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Zanskar River Rafting

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Zanskar River Expedition

Only opportunists and challenge accepter will see what treasures Zanskar River Rafting Tour have for them. Leh Ladakh, as the beginning of our fun, is all about monasteries, mountains, valleys, palaces, villages and more. True to the heavenly beauty on earth, the place exhibits many opportunities to hikers and rafters in Rafting tour packages. For the rafting expedition specifically, Leh becomes the welcome spot. After acclimatisation to the high altitude for a day, rafting begins at Ramela, which is reached via Kargil and Rungdum in car.

At Ramela, the rafting is on Doda River, just for an introductory touch, continued to the real buzz to the confluence of Doda and Tsarap Chu. The grade II to V rapids, including Alchi, Nimmo, Upper Nimmo, Big Water 'Chilling', Zangla and Major Surprise (newly made by the resent land slide) are encountered all through the Zanskar River rafting trip to the confluence of River Zanskar and River Indus where the former becomes the integral part of the latter.

All the while, rafters never feel completely tired; neither would lazy exhaustion take over them due to the balance struck between oaring and camping. Ramela, Kharsa Gompa, Pidmo, Nyerak Village, Lamaguru, etc are the locations of camps while rafting in Ladakh. Bone-tiring paddling and meeting around 30 to 40 inevitable rapids gives fair amount of exercise, after which relaxing becomes mandatory, for which camps are available.
So, ‘The Grand Canyon of Asia’ (as the Zanskar Gorge is called) with all other ‘fun n thrill’ action is waiting for your arrival; are you ready to embark on Ladakh River Rafting Expedition?

ITINERARY

Day 1 Delhi - Leh (3466 mts/11370 ft)
In the morning take a flight for Leh. Upon arrival at Leh met our representative and then transfer to hotel. Take a complete rest and acclimatise. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 2 Leh (full day sightseeing at Leh)
In the morning take a full day guided sightseeing at Leh covering Shey, Thiksey and Hemis Monastery. Evening back to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 3 Leh - Kargil (3201 mts/10500 ft) drive/9 - 10 hrs
We drive from Leh to Mulbek - Kargil, through a spectacular moonscape. We drive over the Fotu La (14,000 ft), a high mountain pass and exit the Indus valley. Enroute, we do a photo stop above the Lamayuru monastery belonging to the 'Red Hat' sect. Overnight stay at Kargil.

Day 4 Kargil - Rangdum (12000 ft) drive
A spectacular drive past Panikhar and Parkachik, with magnificent views of the Nun and Kun massifs (7000 meters), hanging glaciers and large meadows. We drive till Rangdum Gompa (12,000 ft). Camp overnight.

Day 5 Rangdum - Ramela (3635 mts/11925ft) drive/6 hrs
We drive to Ramela, which is the starting point for the rafting trip on the Stod River, a tributary of the Zanskar River. We drive over the Pensi La (14,500 ft), which enables grand views of the Zanskar peaks at the bottom of which is the Drung Durung glacier that feeds the Zanskar River, 40 km below, into which we flow trip the next day. Overnight tented camp.

Day 6 Rafting expedition begins at Ramela
Raft till near Karsha Gompa, near Padum. (3496m; 11,466ft; 4 hrs) We raft 30 km in 4-5 hrs which includes a break for lunch and hot beverages. We are surrounded by 6000 meter high peaks. River section today includes a Class II section, a good introduction for first timers as well as to the river in general. Settle into camp by afternoon, we can take an optional hike to Karsha Gompa.

Day 7 Ramela - Karsha
After a late morning start, we raft from Karsha up to Honyo/Pidmo (3361m; 11,025 ft; 3 hrs). This stretch is approximately 25 km with Class II and III rapids. Another easy day to get used to the river, the altitude and hone our paddling skills.

Day 8 Karsha - Nyarak
After packing camp, we raft 25 km to Nyarak (3286m ; 10,780ft ; 3 hrs) a Class III section. The gorge narrows in on the river - this indeed is a Grand Canyon in its own right. We stop for the day to pitch camp in a gorge below Nyarak village.

Day 9 Nyarak
Rest day at Nyarak. Take a hike to Nyarak village or relax under the cool shade of the willows at our Campsite. Wash up at the campsite stream and enjoy the day off.

Day 10 Nyarak - Lama Guru
Today’s 35 km rafting section takes us from Nyarak to Lama Guru (3190m; 10,465ft; 5-6 hrs including scout and lunch) through the core of the Zanskar A classic white water day with continuous Class III rapids, and a few Class IV rapid where the river squeezes between a gaps of about 18ft. We stop for lunch near a huge waterfall and continue to camp at the confluence of Markha river with the Zanskar. Rock formations, spires and an amazing palette of colours add to the trip today. Camp.

Day 11 Lama Guru - Nimu - Leh
We raft 40 kms of Class III/IV white water from Lama Guru to Nimu (3154m; 10,345 ft; 3-4 hrs) today. We raft past the village of Chilling and exciting rapids as the Zanskar plunges out of the canyon to meet with the Indus at Nimu. We end our trip at the confluence of the Zanskar with the Indus. Drive an hour back to Leh. Last minute retail therapy and a hot shower! Overnight at Leh hotel.

Day 12 Leh - Delhi
In the morning take a flight for Delhi. Trip & Services Ends Here

Cost Includes:
• Accommodation: Hotel in Leh on breakfast basis. While on River accommodation we will provide on Dome/Alpine tents on twin sharing basis. Sleeping bag, Camping mattresses, camping stool etc would be provided.
• Transport: Toyota Qualis/Jeep from Leh airport to rafting point and back also all sightseeing at Leh. Airport transfer at Leh.
• Meals: Breakfast at Leh. While on river all meal will be provided. All meals will be freshly prepared and will be a mix of Indian, Chinese & Continental.
• Complete rafting gear (raft, safety Kayak, dry bag, first aid etc).
• Professional river rafting Guide, who knows the river very well.
• Camping Charges

Cost does not includes
• Air fare
• Enroute meal
• Any charges for carrying still/video cameras etc.
• Alcohol, soft drinks, bottled water, beverages, etc.
• Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
• Any meals/services not mentioned above
• Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, road blocks, bad weather, etc.
• Travel insurance