Rafting Expedition – Zanskar Valley

July to September

*Invitation*

Welcome • A hearty welcome to a trip of your lifetime in surrounding that has

challenged and at the same time inspired the human spirit and continues to do so; Ladakh

• Ladakh, meaning "the Land of High Passes", is situated between the two

highest mountain ranges in the world , the Himalayas to the south and the Karakoram to the north, it is India's most remote and sparsely populated region.

• Ladakh region consists of Ladakh, Nubra & Zanskar valleys is often

referred to as the Land of Many Passes, Little Tibet, the Last Shangri-La or Moon land. All describe the land but not adequately, and nothing quite prepares the traveler for the completely ethereal yet harsh beauty of Ladakh.

Why should you do it ?

“I am well again, I came to life in the cool winds and crystal waters of the mountains.” - John Muir Adventure is a necessity for everyone and has always kept us “alive” and travel has never ceased to inspire us. When you combine both and add team-work to it along with serene landscape, you foster the development of your inner self and build your relationships stronger. This trip will feed your dreams and build the confidence to go back and take life and its challenges heads on. You will work in a team closely in a completely different environment and will learn to appreciate the efforts of other team-mates. The serene and the breath-taking raw beauty of Laddakh is capable of setting you on a journey of self-actualisation.

We understand you are busy, neck-deep, in making a living for yourself and your loved ones, for your present and future. Of-course, you should be. However, when last did you feel ALIVE? Did something when you think about beings a smile to your face and felt those goose-bumps and wanted to go back and do it again? When last did you travel and felt one with the surroundings and fellow travellers and did not feel tired? Are you still with me? Let me assure you that this e-mailer is not being used as a marketing tool but as an invitation for you to feel all of the above and more. Why not? After all the hard work you have put in making your living, you have earned the time to do so. We, at wet and wild explorations, have organised a very exciting white water rafting expedition which will answer all of the above questions and more.

Academic studies has brought out various benefits of adventure sports. Participation in adventure sports will help in building confidence; develop their personality; enjoying the sense of achievement; developing increased self-belief and in goal setting They expect that the adventure sport should provide thrill, challenge and fun. It should pose tough situation and should require high level of enthusiasm for participation. Yours motivations can be personal or collective, our endeavour is to full-fill those in a controlled risk environment.

The expedition

This is NOT a 3 hour taxi sort of ride but a full power, challenging and as well as a rewarding 6 days world class rafting expedition. • Leh to Leh 6 days rafting expedition with 4 days on water and 2 days on

land. (explained in “Itinerary” section) • You will raft a total of 125-135 kms in four days tackling Class 3 and 4

rapids (intermediate level). • The Naitonal Geograpic has ranked The Zanskar valley expedition under

the top 100 adventures on planet Earth. • Time: July to September. • Minimum 6 and maximum 24 members. • Skills needed : Non-swimmers are welcome. We have 100% safety record.

All our guides are certified with Wilderness First- Aid, Swift Water Rescue, W.R.T (Waterwater Rescue Techniques) and have been working all over the world since 2006.

What you see is what you get

You would need

• Your sense of humour, indomitable spirit, footloose attitude and appreciation of the nature. • Torch (most important). Invest in a good headlight if you can • Water Bottle (1 litre each so that there’s no litter in the outdoors) • Backpack/Rucksack • Shoes • Woollens. 1 pair should be enough. Usually at this time of the year (July-Sept) temperatures

are up to 10 degrees in the nights. We will be providing everyone with wetsuits on the river • A pair of warm thermal inners • Shorts • Slippers/Floaters • Sunscreen lotion • Hat/Cap • Good Sunglasses • Cameras; to capture your experience. • Personal Medication if any • We provide you with good sleeping bags in the night when living in tents.

Package includes

• Stay: Hotel stay when on land and Dome tents when on river.

• Meals: Morning tea, breakfast, lunch diner and evening snacks.

• Equipment: Wet suit, life jacket, booties (river shoes), helmets, paddles, and a small dry bag to keep your stuff dry like camera etc.

• Camps will be set up after lunch when on river.

• Local transport will be provided as per the intinerary.

Who are we ?

• Wet and wild explorations is lead by Mr. Tsering Chotak who has over 7 years of experience.

• Mr. Chotak has represented India in 2011 Freestyle Kayaking Championship in Platling, Germany and is also a brand ambassador of Woodland.

• We are certified by J&K Tourism, A.C.A (American canoe Association), ALTOA (All Ladakh Tour Operator Association), IKCA (Indian Kayak Canoe Association).

The certificates

Detailed Itinerary

• 1st day - Leh to Kargil : (L) The drive to Kargil over the Fotu La pass at 14,000 ft. is

spectacular. On the way we stop for Lunch at Lamayuru Monastery and capture the imposing moonscape. Overnight stay at the Kargil hotel.

• 2nd day - Kargil to Padum : (L) A spectecular drive past Panikar and Parkachik with

magnificent views of the Nunkun Glacier (7000 meters). We drive all the way past the Suru valley up till Padum, the main city of Zanskar Valley over the Pensi La (14,500 ft). Overnight stay at camp.

• 3rd day - Padum to Zangla : (R) After an early wakeup call and breakfast we pack up the

camp load our expeditions gear on the Rafts. We start our rafting expedition at Padum(11,450 ft). It will be the highest putting for any River expedition on the planet. We raft down 30 km in 3 to 4 hours. The River today is a class 2 section, a good introduction for the first timers and as well as to the raft in general. Settle into camp at Zangla by afternoon. Overnight at camp.

The fun continues • 4th day - Zangla to Nyerak: (R) Again pack up and get moving for 25km on the River and enter

the canyon to reach Nyerak (3286 m: 10,780 ft) in 3 to 4 hours. This is a grade 3 section and warms you up for the rafting that is to follow in the days to come. The banks of the river now give way to mountain walls that rise thousands of feet above you. Lunch is on the way and raft some more before calling it a day and setup the camp below Nyerak village. This campsite is one of the few sites in the canyon where one can camp.

• 5th day - Nyerak to Chilling: (R) Today's 40km rafting section takes us from Nyerak to Chilling (3190m;10,465 ft). 5-6 hrs includes scouting and lunch through the core of the Zanskar. A classic white water day with continuous Class 3 rapids, and a few Class 4 rapids where the river squeezes between a gap of about 18 ft known as the GATE. We stop for lunch near a huge waterfall and continue towards the confluence of Markha River with the Zanskar. Rock formations, spires and an amazing palette of colors add to the trip today. After packing camp, we raft to Chilling. 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 at Chilling Village.

• 6th day - Chilling to Nimoo : (R) We raft 30 km of class 3 to 4 white water rapids from Chilling to Nimoo (3154 m: 10,465 ft) in 3 hours today. We raft past the village of Chilling and exciting rapids as the Zansker plunges out of the canyon to meet with the Indus River at Nimoo. We finish our trip at the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus. Drive an hour back to Leh. Farewell party at Leh. Overnight at hotel.

Travel cost: New Delhi to Manali • DELHI – MANALI • Vovlo Bus A/C & Push back seats would cost INR 1000 per person. Takes 12-14 hrs. Approx

distance 600 kms • 12 Seater Temp Traveler INR 22000 • Flights between New Delhi Leh are available as well ranging from INR 7000 to 9000 one

way trip. • MANALI – LEH • Time taken is 17-18 hrs approx. • Tempo Traveler 10 seater INR 22000 when travel in 1 day • Tempo Traveler 14 seater INR 27000 when travel in 1 day • Innova 6 seater 19000 (optional to do the trip in 2 days, accommodation can be provided at

Sarchu or Jispa. Accommodation cost is separate & usually is 1000-2000 for a room • Tata Sumo INR 16000 for same day travel & INR 17000 if one wants to complete trip in 2

days. • Per seat is INR 2000 on Tempo Traveler from Manali to Leh. Departure at 3am & arrival at

7-8 pm.

Want to ride it out ? This is through another operator

• BIKING DETAILS • INR 6000 per rider per day and 3500 rupees per pillion per day basis and charges will

include:

• Bike Price includes:

• A Royal Enfield bullet 500 cc Motorbike (May2014 model). We don't use 350 cc because it has a much more wear and tear and much money goes in getting it back to shape.

• Petrol for the whole trip • A Tour Guide to lead the tour • A Experienced Royal Enfield Specialist Mechanic. • Back up Vehicle to carry spare parts, Your Luggage, Extra Petrol etc. • Accommodation Twin Sharing a Room or Swiss camping tents basis. • All Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, Dinner.

• Package Price Excludes: • Package Price do not cover which is not mentioned in the inclusion list above. • Trip Schedule usually is (can be customised if want to divert or go slower)Day 1 Arrive

ManaliDay 2 Manali to Jispa (3350mtrs) 115km • Day 3 Keylong to Sarchu (4000mtrs) 116 km • Day 4 Sarchu to Leh (3500mtrs) 262 km. • Day 5 Leh-sightseeing Day (Alchi) • OPTIONAL • Day 6 Leh-Khardung La Pass (5540mtrs)-Deskit-Nubra valley • Day 7 Nubra valley (Panamik, Hunder) • Day 8 Nubra valley to Leh • Day 9 Leh to Pangong Lake (4300mtrs) • Day 10 Pangong Lake - Leh • Day 11 Leh to Tsomoriri Lake • Day 12 Tsomoriri Lake to Leh

See you soon For any further inquiry kindly feel free to contact me.

I am available at : • Mob: +91 7351381111

• Email: abhishek.rautela@gmail.com