak herds. We will visit and enjoy tea at a local village home, then explore the village before returning to river camp.

    You may also choose to enjoy a lazy day off, relaxing or reading under the shade of the willows at our campsite and washing up at the nearby stream. You will need your energy for tomorrow’s even more exciting day of rafting!

    Overnight river camp, Nyerak (10,780 ft)
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    Day 13 (August 16) - Rafting Zanskar River

    Today is a challenging whitewater day, taking us ~30 km from Nyerak to Lamaguru through the core of the Zanskar River. You will enjoy many thrills with continuous
    Class III rapids, topped off with a few Class IV rapids where the river squeezes through a gap of ~18 ft.

    Savor lunch near a thunderous waterfall and continue on to camp at the confluence of the Markha and Zanskar Rivers, marveling at the unique rock formations, spires and an amazing palette of colors that we pass along the way.

    Overnight river camp, Lamaguru (10,465 ft)
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    Day 14 (August 17) - Raft Zanskar River to take-out

    Rafting past the village of Chilling, you will be challenged in Class III and IV rapids followed by a dramatic ending as the Zanskar plunges out of the canyon to meet with the Indus at Nimu. After ~3-4 hours, we will take-out at the confluence of the Zanskar and the Indus rivers (10,345 ft). On the drive back to Leh, we will be swapping river stories and laughs. Back in Leh, you will welcome a steaming hot shower before enjoying last minute retail therapy.

    Overnight Leh (10,370 ft)
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    Day 15 (August 18) – Fly Leh to Delhi

    Post breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your short 50 minute flight from Leh to Delhi. On arrival at Delhi airport you will be met and transferred to the hotel. Your afternoon is free to do last minute shopping, explore, or relax.

    Overnight Delhi (702 ft)
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    Day 16 (August 19) – Depart Delhi for home

    This morning post breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.

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    Day 17 (August 20) – Plan your next trip with Neary Travel!

  • Dates, Prices & Services

    Discover Ladakh, India!
    Monasteries, Rafting & Taj Mahal
    16 Days/15 Nights August 4-August 19, 2017
    $4,750 per person

    Valid until December 31, 2017

    Please Note

    • Minimum Guarantee – 6 participants
    • Single Supplement – $590 per person
    • Price does not include international airfare to, or internal airfare within, India. Fares vary with time of year and time of booking. International airfare may range $1,200-$1,600 adults. Internal airfare, Delhi to Leh, may range from $300-$400 adults.
    • Travel time, Los Angeles or San Francisco to Delhi, can be two (2) calendar days. Travel to return can be one (1) calendar day.
    • Please do not book international air until minimum number of participants is confirmed.
    • Upon receipt of deposit, a comprehensive Trip Planner, including packing list, will be sent to all participants.

    Services Included

    • Accompanying Trip Liaison from USA
    • Accompanying local English-speaking Indian representative
    • Airport transfers for international and national flights from Delhi and Leh
    • Land transportation for sightseeing & drive to river put-in/take-out
    • Bottled water in vehicles
    • Accommodation & tents on double/sharing basis
    • Entrance fees for sightseeing per itinerary including Taj Mahal twice, Agra Fort and monasteries
    • Professional river/adventure guides
    • Camp staff includes chef and kitchen support staff
    • River and safety equipment including rafts, paddles, helmets, wetsuits, booties, spray jackets, dry bags
    • River camping equipment including tent, pad, sleeping bag
    • Meals per itinerary
    • Current applicable taxes including Government of India Service Tax @ 9%

    Services Excluded

    • International airfare RT to Delhi, India
    • Internal airfare RT from Delhi to Leh
    • Any Airport Tax
    • Passport, visa, inoculations or health certificate fees
    • Travel insurance covering medical evacuation, hospitalization, air evacuation, baggage insurance and trip cancellation charges
    • Use of the mini-bar in the hotel rooms and restaurant table drinks
    • Any meals or optional trips other than specified in the program
    • Personal donations to monasteries or institutions
    • Items of a personal nature such as alcohol, beverages, telephone calls, laundry services
    • Personal equipment such as clothes, daypacks, cameras, personal medical kit
    • Video camera/still camera charges at the monuments of visit or any other item not specified above
    • Tips or gratuities to staff or guides
    • Any exigency expenses caused by or liability for disturbance in trip program due to circumstances beyond our normal control such as airline delays, road blocks, vehicle malfunctions, weather conditions, sickness, natural disasters, riots

    Deposit

    A deposit of $1200 (~25% price) is required to reserve a space. Full payment is due 90 days before departure.

    Cancellation Policy

    If cancellation is informed in:

    • 91 days or more: 25% Deposit is forfeited as Processing Fee
    • 61-90 days: 50% Cancellation Fee
    • 31-60 days: 75% Cancellation Fee
    • 30 days or less: 100% Cancellation Fee

  • Documents

    Please click the links below to download trip documents:

  • Map

    Ladakh:
    Google Maps

    Zansker:
    Google Maps

    Taj Mahal:
    Google Maps

  • Reservation Form

    Please contact me for a reservation form.

    Info@NearyTravel.com
    805.698.8980
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