Zanskar
White Water Rafting In Indus and Zansker River
This frigid
river originates from the high altitude plateau of Sarchu on the border of
Himachal Pradesh
and Jammu and Kashmir. Originally known as the
Tsarap the river gorges a path out of the rocky
mountains of western
Himalayas, dropping in a continuous torrent of class V rapids. The river
then
eases into the forbidden Kingdom of Zanskar and
slowly flows past the capital at Padum. Here it joins
with the Stod
river which flows down from the Pensi La pass on the road from Kargil to
Padum.
It is from
this confluence of the Tsarap and Stod rivers that the mighty Zanskar takes
birth. Your four
day expedition on the river starts on the Stod
river and moves in to the Zanskar Gorge. The river
expedition
takes you through one of the most breathtaking gorges in Asia. The stark,
barren and rocky
massifs are interspersed with colorful bands of
mineral deposits, which run through entire
mountainsides giving it
a picture book finish. The expedition finishes at the confluence of the
Indus
and the Zanskar rivers at Nimmu. The same river in
winters is famous for the great Ice walk on the river
from Nimmu
till Padum and back.
The waters of
Zanskar are frigid at 6 – 7 degrees Celsius. Wet suits are mandatory on this
trip. Over a
period of 4 days you stop over at small but quaint
campsites nestled within the confines of the Zanskar
gorge. A
series of grade 3 and one grade 4 rapid make the Zanskar an ideal way to
explore this river.
DURATION:
8 Days (From Leh)
ACTUAL
RAFTING:
4 Days
DEGREE OF
DIFFICULTY:
Moderate
SPECIAL
EQUIPMENT:
Personal sleeping bag..
HIGHEST
GRADE:
Class 4.
SEASON:
July – September
INDUS
The Indus
river flowing through the Leh valley in the high altitude desert region of
Ladakh, is by far
one of the most scenic white water runs anywhere
in the Himalayas. The river offers a wide spectrum of
trips ranging
from the most popular day trip from Phey to Nimmu to a more extensive multi
day, self
contained expedition from Upshi –
Khaltsi.
Small but
exciting rapids take you through this magical moon-land with majestic peaks
and quaint
monasteries dotting the horizon. While in Leh, one
must take time to run this river.
DURATION:
1 - 4 day trips
ACTUAL
RAFTING:
1 – 5 days
DEGREE OF
DIFFICULTY:
Easy - Moderate
SPECIAL
EQUIPMENT:
Personal sleeping bag..
HIGHEST
GRADE:
Class 3.
SEASON:
July - September
For Booking and contacts please e-mail us: footprintsladakh@vsnl.com