Zanskar Update:
"There is nothing whatever to do. That is Leh's charm nothing to do but to slow down, relax, laze, to become one vast transparent eye" Andrew Harvey A Journey in Ladakh.
What to expect :
Temperatures: temperatures on the trip will vary from a maximum of 24 degrees to Minimum 10 degrees Celsius. It’s best to be prepared for lower temperatures due to wind chill or the weather turning bad. The days are hot and the nights refreshingly cool.
What to carry : Keep it light - although what you carry with you is a very personal decision. Some of our guests love to travel as light as possible while others are only
happy when they have countless bits of equipment for every possible occurrence, most of which will never be used. The list we sent out covers all essentials that you must carry.
A day pack is great to carry things that you will need throughout the day, such as your camera, water bottle, packed lunch, waterproofs, a fleece or a jumper.
Good footwear is very important - most trails in Ladakh are pretty rough and steep so a good pair of shoes is important. Sandals work well on the raft (even though you have wetsuit booties as an option)
and also for visiting monasteries (where footwear needs to be taken on and off, frequently). Socks, both for walking and a pair of warm ones for keeping feet warm inside the tent at night, is a good bet.
Clothes: A good base layer which could be a thermal top (polypropylene), with a T-shirt on top will keep you warm and dry. Mid layers provide insulation so anything that is warm will do e.g. a medium
thickness woolen jumper or a mid-weight fleece top, along with another lightweight fleece top will suffice. If you really feel the cold, substitute the thinner layer with a down jacket. The outer layer is the final layer between you and the elements and must be capable of keeping out the wind, rain and snow. Any good waterproof, windproof jacket would do the job. Leg wear in the form of thermal long johns are invaluable. Cotton trousers or long skirts (long skirts for ladies also double as a `port-a-loo') worn
over this layer can keep you very comfortable. A good sun hat is very essential. Sunglasses which offer 100% UV protection are necessary to combat strong daylight.
A good quality sleeping bag ensures a good nights sleep after a long day outdoors. Do not compromise on your sleeping bag - err on the side of carrying a warmer bag, than carrying a light one which may give you many sleepless nights. Carry any personal medication that you may need, or let us know should you be suffering from any particular ailment.
How to carry: Its best to carry your belongings in a large, tough duffel bag or a big rucksack. A bum / waist bag is handy to have your camera, film rolls, flashlights (handy when visiting
monasteries) and a guidebook, when you are sightseeing. Pack similar things such as clothes, washing things, camping equipment etc. in separate stuff sacks or polythene bags so they are easier to pull out and add to the waterproofing in your bag.
Altitude considerations : Travel to any part of Ladakh deserves a little more respect than many other high altitude destinations because the whole region lies over 2600 meters (8500 ft). People in good health should not get alarmed by this but if you have a medical condition such as high blood pressure, heart or lung disease, you must
take the advise of a doctor who has experience with the effects of altitude. We do not take heart or lung patients, or pregnant mothers on this expedition. Any kind of exercise which gets you fitter before this trip is advisable, as it will enable you to enjoy the region more, even though all hikes are optional and the rafting not of a very strenuous nature.
Headache, Nausea & Dizziness, Loss of appetite, Fatigue, Shortness of breath, Disturbed sleep, General feeling of malaise are fairly common symptoms on arrival by air into Leh. These can also be
tackled by complete rest on Day 1, sleeping well and drinking lots of fluids (atleast 4-6 litres of the non-alcoholic kind!) and not smoking too much. On all our Ladakh trips till date, nearly all have
acclimatised very well and we have had only one instance of a person being in hospital on the first night, on oxygen after which she seemed to have extra bundle of energy throughout the trip.
Activity Level
Our expedition trips are designed for energetic and flexible people who have the spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. Previous experience in the outdoors and camping
helps, though is not a must. These trips are participatory in nature, and everyone is expected to pitch in, set up and break down their own tent, clean their own dishes and help with loading and unloading the rafts.
The Next Step
Ready to go? Email us at rafting@raftinginganges.com to book your place and we will guide you through the booking process.
Why travel with Virgin Travel Spots
We are a pioneer in active adventure travel, and run the most number of rivers in India, having opened them up over the past several years. We are the first to take guests down demanding rivers like the
Brahmaputra, Tons, Maha Kaali, Upper Alaknanda. We set the standard and have a strong reputation for excellence. We have a lot to live up to and we ensure we provide the safest, quality trips for our guests.
References
Should you wish to contact any of our past guests for a trip reference, write to us. Services provided In remote regions, we often use local suppliers who provide services that may include Vehicles for transportation, equipment, logistical support, hotels, guest houses etc. We do not own or operate these independent services or suppliers. We work with them as they share our commitment to service and quality.
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