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Ladakh
 Season
The best time
for a trek in Ladakh is July to September.
Getting
three
By Air: Daily
flights from Delhi, Chandigarh, Jammu and Srinagar connect Leh
by air.
Trekking
Routes
High grade
trek routes converging on leh via Padam in Zanskar also start
from Kishtwar over the Umasila, Udaipur in Lahoul over the
Sersank and Poat La and from Zanskar crossing the strenuoun
Charcharla. Perhaps the most popular pass of all is the
Shingola which still serves as an arterial route from Lahoul
to Zanskar exterial route.Day visits from Leh can take in the
Buddhist monasteries dotting the Indus valley, high altitude
polo and the unique amalgam of Buddhism and Islam in the high
altitude desert. Leh bazar itself harks back to the oldest
trade toutes to Tibet.
Inner Line
Permit
Inner line
permit is required from trekking in certain areas fo Ladakh
which may be obtained from Exotic tourism office in Delhi.
Spectacular
Zanskar
The Zanskar
sub-division of Kargil district si centred around its main
settlement at Padam Four main routes over passes up to
500m converge here from Lahoul in the Chenab valley, Kishtwar,
the Suru vally and Leh. Truly one of the most desolate places
in the Himalaya, Zanskar is known for its spectacular scale,
hardy mountain folk and extreme winter when the Zanskar river
freezes to from the "chadar" over which mail runners
operate.
Motorable
Passes
 On
the north and eastern exits of the Indus valley in Ladakh are
two of the world,s highest motorable passes Khardungla at
18,300 ft for the Nubra valley and Taglangala at 17, 500 ft on
the Manali road. The former is the Karakoram gateway to the
vast confluence of the Shyok and Nubara rivers, Saser Kangri
peak and its associated lofty ranges. Eastwards in the
smae district, over the Changa at 17, 000 ft, the road winds
its way to the brackish Pangyong-tso and Tso Moririlaeks at
14,000 ft on the edge of the Tibetan plateau, where the
trveller may sight the nomadic herdsmen of the Changthang, the
black-necked crane or the elusive snow leopard.
Sights
& Sounds
Down the
Indus from Leh, the route branches off for the Hanu region
inhabited by the Dards, reputedly descended from the armies fo
Alexander the Great. Kargil is now a district headquarter, 234
km west of Leh. It held its own importance on the earlier
commercial map. A further 60 km west fo Kargil is Drass
reportedly one of one coldest places in winter. But is
Kargil's Suru Valley on the edge of the Great Himalayan range
that leads into the region of Pannikar, Saukhoo, the Ringdum
monastery and its wildly spcial beauty. A number of 2/3c treks
in the area provide closeups around the Nun & Kun peaks.
Himachal
Season
 Himachal
offers a virtural bonanza for trekkers. From moderate to
strenuous treks ranging up to 11 days, the season is from June
to October.
Getting
There
By Air:
Shimala is connected to Chandigarh, Kullu and Delhi the
nearest airport is at Jubbarhatti 23 km from Shimla. The
nearest airport to Manali is Bhuntar 49 km away.
By Rail
Nerest railhead is Kalka connected to major centres of India.
Trekking
Routes
From Brahmour
in the Ravi valley, the track follows the Gaddi shepherd trail
in the Budhil nala and across the Kugti Chobia and Kalicho
passes lead to the Chenab Valley in Lahoul with options of
continuing to Leh, Spiti or Manali. driving out of the Ravi
valley, the road takes in the Khajjiar meadow and a diversion
to the old hill station at Dalhouse.
Adventure
Sport
 In
the lower mountain section of the verdant Beas Valley,
all-year excursions at medium altitude provide the launch
points not only for hang gliding and para-sailing at Billing
but also treks across the crest of the Dhauladhar range into
Brahmour.
Shorter
options
For those
able to spare only two or three days walking time, only two or
three days walking time, a drive from Kulu is suggested,
reaching the roadhead at the Manikaran hot springs. Next
morning a walk along the Parvati brings up the secluded
village at Pulga. Ideal for a series of short excursions
upriver before returing to Manikaran, thsi itinerary could be
combined with a trek up the tributary Tosh Valley bordered by
the Pir Panjal range and its peaks of Papsura and Dharamsura.
While Pulga can be visited all year, the best time for the
latter routes is May to October.
Prominent
Watershed
A number of
treks dissect the world's most prominent watershed. From the
roadhead at Chitkul (11, 000 ft) in Kinnaur district, five to
six trek (3c) days over the Rupin Pass lead to Naitwar in the
Tons Valley over the Borasu Pass to the Harkidun valley and
the Lamkhaga and Chotkahga passes (4c) to Harsil in the
Bhagirathi Valley. The best time again is June top October.
Countless
Flora
 Moderate
to strenuous trekking for 5 days, over the Beas Chenab
watershed leads ot trhe Hamta Pass (4268m) on the Pir Panjal
range. from Manali the route extends beyond Jagatsukh to the
junction of the Jarbi and Hamta nalas. Excellent views of the
high peaks such as Indrasan and Deo Tibba. Descending leeward
to route joins the road at Chatru and Batal on the junction to
Lahoul in the west, Spiti in the east and the Chandrabhaga
triangular trek tracing the sources of the Chenab.
Tough
Options
Those looking
at moderate trekking for 4 days would enjoy tackling the
Indrahar Pass. from the high point on the Dhauladhar range,
the path points south to the Beas north to the Ravi valley.
The trek orginates at Dharamsala, home to the Dalai Lama, high
above the artistic traditions of the Kangra school, and
descends to Chunartanear Brahmour. Return via the road to
Chamba or drive up the Budhil nala to Hadsar for a visit to
Manimahesh Tal and Chamba Kailash. The hardy have furthers
options: the Kugti, Chobia and Kalicho passes on the Pir
Panjal range tie up with the Miyar nala in the Chenab valley
and Lahoul, providing yet lengthier choices along the est fork
to the Rohtang Pass and Manali or the west road to Keylong,
the Baralacha pass and Leh. |
