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1st Departure:
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Unknown
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Provider:
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Soul Adventures
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Destination:
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South and Southeast Asia > India > Himalayan Region
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Duration:
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13 days
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Challenge:
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Comfort:
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This Soul Adventure is for someone who seeks adventure, spirit and community and wants to experience the indigenous cultures influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. Our journey takes us to Northern India and the majestic Himalayan Range.
The simple daily experience of this journey provides the opportunity to feel the core of your being and to contemplate the question: Who Am I?
Just as a white summer-cloud, in harmony with heaven and earth, freely floats in the blue sky from horizon to horizon, following the breath of the atmosphere - in the same way the pilgrim abandons himself to the breath of the greater life that wells up from the depth of this being and leads him beyond the farthest horizons to an aim which is already present within him, though yet hidden from his sight.
- Lama Anagarika Govinda, The Way Of The White Clouds
Arrival into the extreme heat of Delhi is in stark contrast to the spring of Leh where we begin our trek.
The Markha Valley Trek Situated on the western end of the Himalayas, Ladakh has four major mountain ranges - the great Himalayan, Zanskar, Ladakh and the Karakoram, passing through it. A maze of enormously high snow capped peaks and the largest glaciers outside the polar region dominate the terrain where valley heights range from a mere 8000 ft. to 15,000 ft. while passes of up to 20,000 ft. and peaks reaching above 25,000 ft. can be seen all around. The world's largest glacier outside the polar region, Siechen is here.
The major waterway of Ladakh is the Indus, which enters India from Tibet at Ldemchok. Starting near Mt. Kailash, the Indus according to Mythology, sprouts from the mouth of a loin, and is therefore known as Senge Khababs. Summer temperatures rarely exceed 80F in the shade, while in winter they may plummet to minus 4F even in Leh. Surprisingly though, the thin air makes the heat of the sun even more intense than at lower altitudes. It is said that only in Ladakh a man sitting with his feet in the shade suffers from sunstroke and frostbite at the same time!
The Markha Valley Trek is certainly one of the most varied and beautiful treks in the world. It ventures high into the Himalayas crossing two passes over 15,000 ft (4575m) as it circles from the edges of the Indus Valley, down into parts of Zanskar, and passes through terrain that changes from incredibly narrow valleys to wide-open and vast expanses! It is made all the more interesting by the ancient form of Buddhism that flourishes in the many monasteries that dot the landscape perched high atop the hills. The trails are decorated by elaborate "chortens" (shrines) and "mani" (prayer) walls, which further exemplify the region's total immersion in Buddhist culture. As we trek to the upper end of the Markha Valley we are rewarded with spectacular views of jagged snow capped peaks before crossing the 16,730 ft (5100m) Gongmaru Pass and descending to the famous Hemis Monastery, where we end our trek.
COST INCLUDES:
- All transportation from Delhi; Intra-Country Airfare and Ground Transportation
- Accommodation in Delhi Vasant Continental 5* & Hotel Omasila A Class in Leh
- Trekking Equipment: Tents (Marmot 3 person tent for 2 persons) & Mattresses.
- All Permits and Fees
- A Grand Adventure and a Quality Group of Trekkers!
COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- International Airfare to/from Delhi, India
- Any expense of personal nature; laundry, telephone calls, internet, alcohol, etc.
- Any expenses due to unforeseen circumstances like roadblock, landslide, flight cancellation etc.
- Personal Insurance: When traveling to any international destination, we suggest medical evacuation insurance.
- Optional Tipping of leader, guides, and local staff.