Beyond The Horizon

Treks, Peaks, Walks and more from the UK to the Himalayas.





Ladakh

Once an independent Kingdom but now part of India, Ladakh is a country with a rich heritage. The people here are Tibetan Buddhists and up until the '50s used to send their young monks for training in Tibet. It is now virtually the last outpost of true Tibetan culture.



Lake Tsomoriri and Changtang Nomads

A tour well off the beaten track visiting the nomad lands of the Changtang and the high altitude lake of Tsomoriri.

Arriving in Leh, after our flight over the Himalayas from Delhi, we spend the next couple of days acclimatising to the altitude. We will explore the town of Leh and spend a days sightseeing, visiting the gompas (monasteries) of Thikse, Taktok and Shey.

We then transfer to Hemis for the start of our two day rafting expedition on the Indus river. The river journey gives us the chance to relax more into the pace of life here in Ladakh and watch the world go by. No previous rafting experience is necessary. We camp on the banks of the Indus near to the bridge at Phey. The second day's rafting takes us through grade 3 rapids to Nimu where we rejoin our vehicles and return to Leh.

The next day we begin our two day drive to Lake Tsomoriri and the Changtang. We stay at Korzok, on the edge of this high altitude lake, and spend the following day exploring the lake shore and acclimatising to the increased altitude. Although at well over 4000m this lake has many migratory birds, including the rare black-necked crane.

Leaving Lake Tsomoriri we drive to Lake Tsokar and the start of our 4 day trek through the Changtang. Part of the Tibetan plateau, the land is inhabited by Changspa nomads and their herds of yak and dzo (a yak/cow hybrid). We expect to come across one of the nomad families and may be invited into their tents to share some gur-gur tea or chang (barley beer).

Finally we return to Leh and fly back to Delhi. Once in Delhi we are free to shop, sightsee or maybe take the option of a day trip to Agra to view the Taj Mahal.




Land Only outline Itinerary

Day 1	Join Delhi.
Day 2	Fly to Leh. At leisure.
Day 3	Sightseeing of Shey, Taktok and Thikse monasteries
Day 4	Transfer to Hemis. Optional monastery visit. Begin rafting
Day 5	Raft to Nimu. Return to Leh
Day 6 & 7	Drive to Korzok on the shores of Lake Tsomoriri
Day 8	Exploring lake shore of Tsomoriri
Day 9	Drive to Tsokar Lake
Day 10-13	Trek through Changtang region, home of Changspa nomads
Day 14	Drive to Leh. At leisure
Day 15	Fly to Delhi. At leisure
Day 16	At leisure in Delhi or optional day trip to Agra and the Taj Mahal
Day 17	Tour ends, Delhi

Markha Valley and the Rupshu

Stok Kangri and the Nubra Valley

Ladakh and Himalayan Traverse