Itinerary
Day 1
ARRIVAL DAY
Pick up: On arrival at Delhi airport Meal plan: B Accommodation: Hotel Activity: Half day sightseeing Welcome to India! Upon your arrival at IGI airport in Delhi, our tour representative will escort you to the pre-booked hotel. After completing check-in formalities, you can rest and afternoon you will be visiting DILLI HAAT and walk around the neighbouring streets to be familiar with the culture of Delhi before sinking into the cosiness of your bed. Enjoy an overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.
Day 2
DELHI SIGHTSEEING
Meal Plan: B L Accommodation: Hotel Activity: Delhi sightseeing After breakfast, you are ready to explore India’s power-centre for a splendid journey where you can explore Delhi’s culture, history, food, market-place and monuments. Delhi, the country’s historic as well as modern capital, has been shaped by various empires from different eras. Exploring Delhi’s iconic monuments and heritage sites, immersing in its flavourful culinary delights and diverse traditions, visiting landmark sacred sites, soaking in its history and culture and shopping at busy marketplaces — these are just some ways to experience the capital city, one of the most visited places not just in India, but the entire world! Today I will be visiting – Rajpath, Red Fort, Qutub minar, Lotus temple, India Gate, Parliament House and Connaught place.
Day 3
NEW DELHI – LEH
Altitude: 3,500 m/ 11,500 ft Check-in at the hotel Briefing about the trek Bring a copy of ID proof and 2 photographs. For foreigners, a copy of the passport and visa. Network is available (only-postpaid) ATM is available Can purchase or rent trekking equipment from Leh A visit to any high altitude place or pass is not advisable Consumption of alcohol or smoking is strictly prohibited. Stay in hotel Transfer: New Delhi to Leh Meal Plan: B D After an early morning breakfast, we transfer you to the airport to catch the flight to Leh, where our representative meets you and drives you to the Leh Hotel.
Day 4
LEH (3500 M)
Altitude: 3,500 m/ 11,500 ft Check-in at the hotel Can purchase or rent trekking equipment from Leh A visit to any high altitude place or pass is not advisable Consumption of alcohol or smoking is strictly prohibited. Stay in hotel Meal Plan : B L Dl
Day 5
LEH – ACCLIMATIZATION & SIGHT SEEING
Acclimatization and sightseeing in Leh Can visit monasteries: Shey, Thiksey, Sangam, and Hemis Avoid river rafting, you can plan it after your trek Visiting any high altitude place or pass is not advisable Meal Plan: B D Stay: Hotel A day to acclimatize to the climate, with an optional excursion to the Shey and Leh Palace. One can visit Gompas in Thiksey and Hemis. In the Leh market, you can do some last-minute shopping. Dinner time Our Expedition leader will brief you about the trek, after which you can interact with your fellow trekkers.
Day 6
Drive Leh to Chilling and Trek to Skiu
Altitude: Chilling 3,200m/10,500ft, Skiu 3,400m/11,150ft Drive:- 65 km, 2-3 hours (Leh to Chilling) Pass by Magnetic Hill, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, and the meeting of the Zanskar and Indus rivers. Trek: 9 km, 4-5 hours (Chilling to Skiu) Home-stay or camping accommodations Meal Plan – B l D We will travel 65 kilometres to Chilling after breakfast, passing through beautiful scenery. You will pass through the renowned Gurudwara Pathar Sahib and Magnet Hill as we go. Another highlight to keep an eye out for throughout the journey is the "Sangam" of the Indus and Zanskar rivers. The environment surrounding you will drastically change as we get closer to Chilling. We'll enter a valley filled with Juniper and Alpine trees that will keep you company until we reach Chilling. From Chilling, the journey to Skiu begins with an incline. We will eventually arrive at Kaya-Do and cross the trail's first river there as we continue trekking. We will set up a tent for the night at Skiu village, which is near the meeting point of Shangri Nala and Markha.
Day 7
Skiu to Sara
Altitude:-Skui: 3,400m/11,200, Sara: 3,500m/11,490ft Trek 10 km, 3-4 hours Very clearly designated level track Women's café and tea houses in Nagding hamlet Meditation caves to be explored Blue sheep, mountain goats, Makpai birds, etc can be seen Meal Plan: B L D Accommodations at a Home Stay / camping We will begin our journey on a designated, straightforward, and level track. On your travels, keep an eye out for any uncommon birds or other creatures. The trek passes a sparsely inhabited woodland that opens out at a wooden bridge at Zanpa as it follows the Markha river. From here, it will take us another 40 minutes of walking to get to Nagding. The meditation caves of Nagding are home to some of the region's most renowned artwork.From Nagding, it will take us an hour of walking until we arrive at Sara Village's entrance. You may look about and take in the natural splendour.
Day 8
Sara to Markha
Altitude:-Markha 3,700m/12,200ft Trekking Distance: 10 km, 4-5 hours Level track with a slight ascent Tea houses in the hamlet of Chalak Look for white stupas and mani stones. 2 to 3 river crossings Visit Markha's monastery and castle. Meal Plan: B L D Camping or home-stay accommodations We will resume on a simple, clearly marked route today as it is another easy day. You'll see Buddhist prayers etched on stones along the walk, some of which are in Sanskrit. We will reach Chalak village after 30 minutes of trekking from Sara village, where we may pause for tea to revive ourselves. We will stroll down the Markha River to get to Markha Village, one of the area's larger communities. Camp or homestay overnight.
Day 9
Markha to Hankar
Altitude:- Hankar 4,000m/13,100ft Trekking Distance- 11 km, 5-6 hours The valley's last village A view of a lovely monastery The River will cross the path several times. Mt. Kang Yatse will be your first sight after Umlung (6400m) Packed lunch on the way Meal Plan: B L D Camping or home-stay accommodations We will go through the least travelled areas of the region on today's trek. A few streams cross our path throughout the scenic stroll. We will have a rest stop at Umlung, which is known for having a stunning monastery nearby. You will have a glimpse of the impressive Mt. Kang Yatse when we cross Umlung (6,400 m). To get to Hankar Village, our final stop for the day, we must once more cross several streams. The Tacha Monastery, which is perched on a mountain, may be seen from the village's picturesque location.
Day 10
Hankar to Nimaling
Altitude:- Nimaling 4,700m/15,400ft Trekking Distance: 9 km, 3-4 hours A short trek Incredible view of Mount Kang Yatse Incredible view of the Tigu lakes (double lakes) Packed lunch on the way Meals: B L D Tent accommodations Early in the morning, we will set off for Nimaling, where we will be heading after leaving Hankar. After about two hours of trekking, you will see the pasture of Thochuntse on the route, which is a lovely trip into the wilderness. As we inch closer to our target, Mt. Kang Yatse appears to keep growing. The route enters a meadow and passes by twin lakes after crossing a couple of creeks. Sheep, goats, and other herbivorous animals graze on this grassland. Nimaling, at 15,400 feet, is the second-highest point we will reach on this hike and a fantastic place to stay. At this height, snowfall is a constant possibility, so we will need to be ready.
Day 11
Nimaling to Chokdo via Kongamaru La drive to Leh
Altitude:- Kongmaru 5,200m/17,100ft, Chokdo 3,700m/12,100ft Trek 16 km, 7-8 hours It takes a little while to descend to Chokdo (Shang Valley) from KongmaruLa It's a challenging day because of the trek's highest-altitude pass crossing. Traverse a streambed before continuing north. The climb to Kongmaru La Pass will take two to three hours. Awesome view of the Ladakh Range and the Indus Valley Rough terrain and a steep drop Drive from Chokdo to Leh (2 hours’ drive) Packed lunch on the way Meal Plan: B L Accommodation in Hotel It's going to be a long day as today is the final day of the Markha Valley Trek. Today, we will hike a total of 16 kilometres for around eight hours, but the breath-taking scenery you will see along the way will make every step entirely worthwhile. We will arrive at Kongmaru La Pass, which is at an elevation of 17,100 feet, after a strenuous two-hour hike. You will be at a loss for words when you see the Karakoram Range and K2, the second-highest peak in the world. The path will begin a steep decline as we bid farewell to Kongmaru La, followed by a steady descent to Chkirmo Village. We will arrive at Chokdo after gently descending a rough trail, where a waiting car will drive us back to Leh.
Day 12
LEH – NEW DELHI
Transfer : Leh to New Delhi by air Drive distance : 5 Km We wake up to bid adieu to our newly made friends with promises and hopes that we will cross paths in the future. Following breakfast, we drive out to the airport and take the flight out to Delhi and further to other destination.
Cost (Euro 1200)
1, A minimum of Seven adults is required to operate the trip.
OPTIONAL
1, The applicable rate for a single supplement euro -120 Hotels in New Delhi, Leh
2, The price for a single tent for camping euro 120
3, Off Loading cost for Bag by porter or Mule - euro 75
Inclusion
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Airport pick up and drop airport (New Delhi & Leh)
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Accommodation (Hotel in New Delhi, Day 1, 2 Day 3, 4, 5,11 Hotel at Leh – Camping/Home stay during the trek)
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Meals – Veg +Egg during trek and remaining as per Itinerary
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Trekkers Tent (Twin sharing), Kitchen, Dining & Toilet tent
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Transportation (Flight New Delhi-Leh-New Delhi), Other transportation as per the Itinerary
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Equipment for the trek includes a sleeping bag, mattress, utensils, a twin-sharing tent, cooking and eating tent, a toilet tent, a rope helmet, snow boots, and a crampon (If required)
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Support: Mountaineering trained and experienced trek leader, guide (number of guides depends on group size) High-altitude cooks and support personnel
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First aid: First Aid Kit, Stretcher, Oxygen Cylinder and Stretcher,
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Mules: To transport the main cargo
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National Park Permit and Fees
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Delhi Sightseeing
Exclusion
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Any personal costs, including those for alcoholic drinks, room service, laundry, and phone calls.
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Any food that is not included in the itinerary.
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Any fees associated with evacuation.
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Mules, porters or other vehicles to transport personal belongings.
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Anything not specifically included under the heading.
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Vaccination
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Tips for local workers (this is an optional contribution, but most team members are glad to chip in.
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Early departure fees from the expedition.
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Any unscheduled hotels and restaurant meals.
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Entry visa.
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Travel insurance.
SINGLE ROOM AND TENT
You may reserve a single room in Delhi/Silguri during the trip for an extra fee of Euro 120.
A single tent for every camping night is available for an extra fee of 120 euros.
THE OFFLOADING OF BAGS
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Offloading a backpack will cost you 75 euros and will involve a porter or mule. The bag needs to be water-resistant. The backpack can only be 11 kg in weight. Bags, suitcases, and carts are not permitted.
Additional Information
The safety of our trekkers is our top priority in an emergency. Our Trek Leaders are skilled in dealing with medical situations, particularly those brought on by altitude. In more serious circumstances, the trekker will be taken on a stretcher as soon as possible to the closest hospital. The participant is responsible for covering any costs associated with using the medical facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Time to Travel to Markha Valley Trek?
The months of June through the middle of September are ideal for visiting Markha Valley. Ladakh experiences nice weather at this time of year, with daytime highs often between 20 and 30 °C. The best months for a Markha Valley walk are July and August since these are the months that the Manali-Leh and Srinagar-Leh roads open to private cars.
Why should I go for this trek?
The Markha Valley walk is renowned for being a well-liked yet genuine hike that provides you with a look into local life and beautiful surroundings. With two choices of routes available, you have no excuse not to embark on this adventure.
What are the crucial factors related to this trip?
Although the Markha Valley trip is not very difficult technically, it is necessary to be in good physical condition to appreciate the journey. Remember that you will likely only have access to the bare necessities and spend every night in a tent. Regardless of your level of experience, it is advised that you hire a guide or an agency to show you about the Valley. This will give you peace of mind and provide you with important information about the region and its residents. Last but not least, you will ascend to high heights, so ensure your insurance policy includes hiking/trekking over 3000m.
How challenging is the Markha Valley Trek?
Due to the high altitude and treacherous hills that must be negotiated along the journey, the Markha Valley Trek may be challenging for some. Long treks lasting more than 6 to 8 hours will be quite strenuous and demanding. Training your body's overall endurance before the excursion is the greatest approach to make sure it is somewhat easy for you. Additionally, a few days in Leh will enable your body to adjust to the local environment and weather. Hours of trekking in the heat can leave you dehydrated and weak. Make sure you consume enough glucose to prevent it.
What's it like in Ladakh?
India is a wonderful nation that will provide every tourist with an experience they won't soon forget. Before arriving in the tranquillity of Ladakh, this journey stops briefly amid Delhi's bustle. Ladakh is a region in Northern India that is a component of the greater area of Kashmir and is governed as a union territory.
We reach Leh, which serves as both the nation's joint capital and biggest town. It is still possible to see the palace in Leh, which served as Ladakh's capital when it was the Himalayan Kingdom. The merchandise available in the marketplaces and stores still has numerous influences from that era because Leh was a significant stopover on trade routes through the Indus Valley. Hinduism is the second most practised religion in the valley after Buddhism and is also the oldest. Other religions are also represented, such as Sikhism and Christianity.
Despite having everything a visitor might need, Leh nonetheless has the impression of a secluded mountain village today. A wide range of services is available, along with a nice selection of hotels, stores, and eateries. You won't need anything in this serene and beautiful environment, albeit occasionally there may be issues with the internet and the electrical supply due to its remote position.
What makes it unique?
Ladakh is undoubtedly unique due to its magnificent alpine landscape and remote position, but we'd say that engaging with the locals is the main attraction. Ladakhi people are kind, serene, hospitable, and honest; your memories of them will last a lifetime.
Geographically, India is undoubtedly a significant global participant in both people and business. With borders to six other nations, it is one of the nations with the most ethnic diversity in the world and a thriving vacation destination. Ladakh, one of its union territories, is located in the north. It is a mountainous region with most of its territory located at an elevation of over 3000 metres. Ladakh is home to a wide variety of mountains, ranging from accessible trekking peaks to challenging mountaineering objectives. It comprises portions of both the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges.
Ladakh's climate is often cold and dry, with an average of 80 millimetres of yearly precipitation. From the bitterly frigid months of January and February to the warmer months of July and August, the weather fluctuates greatly. The best months for mountaineering are July, August, and September since they provide consistent warm days and cool but clear nights.
What is Ladakh's official currency and how much cash will I need?
Once in the nation, it is simple to get Indian rupees, which are the official currency of Ladakh. With your Joining Instructions, we will give guidance on how much to pack for each route, but generally speaking, roughly 200 euros should be plenty for most journeys. This will cover a few meals, beverages, tips for local employees, and other miscellaneous costs like laundry and toiletries. Of course, you can need more if you wish to purchase extra souvenirs. We advise you to carry US dollars or a combination of dollars and euros.
What tools are offered, and do I have to pay for their use?
We provide all the necessary technical gear for your journey free of charge.
Ice axes, crampons, helmets, harnesses, climbing equipment, and ropes are included in this. Similarly, all necessary camping gear is given.
The gear list that will be supplied with your joining instructions has complete information on everything you will need, although you will need to provide appropriate clothing and a backpack.
There are frequently less expensive alternatives to some of the more expensive things required, as we are always eager to minimise your expenditures. Certain goods can also be rented. Do not allow the expense of the necessary equipment to prevent you from joining us.
Who is looking after me?
The majority of our international excursions are guided by Himalayan local guides and highly certified mountaineering leaders with extensive expertise.
How risky are these journeys?
Any journey involves risk.
The risks certainly increase when you include the dangers of travelling in developing nations and over hilly terrain. Therefore, asserting that any of our missions can ever be 100 percent safe would be both unrealistic and reckless. We would contend that some amount of danger is a necessary component of any adventure. It is our responsibility to take precautions to reduce and manage the risk.
Safety is our primary focus at Bike and Trek Adventure, and we have an impeccable safety record. This implies that we may always ask for assistance if necessary and that we have a third-party crisis management organisation on board.
Additionally, our crew will have a complete medical kit with them.
It should be mentioned that there are certain restrictions on the connection in the mountainous regions of India since the use of satellite communication equipment is prohibited. Instead, we used walkie-talkies to contact Base Camp.
What kind of lifestyle can I expect?
Although we provide reasonably priced adventures, we also want you to live comfortably while on your expedition. The hotels and guesthouses in Delhi and Leh will be basic but comfortable, and the native cuisine will be available in plenty. We will camp in basic mountain tents and the circumstances are basic during the mountain part. We will have a high-altitude chef and support staff with us, access to a mess tent, and basic but ample food as before. Overall, you will undoubtedly be properly taken care of, but you must be ready for extremely modest facilities and a simple way of life.
How old do you have to be?
Anyone over the age of 15 who can handle the physical demands of the journey and the basic living circumstances is invited to join us. We can only offer this trip to those who are over the age of 15, but we do not specify an upper age restriction.
If you are unsure, please get in touch with us to discuss this.
How many people will be present?
For a trip to be financially feasible, we must always determine the bare minimum required, which for this trip is 7.
We also limit the number of participants on each trip to a maximum of 12-15, since we think larger groups are more challenging to manage and lose their feeling of community.
As a general rule, we wind up taking groups of 8 to 10 people on the majority of our excursions.
What happens if I become sick and can't finish the journey, can't make it to the summit, or if there is an event that needs emergency help?
Although we make every effort to keep team members healthy (by carefully preparing food and ensuring that all water ingested is cleansed), there is always a chance that you might become ill. Similar to this, some persons still have difficulty adjusting to the altitude even with a decent acclimatisation profile. Your expedition leader will regularly monitor team members' health and, should someone fall ill, will talk to you about your alternatives.
When the situation can be controlled, the team member may be able to wait at a lower altitude or take a break until their health has sufficiently improved to allow them to continue. Sometimes leaving is the only choice. A local staff member will accompany a participant if they need to descend or leave the group. The expense of this would need to be covered by the person as it is not included in the itinerary.
In other circumstances, it might not be possible for a team member to escape the mountains on foot, and we might then need to think about alternate evacuation routes. Since military procurement of helicopters is common in this mountainous region, their availability may be constrained. In rare cases, a mule can be used to transport a team member to safety. Because any costs associated with the evacuation would be borne by the individual, any insurance coverage must include helicopter evacuation (please be aware that some insurance companies do charge excess for helicopter evacuation).
Since there aren't many medical facilities in the highlands, the team does bring supplies to support members who could be experiencing medical issues or crises. They consist of a variety of drugs, a transportable altitude chamber, and oxygen cylinders. All of them may be beneficial, but we must reiterate that travelling to distant locations and at altitude never comes without risk.
How do I book?
All of our programmes may be reserved online, but if you'd prefer, we're always ready to take your reservation over the phone or by email. Please get in touch with us directly if you'd like to set up a private guided option, and we'll be happy to assist.
Can you ensure favourable weather?
Sadly, we have no control over the weather. Though we do make an effort to choose locations and routes that should be ideal for the activity and provide the finest circumstances. We attempt to stick to our schedule as closely as we can, but we reserve the right to alter it if necessary for safety concerns because, well, mountains are mountains and circumstances do vary from year to year.
Can you accommodate special dietary needs?
Certainly.
Please inform us in advance so that we can be of assistance.
Will I have to lug around a big backpack?
Your primary luggage can be carried by a porter or mule as an option on our India treks for an additional fee. When you choose this option, all you have to carry is a daypack with the necessities for that day of hiking, which is a huge aid. You'll receive complete instructions on this before leaving, but typically this pack has to include everything you'd bring for a hill hike.
You could occasionally also be requested to carry a piece of the team's emergency gear, but it won't be any bigger than a sandwich box and won't weigh more than a kilo.
Is it okay to drink the water?
Anywhere in India, untreated water should not be consumed. Each team member will receive a water purification solution, and we will train them on how to handle the process of treating their drinking water. This is a simple procedure that quickly becomes a part of daily life. In some locations, filtered water is accessible, and bottled water is occasionally a choice as well. To reduce the amount of plastic trash generated, we do our best to discourage the excessive use of bottled water.
How do you try to reduce your environmental impact?
We are deeply committed to preserving the environment. As part of our Green Trail initiative, we will be gathering plastic along the way and bringing it back.
Do you need to be aware of medical issues?
When making your reservation, you must inform us of any medical issues you may have. Before your trip, you will also be requested to complete a thorough medical questionnaire.
To safeguard your safety and the safety of other team members, we must have a clear picture of each team member's health. The information submitted will remain wholly secret.
Depending on the information provided, we may need further information or request that you speak with your doctor to obtain their approval before going on the trip.
Although we make every effort to be inclusive, we do hope that you can see how crucial this is.
About the Trek
The Markha Valley Trek is one of the most well-known treks in Ladakh region, drawing adventurers worldwide. The walk traverses across regions with diverse sceneries. When the Markha Valley Trek continues onto the Hemis National Park and Rumbak Valley, it offers the chance to see rare Himalayan animal species, and if you're lucky, you could even run into a Snow Leopard. But the valley is also home to several other animals, including the lynx, Ladakhi Urial (a sort of goat), Arghali (large Tibetan sheep), Blue sheep, Red fox, Tibetan wolf, Dhole (wild dog), Marmot, and Mountain Hare. Additionally, this path in the Ladakh area provides opportunities for birdwatching.
The Markha Valley Trek visits various isolated human communities, including Rumbak village, Yurutse, and Markha, where the explorers can reflect on the rich indigenous culture of the Indo-Tibetans. One may also have the opportunity to stay in a house in one of these isolated settlements. Before settling in Markha, the trekking route in the Ladakh area also leads you up to shrines like Lhatos and Mani. The route climbs winding pathways to the 5100-meter Kongmaru La, where one may take in the breath-taking vista of the soaring high Kang Yatze Peak and the Tibetan border.
The traditional Markha Valley Trek starts in Spituk and travels through Ganda La via Zingchen before ending at Skiu, a remote settlement that is home to an ancient monastery and the remnants of a mediaeval castle and was formerly a rest stop for the Royal family travelling to Srinagar. The trails from Skiu lead to Markha and then, through Kongmaru La, to Shang Sumdo.
Overview
TRAIL TYPE : Crossover trail
REGION : Ladakh
MAXIMUM ALTITUDE : 17100 ft
GRADE : Moderate
DURATION : 11 nights / 12 days
TREKKING DISTANCE : 65 Km
GROUP SIZE : 12 – 15 People (Minimum requirement – 7 people)
EXPERIENCE : Any high-altitude trek
SUITABLE FOR : 15 + Years
FITNESS : Cover 6 Km of distance in 30 min without stress
BASE CAMP : Leh
SEASON : June, July, August, September
SERVICE FROM : New Delhi – New Delhi (All Inclusive)
MEALS : Meals while on Trek – veg + Egg
STAY : Camping (Twin sharing) & Hotel / Guest house
RAIL HEAD : Chandigarh
AIRPORT : Leh airport (Kushok Bakula Rimpochee)
Key Highlights
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Discover the vibrant Tibetan marketplaces and Buddhist temples that are steeped in history.
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During the charming journey, you'll get to see some of the most breath-taking Himalayan scenery.
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Camp at beautiful sites beneath the starry sky.
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Have the chance to stay in secluded mountain towns and engage with their kind and straightforward residents.
Eligibility
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Age: Anyone above 15 years of age.
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The participant has to be in good physical condition and possess the energy to accomplish 5 km in 30 min without feeling rushed.
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The ascent should be possible with a 12- to 16-kg back load
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Pulse rate at rest must be in between (60-90 per second)
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Blood pressure reading must be between (Diastolic 75-85, Systolic 100-130 Hg)
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Respiratory rate at rest must be in between (12 – 20 breaths per minuite)
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Should not have liver and kidney issues
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Should not have diabetes Mellitus, Asthma, Epilepsy, Heart problems, High BP
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No pacemaker implant
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Experience: Any high-altitude trek
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Trekkers below 15 years should have a company of a parent / guardian
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Trekkers between 15-18 years can come solo with the disclaimer form signed by parent/ Guardian