SUMMER 2009 : HIMALAYAN TREK & CLIMB

SPITI MOUNTAIN VOYAGE

24th JULY - 16th AUG 2009

Join us for one of the world's great mountain journeys crossing the Greater Himalayan Range from Spiti to Rupshu and Ladakh and including the ascent of a 6000m peak en-route. We begin in the green and verdant foothills of Himachal Pradesh, visiting the famous hill resort and former colonial capital of Shimla. A 4 day acclimatisation trek will take us from Kalpa in the Kinnaur valley over the 5200m Ghunsarang Pass to the starky arid beauty of Spiti valley. After a day exploring Spiti (immortalised in Kipling's novel "Kim") we make the trek over the snowy 5578m Parang La pass into the arid Tibetan landscape of Rupshu. Now fully acclimatised we will make attempts on one or even two (possibly unclimbed) 6000m peaks. Rupshu has some of the world's highest "trekking" peaks, including Parilungbi at 6166m. We then walk out to Tso Moriri lake in an incredibly gaunt and wild landscape peopled only by the nomadic Changpa people, meeting jeep transport to take us down the Indus valley into Ladakh. The journey finishes at Ladakh's capital, Leh, from where we fly direct back to Delhi. The expedition is adventurous and traverses some very remote country. However, technical difficulties are modest and the trip is recommended to fit mountain trekkers and mountaineers who have had some experience of snow terrain in the UK, and have preferably already trekked to altitudes of 4000m. This is a great introduction to high altitude trekking and climbing - an unforgettable mountain odyssey.

LADAKH-KANG YATZE 2006 EXPEDITION Photo Album

Ascending the slopes of Kang Yatze II (6247m) in Ladakh, 2006 expedition; climbers: Richard Garlick, Frank Johnstone and Rich Casey

Itinerary (see Map below):
Fri July 24: Overnight flight to Delhi

Sat July 25: Half day sightseeing; overnight sleeper train to Kalka

Sun July 26: Morning train Kalka to Shimla - a world-famous narrow-gauge railway climbing 5000 feet over 60 miles; at leisure in Shimla, the capital of Himachal state and former summer capital of the British Raj; training walk up Jakhoo hill (2450m)

Mon July 27: Jeep drive Shimla up spectacular Satluj valley to hill resort of Kalpa (2800m), 245km, 9hr; stay in luxury forest lodge

Tues July 28: At leisure in forested hill country around Kalpa; acclimatisation trek to 3600m

Wed July 29-Sat Aug 1: Acclimatisation trek over Ghunsarang Pass (5215m) to Mane in Spiti valley; early morning jeep drive to Ropa roadhead (2925m), then 3 days trekking: Ropa - Thachang Thach (3400m, 12km), T.Thach-Chuktayanyan (4015m, 14km), 2 day crossing of pass and descent to Mane (3680m);30km jeep drive up Spiti valley to Kaja (3790m) (main town, hotel lodgings)

Sun Aug 2: At leisure in Kaja with local sightseeing to Key monastery.

Mon Aug 3: Collect permits for Rupshu; jeep from Kaja to Kibbar village (4235m) and trek to Thalta (4675m); 7-8hr, 1000m ascent

Tues Aug 4: Trek Thalta to Jagtha (4785m) and 12km, 7-8hr; 600m ascent

Wed Aug 5: Trek Jagtha to Boroglen (5180m), over Parang La (5578m) - snow and glacier terrain - and descend to Kharsa Gongma (5050m); 8-9hr, 14km

Thurs Aug 6: trek Kharsa Gongma to Galpe Buze (4620m), gentle valley trek down Parang Chu valley; 16km

Fri Aug 7-Sun Aug 9: Exploration and guided ascent on peaks around Parang Chu valley - Peak 6374m, Peak 6364m, Pari Lungbi (6166m) - these are partially snow-covered summits with some dry glacier on approaches; technical difficulties of Alpine F and PD.

Mon Aug 10: Trek Galpe Buze to Norbu Sumdo (4540m); 5-6hr
Tues Aug 11: Trek Norbu Sumdo to Kyangdam (4550m); 5hr

Wed Aug 12: Trek Kyangdam to Karzok (4630m), 20km (jeep roadhead and monastery); 4-5hr; jeep drive to Mahe and Chumthang (70km, 4hr) (resthouse, hot spring)

Thurs Aug 13: Jeep drive to Leh, capital of Ladakh; 140km, 5-6hr; stay in traditional local hotel

Fri Aug 14: At leisure in Leh; sightseeing, optional rafting trip on River Indus

Sat Aug 15: Morning flight Leh to Delhi; hotel in Delhi, rest time

Sun/Mon Aug 16/17: Flights back to UK either daytime Sun or overnight Sun/Mon; optional day trip to Taj Mahal

PRICE: £2,650 includes Return flights from UK to Delhi and from Leh-Delhi ; Hotel and resthouse accommodation, breakfasts and evening meals in Delhi, Shimla and Leh; all sightseeing and motor tours in Delhi and Leh; Guiding from qualified British expedition leader; services of Cook and High Altitude Porters; all fees for Permits; Mules and porters for transport of kit through the trek; all Food on trek and use of Tents if required; plus "climate change levy" contribution www.climatecare.org . [Personal Insurance. Drinks, restaurant lunches, tips, optional day trip to Taj Mahal are not included]. Maximum Number: 10 persons

Discounts: 5% to group of 3 or more, 2.5% on bookings received before Dec 15th 2008, 5% to past Himalayan clients, 2.5% to past Alpine/Scottish course clients

Booking deposit: £300 (payable by debit or credit card on our secure web booking form)

Equipment: Axe, crampons, helmet and lightweight harness are required for the crossings of the high passes and 6000m peak ascent. We can hire these items if not possessed. 4-season leather or lightweight plastic mountain boots plus overgaiters will be suitable on this trip, plus lightweight trekking shoes. Clothing is required to withstand a big temperature range from -10degC at night to +25degC by day. Take a 45 litre Rucksack to carry plus large tough travel holdall for mules/portering.

Acclimatisation and Altitude Profile: The schedule allows 4 nights basic acclimatisation at 2000-3000m at Shimla and Kalpa; followed by a steady increase in altitude over 3 days to 5215m at the Ghunsarang Pass, but with immediate descent to 3700m in Spiti valley, where 2 nights and a rest day are spent. The party will be well-acclimatisated for the crucial crossing of the Parang La, beyond which altitude remains in excess of 4000m until reaching Leh.

Altitude Profile

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