Zanskar River Expedition - The Grand Canyon of Asia - August 21st to September 1st

Drive to the Zanskar River. Photo Dave Prothero

The Zanskar River is located in Ladakh in Northern India. The Doda and Tsarap Rivers join near Padum and form the Zanskar. The Zanskar flows north east through the Grand Canyon of Asia to where it joins the Indus river near Leh.


Karsha Beach Camp. Photo Anvesh Singh Thapa

Once rafters and kayakers enter the Gorge they are committed to reaching the end. The walls of the gorge are near vertical and up to 600 meters high in places. There is virtually no flat water as the river moves at ferocious pace. The rapids are long and continuous. Camping spots are rare and usually found only where side streams or tributaries enter the Gorge. The Gorge constricts down to 5 meters in places yet the river is four times the size and volume of the Indus when they meet.


In the Gorge. Photo Dave Prothero

The people of the region are of Tibetan and Indo-European origin. The majority, about 95% of the population practice Tibetan Buddhism. The region is characterised by high mountains, glaciers and a typically barren landscape which is very inhospitable and inaccessible. Apart from the river which can be rafted in the summer and walked on when frozen in winter the area is only accessible by one road. The largest town and capital Padum has a population of 700 and apart from that it there are just scattered villages and an occasional Buddhist Monastery (Gompa).


Ladakhi Man.

The Zanskar River Expedition is a 12 day holiday starting and finishing in Delhi. It includes return flights to Leh, 3 nights in Leh, 3 days of driving through the Ladakhi moonscape to reach the river and 6 days through on the Zanskar on raft or kayak. For more information please click here or contact us


The Gorge begins to Narrow. Photo Anvesh Singh Thapa

The Coveys in Corbett

We had a fantastic time in India, and our visit to Corbett Tiger Reserve will never be forgotten. We arrived at Forktail Creek camp mid-morning with the warmest welcome and some refreshing cold drinks! Our first impression of the camp was awe at the beauty and simplicity and we were delighted with our rooms. It was then that we saw our first fauna: several different types of bird and a rather large and handsome monitor lizard! (He was resident in our hut and could be found sunbathing daily in the heat!). The walk in the forest that afternoon was a joy and we encountered many different animals as well as seeing some tiger scratch marks on a tree - our first taste of what we were soon to encounter! The camp staff were incredibly friendly, generous and helpful - and the food was just superb!!!


Elephant Safari

Over the next two days we made two trips into Corbett Tiger Reserve. The first was a morning trip - we were jolted awake by the beauty of the park (and also the rough roads!). We had a wonderful time looking at all the wildlife, including three different types of deer, some peacocks displaying their tail feathers, monkeys eating in the trees and much more. We returned to the camp for lunch before heading off mid-afternoon for an elephant safari. It was a fantastic experience! As you are no longer confined to roads you can get much closer to everything and we all enjoyed it very much.


Spotted Deer

The next morning we set off for a full day safari. Early that day we saw our tiger. She was magnificent! As our spotter was the first to track her down we had several minutes all to ourselves before other jeeps arrived and we were literally left speechless! It was definitely a highlight of our trip. We then moved on and spent the long lunch break at an isolated comopund - a treat. That afternoon we saw warthog, a mongoose and a snake amongst other wildlife. The whole day was brilliant and we returned to camp tired but happy. Our trip to Corbett will always be remembered as a wonderful and inspiring experience.


Our Tigress

Thank you for organising such a fantastic trip for us!

The Coveys

Blog by Karen(17) & Alex(14) Covey

Tons River Expedition, May 17th to 24th 2008

2 rafts of the Tons River.

The Tons River is a unique river in India. Most rivers in the Indian Himalaya are very large volume with big water features such as large holes, waves and aggressive eddy lines. The Tons River however is much more technical, with many boulder gardens and tight shoots. Rafters on this river need to be physically fit as raft guides need as much help as possible to guide boats through the rapids.





Local women carrying water.

The Tons is also a great river for kayakers who enjoy technical white water. The river has over 100km of quality class II, III and IV white water. There is also some great tributaries of the Tons such as the Rupin River which has good class IV and IV+ white water.


Dave Prothero.

The Tons River Valley offers a great cultural experience. It's people are less effected by western culture as it has a low population and no through roads. The culture of the the Tons valley is very unique even by Indian standards. In some villages Polyandry and to a lesser extent polygamy are common. These practices came about in olden times to keep population down and prevent the division of land into to small holdings. Interestingly there is a system of bride price, with the value of a wife increases with the number of past husbands she has had.


Passing under the foot bridge on the Tons River.

We are running an 8 day trip this May in the Tons valley. It is a rafting and trekking combo trip incorporating 2 half days rafting, 2 days trekking and a 3 day self-contained rafting expedition covering 60km.


Kayaker looking for the line through a boulder garden.

For more details please contact us.


The Tons River Valley.

Stok Kangri, August 11th to 20th 2008

Stok Kangri (6153m) is located in the Stok Himalayan Range in Ladakh in northern India.


Map of the Region.

It is an ideal objective for inexperienced trekkers who want to summit a Himalayan Peak. Although you need a good level of fitness no pervious mountaineering experience is required. The South Ridge offers an exciting yet straightforward route the summit with great views of the Karakoram and K2 in the distance.


Buddhist monks in Leh.

The trip starts with a days acclimatisation in Ladakh’s capital Leh, where we visit various markets and temples. We then start the trek to the summit, gaining altitude as slowly as possible to maximise chances of a successful summit attempt. Along the route we often meet nomadic herdsmen and stop off in villages for shorts rests and warm chai.


Trekker on the Summit.

For most trekkers the highlight of this trip is the people and culture of Ladakh. Ladakh is renowned for its scenery and culture and is sometimes referred to as ‘Little Tibet’ because of the strong Tibetan culture in the Region. Visits to Buddhist temples and Tibetan markets as well as the warm Ladakhi people, often form the lasting memories of this trip.


Nomadic Herdsman.

We have changed the itinerary for the Stok Kangri peak ascent this year adding an extra summit day. It is now a 10 day trip from Delhi to Delhi. This extra summit day allows one more time to acclimatise before attempting to summit Stok Kangri. It also gives us a second day to attempt the summit in the event of bad weather.


Mule train moving through the Ladakhi moonscape.

For more information contact us; info@intoindia.com


Old woman with a smoke.

Carbon Offsetting

Airplanes release a large amount of CO2.



Carbon offsetting is where you pay someone to reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere on your behalf. Every time you heat your house, drive your car or take a flight, you burn fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil. When burned they all release CO2 which is a greenhouse gas into the Atmosphere. There are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint such as installing solar panels in your house, using public transport, walking or a driving more efficient car or bio car. However for flights it is impossible for you to have any impact on the amount of CO2 the plane releases, in this case you can pay someone to offset your omissions.


Treadle Pump, India.

Climate Care is one of the leading and most reputable carbon offsetting companies. Climate Care calculates your CO2 emissions based on the distance your plane travels, typical aircraft emissions, the average number of seats on your flight, and the average amount of freight carried on your route. From these calculations they work out your share of the total CO2 emissions. They then work out how much it will cost them to remove that amount of CO2 from the atmosphere.


Large wind farm, China.

Climate Care reduces the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere by funding renewable energy and energy efficiency projects all over the world. Climate care only fund projects in developing countries that have not signed the Kyoto agreement. In India they are funding the Treadle pump. A man powered pump that can draw water from wells, streams and lakes up to agricultural land. It is replacing the common diesel pumps currently used in India to pump water. In China, a country reported to be commissioning a new coal fuelled power stations every 5 days, they have set up several wind farms. In Uganda and Cambodia, they are working to upgrading villagers stoves with more efficient devises. Click here for more information on Climate Care projects.


Wind Farm under construction, China.

If you book an adventure holiday with IntoIndia we will pay Climate Care to offset your CO2 emissions on any internal flights you take in India. We encourage you to travel responsibly and offset your CO2 emissions on your international flights to India.


Rocket elbow stove, India.

Singalila Ridge Trek with Home-Stays

Sandakphu

The Singalila Ridge Trek with Home-Stays is one of the best treks in the Himalaya. The trek is most famous for its views of the Greater Himalayan Range. The views from Sandakphu on Day 4 of the trek are consider by many as the best of the Himalaya. Trekkers rise early at both Sandakphu and Phalut to watch the sunrise and beam it's light on the snow-capped giants of the Himalaya.


Prayer Flags just before sunrise

From the Singalila Ridge, which forms the international border between India and Nepal one can see a huge panorama of peaks stretching for several hundred kilometres. Included in this view are Mt Everest (8850m), Lhotse (8516m), Makalu (8481m) and Khangchendzonga (8585m) four of the five highest mountains in the World. The peaks of Bhutan and Tibet can also be easily seen from the ridge.


The trekking route along the Singalila Ridge

Most of this trek is in Singalila National Park. The park has a number of tree species such as Oak, Hemlock, Juniper Silver Fir, Magnolia and Rhododendron. The park has good wildlife stocks, leopard, elephant and the rare Red Panda being the most famous. As well as a number of Migratory birds the park had resident pigeon, dove, minivet, magpie, sibia, cuckoo, hornbills and kaleej pheasants.


Mt Khangchendzonga at sunrise

After walking the length of the entire ridge we descend to the Ramam valley and walk back towards Darjeeling. We pass through many thriving villages with fertile terraced fields and plenty of livestock. When we return to Darjeeling we visit a local tea plantation too sample some of the region's world famous tea.


Grazing Yak

New from this year we are offering this trek with Home-Stays. This is where instead of camping you stay in a small guest building adjacent to a village home. One learns how Himalayan communities farm, cook, eat and go about their daily lives. Home-Stays are undoubtedly one of best ways to experience any country in the world.


Views of Bhutan from above the clouds

Travel Tips India Part 3: Flights

London to Delhi

There are currently over ten airlines that fly from London to Delhi, making it much easier to find cheap flights. We recommend that you fly direct from London to Delhi, as adding a stopover is not any cheaper in most cases and can only save you up to £50. Currently , return flights from London to Delhi cost between £400 and £550 including taxes and fees.

We recommend you search for flights on the following websites

www.lastminute.co.uk
www.ebookers.com
www.expdeia.co.uk
www.skyscanner.net

Top tip
www.cheapflights.co.uk - Return flights for £302.

Dublin to Delhi

Unfortunately there are no direct flights from Dublin to Delhi. The cheapest way is to stop over in London. We recommend that this be your only stop and you fly direct from London to Delhi. Return flights from Dublin to Delhi cost between €700 and €800 including taxes and fees.

We recommend you search for flights on the following websites

www.lastminute.ie
www.expedia.ie
www.ebookers.ie
www.skyscanner.net

Top tip
www.cheapflights.ie -Return flights for €695